MT KILIMANJARO TREKKING ROUTES

Mount Kilimanjaro - the highest free-standing mountain in the world - has been enticing adventure-seekers for over a century. While some are still wondering "why should I climb Kilimanjaro?", others are determined to conquer the magnificent African mountain and experience everything it has to offer. Glacier-covered peaks dissolve into alpine meadows, which, in turn, contrast the formidable mass of verdant rainforests and darker gorges that cover the slopes of this volcano. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is an unforgettable experience. Here, trekkers enjoy the wonders of African nature through varying climatic zones and the experience culminates as the morning sun gleams off the snow-covered glaciers at the summit of the highest point of the African continent.

For most of the trekkers reaching the summit is a pivotal lifetime achievement. Many of them put a great deal of thought into the decision to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. After all, it is a long trip to a remote country in Africa. Also, compared to other hiking trips all over the world, Mt Kilimanjaro adventures are more expensive. Together combined, all these things make it necessary to plan your trip carefully.

7 KILIMANJARO CLIMBING ROUTES

MARANGU ROUTE

The Marangu route, famously known as the "Coca-Cola" route as you can get a bottle of Coca-Cola at each hut, is the original route established to climb Kilimanjaro. It is often billed as one of the easier walking routes . Approaching Mount Kilimanjaro from the southeast, the Marangu route uses the same ascent and descent route which means it is less scenic than the other routes.
For climbers who do not wish to camp, then Marangu is the only route that offers dormitory-style hut accommodation. The huts have a communal dining room, simple washrooms and toilets which lower down will be flushable, but as you move higher up the mountain will be "long drop" loos. Although some climbers like the idea of staying in the huts rather than camping you need to remember that on the Marangu route you will be sharing the hut with lots of other climbers in open dormitory accommodation. The hut accommodation also means the Marangu route is one of the best routes to make the attempt on Kilimanjaro during the rainy season.

MACHAME ROUTE

Also known as the “Whiskey” route, the Kilimanjaro 7 Days Machame route is now the most popular ascent route on Mt Kilimanjaro. Compared with the Marangu route, the hiking days on the Machame route are longer, the trail steeper. However, the scenery is spectacular and the landscape stunning. The Machame route is considered a challenging route and is better suited for more adventurous trekkers and those with some hiking or backpacking experience.
The Kilimanjaro Machame route is scenically beautiful and varied. However, due to its popularity, there are an increased number of trekkers, so it loses some of its splendor. The Machame route approaches the summit from the southwest. It descends using the Mweka route, rewarding climbers with views of the expansive Shira Plateau, an optional scramble up Lava Tower, a climb up the Great Barranco Wall, and a traverse underneath Kilimanjaro southern ice field.

LEMOSHO ROUTES

The Lemosho is one of the prettiest and most varied Kilimanjaro routes. It also offers great acclimatisation – a very important consideration!
The Lemosho route is known for being one of the most beautiful Kilimanjaro routes. You walk through lush rainforest on the first couple of days. Spotting large wildlife, like antelopes, is not very common but possible! The route also gives you the experience of hiking across the Shira Plateau, which is one of the largest high-altitude plateaus in the world. The plateau affords you fantastic views of the dramatic rock buttress known as Shira Cathedral.
Kilimanjaro climb is easy, but the Lemosho route is generally considered one of the 'easier' climbs because of it's great acclimatisation profile. It has great 'climb high, sleep low' opportunities. Put simply, with the right Kilimanjaro preparation anyone can climb this route. You should be physically fit, and with the right support in the form of your mountain crew, you can achieve the summit whether you have previous hiking experience or are a first-time trekker.

RONGAI ROUTE

Rongai is the only of routes of Kilimanjaro starting on the northern slope of the mount. Though this part of the Mountain is rarely visited by hikers, it is not less interesting than the popular southern and western slopes. We recommend Rongai to all those who like reclusive hiking experiences.
Getting to the trailhead - Nalemuru Gate - usually takes 3-4 hours from Moshi.
Rongai is also the only route that passes by Mawenzi, one of the three volcanic cones of Kilimanjaro and the third highest peak in Africa. The way back lies through Marangu, and thus you will be able to see both sides of the mountain.
Though six and seven-day programs are available for the Kilimanjaro Rongai route itinerary, the longer option is recommended for better acclimatization transition.

UMBWE ROUTE

Umbwe Route is the less used routes of Kilimanjaro. Not only the least used route but also Umbwe is the less crowded Kilimanjaro Route too. Climbers less prefer this route because It is the most difficult route to reach Uhuru Peak.
The route is steep, constant, and offers a straight climb to 5, 895m high Uhuru peak. Umbwe Route can be climbed in 5 days. However, mostly trekkers add 1 or 2 more days for better acclimatization. The route begins at the southern side of the mountain. This straight route is the most difficult course on Kilimanjaro. Hence, the route is suggested or preferred by those who have great physical and mental stamina.
Due to being a challenging height, there are very fewer climbers who chose to trek via Umbwe. So the route is preferable for those who love fewer crowds and achieve good physical stamina.

NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE

The Northern Circuit, as the newest and longest route up Kilimanjaro, links together portions of several other routes. It is operated as an eight- or nine-day trek by most tour operators.
Success rates are relatively high for this route because trekkers have plenty of time to acclimatise.
Beginning in the West, the Northern Circuit follows the same route as the Lemosho Route for the first two days before veering north towards Lava Tower and around to the eastern side of the mountain.
Trekkers reach the crater rim at Gilman's Point and traverse around to Uhuru Peak before descending via either the Mweka or Marangu Route.

SHIRA ROUTE

The Shira Route is one of the less-trodden routes on Mt. Kilimanjaro that starts close Shira Ridge. It begins the western side of the mountain and is practically indistinguishable to the Lemosho Route. In spite of the fact that Shira is considered a beautiful and shifted route, because of the higher rise of the beginning stage, it is conceivable climbers could encounter side effects of elevation disorder as ahead of schedule as the primary day.
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, start with a lengthy drive from Moshi to Shira Ridge. The vehicle sidesteps the rain backwoods zone and the climbing trail starts on Shira Ridge. The Shira route crosses the whole Shira Plateau from west to east in a lovely, moderately level hike. At that point the route crosses underneath Kilimanjaro's Southern Ice Field on a way known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Drop is made by means of the Mweka route.