Which route would you prefer to do?
First of all, we advise the client to communicate with us before you chose the route. That way we can advice which route is best for the client, depending on the physical condition, experience, number of days available...
There are 7 main routes to climb it and the difficulty and time to climb Kilimanjaro varies depending on which route do you prefer to do.
The best route to climb Kilimanjaro (Uhuru peak) in terms of summit success rate is the Northen Circuit route, then Lemosho route followed by the Machame route.
MACHAME ROUTE “Whisky route”
The Machame route is the most popular route, and maybe the most beautiful one. It takes between 6 or 7 days to reach the top and it has one of the best acclimatation conditions. Therefore this route has a high summit success. However, due to this conditions, it is also quite crowded.
Difficulty: 2/5
Traffic: High
Number of Days: 6 or 7
The most popular route, but also the most crowded.
Highest summit success rate due to a better acclimatation.
Ascent and descent via different routes
LEMOSHO ROUTE
The Lemosho Route offers the best chance to the summit. With approximately 95km it is the longest route, but same time offers the best acclimatation condition. It takes you in some of the most beautiful places of the mountain like Shira Plateau, Lava Tower. The traffic on this route is also thigh but not as much as in Machame route.
Difficulty: 2/5
Traffic: High
Number of Days: 7 or 8
Highest summit success rate due to a better acclimatation.
Ascent and descent via different routes
MARANGU ROUTE
The Marangu Route is one of the shortest routes with just 65km length. It takes between 5 or 6 days to reach the top and so, it has not the best acclimatation conditions compare with other routes.
It is one the best option for those who cannot spend 7-8 days on the trekking and that have good acclimatation conditions.
This route offers refugees for accommodation which make it more comfortable than the tends used in other routes. Anyway, the refugees are quite basic and noisy.
Difficulty: 4/5
Traffic: Very high
Number of Days: 5 or 6
This route offers accommodation in Refugees.
Shortest route to the summit but lower success rate.
Ascent and descent on the same route
RONGAI ROUTE
The Rongai route is one of the most beautiful routes which can be chosen. It offers the best chance to feel the wildlife of the mountain on the first days of the trekking and a quite good acclimatization period.
Afterwards it joins the Marangu Route to the top of Uhuru Peak and the way down is via the Marangu Route.
Difficulty: 4/5
Traffic: Low
Number of Days: 6 or 7
Beautiful and varied landscape
Offers a true wilderness experience
Ascent and descent via different routes
UMBWE ROUTE
Due to the fast ascent to high altitude, this route does not provide the best change for acclimatization and therefor the traffic on the Umbwe route is very low. Is more technical than other routes as is shorter, and at Barranco Wall requires to use the hands. We recommend this route to experienced climbers.
Difficulty: 5/5
Traffic: Low
Number of Days: 6-7days
Most challenging together with the Rongai route
Short time for acclimatization due to direct climb
Ascent and descent via different routes
NORTHEN CIRCUIT ROUTE
Is the longest route on Kilimanjaro, which allows you to acclimatize properly and a high summit success rate. The Arrow Point route is a little bit dangerous route due to the risk of falling rock. Due to these conditions, the traffic is quite low compare to other routes.
Difficulty: 2/5
Traffic: Very low
Number of Days: 9 days
Ascent and descent via different routes
SHIRA ROUTE
Shira route is very similar to Lemosho route, however it starts at 3,600 meters and therefore is not the best route for trekkers who have little or no experience on high altitude trekking. On the first day you begin at Shira Gate to Simba Camp before joining the Lemosho route at Shira Camp 2. The high starting point is however handicap as there is not enough time to acclimatize. After Shira Camp 2 the route joins the Machame Route via Lava Tower, and then descends to the Barranco Camp via the Southern Circuit. Ascent to Uhuru Peak is made via Barafu Camp and up the southern slopes of Kibo. The route is seldom used by other trekkers and so your initial two days on the mountain are less crowded than on other routes.
Difficulty: 4/5
Traffic: Low
Number of Days: 6 days
It is a great route if you have good acclimatization.
Ascent and descent via different routes