Which Route Should I Climb on Mount Kilimanjaro? Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Shira, Umbwe, Rongai

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Which Route Should I Climb on Mount Kilimanjaro?

There are six established routes to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro - Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Shira, Rongai and Umbwe. The Marangu, Machame, and Umbwe routes all approach from the south of the mountain (Mweka is used only for descent). The Lemosho and Shira routes approach from the west. The Rongai route approaches from the north. The illustrations below depict a three-dimensional view of Kilimanjaro's routes and a close up of the approaches to the summit.

Selecting a route is a tough choice for most. Considerations should be taken for the route's scenery, difficulty, traffic and its altitude acclimatization characteristics, as depicted in the table below. Ultimate Kilimanjaro has assigned overall ratings to each route. More detailed descriptions and assessments of each route can be found below. Be sure to view our Kilimanjaro photo gallery.

Route	Min.Days	Rec. Days	Difficulty	Scenery	Traffic	Rating
Marangu	5	6	medium	good	high	**
Machame	6	7	high	excellent	high	*******
Lemosho	6	8	high	excellent	medium	********
Shira	6	7	high	excellent	medium	**
Rongai	6	7	medium	very good	low	*******
Umbwe	5	7	very high	very good	very low	**

Marangu ("Coca Cola") Route **

Known as the "Coca-Cola" route, Marangu approaches Kilimanjaro from the southeast. It is the oldest, most well established route. Many favor Marangu because it is considered to be the easiest route on the mountain, given its gradual slope and direct path. The minimum days required for this route is five, although the probability of successfully reaching the top in that time period is quite low. Spending an extra acclimatization day on the mountain is highly recommended.

Marangu is the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style accomodations. There are 60 bunk beds each at Mandara and Kibo Huts, and 120 bunk beds at Horombo Hut (because only Horombo Hut is used on descent). Guests are supplied with mattresses and pillows, but sleeping bags are still required. The huts have communal dining halls and basic washrooms, ranging from flushing toilets and running water at the lower huts to long drop toilets and buckets of water at Kibo Hut. Also available for consumption are soft drinks, bottled water, and beer.

The Marangu route is a classic trek to the top of Kilimanjaro. However, it has the least scenic variety of all routes (ascent and descent are done on the same path) and is the most crowded for that reason.

Sample Itinerary

Machame ("Whiskey") Route ***

Machame, known as the "Whiskey" route, is now the most popular route on the mountain. Compared with Marangu, the days on Machame are longer and the walks are steeper. It is considered a difficult route, better suited for more adventurous folks, and those with some hiking or backpacking experience. The minimum number of days required for this route is six days, although seven days is recommended.

Climbers sleep in supplied tents at designated campsites, and eat meals either outdoors or inside a large dining tent. Staff prepares all meals and sets up the tents.

Machame is a scenically beautiful and varied route. Machame approaches from the southwest and descends using Mweka, rewarding climbers with views of the expansive Shira Plateau, an optional scramble up Lava Tower, a climb up the Great Barranco Wall, and a traverse underneath Kilimanjaro's Southern Icefield.

Sample itinerary

Lemosho Route ****

The Lemosho route approaches Kilimanjaro from the west. Rather than simply intersecting Shira Plateau (like Machame), Lemosho crosses it from Shira Ridge to Shira 2 Camp, in a pleasant hike. Climbers encounter low traffic until the route joins the Machame route. Afterwards, Lemosho follows the same route through Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu, known as the southern circuit. The minimum number of days required for this route is six days, although eight days is ideal.

Like Machame, this is a scenically spectacular and varied route. Thus, Lemosho is a highly recommended, but difficult route.

Sample Itinerary

Shira Route **

The Shira route is another path that approaches Kilimanjaro from the west, and is nearly identical to the Lemosho route. In fact, Shira was the original route and Lemosho is the improved variation. While Lemosho starts at Londorossi Gate and treks through the rain forest to Shira 1 Camp, the Shira route bypasses this walk by using a vehicle to transport climbers to Shira Gate, located near the Shira Ridge.

Therefore, on the first day on the mountain, climbers begin their hike from 11,800 feet (3,600 m) and end at Shira 2 Camp, 12,500 feet (3,810 m). The remainder of the route is follows the southern circuit route, traversing beneath the Southern Icefields before summiting from Barafu.

