We offer 7 climbing routes to Kilimanjaro
1.Climbing Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak (5895 m). Marangu Route, 7 days
About This Route
The Marangu Route has been referred to as the ‘Coca Cola’ route and this has led potential climbers to think that it is an easy route to the summit. This is far from the truth to be honest! The fact that it requires a minimum of 5 days to complete it does not mean that it is easier than any other route. The only reason that people say it is easier is because it is the only route up Kilimanjaro where you sleep in huts as opposed to tents. An optional acclimatization day at Horombo Huts is highly recommended for those with no prior trekking in altitude experience under their belt. Advance booking of hut accommodation is required to avoid any inconveniences. The route starts from the park headquarters in the village of Marangu and heads straight westwards towards Kibo. The trail goes through lush rainforest, heath and moorland to alpine desert and ultimately the arctic zone at the peak and same route down.
Marangu Route:
- one is the most popular
- one of the easiest, the route is flat without long tracks,
- one does not require a large amount of equipment,
- accommodation in hut that need to be booked in advance,
- one is full in any season, which is one of its main disadvantage
ATTENTION!!! The difference between the 7 and 6 days route. In the 6-days tour, there is no acclimatization day (no trekking on the Zebra cliffs (4020 m))
2. Climbing Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak (5895 m). Umbwe Route, 7 days
About This Route
The Umbwe route has a well-deserved reputation of being the most challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Approaching from the south, the Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct climb. After reaching Barranco Camp, the trail follows the southern circuit to the summit. The descent is done via the Mweka route. Major reason that Umbwe route considered to be very difficult is its steepness in the first two days and its shrt time of acclimatization.This route is attempted by strong hikers who are also confident of their ability to acclimatize to altitude.
Route Umbwe:
- this is the most difficult route (short and steep climb)
- short time to acclimatize
3. Climbing Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak (5895 m). Machame Route, 8 (7) days
About This Route
The Machame route, also referred to as the Whiskey route, was one of the most popular routes ad crowded on Kilimanjaro. But now many people have been choosing Lemosho as altenative to avoid crowd which makes the route less populated compare to Lemosho. This is one of our favorite route due to its scenery and success rates. Machame route is one of the highest summit success rates given the topography and nature of the route which allows climbers to “trek high & sleep low” hence making it a more favorable route for acclimatization. This route offers some of the most spectacular scenery while on the mountain. The Machame route starts in the south west side of the mountain and proceeds steeply north, traversing the Shira plateau and eventually joining the Shira and Lemosho routes just after the Shira cave camp. The Machame route can be done in minimum 6 days but a 7 day trek is recommended to allow climbers been well rested and acclimatized before making the final ascent to the summit.
Machame route:
- the most popular, but not the most simple
- the highest rate of successful ascents to the top
- many tourists
- а standard climbing time of 7 and 8 days is offered.
ATTENTION!!! The difference between the 8 and 7 days route. For a 7-days tour, on day 5, a longer transition, we pass by Karanga camp (3963 m) and go straight to Barafu camp (4640 m)
4. Climbing Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak (5895 m). Rongai Route, 8 (7) days
About This Route
Starting from the northeastern side of the mountain near the Kenyan border, the Rongai Route rises above the Amboseli plains and approach the summit of Kilimanjaro west of the Mawenzi peak. It is an unfrequented route and is also the easiest camping approach to Uhuru Peak. The descent normally uses the Marangu Route. There are two variations to this route. Rongai route is best option during the rainy season, due to its location, which receive little rain. This route can be climbed for 6days, although 7days is recommend for better acclimatization.
Route Rongai:
- rarely visited route
- best option during the rainy season
- а standard climbing time of 7 and 8 days is offered.
ATTENTION!!! For the 7-days tour, on the 3-day we will have a longer trekking, we pass by the 2nd cave camp (3480 m) and go straight to the Kikelewa camp (3630 m).
5. Climbing Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak (5895 m). Lemosho Crater Route, 9 (8) days
About This Route
Lemosho route:
- one of our favorite routes because of the beautiful scenery
- has the highest percentage of successful ascents.
The Lemosho route is one of our preferred route due beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate. The Lemosho route located from the west that begins with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. Sometime the route is dusty due to many vehicles. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the lush rainforest to Shira Plateau. We recommend a minimum of 7 days to attempt this route but 8 days is preferable for better acclimatization and summit success. The Lemosho route joins the Machame route after Shira 2 Camp and then follows the same route through the southern circuit and descending at Mweka Gate. A standard climbing time of 8 and 9 days is offered.
ATTENTION!!! During the 8-days tour, on day 3, we have a longer trekking tour, we pass by Shira 1 camp (3500 m) and go straight to Shira Camp 2 (3900 m).
6. Climbing Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak (5895 m). Northern Circuit Crater Route, 10 days
About This Route
The Northern Circuit is the newest and longest route on Mount Kilimanjaro. It begins in the West at the Londorossi Gate and follows the same path as the Lemosho route for the first two days. After crossing the Shira plateau the path veers north near Lava Tower, following the longer Northern Circuit instead of the more popular Southern Circuit via Barranco Valley The route circles around the quieter northern slopes to the east side of the mountain. The Northern Circuit is longer than the other trails on Kilimanjaro, taking a minimum of eight or nine days to complete. The eight day trek skips the additional acclimatization day that is usually spent at Shira Camp 2 and continues straight on to Moir Camp.
Northern route:
- the longest route
- rarely visited
- popularity among professional photographers
- a standard ascent time is 10 days.
7. Climbing Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak (5895 m). Shira Route, 7 days
About This Route
The Shira route starts from the control point - the Shire gate, which is located at a fairly high altitude - 3600 m. All tourist groups drive to this entrance by transport, and therefore, many tourists without sufficient acclimatization experience mountain sickness on the first day / night of ascent. This route, as a rule, is chosen only by trained climbers who have experience of climbing to a considerable height and quickly adapt to extreme conditions for the organism. It is also quite a long route on Kilimanjaro. It requires at least 6 overnight stays. Three of them pass, as a rule, in the conditions closest to the wild, that is, on this route, the greatest acquaintance with the primeval nature of these places is achieved. From the Shira hut (3840 m), this route almost repeats the route of Lemosho. Since then, the number of people on it exceeds the desired size. The descent takes place on the route Mweka.
Route of the Shire:
- the route starts from a great height - 3600 m
- recommended route for trained climbers with acclimatization
- after crossing with the rest of the western routes, it is crowded in any season, which is one of its main disadvantages
- A standard climbing time of 7 days is suggested.