Before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, it’s best to know that there are seven well-established routes that you can choose for your trekking adventure.
But, which is the best route to scale Mount Kilimanjaro? The answer to this question depends on your experience, fitness, and the views you want to see. If you’re an inexperienced climber, the best route for you is the Marangu route. It’s the easiest route and only takes five days to trek.
However, if you’re an adventurous person and want to see the best views in Kilimanjaro, the Machame route will suit you best!
Picking the best course for your Kilimanjaro climb can be daunting, as you have to consider several factors, such as:
Thus, we made this guide to help you come up with the best route possible for your Kilimanjaro climb. So, without much further ado, here are the seven routes in Mount Kilimanjaro:
The Marangu ‘Coca Cola’ route is the oldest, most well-established path on Kilimanjaro. Many trekkers prefer this route as this is the most straightforward course on the mountain due to its gradual slope.
In addition, it’s also the only track that offers sleeping huts in dormitory-style accommodations. Using this route will only take you five days to complete your climb.
However, the success rate of this route is pretty low due to acclimatization. Using a longer route will help your body acclimatize better to the mountain’s environmental conditions.
The route’s short time frame makes the acclimatization more difficult. This trail approaches from the southeast and is less picturesque compared to other tracks as it has the same ascent and descent route.
If you’re looking for the breakdown of itineraries for the Marangu route, you’re in the right place!
| Day | Start | Meter | Feet | Finish | Meter | Feet | Zone | Hrs | km | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAY 1 | Marangu Gate | 1970 | 6400 | Mandara Hut | 2700 | 8858 | Rain Forest | 4-5 | 8 | 5 |
| DAY 2 | Mandara Hut | 2700 | 8858 | Horombo Hut | 3720 | 12,205 | Moorland | 6-8 | 12 | 7 |
| DAY 3 | Horombo Hut Zebra Rock | 3720 4100 | 12,205 13,451 | Zebra Rock Horombo Hut | 4100 3720 | 13,451 12,205 | Moorland | 1-1.5 1-1.5 | 2 2 | 1.2 1.2 |
| DAY 4 | Horombo Hut | 3720 | 12,205 | Kibo Hut | 4703 | 15,430 | Alpine Desert | 6-8 | 10 | 6 |
| DAY 5 | Kibo Hut Uhuru Peak | 4703 5895 | 15,430 19,341 | Uhuru Peak Horombo Hut | 5895 3720 | 19,341 12,205 | Ice Camp Alpine Desert | 6-8 4-5 | 6 16 | 4 10 |
| DAY 6 | Horombo Hut | 3720 | 12,205 | Marangu Gate | 1970 | 6400 | Moorland Rain Forest | 5-7 | 20 | 12 |
| 76 | 46.4 |
Machame route, also known as the whiskey route is the most famous route in Kilimanjaro due to its scenic landscapes. However, this mountain trail is challenging due to its steep hills and difficult path.
Thus, this route is ideal for more adventurous types of people or those who have experience in hiking, backpacking, or dealing with high altitudes. However, if you’re hell-bound to try this route, make sure that you’re physically fit to tread on this trail.
| Day | Start | Meter | Feet | Finish | Meter | Feet | Zone | Hrs | km | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAY 1 | Machame Gate | 1640 | 5381 | Machame Camp | 2972 | 9751 | Rain Forest | 5-6 | 11 | 7 |
| DAY 2 | Machame Camp | 2972 | 9751 | Shira 2 Camp | 3804 | 12,480 | Heath & Moorland | 4-6 | 5 | 3 |
| DAY 3 | Shira 2 Camp Lava Tower | 3804 4630 | 12,480 15,190 | Lava Tower Barranco Camp | 46303950 | 15,190 12,959 | Alpine Desert | 4-52-3 | 7 3 | 4 2 |
| DAY 4 | Barranco Camp | 3950 | 12,960 | Karanga Camp | 4033 | 13,232 | Alpine Desert | 4-5 | 6 | 3 |
| DAY 5 | Karanga Camp | 4033 | 13,232 | Barafu Camp | 4556 | 14,948 | Alpine Desert | 4-5 | 4 | 2 |
| DAY 6 | Barafu Camp Uhuru Peak | 4556 5895 | 14,948 19,341 | Uhuru Peak Mweka Camp | 5895 3100 | 19,341 10,171 | Ice CampRain Forest | 7-8 4-6 | 5 12 | 3 7 |
| DAY 7 | Mweka Camp | 3100 | 10,171 | Mweka Gate | 1640 | 5381 | Rain Forest | 3-4 | 10 | 6 |
| 63 | 37 |
Choosing the Lemosho route for your trek can provide you with the most spectacular path on Kilimanjaro. This route will grant you scenic views on different sides of the famous mountain.
