A Comprehensive Guide to Kilimanjaro's Top Routes
Rising to 5,895 meters (19,340 feet), Kilimanjaro stands as the tallest free-standing mountain on Earth, earning its title as the ‘Roof of Africa.’ Its snow-capped peaks and diverse ecosystems make it a bucket-list destination for adventurers worldwide. Conquering this iconic summit offers breathtaking views and a profound sense of achievement.
Kilimanjaro climbing Routes Packages
Curious about the traffic on Kilimanjaro’s trails? Based on Wild Wave Adventures research, we’ve gathered detailed hiker traffic data for all the popular routes from January to September 2024, with an accuracy rate of over 98%. Below, you’ll find the numbers for each route, including their variations, providing a clearer picture of trail conditions.
Here’s a breakdown of Kilimanjaro routes, along with our insights:
Mount Kilimanjaro routes
Eight thrilling routes lead to the summit of Kilimanjaro, the mighty ‘Roof of Africa’: Lemosho (Shira Route), Machame, Marangu, Rongai, Northern Circuit, Umbwe, Kilema, and the daring Western Breach.
Each route comes with its own twists and turns, plus multiple itineraries to suit your pace. Take Lemosho, for example—6, 7, or 8-day options offer varying acclimatization profiles, and trust us, longer is often better for a successful summit.
Not sure which path is calling your name? Don’t worry—we’ll walk you through the unique perks and challenges of each route to help you find the perfect adventure. The summit awaits!
Marangu Route
The Marangu Route offers a gentle climb, perfect for those seeking a more relaxed journey to Kilimanjaro’s summit. As you ascend, you’ll wander through vibrant rainforests, traverse breathtaking moorlands, and cross surreal alpine deserts. It’s a scenic adventure packed with unforgettable landscapes at every turn!
Machame Route
For thrill-seekers, the Machame Route is your ultimate adventure! Known as the ‘Whiskey Route,’ it challenges trekkers with its dynamic terrain, from lush rainforests to the striking Shira Plateau and the iconic Barranco Wall. Every step rewards you with breathtaking vistas, making the journey to Kilimanjaro’s summit as exhilarating as the destination!
Londorossi Route
The Londorossi Route is Kilimanjaro’s best-kept secret, offering a serene escape into untouched wilderness. With its peaceful, less-traveled path, this route provides a rare opportunity to fully connect with the mountain’s raw beauty, making it a truly unique and unforgettable adventure.
Umbwe Route
Craving an adrenaline-fueled challenge? The Umbwe Route is your ticket to an unforgettable Kilimanjaro adventure. As the steepest and most direct route to the summit, it’s made for seasoned trekkers who thrive on tough climbs. Conquer the mountain’s most daring path and turn your Kilimanjaro dreams into reality!
Lemosho Route: Shira Plateau Trail
Summiting Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route offers a perfect blend of stunning views and tranquility, with fewer crowds to distract from the awe-inspiring experience. Starting on the western side, you’ll journey through lush forests, the expansive Shira Plateau, and tackle the iconic Barranco Wall. Known for its exceptional acclimatization profile, this route gives you the best chance of reaching the summit, all while enjoying a serene and scenic adventure.
Rongai Route: Northern Circuit Trail
If you’re looking for a fresh and quiet perspective of Kilimanjaro, the Rongai Route is your perfect choice. This trail, part of the Northern Circuit, takes you through remote wilderness, offering solitude and stunning views of the mountain’s northern slopes. Experience the unspoiled beauty of Kilimanjaro from a unique angle, far from the usual crowds, and immerse yourself in the raw, majestic landscape.
Which Kilimanjaro Route is Perfect for Your Adventure?
If you’re looking for the quick answer, our top pick would be the Lemosho Route, beloved by both the our Team and our clients. With its superb acclimatization profile, stunning vistas, and the highest success rate over the past decade, it’s hard to beat. However, it has become one of the busiest routes in recent years. For those craving a quieter, more exclusive experience, the 7-day Rongai Route is an excellent alternative. While it might not have the dramatic landscapes or unique wildlife of other routes, it’s over 10 times less crowded, offering a peaceful trek through Kilimanjaro’s untouched northern slopes.
