What are the routes to climb Kilimanjaro? (Comparison, Pros, Cons)

What is the best route for Kilimanjaro?

Lemosho Route is the best route for Mount Kilimanjaro performance and photographic opportunities, offering success rates up to 98% and most scenic trails. Northern Circuit Route is best for ultimate solitude from standard treks. Marangu Route is best for mountain huts, which is different from normal campgrounds. Rongai Route invites low precipitation and is a Kilimanjaro route best for rainy seasons. 

Where do you start climbing? Lemosho Gate sits at 2,360m (7,742ft) and 3,100m (10,170ft) was the finish point.

Lemosho Route was my choice of route. Kilimanjaro takes an itinerary of 10 days to complete Lemosho Route with hotel accommodations included. Elevation gains were gradual, trails were easy underfoot and beautiful backdrops offer no sad moments. 

What are the routes to climb Kilimanjaro?

Lemosho Route, Machame Route, Marangu Route, Rongai Route, Northern Circuit Route, Shira Route and Umbwe Route are 7 trekking routes available for climbing Kilimanjaro. Route names coincide with starting paths of different villages. Lemosho Route is Tanzania’s best route to climb Kilimanjaro, offering minimal vertical meters of 598 (nearly 1,961961ft) average daily. Marangu Route is popular for mountain huts, fast paced walking and indoor dining facilities on Mount Kilimanjaro. 

How many established trails lead to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro? Uhuru Peak has a road from Gilman’s Point and Stella Point. Kilimanjaro climbing requires a minimum ratio of one hiker to one Kilimanjaro guide, one cook, and 9 porters for all trails.

1. Lemosho

Lemosho Route comes in 7 and 8 day Kilimanjaro trekking iterations. Summit success rate starts at 96% for 7-day treks and rises up to 98% on an 8-day Pole Pole itinerary. Lemosho has a 71km (nearly 43mi) distance, which Lemosho ascends and merge to Machame Route from Lemosho Gate, before concluding at Mweka Gate. 

Lemosho varies in scenic opportunities, featuring wildlife and dense forests up to Shira Plateau, 6 m (nearly 20 ft) dendrosenecio plants at Barranco Valley, and top glacial ice at Uhuru Peak. After acclimatization at Lava Tower, Lemosho delivers a climb-high sleep-low opportunity in preparation for summit acclimatisation from Barafu Camp.

My Lemosho designed trek started at Londorossi Gate, which Lemosho goes and begins on standard Lemosho Route at Shira 2 Camp. Lemosho offers exclusive access to Kilimanjaro mountain, away from crowds via Londorossi Gate overview, but Lemosho happens to include an additional transportation fee to Moram point. My trek was led by a Wilderness First Responder guide, cook, and a porter team of 9 people. Pre-trek information comes standard at lodge accommodations.

2. Machame

Machame takes 6 to 7 days to complete Kilimanjaro mountain. Summit success rate on Machame starts at 88% on 6-day treks and Machame ranges to 92% on a 7-day Pole Pole itinerary. Machame has a 62 km (nearly 37 mi) distance, which Machame begins and ascends from Machame Gate, then Machame navigates up Machame Camp and through Kissing Rock, before concluding at Mweka Gate.

Machame has rare sightings of blue monkeys at Machame village, 6 m (nearly 20 ft) dendrosenecio plants at Barranco Valley, and glacial ice at Uhuru Peak. Acclimatization day at Lava Tower offers a climb-high sleep-low opportunity in preparation for Barafu Camp day, when summit acclimatisation is essential for an average trekker. 

My Machame designed trek included a Karanga Camp day to maximize acclimatization and rest, following excessive climbing after Barranco Camp day. Machame took 7 days via Karanga Campoverview, had more acclimatization area but included an additional park fee at Kosovo Camp. I compared service page inclusions of Machame Route and read website reviews, which suggested pairing my trip with a Zanzibar visit. Summit climb begins later from Kosovo Camp and climber groups close distance to Uhuru Peak. My trek was led by a Wilderness First Responder guide, cook, and a porter team of 9 people.

3. Marangu

Marangu is called Coca Cola Route. Marangu takes 5 to 6 days to climb Kilimanjaro mountain. Summit success rate on Marangu starts at 42% on a 5-day corner and Marangu covers 56% for a 6-day Pole Pole goer. Marangu Route has a 72 km (nearly 45 mi) distance, which Marangu begins and ascends from Marangu Gate, through Mandara Hut, before concluding at Marangu Gate.

Marangu draws people to Mount Kilimanjaro despite low climber success and acclimatization authority due to hut accommodation, heath and moorland, glacial ice, and a fast ascent. Marangu offers an extra acclimatization area over 6 days at Mawenzi Ridge, which is a Kilimanjaro Marangu start option known to seasoned guides from eastern circuit at Horombo Hut. 

My group of 8 hikers went on a 6-day Marangu trip to Uhuru Peak. My trek was led by a Wilderness First Responder guide, cook, and a porter team of 9 people.