This is one of the newer routes in Kilimanjaro and one of the most recommended due to its beautiful scenery, high success rates, and low crowds. This route advances Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, commencing from Arusha to the Londorossi Gate.
From the Londorossi Gate, you’ll spend the first two days trekking the rain forest to Shira Ridge. This path traverses the Shira Plateau from west to east, having only a few crowds until route intersection on the Machame trail near the Lava Tower.
The route then crosses underneath the Southern Ice Field of Kilimanjaro on a trail known as the Southern Circuit. Then, descend through the Mweka route.
| Day | Start | Meter | Feet | Finish | Meter | Feet | Zone | Hrs | km | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Londorossi Gate | 2360 | 7743 | Mti Mkubwa | 2895 | 9498 | Rain Forest | 3-4 | 6 | 4 |
| 2 | Mti Mkubwa | 2895 | 9498 | Shira 1 Camp | 3505 | 11,499 | Heath & Moorland | 5-6 | 8 | 5 |
| 3 | Shira 1 Camp | 3505 | 11,499 | Shira 2 Camp | 3804 | 12,480 | Heath & Moorland | 5-7 | 11 | 7 |
| 4 | Shira 2 Camp Lava Tower | 3804 4630 | 12,480 15,190 | Lava Tower Barranco Camp | 4630 3950 | 15,190 12,959 | Alpine Desert | 4-5 2-3 | 7 3 | 4 2 |
| 5 | Barranco Camp | 3950 | 12,959 | Karanga Camp | 4033 | 13,231 | Alpine Desert | 4-5 | 5 | 3 |
| 6 | Karanga Camp | 4033 | 13,232 | Barafu Camp | 4556 | 14,948 | Alpine Desert | 4-5 | 4 | 2 |
| 7 | Barafu Camp Uhuru Peak | 4556 5895 | 14,948 19,341 | Uhuru Peak Mweka Camp | 5895 3100 | 19,341 10,171 | Ice Camp Rain Forest | 7-8 4-6 | 5 12 | 3 7 |
| 8 | Mweka Camp | 3100 | 10,171 | Mweka Gate | 1640 | 5381 | Rain Forest | 3-4 | 10 | 6 |
The Shira Route is a little-used trail, starting near the Shira Ridge. It is almost indistinguishable from the Lemosho route.
Shira was the primary route, and Lemosho is the improved variation of the route. Although Shira is a diverse and fascinating route, it’s less desirable due to its relatively high altitude.
This trail advances Mount Kilimanjaro from the west side, commencing with a drive from Arusha to Shira Ridge. The vehicle will pass through the rain forest zone and begin the hike on Shira Ridge.
The Shira route crosses the Shira Plateau as a whole from west to east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field. This is known as the Southern Circuit. The Mweka route will be our descent trail.
| NUMBER OF DAYS | SHIRA ROUTE | ELEVATION | DISTANCE | HIKING HOURS | HABITAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAY 1 | Shira Gate to Simba Camp | 11,800 ft to 11,800 ft | 4 km/2 miles | 1 to hours | Heath |
| DAY 2 | Simba Camp to Shira 2 Camp | 11,800 ft to 12,500 ft | 6 km/4 miles | 2 hour | Heath |
| DAY 3 | Shira 2 Camp Going to Lava Tower Lava Tower to Barranco Camp | 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft | 7 km/4 miles 3 km/2 miles | 4 to 5 hours 2 to 3 hours | Alpine Desert Alpine Desert |
| DAY 4 | Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp | 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft | 5 km/3 miles | 4 to 5 hours | Alpine Desert |
| DAY 5 | Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp | 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft | 4 km/2 miles | 4 to 5 hours | Alpine Desert |
| DAY 6 | Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp | 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft | 5 km/3 miles 12 km/7 miles | 7 to 8 hours 4 to 6 hours | Arctic Rain Forest |
| DAY 7 | Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate | 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft | 10 km/6 miles | 3 to 4 hours | Rain Forest |
Opting for the Northern Circuit will offer you 360 degrees of stunning views, including the infrequently visited northern slopes. This is the longest route in Kilimanjaro and has the most acclimatization time with the highest success rate.
