Which Route Should I Use to Climb Kilimanjaro?

There are six established routes to climb 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 climbing 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, assessments, and profiles can be found below, along with a map of each of the Kilimanjaro routes.

Kilimanjaro 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	**

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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 the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest path 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.

6 Day Marangu Itinerary

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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.

The Machame route is scenically beautiful and varied. 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.

7 Day Machame Itinerary

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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.

Lemosho is considered the most beautiful route on Kilimanjaro, and grants panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. Thus, Lemosho is highly recommended.

8 Day Lemosho Itinerary

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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.

On the first day on the mountain, climbers begin their hike from 11,800 feet (3,600 m) and spend their first night at the same elevation at Simba Camp. Then, the route merges with Lemosho at Shira 2 and 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. Climbers using Shira should be confident of their ability to acclimatize.

7 Day Shira Itinerary

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Rongai Route ****

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

Although the scenery is not as varied as the western routes, Rongai makes up for this by passing through true wilderness areas for days before joining the Marangu route at Kibo camp. This route descends down the Marangu route. Rongai is a moderately difficult route, and is highly recommended, especially for those with less backpacking experience.

7 Day Rongai Itinerary

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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 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.

6 Day Umbwe Itinerary

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Western Breach and Crater Camp - 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 no longer utilizes the Western Breach approach due to safety concerns for clients and staff.

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. There is a campsite here, commonly called Crater Camp (18,800 feet/5,750 m), that some operators use the night prior to the summit attempt.

Sleeping at this high altitude is very dangerous. Serious AMS can develop if adequate altitude acclimatization has not been achieved. Ultimate Kilimanjaro no longer utilizes Crater Camp due to safety concerns for clients and staff.

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Mount Meru

Fifty miles (80 km) west of Mount Kilimanjaro lies is an often overlooked, but spectacular volcano. 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.

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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 safaris. We would be glad to work with you in extending your stay in Tanzania.