Choosing the Right Route:
There are at least seven or eight routes climbers can select to get to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Choosing which route you take is a major decision in your Kilimanjaro experience and can make the difference in whether or not you reach the summit.
Due to the extreme altitude of Kilimanjaro’s summit, the majority of climbers experience some symptoms of altitude sickness as they ascend the mountain. This can usually be avoided by gradually acclimatizing to the conditions on the mountain. Once you begin your ascent, it is best to take as much time as possible on the way to the top in order to properly acclimatize to the lower oxygen levels.
Selecting a route that gradually rises in elevation will greatly increase your chances of a successful summit of Kilimanjaro. Just because a route is shorter and more direct than others does not mean it will provide an easier climbing experience. Oftentimes, these shorter routes will provide the exact opposite—a failed summit attempt. Sometimes, the longer routes with their extra days of hiking are more likely to carry you to the top!
Take a look at our different route options, see what experiences each route offers, and decide which is best for you!
Marangu:
The Marangu route, lovingly referred to as the “Coca-Cola Route,” is about 50 miles/82 km from the Marangu Gate to Uhuru Peak and back. It’s a higher-traffic route due to its relative ease of access. It’s the easiest route for walking and has dormitory-style accommodations at every stop along the way. You’ll be sleeping in huts rather than tents on this route.
Marangu route earned the nickname “Coca-Cola Route” because it was the first established commercial route to Uhuru Peak. Climbers can still purchase soft drinks, candy bars, and bottled water from vendors along this route to the summit.
Although Marangu is the easiest route to the top, it also has the lowest success rate. This is likely because its easiness discourages climbers from taking the necessary time to acclimatize to the rapid decrease in oxygen along the way. The accessibility of Marangu may also encourage less physically-fit climbers to attempt this route, adding to its lower success rate.
Marangu is also considered the least scenic route because this popular route uses the same trail for ascent and descent; you won’t see anything new on the return down from the summit.
This route takes a minimum of 5 days, but 6 are recommended for proper acclimatization and a better chance of a successful summit.
Lemosho/Shira:
The newer Lemosho route, about 41.6 miles/71 km start to finish, is considered a greatly improved variant to the original Shira route. Unlike Shira, the Lemosho route starts at a lower altitude and allows for better acclimatization to the conditions on the mountain. The trail then links to the original Shira trail shortly after starting and follows the Shira Plateau around the west side of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Lemosho is often considered one of the most scenic routes to the summit due to the diverse climates and experiences found along this route. The route begins in a more remote section of the mountain and weaves through beautiful forested areas where wildlife is abundant. Lemosho route then crosses the Shira plateau before linking with the challenging Machame “Whiskey” route.
The route is one of the best routes to choose and comes highly recommended by most guides. Lemosho is a great route for acclimatization, profiling, and has higher summit success rates than other routes. Because it’s a longer hike with a greater elevation gain, Lemosho is more difficult physically than other routes. But it’s good for climbers who have extra time to hike, and its much higher success rate is due mostly to allowing climbers more time to acclimate to the reduced oxygen at such high altitudes.
This route typically takes 7 days, but it can be completed anywhere from 6 to 8 days. Remember that a successful summit is all about taking one’s time getting to the top. Plan for at least 7 days on this route if you want to make it to Uhuru Peak!
Northern Circuit:
The longest route, the Northern Circuit, is also the newest route to Kilimanjaro’s summit. This route is about 53 miles/88 km and ventures onto the far less-trekked northern side of the mountain. From this vantage point, you will have sweeping vistas into the country of Kenya, something few other climbers will witness on the hike up.
Depending on where you start, the Northern Circuit is a good combination of the Lemosho and Rongai routes. Since it’s such a remote experience, this route is closer to being in true wilderness. It’s more of a rugged, isolated climb since fewer climbers take this route.
Climbers who opt for this route to the summit will get to witness Kibo Peak, Uhuru Summit, and the vast open plains on the northern side of the mountain on their way up.
The trail begins at the Londorossi Gate and climbs up to the Shira Ridge via the western slopes of the mountain. The Northern Circuit then heads north to take a less-traveled approach around to the summit.
The Northern Circuit route offers climbers a greater chance of a successful summit due to its longer duration and better acclimatization to the mountainous conditions on the way to the top. It’s undoubtedly a more difficult trail, but this route is also more pristine, has fewer climbing groups, packs more of a challenge, and it’s quieter than the more popular routes.
Since the Northern Circuit makes almost a full circumnavigation of the mountain, it can take about 9 days to accomplish. You should not rush this experience, as the extended length makes this a more successful route to the summit. If you choose to climb this stunning route, you should arrange for a longer hike with your guide.
Rongai:
The 49-mile/79-km Rongai route is similar to the Northern Circuit route in that it approaches the summit from a northeastern direction. It’s also way less traveled than other routes, so climbers are more likely to experience pristine and undisturbed nature on the way up.
Despite its length, it’s usually one of the quicker trails to get to the summit, though that is not always advisable for a successful summiting experience. The Rongai route offers a gradual climb in altitude, so climbers are more likely to acclimatize easier if they take their time on this one.
