Climbing Routes For Mount Kilimanjaro | Mount Kilimanjaro Hiking Routes

Mount Kilimanjaro is located in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania, northeast and next to the Kenya – Tanzania border. The park is not so far from Moshi, one of the common cities in Tanzania and falls approximately 200 miles south of the Equator. Kilimanjaro is one of the experiences for life for many people.

Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is essential to understand this and your odds of reaching the summit with the route that will give you value for your money.

Marangu route

The Marangu route is one of the popular routes that tourists undertake when they climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa and reaches a height of 5,895 meters. Located in the northern part of Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the major tourist attractions for tourists interested in Tanzania safaris.

Tourists from around the globe visit Mount Kilimanjaro to undertake challenging treks on this mountain via different routes. One such route is the historical Marangu route. This route is famous for being the oldest route on Mount Kilimanjaro that attracts a large number of trekking enthusiasts.

The unique feature of the Marangu route is that it has hut facilities at different points on the route. This route is ideal for tourists who prefer to have comfortable trekking on Mount Kilimanjaro. The total trekking on this mountain takes around 5-6 days.

The nearest town to Mount Kilimanjaro is Moshi. This town serves as the starting point for different safaris on Mount Kilimanjaro. The local inhabitants of this region are the Chagga people, who practice agriculture in the vicinity of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Lemosho Route

The Lemosho Route is considered to be the most scenic route for trekking on Mount Kilimanjaro and is a favorite among travelers who wish to experience a Tanzania safari and mountain climbing adventures. While this route shares a common track with the Machame Route, there are a number of advantages that make this route popular among travelers who wish to experience a more remote and serene experience, especially if they have more time to spare.

The route begins at the Londorossi Gate, which is located on the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro. This route is considered to be one of the more remote routes on the mountain. This route is considered to be one of the new routes, and it is known for its scenic beauty and varied ecosystems.

While this route is popular among hikers, they are able to enjoy the experience of trekking through the rainforest, where they are able to see a variety of wildlife, such as black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, small lizards, and birds. After this, the route moves to the Shira Plateau, which is relatively flat and easy to climb, crossing the plateau from west to east.

During the early days of the trek, the Lemosho Route offers a serene and peaceful experience with minimal crowds. This makes the route suitable for travel enthusiasts who prefer solitude and tranquility. This is in contrast with other routes such as the Machame and Marangu Routes. This adds exclusiveness to the overall hiking adventure.

During the progression of the route, the Lemosho Route joins the Machame Route. This increases the number of hikers. However, the initial stages of the Lemosho Route offer unique views of the surrounding environment. Other notable features of the Lemosho Route include the Lava Tower and Barranco Wall. During the early days of the trek, the route offers unique views of the surrounding environment.

During the Lemosho Route, travel enthusiasts have an opportunity to explore the pristine rainforests and reach the Shira Plateau. Additionally, the route offers breathtaking views of the environment. Due to the long nature of this route and its remoteness, the Lemosho Route takes seven to eight days to complete. This increases the chances of reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

For those who wish to have the best chance of a successful climb, the Lemosho Route is one of the best options available, particularly compared to the Machame and Marangu Routes. While the climb is a bit tougher and steeper, it also involves spending an extra night or two in tents.

Machame Route

The Machame Route is the most popular route used to climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and is therefore the preferred route for adventure enthusiasts participating in Tanzania safaris and mountain climbing expeditions. This route is ideal for adventure enthusiasts due to the breathtaking views, moderate level of difficulty, and sufficient time for acclimatization, making it a great option for climbers with spare days to spare.

The Machame Route is also referred to as the “Whiskey Route,” and this route is considered to be more challenging than the Marangu Route, also referred to as the “Coca-Cola Route.” Unlike the Marangu Route, the Machame Route allows climbers to camp in the wilderness using tents during the climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Climbing the Machame Route involves trekking through a variety of iconic landmarks on Mount Kilimanjaro, including Lava Tower and the Shira Plateau. Climbers on the Machame Route trek through a variety of valleys and ridges on Mount Kilimanjaro, making this route a physically challenging route that offers breathtaking views.

This route is famous for its scenic diversity and is therefore considered the most scenic route to the top of the mountain. Machame route starts from the south and it takes about 6 to 7 days of hiking to get to the summit and back during hikes on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Rongai route

The Rongai route of Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the popular trekking routes for adventure enthusiasts and is particularly preferred for Tanzania safaris. This route starts at the northeastern part of Mount Kilimanjaro, at the border of Kenya and Tanzania. This provides an adventurous and secluded experience for Mount Kilimanjaro climbers. The distance of this route is around 73 kilometers.

Trekking through this route provides an adventurous and secluded experience for Mount Kilimanjaro climbers. This route starts at the Rongai Gate and then proceeds to the Rongai First Cave. After this, the route proceeds to Kikelewa Camp. From this point, the route proceeds to Mawenzi Tarn. This provides an acclimatization point for Mount Kilimanjaro climbers.

After this, the route proceeds to Kibo Hut and then to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. The descent of this route starts at Uhuru Peak and then proceeds to Horombo Hut and then to Marangu Gate. This provides an adventurous and secluded experience for Mount Kilimanjaro climbers and those who prefer to explore Mount Kilimanjaro during their Tanzania safaris.

The Shira Route

The Shira Route is another route that is not as popular for the climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. It starts near Shira Ridge. This route is almost similar to the Lemosho Route, which can be regarded as the improved version of the Shira Route. Although the Shira Route provides a scenic experience for trekking, the route is not as popular among climbers. This is because the route starts at a relatively higher altitude, which can be reached by car. Therefore, the climber will experience some altitude sickness on the first day while at the camp at 11,800 feet.

This route starts on the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Shira Ridge. This route avoids the rainforest zone, and the trek starts on Shira Ridge. The Shira Route traverses the Shira Plateau from the west to the east side. This route offers a relatively flat and enjoyable trek. It continues on the Southern Ice Field on the bottom of Kilimanjaro, following the Southern Circuit path, and finally reaches the summit from the top of Barafu. The descent follows the Mweka Route.

The Umbwe Route

Umbwe Route is referred to as the shortest and steepest route to Uhuru Peak on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is therefore a favorite route for experienced climbers who want a challenging experience on the mountain. This route is a component of Tanzania safari tours which include hiking on Mount Kilimanjaro. The route starts at Umbwe Gate and proceeds to Umbwe Cave Camp, then to Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp, and finally Uhuru Peak at the summit. After the climbers reach the peak, they then descend to Mweka Camp and finally end at Mweka Gate. The entire route requires 5-7 days of hiking on the mountain.