Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

Each year, over 30,000 trekkers travel to Tanzania to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro, the world’s highest freestanding mountain. Climbers can choose from seven iconic routes, each offering a unique path to the summit

• The route is known as "Coca-Cola Route” is renowned for its breathtaking scenic trail, offering mesmerizing views throughout the journey
• The Marangu Route features a steady, gradual slope, making it one of the most comfortable trekking paths on Mount Kilimanjaro
• The Marangu Route is the only route on Mount Kilimanjaro that offers huts with bunk beds, mattresses, and pillows, providing trekkers with a more comfortable sleeping option compared to tented camps on other routes.

• Marangu Route is the only route on Mount Kilimanjaro that offers hut accommodations for trekkers.
• Its starting point is the nearest to Moshi Town, providing easy access for climbers
• Ideal for beginners, as its gradual ascent helps with proper acclimatization.

Marangu route (Pros)

• The only route on Mount Kilimanjaro that offers hut accommodations.
• A comfortable and well-established trail, making it a popular choice.
• - Features gentle slopes for several days, aiding acclimatization.

• - The ascent and descent follow the same path, limiting scenic variety.
• - Due to its popularity, the route can be crowded, especially in peak seasons.

There are more than 30,000 trekkers book their ticket to Tanzania to trek the highest freestanding mountain of the world. The mountain enables 7 iconic routes for the trekkers to climb through to touch the summit.

• The Machame route is the most popular path between all the 7 routes
• About 50% of all climbers, choose the Machame route
• It is one of the cheaper routes due to its easy access and shorter itinerary

• Known as the whisky route as the route is beautiful .
• The route moves through many ecosystems and has a stunning view of Shira volcanic cone.
• The popular route as it has a good success route

Machame Route (Pros)

• Very scenic, providing hikers with incredible views
• Approximately 50% of trekkers use the Machame Route to ascend Kilimanjaro
• No parts on the route that require any technical climbing skills

• One of the busiest routes on Kilimanjaro
• Machame Route can get very wet and muddy during the rainy season.

There are more than 30,000 trekkers book their ticket to Tanzania to trek the highest freestanding mountain of the world. The mountain enables 7 iconic routes for the trekkers to climb through to touch the summit.

• The route enables easy climb with excellent success rates
• It rises very steadily; the route hasn’t any steep climbs involved, no major ups and down

• The only route approaching from the north
• Provides good wildlife viewing

Rongai Route (Pros)

• The only route starting from north
• True wilderness experience is offered by the route
• The route is relatively drier and can possibly trek in the wet season

• The starting point is relatively in long drive from Arusha and Moshi
• Drier and don’t provide much scenic view
• It doesn’t allow much time for acclimatisation

• Hands down the most scenic route
• Good chance of wildlife spotting
• A relatively newer park with fewer crowds

• The most scenic route of Kilimanjaro .
• You are likely to see larger wildlife on this route, like the Elephant.

Lemosho Route (Pros)

• Can be completed the trek in 6-8 days which allows a good acclimatisation time .
• Great walk high and sleep low options
• Excellent summit success
• One of the most scenic routes

• Ascent on the first few days is quite gradual
• Very crowded
• Relatively expensive

• Shira has excellent success
• Exclusive and receives less crowd
• One of the adventurous routes

• A scenic route starts with the lush rain forest.
• The routes have high starting point compared to the other routes.

Shira Route (Pros)

• The route is quite adventurous and great for those who are looking for more adventure

• The higher starting point makes the trek quite hard
• Mostly trekkers experience altitude sickness from day one.

• The route is not technical and very direct
• The most difficult and highly preferred by those who are looking for an adventurous climb

• Umbwe is steep and ascends quickly.
• Less Crowded
• More adventurous

Umbwe Route (Pros)

• Most mesmerizing scenery can be spotted
• The shortest route
• Explore the untouched parts of Kilimanjaro

• Poor acclimatization opportunities
• Short and steep
• Lower success rates

• One of the routes that showcases great natural scenery
• The route provides the most acclimatization time
• The route has the highest summit success rate

• The better the altitude acclimatization
• Offering nearly 360 degrees of beautiful scenery

Northern Circuit Route (Pros)

• The Northern Circuit is the longest route and provides highest summit success rates.
• The offers lots of climb high sleep low opportunities
• Provides a quiet wild Kilimanjaro experience

• The longest route and can be boring for the experienced trekkers.