ROUTES OVERVIEW
Advantages and Disadvantages of All Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes
Choosing the right Kilimanjaro route for your climb is crucial, as each route offers a unique experience in terms of length, difficulty, traffic levels, and other factors. Here’s an overview of the seven Kilimanjaro routes:
Marangu Route (Coca-Cola Route):
- Length: 5-6 days
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Traffic: High
- Highlights: Scenic views, comfortable huts for accommodation
- Descent: Same route
Machame Route (Whiskey Route):
- Length: 6-7 days
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- Traffic: High
- Highlights: Varied scenery, great acclimatization
- Descent: Mweka Route
Lemosho Route:
- Length: 6-8 days
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- Traffic: Moderate
- Highlights: Remote and scenic, excellent acclimatization
- Descent: Mweka Route
Shira Route:
- Length: 7-8 days
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- Traffic: Low to moderate
- Highlights: Diverse landscapes, good acclimatization
- Descent: Mweka Route
Northern Circuit Route:
- Length: 9-10 days
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Traffic: Low
- Highlights: Longest route, excellent acclimatization, less crowded
- Descent: Mweka Route
Rongai Route:
- Length: 6-7 days
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Traffic: Low to moderate
- Highlights: Less crowded, scenic views from the northern side
- Descent: Marangu Route
Umbwe Route:
- Length: 5-6 days
- Difficulty: Very challenging
- Traffic: Low
- Highlights: Steep and direct ascent, remote wilderness experience
- Descent: Mweka Route
Choose the route that best suits your preferences, fitness level, and desire for solitude or company. Each route offers its own rewards and challenges, so make sure to research thoroughly before making your decision.
Marangu Route
For many years Marangu used to be the most popular Kilimanjaro route. It has now been delegated to number two by the Machame route (see below).
Duration: 5 days, acclimatization day can be added
Advantages:
- Low cost.
- Accommodation is in huts, no camping equipment needed.
- Supposedly the easiest route. (I beg to differ.)
Disadvantages:
- Lowest success rate. (See? Not that easy after all!)
- Very crowded.
- Camping is not allowed.
- The only route that uses the same way up and down.Climbing Kilimanjaro on the Marangu Route
Machame Route
The Machame route is one of the most scenic routes on Kilimanjaro. Once the budget operators discovered it, Machame quickly became the most popular Kilimanjaro route.
Duration: 6 or 7 days
Advantages:
- Relatively low cost.
- Very scenic.
- Higher success rate than Marangu.
Disadvantages:
- Higher level of difficulty.
- Very crowded.
Climbing Kilimanjaro on the Machame Route
Rongai Route
The Rongai route is the easiest route up Kilimanjaro. It has a reputation as a remote wilderness trail. Rongai is the only route to approach Kilimanjaro from the north.
Duration: 5 or 6 days
Advantages:
- The easiest Kilimanjaro route.
- One of the quieter routes on Kilimanjaro.
- Approaches the mountain from the driest side, best chances of good weather.
- Ascent and descent are on opposite sides, you see both sides of Kilimanjaro. (You descend on the Marangu route.)
Disadvantages:
- Higher cost due to additional travel to reach other side.
- Considered somewhat less scenic.
Climbing Kilimanjaro on the Rongai Route
Shira Route
The route over the Shira Plateau has several possible variations.
Duration: 6 – 8 days
Advantages:
- Less crowded on the first days.
- Very scenic.
Disadvantages:
- Higher cost.
- Higher difficulty level.
- Meets the Machame trail, hence very busy on the later days.
Climbing Kilimanjaro on the Shira Route
Lemosho Route
Remote and beautiful, but long and expensive, this route also approaches Kilimanjaro across the Shira plateau.
Duration: 7 – 8 days
Advantages:
- Very scenic route.
- Very low number of climbers during the first days.
- Plenty of time for acclimatization.
Disadvantages:
- High cost.
- Higher difficulty level.
- Meets the Machame and Shira trail, hence very crowded on the later days.
Umbwe Route
The steepest Kilimanjaro route. Steep with a big capital S.
Duration: 5 – 6 days.
This route is not used much. The Umbwe route is only suitable for people with mountain climbing experience and who are already well adapted to the altitude.
Mweka Route
This is not a climbing route, it is only used for descent. You will follow it if climbing Kilimanjaro on the Machame, Shira, Lemosho or Umbwe route.
While the standard Kilimanjaro routes offer a structured approach to climbing the mountain, there are indeed possibilities for variations and customization:
Alternate Paths: Some routes have alternate paths for certain sections, providing variations in scenery and terrain.
Combining Sections: It’s possible to combine different sections of various routes to create a customized itinerary tailored to your preferences.
Extended Treks: For experienced climbers, treks can be extended to include a night in the crater itself, offering a unique and challenging experience. However, this option is only recommended for very experienced and well-acclimatized climbers due to the extreme altitude.
Base of Kibo Trek: Theoretically, it’s possible to walk right around the base of Kibo, the main peak of Kilimanjaro. However, this would require special permits from KINAPA and careful planning.
Customized Routes: If you’re seeking something different from the standard routes, you’ll need to find an agency willing to organize a custom itinerary for you. This may include special permits and additional costs.
Customizing your Kilimanjaro experience allows you to tailor the trek to your preferences and capabilities, but it’s important to work with experienced guides and operators to ensure safety and success.