| NUMBER OF DAYS | NORTH CIRCUIT ROUTE | ELEVATION | DISTANCE | HIKING HOURS | HABITAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAY 1 | Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa | 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft | 6 km/4 miles | 3 to 4 hours | Rain Forest |
| DAY 2 | Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp | 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft | 8 km/5 miles | 5 to 6 hours | Heath |
| DAY 3 | Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp | 11,500 ft to 12,500 ft | 7 km/4 miles | 3 to 4 hours | Heath |
| DAY 4 | Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower Lava Tower to Moir Hut | 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft 15,190 ft to 13,580 ft | 7 km/4 miles 7 km/4 miles | 3 to 4 hours 2 to 3 hours | Alpine Desert Alpine Desert |
| DAY 5 | Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp | 13,580 ft to 13,200 ft | 12 km/7 miles | 5 to 7 hours | Alpine Desert |
| DAY 6 | Buffalo Camp to Third Cave | 13,200 ft to 12,700 ft | 8 km/5 miles | 5 to 7 hours | Heath |
| DAY 7 | Third Cave to School Hut | 12,700 ft to 15,600 ft | 5 km/3 miles | 4 to 5 hours | Alpine Desert |
| DAY 8 | School Hut to Uhuru Peak Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp | 15,600 ft to 19,341 ft 19,341 ft to 10,065 | 6 km/4 miles 12 km/7 miles | 6 to 8 hours 4 to 6 hours | Arctic |
| DAY 9 | Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate | 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft | 10 km/6 miles | 3 to 4 hours | Rain Forest |
The Rongai route is near the Kenyan border. It’s the sole route that advances Kilimanjaro from the north. This route has low crowds and has a gradual slope than other routes of the mountain.
This route is highly recommended for those with little to no backpacking experience.
| Day | Start | Meter | Feet | Finish | Meter | Feet | Zone | Hrs | km | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rongai Gate | 1950 | 6398 | Simba Camp | 2620 | 8596 | Rain Forest | 3-4 | 8 | 5 |
| 2 | Simba Camp Second Cave | 2620 3450 | 8596 11,319 | Second Cave Kikelewa Camp | 3450 3600 | 11,319 11,811 | Heath & Moorland | 3-4 3-4 | 6 6 | 4 4 |
| 3 | Kikelewa Camp | 3600 | 11,811 | Mawenzi Tarn | 4300 | 14,108 | Alpine Desert | 3-4 | 5 | 3 |
| 4 | Mawenzi Tarn | 4300 | 14,108 | Kibo Camp | 4700 | 15,420 | Alpine Desert | 5-6 | 8 | 5 |
| 5 | Kibo Camp Uhuru Peak | 4700 5895 | 15,420 19,341 | Uhuru Peak Horombo Camp | 5895 3720 | 19,341 12,205 | Ice Camp Heath & Moorland | 6-8 4-5 | 6 16 | 4 10 |
| 6 | Horombo Camp | 3720 | 12,205 | Marangu Gate | 1970 | 6463 | Rain Forest | 5-7 | 20 | 12 |
| 75 | 47 |
The Umbwe route is deemed the most challenging track on Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to the fast ascent to high altitude, this route does not present the required steps for acclimatization.
Though the traffic of this trail is quite low, the success rate is also low. This route is very challenging to climb and is ideal only for those who can acclimatize to the altitude quickly.
| NUMBER OF DAYS | UMBWE ROUTE | ELEVATION | DISTANCE | HIKING HOURS | HABITAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAY 1 | Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Camp | 5,249 ft to 9,514 ft | 11 km/7 miles | 5 to 7 hours | Heath |
| DAY 2 | Umbwe Camp to Barranco Camp | 9,514 ft to 13,044 ft | 6 km/4 miles | 4 to 5 hours | Heath |
| DAY 3 | Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp | 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft | 5 km/3 miles | 4-5 hours | Alpine Desert |
| DAY 4 | Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp | 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft | 4 km/2 miles | 4-5 hours | Alpine Desert |
| DAY 5 | Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp | 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft | 5 km/3 miles 12 km/7 miles | 7 to 8 hours 4 to 6 hours | Arctic Rain Forest |
| DAY 6 | Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate | 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft | 10 km/6 miles | 3 to 4 hours | Rain Forest |
The busiest route in Kilimanjaro is the Marangu route. It’s the busiest out of all routes and receives almost half of all trekkers in Kilimanjaro. The next busiest is the Machame route—the second of the most famous routes chosen by third of all tourists.
The most picturesque out of all routes are the Lemosho route, Machame route, Rongai route, and the Northern Circuit.
Our favorite out of all routes, considering the scenery, difficulty, and traffic, is a combination of the Lemosho route and the Machame route. The Lemosho route takes around 8 days to trek while the Machame route takes around 7. These routes offer some of the best views of the mountain with less traffic and good acclimatization opportunities. If you need help planning your route, safari or any itineraries for your adventure in Tanzania, contact Easy Travel and our team of experts will assist you every step of the way.
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