Lemosho, Machame and the Northern Circuit are the 3 best routes up Mount Kilimanjaro, in terms of overall performance and hiking experience. Because altitude sickness is the leading cause of most Kilimanjaro summit failures, trekking routes that provide excellent acclimatization opportunities will not only improve your chances of reaching the summit, but will also make for a much better hiking experience. The following post will highlight individual route success rates, hiking difficulties and the overall benefits of trekking each trail. If you’re pressed for time and want to quickly read through the article, there are snippets in between paragraphs that summarize and drive home key points. That said, let’s have a look at why these 3 routes perform much better than other trails on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Things to also know:
The key to a successful summit on Kilimanjaro is to properly employ acclimatization systems in conjuntion with routes that have great acclimatization landscapes. Doing so often leads to a high level of performance and a reduced likelihood of experiencing AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). See, on Kilimanjaro, there are 2 systems that prevent altitude sickness:
- Pole Pole (Slow-Slow in English) is the first method used to prevent AMS. This method requires you to be on the mountain long enough for your body to acclimate to various altitudes. A hiking duration of 7 to 9 days is widely considered to be a good range for this system to come into effect.
- The second method, Trek-High & Sleep-Low, calls for trails to have gradual inclines in order for hikers to trek to higher elevations and sleep at lower altitudes. This will condition your body to anticipate elevation changes while helping you adjust during your sleep. In a nutshell, the faster your body can anticipate elevation changes, the better and much easier it can adjust to higher altitudes.
This is why long and gradual landscapes on Lemosho, Machame and the Northern Circuit are perfect for acclimatization systems to be utilized. Where the magic happens is the full-day spent employing acclimatization systems at Lava Tower before approaching the summit at Uhuru Peak. This is because it’s much easier for your body to adjust up to 5,895m, when you’ve already acclimatized at 4,630m during your hike.
A good way to narrow down a suitable route for your Kilimanjaro hike is to factor your age in conjunction with your hiking experience. If you are over the age of 40 and have no prior experience hiking above 3,000 meters, the Northern Circuit route is probably your best bet. This is because older audiences who have never been to high altitudes often require more time for their bodies to adjust to higher elevations compared to other demographics on the mountain. Of course, this is not a one-size-fits-all situation, so it’s best to consult with your tour operator to get a good sense of what route is suitable for your hike.
Table Of Summit Success Rates On Kilimanjaro Routes
After the Serengeti National Park, which invites an average of 330,000 visitors annually, Mount Kilimanjaro is the second most popular travel destination in Tanzania. With about 50,000 hikers that attempt to climb Kilimanjaro every year, the overall Kilimanjaro summit success rate for the 7 established routes is only averaged at 60%. Though this is the case, Kilimanjaro hikes 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 on Kilimanjaro as shown in the table below.
| Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes | Kilimanjaro Success Ratings | Number Of Hiking Days |
| Marangu Trekking Route | 42% Success Rate | 5 Days |
| Marangu Trekking Route | 56% Success Rate | 6 Days |
| Umbwe Trekking Route | 60% Success Rate | 6 Days |
| Rongai Trekking Route | 80% Success Rate | 7 Days |
| Machame Trekking Route | 85% Success Rate | 7 Days |
| Lemosho Trekking Route | 85% Success Rate | 7 Days |
| Lemosho Trekking Route | 92% Success Rate | 8 Days |
| Northern Circuit Trekking Route | 95% Success rate | 9 Days |
Related topics to understand:
Table Of Kilimanjaro Routes Difficulty
Except for the Western Breach route, which requires helmets due to loose rocks, climbing Kilimanjaro is not difficult and requires no technical skills or technical equipment. It is simply a lengthy trek along long and gradual trails. The major physical challenge most hikers face during their Kilimanjaro hike is the risk of fatigue. This is why longer routes on Kilimanjaro are deemed more difficult to hike than other trails on the mountain as shown in the table below.
| Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes | Kilimanjaro Climbing Difficulty | Number Of Hiking Days |
| Marangu Trekking Route | Very Easy | 5 Days |
| Marangu Trekking Route | Very Easy | 6 Days |
| Umbwe Trekking Route | Very Hard | 6 Days |
| Rongai Trekking Route | Easy | 7 Days |
| Machame Trekking Route | Medium | 7 Days |
| Lemosho Trekking Route | Hard | 7 Days |
| Lemosho Trekking Route | Hard | 8 Days |
| Northern Circuit Trekking Route | Hard | 9 Days |
Identify & Compare Routes On The Kilimanjaro Mountain Map
The Kilimanjaro mountain map below shows Lemosho, Machame, Rongai, Marangu, Umbwe, Shira and the Northern Circuit as the 7 established routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. The Marangu, Machame, and Umbwe routes approach Kilimanjaro from the south, whereas the Northern Circuit, Lemosho and Shira routes approach the mountain from the west. The Rongai route, which has low precipitation during the rainy period, is the only Kilimanjaro route that has access to the mountain from the north.
It’s worth noting that the Mweka route is mostly used for descents, while the Shira route, which runs parallel to the Lemosho route, is often used for evacuations. Except for the Marangu route, all routes on Kilimanjaro are referred to as “camping routes”. Trekkers rest in sleeping tents rather than sleeping huts.
The Lemosho route is one of the newer trails on Kilimanjaro, which avoids crowds on the early ascent before connecting to the Machame route on the 3rd day of your hike. According to KINAPA (Kilimanjaro National Park) records, the route boasts an 85% success rate on the 7 day hiking program and a 92% success rate on the 8 day variation.
