Kilimanjaro Routes
MARANGU ROUTE
The Marangu Route, often called the "Coca-Cola route," is the oldest path up Mount Kilimanjaro and one of the most popular ones. Opting for the Marangu route, you will repeat the very first successful Kilimanjaro summit by Hans Meyer that took place in 1889. The trail lies inside Kilimanjaro National Park, traversing all climatic zones of the mountain from tropical forest to alpine desert. Uniquely, it is the only route that offers dormitory-style huts for overnight stays.
Summit night from Kibo Hut is steep and passes Gilman’s Point to Uhuru Peak. It is a shorter route with a steeper incline and less time for acclimatization it tends to have a lower summit success rate. This is the only route where the ascent and descent route is shared, thus creating more traffic.
Duration: 5 or 6 days
Difficulty: Medium
Scenery: Good
Traffic: High
MACHAME ROUTE
The Machame Route is a popular trekking route on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. It is a challenging but scenic route that takes approximately 6 days to complete, with an additional day for acclimatization. The route starts from the south-western side of the mountain and passes through various ecological zones including rainforest, heath, and moorland before reaching the summit at Uhuru Peak.
During the 6-day trek, hikers will spend their nights in tents at designated campsites along the route. The Machame Route is known for its steep and rocky terrain, which can be physically demanding, but the reward is breathtaking views of the mountain and the surrounding landscape.
Hikers on the Machame Route will be accompanied by experienced guides and porters, who will assist with setting up camp, cooking meals, and carrying equipment. The Machame Route is a challenging trek, but it is a popular choice for those looking for a more adventurous and scenic route to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Duration: 6 or 7 days
Difficulty: Medium
Scenery: Excellent
Traffic: High
CLIMBING KILIMANJARO VIA THE LEMOSHO ROUTE
As a newer route, it is more remote and arguably more beautiful, but a bit longer and slightly more expensive. It starts on the Western side of the mountain at the Londorossi Gate which is a further drive from town, and was introduced as an alternative to the Shira route.
After beautiful forests and moorlands it crosses the Shira Plateau on day 3 to connect with the Machame Route at Lava Tower and down towards Barranco Valley via the Southern Circuit. You may be lucky enough to see buffalo, elephant and other game. Because this route can be done over a longer period of time for acclimatization, it has a higher success rate of summit.
Duration: 7 – 8 days
Difficulty: Medium
Scenery: Excellent
Traffic: Medium
CLIMBING KILIMANJARO VIA THE RONGAI ROUTE
Less crowded because of its remote location the route offers trekkers a unique wilderness experience where it is possible to see large wildlife like antelope, elephant and buffalo. As there is typically less moisture on this side of the mountain you are less likely to encounter rain and have more unclouded views of the peak. While it is flatter, it does not give the climb high sleep low option and therefore recommended to select more days for acclimatization.
The Rongai route is one of the easier routes up Kilimanjaro. Rongai is the only route to approach Kilimanjaro from the north and the descent is via the Marangu Route. Summit night from Kibo Hut is steep and follows the same path taken by the Marangu route which passes Gilman’s Point to Uhuru Peak.
There are several variations; the one described is a longer route taken in Mawenzi Tarn.
Duration: 5 or 6 days
Difficulty: Medium
Scenery: Very good
Traffic: Low
KILIMANJARO CLIMBING VIA UMBWE ROUTE
Umbwe is mostly avoided because the ascent profile does not give climbers much time to adjust to the altitude. The success rate is very low.
The route takes six days minimum to complete, although seven days is recommended. The descent is down Mweka, on the south-east side of the mountain. Umbwe is not as scenically varied as Machame, Lemosho, and Shira, because the path up and down is nearby.
The Umbwe is ideal for those who want a challenging climb, and are very confident in their ability trek over consistently steep slopes. Also, Umbwe is for those who are experienced at altitude and thus are confident that the punishing schedule of Umbwe will not impede their ability to adjust to altitude. Umbwe is also for those who want a secluded hike.
SHIRA ROUTE
A challenging Path to the Summit of Mount Kilimanjaro
The Shira route is one of the less popular options for climbing Kilimanjaro. While it offers stunning views of the Shira Plateau, it’s also known for its challenging altitude profile.
Key Points about the Shira Route:
High starting altitude: The route begins at around 3,600 meters, which means you’re exposed to high altitude conditions right from the start. This can increase the risk of altitude sickness.
Beautiful scenery: The Shira Plateau is a highlight, offering expansive views and unique geological formations.
Shorter route: Compared to other routes, Shira is relatively short, typically taking 6-7 days to complete.
Fewer crowds: As a less popular option, you’re likely to encounter fewer fellow climbers.
Similar to Lemosho: The Shira and Lemosho routes share some similarities, with Lemosho being a more popular and generally easier option.
Is the Shira Route Right for You?
The Shira route is best suited for experienced trekkers who are already acclimatized to high altitude and are looking for a shorter, less crowded climb. If you’re new to high altitude trekking, it’s generally recommended to choose a route with a lower starting altitude.