Kilimanjaro hiking routes are the various trails that lead to the summit of Africa’s highest peak, each offering a unique climbing experience with varying levels of difficulty, scenery, and acclimatization opportunities, allowing the climbers to choose the route that best suits their physical abilities and personal preferences.
The route you select has a big impact on how long it takes to climb Kilimanjaro. Each of the six primary pathways has advantages and disadvantages. The Marangu Route is used by most hikers since it is faster, less expensive, and more convenient overall. Regretfully, overcrowding also affects the Marangu Route. Machame is a well-liked middle ground among the other routes for budget-conscious tourists who wish to stay away from the crowds. The Shira, Lemosho, Rongai, and Northern Circuit routes are more picturesque, slower, and more sedate choices that are ideal for lonesome outdoor enthusiasts with substantial funds.
Umbwe and Mweka are two other routes. Only highly experienced mountain hikers who don’t need much acclimatization do these quick but steep routes again. However, those who ascended via Machame, Shira, or Lemosho frequently take the Mweka path as a rapid descending path.
Marangu Route (Minimum 5 Days; Recommended 6 Days).
The most well-traveled route up Kilimanjaro is Marangu, which draws more climbers than the other five routes put together. It begins close to the well-equipped town of the same name, at Marangu Gate. Overnight stays at Mandara Hut (2,700m/8,858ft), Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,205ft), and Kibo Hut (4,703m/15,430ft) are part of the five-day, four-night trek. On the descent, it comes back to Horombo Hut. A second night in Horombo on the ascent is added in a six-day version. This extended version raises the likelihood of a successful summit and lowers the danger of altitude-related problems. It also gives you a whole day to explore the Afro-alpine zone’s strange vegetation.
Marangu is superior to the alternatives in a number of ways. It is by far the least expensive choice for climbers on a tight budget, in part because it can be finished in five days. The only route where you can sleep in actual huts with bathing facilities all along the way, it is also the easiest and has the greatest rescue service.
The “Coca Cola Route” gets its moniker from the fact that several of the huts even offer bottled beverages. On the down side, a lot of hikers believe that Marangu has fallen victim to its own fame. Particularly during the busiest hiking seasons of August, September, late December, and early January, it is frequently packed. Additionally, you are unlikely to observe much wildlife due to the tourist traffic, and ugly litter can be an issue.
Machame Route (Minimum 6 Days; Recommended 7 Days)
Although it has some challenging parts, the second-most-traveled path up Kilimanjaro is more picturesque and offers a more gradual ascent than Marangu. More acclimatisation is possible in terms of altitude, particularly if you choose for the seven-day, six-night option. Machame Hut (2,890m/9,482ft), Shira Hut (3,840m/12,598ft), Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,959ft), and Barafu Hut (4,600m/15,092ft) are the overnight stops on the ascent. You must camp along this path because, despite the misleading nomenclature, there are no longer any working huts.
Shira Route (Minimum 6 Days; Recommended 8–10 Days)
Shira Gate (3,590m/11,778ft) is the starting point of this beautiful but rarely used path up Kilimanjaro’s western flank, which joins the Machame path just before the summit. It entails a slow, multi-day climb across an area of Afro-alpine moorland that is rarely seen but is notable for its remarkable volcanic rock formations. Seeing buffalo, eland, and other huge beasts is another option. The Shira Route begins above the 3,500m/11,483ft threshold in terms of altitude, giving you ample time to acclimatize before reaching the peak. Though an extra day or two is suggested, it can be completed in six days.
Shira Route
Lemosho Route (Minimum 6 Days; Recommended 8–10 Days)
Similar to Shira, Lemosho begins on the western slopes of Kilimanjaro but at a much lower elevation, making it one of the most picturesque routes up the mountain. This implies that you’re less likely to encounter problems on the first day due to altitude. It also offers the benefit of spending the first day in the woodland area, which is located beneath the Shira Route’s starting point. On the second day, the Lemosho Route meets the Shira Route.
Northern Circuit (Minimum 9 Days; Recommended 10–11 Days)
Starting in Lemosho, the most isolated path up Kilimanjaro circles the peaks to the north before reaching the summit from the east. It takes at least nine days, making it the longest journey. To spend the night inside Kibo Crater, which is a highly recommended experience, the program can be extended by one or two days. You can wait a whole week before attempting Uhuru Peak. Although it is the most costly alternative, this route has the highest success rate due to its gentle elevation.
Rongai Route (Minimum 6 Days; Recommended 7 Days)
The only way to climb Kilimanjaro from the north is via Rongai. Because it receives significantly less precipitation than any of the southern routes, it excels throughout the rainy season. At other times, it’s a good option because it offers a fairly steady rise and a higher than usual possibility of seeing large species. It is also incredibly uncrowded, at least until the day before the summit, when it meets the Marangu Route at Kibo Hut. Compared to the six-day basic method, the seven-day version has a significantly better success rate.