Which Kilimanjaro Route is Perfect for Your Adventure?
The true challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro isn’t the steep inclines or long distances—it’s the altitude. To make the journey easier, routes with better acclimatization profiles are key. That’s why the Lemosho 7-8 day route, Rongai 7, and Machame 7 are top picks, with the Northern Circuit not far behind.
The Lemosho 7-day itinerary is considered the most beginner-friendly for several reasons. Starting at a comfortable 3,500 meters, it removes the need to climb up to that elevation early on. Shorter initial hikes give your body time to adjust without overdoing it. Plus, all overnight stays are at 3,500 meters or higher, which significantly aids acclimatization. The best part? The stretch from Barafu Camp to the summit is the shortest, saving you precious time and energy.
The Northern Circuit, while offering excellent acclimatization due to the extended duration on the mountain, requires hikers to be prepared for longer daily hikes. For first-time trekkers, Lemosho, Rongai, and Machame are great options with a higher chance of summit success. And if you’re looking to take it easy with extra time to rest, you can always add an additional acclimatization day to your itinerary at any of the camps along the way!
Which Kilimanjaro Routes Are Challenging for Beginners?
Many budget tour operators offer two popular Kilimanjaro itineraries: the 5-day Marangu route and the 6-day Machame route. These shorter options require fewer crew members, less gear, and lower park fees, making them more affordable and appealing to many trekkers.
However, these routes come with a significant trade-off—acclimatization challenges. Both itineraries skip a critical day halfway through the trek, which is essential for your body to adjust to the increasing altitude. Without this extra acclimatization time, hikers may face difficulties as they push to higher elevations too quickly. Want to learn more? Check out our quick video below.
Which Kilimanjaro Route Will You Find the Fewest Crowds?
The Rongai and Northern Circuit routes are well-known for offering a peaceful, crowd-free experience. The initial days on the Umbwe route will also treat you to tranquil landscapes, far from the bustle of large hiking groups.
For an even quieter adventure, consider avoiding peak season months like July to September and January to February. The sweet spot for avoiding crowds is just before or after the high seasons—such as early March, early June, or late October—when the weather is still perfect, but the trails are much less crowded.
How to Pick the Right Route for Your Adventure
Picture your dream Kilimanjaro climb. Are you a photographer chasing breathtaking vistas and the most picturesque route? An experienced mountaineer eager for your next big challenge? Or perhaps a parent planning a memorable adventure with your teens, prioritizing a smooth path and excellent acclimatization?
Whatever your vision, we’ve got you covered! Our expert team has crafted essential questions to help you find the perfect route. As you explore these questions, jot down your thoughts or eliminate options that don’t align with your expectations.
By the end, you’ll have narrowed it down to one or two routes that perfectly match your ideal Kilimanjaro experience. Ready to start planning your adventure? Let’s dive in!
Essential Questions to help You Find the Perfect Route
1. Is your priority a route with the best acclimatization and the highest chance of reaching the summit?
If so, the 7- and 8-day Lemosho itineraries might be your top pick for climbing Kilimanjaro, offering excellent acclimatization and the highest chances of success. That said, most 7-day routes also provide solid acclimatization and strong summit success rates.
Top routes for acclimatization and summit success:
- Lemosho Route: 7-8 days
- Rongai Route: 7 days
- Machame Route: 7 days
2. Would you prefer the experience of camping in tents or staying in mountain huts?
Do you dream of cozy nights under the stars or prefer the shelter and familiarity of a hut? If the latter is a must-have, the Marangu route is your only option, with its dormitory-style hut accommodations. Decision made? Great!
But don’t dismiss tents just yet—they’re far more comfortable than you might think. Our custom-designed Wild Wave Adventures tents are built for warmth, weather resistance, and a good night’s rest. Paired with a four-season sleeping bag and a thick mattress, they ensure thousands of climbers wake up refreshed each year.
Tents also bring you closer to nature, while huts can sometimes feel crowded. At Altezza’s Kilimanjaro camps, you’ll enjoy spacious dining tents, and for added convenience, you can book private portable toilet and shower tents. The choice is yours—adventure your way!
