Best Routes for Climbing Kilimanjaro

Our Most Preferred Kilimanjaro Route

(Mweka is exclusively utilised for descent.) The Marangu, Machame, and Umbwe trails approach from the south. Northern Circuit, Shira, and Lemosho routes approach from the west. The Rongai route approaches from the north.

Marangu Route: Summit success rate of 75% to 80%
Machame Route: Summit success rate of 95%
Lemosho Route: Summit success rate of 95%
Northern Circuit Route: Summit success rate of 98%
Umbwe Route: Summit success rate of 85%
Shira Route: Summit success rate of 90%
Rongai Route: Summit success rate of 90%<

#1. Route of Marangu ("Coca Cola")

The Marangu route, also referred to as the "Coca-Cola" route, is a well-known journey up Mount Kilimanjaro. The oldest and most established route is this one. This is one of the best routes for climbing Kilimanjaro because it gives its gentle slope. The Marangu route is popular since it is seen to be the easiest path on the mountain. Additionally, it is the only route that provides dormitory-style sleeping huts.

The least number of days needed for this trip is five, although the likelihood of completing it in that time is very slim. When ascending Kilimanjaro through the Marangu route, it is highly advised to spend an additional day acclimatizing on the peak.

Nevertheless, despite the Marangu route's enormous popularity, we avoid guiding climbs there. The route features the smallest variety of picturesque because the ascent and descent are completed on the same road, it is the most congested route among all of them. Only during the rainy season when hut accommodations are preferred to soggy ground or for climbers with only five days to spare. The Marangu trail is not a good choice anyway.

#2. Route of Machame ("Whiskey")

The Machame route, sometimes known as the "Whiskey" route, is currently the most favored route on the mountain. On Machame, the days are longer and the hikes are more strenuous than on Marangu. Given its reputation as a challenging route, the Machame route is best left to the more daring and experienced hikers and backpackers.

The Machame path offers stunning and interesting scenery. However, it loses some of its splendor as a result of the large number of people.

#3. Lemosho Route

One of the more recent paths on Mount Kilimanjaro is the Lemosho route. Lemosho crosses the Shira Plateau from Shira Ridge to Shira Camp rather than just cutting through it as Machame did. Before the path connects to the Machame route, climbers find little traffic. The southern circuit, which includes Lava Tower, Barranco, and Barafu, is the next stop for Lemosho.

Six days are the least needed for this route, however, eight days are optimal.

This route is also the best for climbing Kilimanjaro because it offers sweeping views of the mountain's different faces and is regarded as the most picturesque route on Kilimanjaro.

#4. Route Shira

Another way that climbs Kilimanjaro from the west is called the Shira route, and it is quite similar to the Lemosho route. In actuality, Lemosho is an upgraded version of Shira, which was the initial path. The Shira route avoids this walk by utilizing a vehicle to transfer climbers to Shira Gate, which is situated close to the Shira Ridge, whereas Lemosho begins at Londorossi Gate and requires a hike through the rainforest to reach Shira 1 Camp.

Climbers start their ascent at 11,800 feet (3,600 m) on their first day on the mountain, and they spend their first night at Simba Camp at the same altitude. The route then combines with Lemosho and travels along the southern circuit.

Lemosho is advised above Shira despite Shira's variety and beauty due to the comparatively high altitude of Shira's starting location, which is easily reached by car. On the first day of camping at 11,800 feet, climbers may experience some altitude-related problems.

#5. Northern Circuit Route

The newest and most thrilling path up Mount Kilimanjaro is called the Northern Circuit. Starting on the Lemosho path, the trek ascends Kilimanjaro from the west. The Northern Circuit circumnavigates the peak by going around the peaceful, infrequently traveled northern slopes rather than via the southern traverse like all other west-approaching routes.

The Northern Circuit route is the longest in terms of time and distance, taking nine days to complete.

#6. Rongai Route

The only path that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north and is close to the Kenyan border is the Rongai route. Despite growing in prominence with climbers, Rongai is not very busy. For those seeking a less congested option to the busy Marangu path, those seeking a more secluded walk, and those climbing during the rainy season (the north side receives less precipitation), this is the preferable way.

Six days is the bare least needed for this trek, while seven days is advised.

Rongai makes up for the lack of variety in the scenery by traveling through genuine wilderness areas for days before connecting to the Marangu route at Kibo camp.

#7. The Umbwe Route

The Umbwe route is an easy-to-follow, short, and steep route. It is the most demanding route up Mount Kilimanjaro and is thought to be exceedingly difficult and it is the best route for climbing Kilimanjaro, especially for most competitive trekkers. Umbwe does not offer the requisite stages for acclimatization to altitude because of the fast ascent. Although there is extremely little traffic on this route, the likelihood of success is also very low.

Although seven days are advised when tackling this route, it is provided at a minimum of six days.

Only extremely fit hikers who are confident in their capacity to acclimatize should undertake the Umbwe route. The Umbwe route is generally not advised, and we advise our clients against using it.

Routes to Crater Camps

Crater Camp (18,800 feet/5,750 m), a seldom-used campground, is located just below the summit. Due to its proximity to Reusch Crater (19,140 ft/5,800 m), the source of Kilimanjaro, the camp is known as Crater Camp. Furtwangler Glacier, one of Kilimanjaro's final glaciers, is very close to the campsite. Crater Camp lodging allows climbers the chance to ascend to the crater rim and get up close to the glaciers.

It is possible to use Crater Camp the night before or, ideally, after a summit attempt. On the 9-day Lemosho route and 10-day Northern Circuit route, Ultimate Kilimanjaro offers private climbs using Crater Camp.