4. Rongai

Rongai takes 7 days to climb Kilimanjaro mountain. Summit success rate on Rongai starts at 80% for a 7-day Rongai itinerary. Rongai, located about 40 km south of Tanzania-Kenya border, where Rongai serves rare sightings of large mammals that range from abott’s duiker to elephants, giraffes and cape buffalo. Rongai has an 81 km (nearly 50 mi) distance. 

Expedition location for Rongai begins from Rongai Cave, which Rongai follows a path up Mawenzi Hut, then Rongai connects to Marangu Route at Horombo Hut, before concluding at Marangu Gate. Acclimatization area on Rongai exists at Mawenzi Peak for any trekker struggling with altitude sickness. Better acclimatization opportunities and easy ascent on Rongai flows in my article summary for choosing Lemosho Route over Rongai Route.

Tour inclusions of Rongai Route are hotel stays at Arusha town, transportation from Kilimanjaro airport, Wilderness First Responder guide, cook, and a porter team of 9 people.

5. Northern Circuit

Northern Circuit offers and covers a 9 day itinerary on Mount Kilimanjaro. Northern Circuit has a 92% summit success rate on group treks and stands to improve slightly on private programs. Northern Circuit stands and follows an 82 km (50 mi) distance overview, which ascends west from Lemosho Gate, sharing a similar chain pattern with Lemosho Route, before breaking North at Moir Hut, and descending to Mweka Gate from Uhuru Peak.

Expeditions on a 9 day Northern Circuit find and encompasses Kilimanjaro’s northern breach. Northern Circuit features 360-degree views of Kilimanjaro mountain. Slow momentum and low foot traffic are expected on Northern Circuit Route treks compared to highway service on other Kilimanjaro routes. 

Tour of Northern Circuit offered includes logistical support like transportation from Kilimanjaro airport, Wilderness First Responder guides, cook, and a porter team of 9 people.

6. Shira

Shira performs evacuations and is used for emergency management, available to any climber group on Lemosho Route, Machame Route or Northern Circuit Route. Evacuation overview on Shira takes a read of 17 km (nearly 11 mi) in distance. 

Shira begins from Shira 2 Camp, then Shira follows and joins a path down Simba Camp, before concluding at Londorossi Gate. Shira ascends and covers local geology up Lemosho’s exclusive variant slowly, which Shira offers a balance between low foot traffic, compared to other Kilimanjaro routes, and a stunning side view of Shira Peak. 

Tour inclusions through Shira Route are Wilderness First Responder guides, cook, and a porter team of 9 people. Shira has quiet, slow and easy ascent flow, contributing to my article summary for choosing Londorossi Gate over Lemosho Gate when trekking Lemosho Route.

7. Umbwe

Umbwe pronounced /ʊmbweɪ/, takes 6 days to climb Kilimanjaro mountain. Summit success rate on Umbwe starts and vary from 60% between group treks and private programs. Umbwe has a 53 km (32 mi) distance overview, which Umbwe begins and ascends south from Umbwe Gate, Umbwe joins and depends on Machame Route and Lemosho Route from Barranco Camp, then Umbwe navigates past Barranco Wall, before descending to Kilimanjaro’s foothill at Mweka Gate from Uhuru Peak.

Climber registration for Umbwe Gate depends and begins at Machame village. Expect steepness up Umbwe Cave, 6 m (nearly 20 ft) dendrosenecio plants at Barranco Valley, and glacial ice at Uhuru Peak. 

My failed summit attempt on Umbwe Route was underestimated by challenging terrain and rapid elevation gain rather than a lack of hut accommodation. Umbwe Route requires extensive leg work and acclimatization to climb Kilimanjaro. Service exploration includes Wilderness First Responder guides, cook, and a porter team of 9 people.

What is the most scenic route to climb Kilimanjaro?

Lemosho Route is the most scenic route to climb Kilimanjaro. Highlights include 20ft dendrosenecio plants, panoramic views from Barranco Wall, and beautiful forests of Kilimanjaro traversing the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. Expect intersections at Machame Route and a cleavage from Northern Circuit Route on day 4 of an 8-day Kilimanjaro itinerary.

I chose Lemosho Route over Machame, Marangu Route (Coca Cola Route), Rongai Route, Umbwe Route and Northern Circuit Route because it was easy underfoot, beautiful and offered room for altitude adjustment. Lemosho Route is the best route to climb Kilimanjaro, offering a summit success rate of up to 98%.

What is the easiest route to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

Lemosho Route is the easiest and best route to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. First-time adventurers endure minimal elevation gains of about 598m daily and climb-high sleep-low acclimatization schedules at Lava Tower. Trails are beginner-friendly when pacing is established by a Mount Kilimanjaro guide. 
I came across beginners Mount Kilimanjaro climbing Marangu Route, Rongai Route, Machame Route and Northern Circuit Route on my way to climb Kilimanjaro. I was one of a few who made it to Uhuru Peak successfully, without any altitude sickness.

