A Map Of Mount Kilimanjaro
The Kilimanjaro National Park, founded by TANAPA in the year 1973, established 7 climbing routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, which include the Machame route, the Lemosho route, the Rongai route, the Umbwe route, the Marangu route, the Shira route and the Northern Circuit route. Each trail has two hiking variations that are trekked between 5 to 9 days and differ in summit success rates (42 to 95%), climbing level of difficulty (ranked on a linear order scale of 1-7, using the Yosemite Decimal System) and the number of days traveled that measure 53 up to 72 kilometers (roughly 32-45 miles). For example, the 8-day Lemosho route has a summit success rate of 92% and is one of the best-performing tourist routes on Mount Kilimanjaro. That’s because the program comes with minimal elevation gains, on average and per day, as well as good climb-high and sleep-low opportunities. However if you take a look at the route’s 7-day variation, you’ll quickly come to the realization that, even though the hiking itinerary shares a similar altitude landscape as the 8-day Lemosho program, its high elevation gains has the 7-day Lemosho itinerary performing at an 85% success rate and ranking third overall. That’s to say, the longer you trek a route on Mount Kilimanjaro, the higher your probability of reaching the summit at Uhuru Peak. Acclimatization opportunities to look for in a climbing route should include:
- Average Elevation Gains – The average daily elevation gain of a climbing route indicates the level of simplicity for your body to adapt along its path. A lower number signifies greater simplicity in the ascent, while a higher number indicates the opposite. A good rule of thumb is to ascend no more than 400m per day since anything more often leads to a potential increase in altitude sickness (AMS, HAPE or HACE). If you can’t find a trail that fits within this threshold, opt for a route that sits relatively close to this number. In this case, it’s the 8-day Lemosho program.
- Climb-High & Sleep-Low Profiles – The idea for climb-high and sleep-low is to gradually expose the body to higher altitudes, forcing it to adjust, and then return back down to sleep in order to recuperate at an altitude that the body already finds familiar. Lemosho Route, Machame Route, Marangu Route and the Northern Circuit trail are the only 4 out 7 established Kilimanjaro routes that have a natural landscape for good climb-high and sleep-low opportunities.
- Long Hiking Durations – The longer your body is exposed to low atmospheric pressure, the more likely it’ll adapt to high-altitude environments. The body’s natural adaptation to high altitude and low PO2 is to increase the production in red blood cells, which can help supplement the desaturation of hemoglobin. The blood protein hemoglobin helps carry oxygen throughout your body and takes carbon dioxide to your lungs.
Things to also know:
Compare Kilimanjaro’s Summit Success Rates
| Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes | Kilimanjaro Summit Success Rates | Number Of Hiking Days |
| Marangu Route | 42% Success Rate | 5 Days |
| Marangu Route | 56% Success Rate | 6 Days |
| Umbwe Route | 60% Success Rate | 6 Days |
| Machame Route | 73% Success Rate | 6 Days |
| Rongai Route | 80% Success Rate | 7 Days |
| Machame Route | 85% Success Rate | 7 Days |
| Lemosho Route | 85% Success Rate | 7 Days |
| Lemosho Route | 92% Success Rate | 8 Days |
| Northern Circuit Route | 95% Success rate | 9 Days |
With about 16,000 hikers that attempt to climb Kilimanjaro every year, the overall probability of success, for the 7 established routes, is only averaged at 60%. Though this is the case, Kilimanjaro treks have been effortless over recent years thanks to the rise of information on the internet. Better-informed hikers have learned to avoid shorter, risky trails in favor of long and gradual routes. This has resulted in better performance and fewer health risks on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Frequently asked questions:
Ranking Kilimanjaro Routes’ Level of Difficulty
| Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes | Level of Difficulty | Climbing Grades (YDS) |
| 6-Day Umbwe Route | Hardest | Difficulty Grades of 2 & 3 |
| 5-Day Marangu Route | Very Hard | Difficulty Grade of 1 |
| 6-Day Marangu Route | Hard | Difficulty Grade of 1 |
| 6-Day Machame Route | Medium | Difficulty Grades of 1, 2 & 3 |
| 7-Day Machame Route | Medium | Difficulty Grades of 1, 2 & 3 |
| 7-Day Lemosho Route | Medium | Difficulty Grades of 1, 2 & 3 |
| 8-Day Lemosho Route | Easy | Difficulty Grades of 1, 2 & 3 |
| 7-Day Rongai Route | Very Easy | Difficulty Grade of 1 |
| 9-Day Northern Circuit Route | Easiest | Difficulty Grade of 1 |
The routes listed, in the table above, are ranked based on terrain difficulty, walking duration and recovery windows after hikes. However, if you’d like a more comprehensive analysis of climbing grades, I’d urge you to read How Difficult It Is To Climb Kilimanjaro because it takes a deep dive into the degree of difficulty you can expect of various climbing routes and their classifications, according to the Yosemite Decimal System and UIAA Grade System. These are international grading systems used by professional mountaineers in order to grade the level of danger, difficulty and exposure on trails.
| Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) | Overview of the YDS climbing grades |
| Grade I | This grade involves a few hours of climbing |
| Grade II | Grade II usually involves about half a day of climbing |
| Grade III | This grade denotes trails that involve half a day or more of roped climbing |
| Grade IV | Grade IV refers to routes that demand technical climbing of moderate difficulty lasting about a full day |
| Grade V | These kinds are long enough to require an overnight stay at a location or a hike that lasts an entire day |
| Grade VI | This grade involves two or more days of technical rock climbing, as is particularly strenuous. This grade should only be attempted by experienced climbers familiar with the level of difficulty |
| Grade VII | Grade VII involves big walls and difficult climbs that can take at least a week to complete |
1. Lemosho Route‘s Profile
Performance:
The Lemosho route has an average daily elevation gain of 530 meters and classification difficulty grades of 1, 2 and possibly 3, according to the Yosemite Decimal System. For instance, you can expect an easy classification grade of 1 overall however, when traversing the Barranco Wall’s exposure, the route’s climbing grade quickly jumps from a simple 1 to a moderate difficulty of 2. From there, the route’s hardship only increases, when approaching the summit via the Western Breach. This is because the Western Breach has a demanding classification grade of 3, due to the trail’s exposure and a need for basic technical climbing skills and rock climbing equipment.
Elevation Graph:
Features Of The Climb:
The Lemosho route is the most scenic route on Mount Kilimanjaro, offering viewpoints of valleys, lush vegetation and volcanic calderas. Aside from its diverse scenery, you’ll also come across various mammals, birds and reptiles during the expedition. Although many species reside on the lowers slopes of the trail, this long-distance footpath remains decorated with unique plants and vegetation, as you trek through its various ecological zones. A standout feature of the Lemosho route is its low foot traffic, on the first ascent. This means you’ll get to experience and immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of its natural surroundings before the trail connects to the crowded Machame route.
Trekking Map:
A Comparison Between Lemosho vs Rongai Route:
| Lemosho Route | Rongai Route | |
| Rate of Success | 92% | 80% |
| Climbing Difficulty | Grade I, II & III (YDS) | Grade I (YDS) |
| Avg Daily Elevation Gains | 530 meters | 790 meters |
| Duration | 7-8 Days | 7 Days |
| Scenic Viewpoints | Very High | Moderate |
| Accommodations | Tent | Tent |
2. Umbwe Route‘s Profile
Performance:
Climbing up the Umbwe route requires great altitude experience, solid physical strength and a lot of endurance. The Umbwe route has an average daily elevation gain of 860 meters and a difficulty climbing grade of 2 and possibly 3, when approaching the summit through the Western Breach. This is because the route is littered with rocks and boulders, requiring scrambling for a good part of the expedition.
Elevation Graph:
Features Of The Climb:
The Umbwe route is the shortest, steepest and most challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro. The route’s unkempt trails offer natural views and a sense of adventure that can’t be matched by other, more popular routes on Mount Kilimanjaro. Even though this is the most direct route to the summit at Uhuru Peak, exceptional biological fitness and prior experience with high altitudes are required to meet the demands of its terrain. Climbers who are fit and skilled enough to take on this challenge will be rewarded with a unique experience that includes some of the most scenic and remote sections of the mountain.
Trekking Map:
A Comparison Between Umbwe vs Marangu Route:
| Umbwe Route | Marangu Route | |
| Rate of Success | 60% | 42% |
| Climbing Difficulty | Grade II & III (YDS) | Grade I (YDS) |
| Avg Daily Elevation Gains | 630 meters | 1,000 meters |
| Duration | 6 Days | 5-6 Days |
| Scenic Viewpoints | Low | Very Low |
| Accommodations | Tent | Mountain Hut |
3. Rongai Route‘s Profile
Performance:
The Rongai route has an average daily elevation gain of 790 meters and an overall difficulty grade of 1, according to the Yosemite Decimal System. Even though the room for recovery after hikes is quite low on this trail, the route’s terrain is easy underfoot. Just as the Northern Circuit route, it’s simply a gradual hike all the way to the summit at Uhuru Peak. The trail doesn’t require any technical hiking equipment, scrambling or traversing through an exposure.
Elevation Graph:
Features Of The Climb:
The Rongai Route is known for its relatively gradual ascent, green scenery and less crowded trails. The footpath approaches Kilimanjaro from the northern side, near the Kenya-Tanzania border, which tends to be drier during the rainy seasons. A great advantage of attempting the summit approach from the Ronagi route is the opportunity to spot large mammals such as elephants, the cape buffalo, bush duiker and small dik-diks. This adds an extra layer of excitement to the trek.
Trekking Map:
A Comparison Between Machame vs Rongai Route:
| Machame Route | Rongai Route | |
| Rate of Success | 85% | 80% |
| Climbing Difficulty | Grade I, II & III (YDS) | Grade I, II & III (YDS) |
| Avg Daily Elevation Gains | 700 meters | 790 meters |
| Duration | 6-7 Days | 7 Days |
| Scenic Viewpoints | Moderate | Moderate |
| Accommodations | Tent | Tent |
4. Marangu Route‘s (Coca-Cola Route) Profile
Performance:
The Marangu Route has an average daily elevation gain of 1,000 meters and a difficulty grade of 1 overall. Even though this is the case, the route’s trails a steep, long and do not have any room for physical recovery. This is because the Marangu route has very long hiking durations, which sometimes lead to the risk of fatigue. Where most people fail on this trail is when they experience sudden shifts in altitude.