Expeditions begin west, by the Londorossi Gate, at an altitude of 2,360m and then meanders through an amazing rain-forest inhabited by small wildlife and gigantic groundsels. Here, you’ll get an opportunity to see the infamous Shira Cathedral as you hike across the Shira Plateu, which allows a few days of quiet trekking before intersecting the popular and busy Machame route on day 3 of your hike. It’s advised to come prepared because the overall distance from the Londorossi Gate right down to the final decent at Mweka Gate is approximately 70km.
For the average weekend hiker, with little to no hiking experience above 3,000m, trekking the 8 day Lemosho route should be an advantage because of its long duration. See, the extra day of hiking will give you ample time to slowly adjust to various elevation gains compared to the 7 day hiking program. More importantly, the benefit of hiking this trail is the period spent acclimatizing at 4,630m before approaching the summit at Uhuru Peak. This is crucial because your body will effectively adjust much easier up to 5,895m when you’ve already acclimatized at 4,630m during your hike.
Mountaineers and trekkers that have experience hiking above 3,500m can get away with hiking the 7 day Lemosho variation or other shorter routes because their bodies are already used to adjusting at low atmospheric oxygen levels.
The 7 day Machame trail, coined the Whiskey route, is the most popular climbing route on Mount Kilimanjaro
Though this is great for tourism, it may occasionally interfere with your hike when you’re forced to stop and lose momentum. The only way to avoid heaps of crowds on this route is to leave camp early in order to beat everyone to the trails. Otherwise, you’ll have to hike either the Northern Circuit or Lemosho or visit during transitional months.
Machame expeditions begin on the southern circuit, by the Machame Gate, and stretches north past the Shira Plateau before retiring at Shira Camp. This is quite a treat for sunset lovers as beautiful sunsets can be seen from the Shira Plateau.
Like the Lemohso route, the benefit of hiking this trail is the period spent acclimatizing at 4,630m before approaching the summit at Uhuru Peak. This is because your body will effectively adjust much easier up to 5,895m when you’ve already acclimatized at 4,630m during your hike.
Hikers above the age of 45 should spend an extra 1-2 days on the mountain in order to properly acclimate to the changes in altitude. Travelers should expect a slight discomfort, headaches and nausea, near Barranco.
The Northern Circuit route is the longest trail on Kilimanjaro in terms of distance and number of days traveled. The route begins along the Lemosho trail before breaking off towards the northern slopes at Lava tower. This is the only trail that approaches Mt. Kilimanjaro from the north and gives hikers a 360-degree view of the mountain.
Trekkers hiking this route should expect incredible scenery, low traffic, and a very high success rate of 95%. Just like the Lemohso route, the benefit of hiking this trail is the period spent acclimatizing at 4,630m before approaching the summit at Uhuru Peak. This is because your body will effectively adjust much easier up to 5,895m when you’ve already acclimatized at 4,630m during your hike.
From experienced mountaineers to the occasional weekend power-walker — this nine day route to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro is suitable for everyone across the board, given they’re in mint health condition.
The Rongai route ranks second as one of the easiest of all the seven official routes to trek on Kilimanjaro. Though this is the case, the route lags behind in acclimatization opportunities. The route’s 7 day hiking program scores an overall success rate of 80%.
Aside from being one of the shortest routes on the mountain, it also happens to be the least frequented. This is a great benefit if you’d prefer to avoid traffic and trek with fewer crowds. Furthermore, the route’s unspoiled wilderness sometimes offers a rare spotting of large animals such as antelopes, buffaloes and even elephants.
Hikers that only have time to hike Kili during the wet season (April-May & November) should consider hiking this trail due to the route’s low precipitation levels in rainy weather.
The Marangu route, also called the Coca Cola route, is widely coined the “easiest route” by many local guides however, it suffers a very low 42% success rate according to KINAPA (Kilimanjaro National Park) records.
Trekkers are often lured by the budget rates that come with the route and are fooled to believe a 5-6 day trek along the steep trails of Marangu could afford them a successful summit.
This is far from the truth and hikers are usually met with disappointment. The route is simple for guides to manage as there are bungalows along the trails and is easily accessible from Moshi Town. Otherwise, be very weary of promises of a “successful climb”. The trick to reaching the summit is to properly acclimatize by spending enough days on the mountain.
The 5 day Marangu trek is perfect for experienced trekkers and mountaineers. Although for moderately experienced hikers, a good 6 day trek would be bearable. This route should be avoided to first time trekkers and hikers who have little experience trekking in high altitudes. The hut accommodations on the route makes the Marangu trail perfect for rainy seasons and for hikers who’d prefer not to camp on the mountain however, it can get a little crowded in the dormitories.
The Umbwe route often attracts a much younger fit crowd and is often used, along with the Marangu route, as a record-breaking route. The trails are raw, unkempt and very steep until Barranco camp. Trekkers have an option to either summit via Western Breach route or Barafu path.
Travelers should expect headaches and nausea. Unless acclimatized at 4,000m prior to your trek, chances of reaching the summit using this route are extremely low. Non-other than experienced mountain leaders and mountaineers should consider this route.
The Shira route runs parallel to the Lemosho trail and is primarily used for evacuations. Prior to the discovery of the Lemosho route, the Shira trail was considered to be the most scenic route on Mount Kilimanjaro. However after the Lemosho route was introduced, many outfitters abandoned the trail due to its poor acclimatization landscapes and unkempt terrain. Today, you’ll often see more ambulances than hikers along this route.