Which Kilimanjaro route is the most difficult?

Umbwe Route is the hardest Mount Kilimanjaro route compared to Machame Route, Marangu Route, Lemosho Route, and Northern Circuit Route. Expect steepness, fast ascents and no recovery duration. Umbwe Route holds a difficulty classification grade of IV on YDS (Yosemite Decimal System). My failure on Umbwe Route was underestimated by preparation on prior Kilimanjaro routes. 

Umbwe Route was my most challenging terrain on a Kilimanjaro route, challenging guidelevel in comparison to Lemosho Route and Machame Route.

Which Kilimanjaro route is the longest?

Northern Circuit Route is the longest route on Kilimanjaro by length and duration in comparison to Marangu Route, Machame Route, Rongai Route and Lemosho Route. Northern Circuit Route is 82 km (50 mi) long over a 9 day itinerary starting from Londorossi Gate, crossing the Shira Plateau, which route the Northern Circuit around northern breach, and down Mweka Route. Fatigue on a long Kilimanjaro route, considered problematic on Mount Kilimanjaro by guide groups, like Northern Circuit Route is caused by sleepless nights above 3,000m.

What is the shortest route on Kilimanjaro?

Marangu Route over 5 days is the quickest route on Kilimanjaro. However, Umbwe Route holds the fastest record on Mount Kilimanjaro of 6 hours, 42 minutes and 24 seconds. Marangu Route, coined Coca Cola Route, where Kilimanjaro follows a 72 kilometer (45 mile) distance from Marangu Gate to Uhuru Peak and down Marangu Gate. Marangu Route has a low 42% success rate in comparison to Machame Route, Lemosho Route, Rongai Route, and Northern Circuit Route.

What is the safest Kilimanjaro route?

Lemosho Route is a Kilimanjaro route considered safest, easiest, and most scenic Kilimanjaro route option. Hikers rarely get altitude sickness, risk physical injury, or sacrifice sleep nor comfort in comparison to other trekking routes. Lemosho Route has a high summit success priority of 98% and is the best route to climb Kilimanjaro. Beginners on a Kilimanjaro route choose and pick a Lemosho Route recommendation to a Machame Route, Marangu Route, Rongai Route or Northern Circuit Route choice because of minimum elevation gains of about 598m per day on average.

Safety preparation is a criterion, enforced by Kilimanjaro National Park, including a daily health Kilimanjaro route check, pre-medical advice, certified guide, first-aid kit, map, headlamp, insulated clothing and tents, pick of food and sufficient water. 

Which Kilimanjaro route includes the Crater Camp option?

Lemosho Route, Machame Route, Umbwe Route, and Northern Circuit Route are four Kilimanjaro routes that include hikes and an accommodation option at Crater Camp. Glacier Route and trails leading from Stella Point or Gilmans Point have caldera access beyond crater rim on Mount Kilimanjaro. Lemosho Route’s 8-day variation is a top choice for acclimatization before Crater Camp in comparison to 6, 7 and 9-day treks.  Kilimanjaro route includes and vary by acclimatization systems, guide, and company leading 6 to a 9-day summit expeditions.

What is the final ascent like on Kilimanjaro?

Climbing Kilimanjaro at a final ascent is rough and stressful. Expect fatigue and drowsiness trekking towards your end. Many hikers quit and return before sunrise.

I didn’t get any sleep when I started my summit push at midnight, following 6 days of trekking. Trails are dark and filled with bright headlamps which Kilimanjaro ascends and lead up to Uhuru Peak.

Is it possible to create a personalized plan for hiking Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro hiking can be custom tailored to your training plan and preparation. Kilimanjaro customizes include certified guides suited to your fitness level, workout program and guidance, hike strategy, and routes that guarantee a successful summit approach. Hiker package options vary in comfort, guide expertise, and trek path on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Can you drive up Kilimanjaro?

Nobody is allowed to drive up Kilimanjaro mountain using a vehicle. Accessibility roads for vehicles are limited to Shira Route and Mweka Route, where emergency evacuations are accompanied by a Kilimanjaro guide. Established trekking routes only allow park entry access from the road to gates of Mt Kilimanjaro using a vehicle. Hikers have to climb Kilimanjaro once groups arrive by car.

Can Kilimanjaro be seen from far?

Mount Kilimanjaro can be seen from Kilimanjaro International Airport, Tanzania. Travelers on safari in Kenya can see Mount Kilimanjaro from Amboseli National Park, offering optimal visibility of Kilimanjaro mountain during clear days. Travelers can also see Kilimanjaro from Moshi. Real-time view of snow capped Kilimanjaro appears and looks larger in person than in pictures, according to popular observation. Kilimanjaro seen from Mount Meru is rare since no viewpoint in Arusha offers vision on Mount Kilimanjaro.