Routes

Machame Route

The Machame route is also known as the "Whiskey route". It is a wilderness route, which combines spectacular views and scenery and good acclimatisation. With a gradual ascend through the forest you emerge to see wide views of the moorland on Shira plateau, rocky trails and scree with stunning scenery and beautiful ice formations along the way. The different kinds of vegetation found along the route make it the most scenic route. For all this reasons it is perhaps the best of the standard routes on the mountain. Overnights are spent camping in tents.

Marangu Route

Marangu is also known as the "Coca Cola" route. This is the most straightforward route on the mountain. The Marangu route takes you through the forests, moorlands and then across the Saddle (a high-altitude desert) to Kibo. The path to the summit is a zig-zag route up steep scree, which makes a slower ascend then on the other routes. Marangu is also the only route you ascend and descend with. It is also the only route providing huts.

Lemosho Route

The Lemosho Route begins in a rainforest, on a magnificent forest trail, which are unspoiled and little used. The route leads onto the Western side of Shira plateau. This route offers the most varying terrain, with lots of opportunity to acclimatize along the way. The first two days include gently rolling trails across the ancient lava flows of the collapsed Shira Volcano with excellent views of Kilimanjaro’s summit. The Shira Plateau is very beautiful with good views of the Western Glaciers. Upon reaching the Shira Plateau, the route merges with the Machame route. Overnights are spent camping in tents.

Umbwe Route

This is the steepest route up Kilimanjaro. It is the hardest, but most spectacular and direct way to reach Uhuru Peak. It follows a forested ridge to the moorlands, and then traverses below the Southern Icefields to reach Barafu Camp, which is followed to the summit. It is quite taxing, primarily due to the relatively fast ascent to higher altitude, but the rewards are plentiful. Fewer people, pristine forest and shorter walking distances make it a great option for fit hikers. Overnights are spent camping in tents.

Rongai Route

This route is considered to be one of the easiest routes up the mountain. It is the only route starting from the Northern side of the mountain at a small village close to the Kenya border. The climbing conditions are drier on the Northern side of the mountain. The summit is reached via the Eastern side of Kibo and the descent is via the Marangu route. Overnights are spent camping in tents.