Routes with hut accommodations:
- Marangu Route (6 days)
Routes featuring cozy tent camping:
- All routes except the Marangu Route
3. Do your travel plans include climbing Kilimanjaro in the rainy season?
Planning to tackle Kilimanjaro during the rainy season? Consider the Rongai and Marangu routes—both ideal for this time of year. Rongai’s northern position sees significantly less rainfall, while Marangu offers the added comfort and protection of its huts. Gear up with your rain essentials and get ready for a memorable Kilimanjaro adventure!
Top Kilimanjaro routes for the rainy season:
- Marangu Route: 6 days
- Rongai Route: 7 days
4. Are you eager to experience the most stunning views that Kilimanjaro has to offer?
Want to immerse yourself in the full beauty of Kilimanjaro? The Lemosho (via Shira), Machame, and Umbwe routes are your best bet. These western and southern trails take you through all of Kilimanjaro’s distinct climatic zones, offering dramatic views as you move from lush rainforests to iconic glaciers. Only on these routes will you encounter unique plants like the Kilimanjaro Giant Groundsels, along with a variety of stunning landscapes. The southern slopes, receiving more rainfall than the northern side, boast a richer diversity of plant life, making these trails particularly scenic.
In contrast, the northern routes—Rongai and the Northern Circuit—offer more subtle scenery, with less dramatic variation in landscape.Marangu is distinct from other routes in that it uses the same path for both the ascent and descent. While it offers scenic views, this layout can limit the variety of landscapes you’ll encounter. Additionally, the shared trail leads to increased traffic, as groups heading up and down cross paths, resulting in more congestion.
Most Scenic Routes:
- Lemosho Route: 6-8 days
- Machame Route: 6-7 days
- Umbwe Route: 6-7 days
5. Do you have previous trekking experience or acclimatization to high altitudes?
Whether you’re an experienced trekker or new to high-altitude climbs, Kilimanjaro has a route for you. Seasoned trekkers who are accustomed to higher altitudes may prefer shorter 5-6 day routes like Machame 6 or Umbwe 6. These routes require solid physical conditioning and effective acclimatization, but they offer a fast-paced and diverse experience for those looking for a challenge.
Best Routes for Beginners:
- Lemosho Route: 7-8 days
- Machame Route: 7 days
- Rongai Route: 7 days
- Northern Circuit Route: 8 days
Routes for Experienced Trekkers and/or Those with Acclimatization:
- Lemosho Route: 6 days
- Machame Route: 6 days
- Marangu Route: 5-6 days
- Umbwe Route: 6 days
- Rongai Route: 6 days”
6. What is your available time and budget for the trip?
If you’re on a tight schedule and budget, it may seem tempting to choose a shorter route like Machame 6 or Marangu 5. However, keep in mind that these quicker itineraries are much more demanding and come with lower summit success rates. For those without prior acclimatization or extensive trekking experience, we strongly recommend opting for a 7-day itinerary.
For those seeking a more luxurious adventure, we offer premium expeditions that elevate the Kilimanjaro experience to a whole new level. Our luxury packages include top-tier hotels before and after the climb, spacious walk-in tents, gourmet meals with a variety of options, bottled water, comfortable camping beds, high-quality sleeping bags, portable toilets, satellite phones, and an expanded climbing team. Reach out to our Kilimanjaro experts if you’d like more details.
If you’re lucky enough to have extra time, consider adding a wildlife safari to your Kilimanjaro trip. Alternatively, a few days on Zanzibar or exploring one of the stunning islands in the Indian Ocean would complete your Tanzanian adventure, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty and diversity of this incredible country!
7. Would you like to include unique experiences, like spending a night in the crater?
For an unparalleled Kilimanjaro adventure, why not add the extraordinary experience of camping in the crater? Altezza offers 9-10 day itineraries that allow you to spend a night in the crater of Kibo, the highest of Kilimanjaro’s three volcanic peaks. Picture yourself camped at 5,750 meters, surrounded by the stillness of an ancient volcanic crater, beneath the awe-inspiring Milky Way. Every year, fewer than 100 adventurers out of 40,000+ get to live this unforgettable experience. Itineraries featuring crater camping usually span 9-10 days, and our experts are here to help you tailor the perfect expedition based on your preferences.
Routes that can include crater camping:
- All routes except Marangu.