MOUNT KILIMANJARO

Marangu Route

This is the popular route, and most crowded one.  Some people call “easy climbing route”. With this route, it can take you 5 days, 4 nights.  It is comparative cheap; you don’t need extra porters to carry camping equipment.

Note: Though it is called easy climbing route, but you need to get prepared, it is a serious walk, ¼ of the climbers turns back before reaching the peak.

Machame route

A more difficulty route, but 60% of the climbers make it to the top.  However, it is demanding and tiring.  With this route, it takes 7days, and you have to camp all the way.

For the scenery, this route is absolutely spectacular. It is considered one of the scenic routes of all.

Machame route is crowded, and budget operators use this route.

For those who like nature and camping, and are on budget, this route is the best choice.

The Rongai Route.

Less crowded, great scenery and wilderness feel on the way.  With this route, you approach Mount Kilimanjaro from the north and descending is on the south-east. Therefore, you have advantage of seeing the mountain on both sides.

This route is not ideal for budget viewers.  It is more expensive.  Through this route, you can also see wild life animals.

Success rate to reach to the peak is 70-80%. Use this route, because in most cases it is drier, making it easier to move ahead.

Shira Route.

Shira route joins machame route from the west.  Therefore, possess all characteristics of machame as described above. 

Shira route is expensive, and its expensiveness occurs because many visitors opt to start with

4-wheel drive vehicle up to a certain point before start walking.

This route is not crowded, visitors who are confident to hike in difficulty terrains and camping all the ways should choose this route.

Be prepared to react to the altitude condition on the first day.

Lemosho route.

It also approaches the mountain from the west and join machame route.  The route is experienced with rain forest. Seeing wild animals is possible.

Through this route, it will take you 7 to 8 days.  Probably the longest route. 

Lemosho is an expensive option, it is ideal for people who are not cost conscious, and like great wilderness experience.

Umbwe route.

The most difficulty and demanding route. However, it has the most spectacular view.  Very direct, very steep, very tough and very exposed route.

To climb through this route, you must be superbly fit and well acclimatized. Though it is the shortest route, 6 days itinerary can do; very few reaches at the peak.