The Rongai route begins on the northern side of the mountain near the Kenyan border. It can be a bit drier on this side of the mountain. The northern and western sides receive less rainfall and can typically be accessed throughout the entire year, even during the rainy seasons. Since the trailhead is so remote, climbers will experience longer travel times to access the start of this route.
However, the route might be worth the travel for some climbers. Rongai has very few larger obstacles along the way up, and the campsites are more evenly spaced. Climbers will hike a similar distance each day and have a more regular climbing schedule. You’ll also get to see the mountain from almost all the way around it, and you’re more likely to see wildlife in the forests on this side since it receives less human traffic.
Rongai route links to the Marangu trail on the way up and should take about 7 days to complete. It is recommended that climbers plan for no fewer than 7 days to successfully summit Kilimanjaro via this route.
Machame:
The 38-mile/62-km Machame route is easily the most popular route to access the summit of Kilimanjaro. Machame route offers spectacular vistas, a healthy challenge, and a shorter duration than most of the other routes. This route is often called the “Whiskey” route in comparison to the other popular and easier “Coca Cola” route of Marangu.
The Machame route gives climbers the opportunity to pass by many of Kilimanjaro’s most famous sights, such as the Shira Plateau and the Lava Tower on the way to the summit. This route also contains the legendary Barranco Wall, a steep, rocky incline that looks like a vertical rock face. You can scramble up the Barranco Wall with your hands and feet, so it’s not as impossible as it may first appear.
Due to its popularity, the Machame route can be somewhat crowded at times. Its amazing views and fairly high success rate encourage the majority of climbers to attempt the summit via this route. However, this route has many hilly areas that can make the route more difficult, and there is only tent-camping at each stop on the way to summit.
Machame route has some of the best views of all the routes, and it’s great for climbers who have some extra time and can spend a spare day acclimatizing to the intense altitude. This additional day will greatly strengthen your chances of reaching the summit.
Most guides recommended planning for no fewer than 7 days on this route, though 8 days will offer a better chance of summiting Kilimanjaro.
Umbwe:
The short, 32-mile/53-km Umbwe route is easily the most difficult route for summiting Mount Kilimanjaro. Umbwe is the shortest-distance route, though that is not always advisable for climbing Kilimanjaro.
Umbwe approaches the summit from the south side of the mountain and the descent follows the Mweka route off the mountain. It’s known for its many caves along the route to the summit, and you can visit many of them on the way up. Umbwe route is great for getting unbelievable views from the mountain in the first few days of the ascent, as it gains altitude steadily and quickly in the first few days, unlike other routes.
But Umbwe route has the highest rate of altitude sickness due to its rapid elevation gain. Umbwe is a less common route of approach due to this rapid elevation gain, so there are always fewer climbers on the route.
Umbwe is also the most challenging route due to the rugged terrain and steep inclines found on it. This route is still a non-technical climb to the summit, but it will require scrambling on your hands and feet at certain points.
This route is not recommended for everyone! You should only attempt Umbwe route if you are in peak physical condition and are highly familiar with altitude acclimatization.
This route typically takes about 6 days to complete, but most guides will recommend taking it slower and adding an extra day for proper acclimatization and a better chance of making it to Uhuru Peak.
Crater Camp:
The Crater Camp is the highest campsite on Mount Kilimanjaro. The extreme-altitude camp sits firmly within the arctic climate of the mountain, less than 500 feet/152 m below Uhuru Peak.
Most route options will not camp out at Crater Camp, but you can make special requests to take part in this stellar experience. Hauling the camping equipment this high will add some cost to your trip, but it may be worth the additional cost to experience a night atop the highest summit in Africa.
Staying at the Crater Camp allows enough time to explore some of the other-worldly sights around the top of the mountain. Reusch Crater and the ash pit at the center of the summit offer unmatched experiences for climbers who have the time to hike to them. Most climbers do not get close enough to really experience these places, but staying overnight at the Crater Camp will provide enough time to check them out.
Mount Meru:
Meru is another ultra-prominent peak just 43 miles/73km west of Kilimanjaro. At 14,977ft/4,565m, Meru is the second tallest mountain in Tanzania.
Meru offers great opportunities to see wildlife on its slopes, as this mountain does not attract as many human visitors as its neighbor. You can also get sweeping vistas of Mount Kilimanjaro from atop Meru.
Located inside Arusha National Park, Meru is a great option for climbers to practice and acclimatize on prior to their Kilimanjaro attempt. Climbing this mountain first increases the chance of a successful summit of Kilimanjaro and can reduce the time necessary to reach Uhuru Peak safely.
The strategy for summiting Meru is the same as on Kilimanjaro: slow and steady wins the race. At a height of almost 15,000 feet, altitude sickness is still a possibility when climbing Meru. So it’s all about endurance rather than speed.
It should take about 4 days in total to climb to Meru’s peak and back. All climbs use the same route going up and down, and there are huts along the trail for accommodations. The best time to climb is about the same as for Kilimanjaro: aim for the drier seasons!