Elevation Graph:
Features Of The Climb:
The Marangu Route is the second most popular trail on Mount Kilimanjaro and is often referred to as the “Coca-Cola Route”, due to the available amenities such as internet and refrigerators that are packed with various food and drinks (carbonated soft drinks). The route approaches Kilimanjaro from the southeast and passes through a variety of montane ecosystems, including forests, moorland and arctic tundra, in the alpine climate. The final push to the summit at Uhuru Peak is usually done overnight to catch the sunrise. Unlike other routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, where climbers use tents, the Marangu Route offers basic lodging in mountain huts that feature bunk beds and communal dining areas.
Trekking Map:
A Comparison Between Marangu vs Machame Route:
| Marangu Route | Machame Route | |
| Rate of Success | 42% | 85% |
| Climbing Difficulty | Grade I (YDS) | Grade I, II & III (YDS) |
| Avg Daily Elevation Gains | 1,000 meters | 700 meters |
| Duration | 5-6 Days | 6-7 Days |
| Scenic Viewpoints | Very Low | Moderate |
| Accommodations | Mountain Hut | Tent |
Expanded Topics:
5. Machame Route‘s (Whiskey Route) Profile
Performance:
The Machame route has an average daily elevation gain of 700 meters and, just as the Lemosho route, classification difficulty grades of 1, 2 and possibly 3. That’s because the Machame Route and Lemosho route are essentially the same trail, apart from the first two days of hiking. This means you can expect an easy classification grade of 1 overall however, when traversing the Barranco Wall’s exposure, the route’s climbing grade quickly jumps to a moderate difficulty of 2. Again, a demanding classification grade of 3 can be expected when scrambling along the Western Breach route. This is due to the trail’s exposure, a need for rock climbing equipment and basic technical climbing skills.
Elevation Graph:
Features Of The Climb:
The Machame route is the most popular route on Mount Kilimanjaro. This is mainly due to the route’s affordable costs, in conjunction with good acclimatization opportunities and gradual ascents. However because the trail shares a similar terrain as Mount Kilimanjaro’s Lemosho route, you can expect a similar variation of landscapes, scenic viewpoints, and encounters with the same species. One animal that thrives in the great heights of the Machame route is the White-Necked Raven. These intelligent birds are often found at Machame’s campsites and are known to break open containers and consume human food.
Trekking Map:
A Comparison Between Lemosho vs Machame Route:
| Lemosho Route | Machame Route | |
| Rate of Success | 92% | 85% |
| Climbing Difficulty | Grade I, II & III (YDS) | Grade I, II & III (YDS) |
| Avg Daily Elevation Gains | 530 meters | 700 meters |
| Duration | 7-8 Days | 6-7 Days |
| Scenic Viewpoints | Very High | Moderate |
| Accommodations | Tent | Tent |
6. Northern Circuit Route’s Profile
Performance:
The Northern Circuit route has an average daily elevation gain of 700 meters and an easy classification difficulty grade of 1 overall. The path doesn’t require any scrambling, technical hiking equipment or traversing through an exposure. It’s simply a gradual hike all the way to the summit at Uhuru Peak. Where the Northern Circuit trail stands out in particular is its short hiking intervals, which leaves plenty of recovery room after hikes.
Elevation Graph:
Features Of The Climb:
In general, a trek along the Northern Circuit route is a gratifying expedition that delivers a distinctive and unforgettable experience of Kilimanjaro’s 360-degree surroundings. Trekking adventures on this circuit are filled with incredible wildlife sightings, as well as exceptional lookout points gazing over the captivating shrublands. However as you progress and culminate at the summit, you’ll come to find the last remaining glaciers and northern ice fields that crown the mountain’s beautiful peak. These ice sheets continue to undergo a glacier retreat and are estimated to disappear within the next few decades.
Trekking Map:
A Comparison Between Lemosho vs Northern Circuit Route:
| Lemosho Route | Northern Circuit Route | |
| Rate of Success | 92% | 95% |
| Climbing Difficulty | Grade I, II & III (YDS) | Grade I (YDS) |
| Avg Daily Elevation Gains | 530 meters | 700 meters |
| Duration | 7-8 Days | 9 Days |
| Scenic Viewpoints | High | High |
| Accommodations | Tent | Tent |
7. Shira Route‘s Profile
Features Of The Climb:
The Shira route is an evacuation trail used by climbers on the Northern Circuit, Machame and Lemosho routes. The reason the trail makes it on this list is because it used to be the old Lemosho route. However due to poor acclimatization profiles, on the first ascent, the trail was quickly abandoned after the Lemosho route’s discovery. Today, the Shira route is nothing more than a logistical convenience for safety and support.
Trekking Map:
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