Although Shira is a varied and beautiful route, Lemosho is recommended over Shira due to the high altitude of Shira's starting point. It is possible that climbers will experience altitude related symptoms on the first day due to failed acclimatization.

Sample Itinerary

Rongai Route ***

The Rongai route is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border. This route has low traffic but is gaining popularity amongst climbers. It is the preferred route for those wanting a more remote hike, those looking for an easier route, or those who are climbing during the rainy season (the north side receives less precipitation). Although the minimum number of days required for this route is six days, seven days are recommended.

Although the scenery is not as varied as the western routes, Rongai passes through true wilderness areas for days before joining the Marangu route at Kibo camp. This route also descends down the Marangu route.

Sample Itinerary

Umbwe Route **

The Umbwe route approaches Kilimanjaro from the south. The route is a short, steep and direct one, and considered to be very difficult. Due to the fast ascension, this route does not provide the necessary stages for altitude acclimatization. Although the traffic on this route is very low, the chances of success are also very low.

The route is offered at a minimum of six days, and seven days is preferred when attempting to climb using Umbwe. However, overall, the Umbwe route is not recommended.

Sample Itinerary

Western Breach Approach - CLOSED

An alternative route to the summit approaches Uhuru Peak from the west, called the Western Breach. The strenuous Western Breach ascends 2,800 ft (850 m) in about 1.25 miles (2 km), and requires some scrambling (climbing on hands and feet) at certain points. This path is very beautiful but also very challenging due to its rocky, steep slope. The Western Breach was gaining popularity by climbers using the Umbwe, Lemosho, Shira and Machame routes until rockfall claimed the lives of three climbers in January 2006. In response, Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA) closed the Western Breach.

The Western Breach re-opened in December 2007. However, the route is still considered by prominent Kilimanjaro operators to be unsafe and to carry an unreasonable degree of risk. Ultimate Kilimanjaro does not utilize the Western Breach approach due to safety concerns for clients and staff. See our news page for more information.

Crater Camp

Near Uhuru Peak is Kibo's crater - called Reutsch Crater (19,140 ft/5,800 m) and one of Mount Kilimanjaro's last remaining glaciers, Furtwangler Glacier. The magnificent crater is almost perfectly circular, and the ash pit measures 400 feet (120 m) deep and 1,300 feet (400 m) wide. Furtwangler Glacier is a spectacular site, and unlike the glaciers in Mount Kilimanjaro's northern and southern ice fields, it is possible to see up close and even touch Furtwangler Glacier.

Climbers have the option of exploring the areas around Reutsch Crater and Furtwangler Glacier. This usually requires camping next to the glacier either before or after summit. One benefit of staying at Crater Camp before summit is that you can start your summit bid the next day just before sunrise instead of around midnight. However, one very compelling reason to stay at Crater Camp after summit is that it aids in acclimatization. Also, should you feel sick at Crater Camp following summit, you can descend knowing you have already made it to the top.

Spending a night at Crater Camp is not to be taken lightly. Sleeping at this high altitude is probably the most dangerous thing you will do on the mountain. Proper acclimatization is absolutely crucial for those intending to stay at Crater Camp and therefore the minimum number of days you spend on the mountain is 8 days, although 9 days is highly recommended.

Mount Meru

Fifty miles (80 km) west of Mount Kilimanjaro lies is an often overlooked, but spectacular volcano, Mount Meru. Arusha lies at the base of the mountain.

Mount Meru is 14,980 feet (4,565 m) high, and serves as a great warm up before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (19,341 ft/5,895 m). In fact, it is ideal for altitude acclimatization and you may elect to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with a lower number of days after climbing Meru. On the mountain, there is a good chance of seeing wildlife, and the crowds that can plague Kilimanjaro are non-existent here. Many people who climb both mountains have a quiet preference for the humble Mount Meru.

Safari Extension

Tanzania is a mecca for game viewing. It would be a shame to come all the way here and not take advantage of the wildlife viewing opportunities. A safari is a great way to relax after the climb. The country has more protected areas than any other African country, with more than 25% of its land is comprised of national parks, game reserves and conservation areas. Ultimate Kilimanjaro offers great prices for private, custom safaris. We would be glad to work with you in extending your stay in Tanzania. Be sure to view our safari photo gallery.