There are several routes by which to reach Kibo, or Uhuru Peak, the highest summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, namely, Marangu, Rongai, Lemosho, Shira, Umbwe and Machame.
Being one of the most popular mountains in the world, roughly 50,000 trekkers every year try to reach the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. According to research published by the Climb Kilimanjaro Guide, the average summit success rate across all climbers and routes is 65%. However, summit success rate heavily depends upon what route is climbed as routes vary considerably in terms of acclimatization profile and duration of climb.
Climbing routes
Machame
- Nicknamed the "Whiskey" route because the route is popularized as somewhat difficult and more expensive than Marangu route. On an overall comparison of the routes to scale Kilimanjaro, this is one of the best routes to take, both in terms of acclimatization and cost. In certain sections this route is steeper than the Marangu and Rongai routes and physically more demanding but is easier overall.
- Highly recommended for scenic value
- Great for acclimatization with lots of walk high, sleep low opportunities
- Challenging trek with stunning scenery through 5 diverse climatic zones
- Good opportunity to split pre-summit day climb to leave climbers rested before summiting
- Very popular trail
- Fully catered camping only
- it takes 6â€"7 days for climbing.
Marangu
- Nicknamed the "Coca-Cola" route because the route is popularized as easy and cheap. This, however, is a misconception as the route is more difficult due to the 'not as good acclimatization profile' as Machame/Rongai/Lemosho routes.
- Often selected by unprepared, inexperienced climbers because of its reputation for being the "easiest" route, attributing to the lower success rate
- The shortest and cheapest route, but less time to acclimatize, therefore lower success rate
- Dormitory style accommodation in huts
- Less scenic due to ascent and descent on same route
Shira / Lemosho
- High summit success rate. Good for acclimatization, especially on the longer itineraries
- Remote and spectacular, dramatic gorges and views of west Kilimanjaro
- Converges with Machame on day 4 at Baranco
- Shira offers higher start point compared to Lemosho and poorer acclimatisation
- Fully catered camping only
The Lemosho route approaches Kilimanjaro from the west. Rather than simply intersecting Shira Plateau (like Machame), Lemosho crosses it from Shira Ridge to Shira 2 Camp, in a pleasant hike. Climbers encounter low traffic until the route joins the Machame route. Afterwards, Lemosho follows the same route through Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu, known as the southern circuit. There are several options to complete the trek over 7, 8, or 9 days based on your experience.
Rongai
- Only northern approach to Kilimanjaro
- Offers a true wilderness experience on the early stages of the climb
- Very tough final summit night from the north
- Fewer acclimatisation opportunities
- Less scenic and flat than other routes
Also known as the Nalemuru route. Although the scenery is not as varied as the western routes, Rongai makes up for this by passing through true wilderness areas for days before joining the Marangu route at Kibo camp. Rongai is a moderately difficult route, and is highly recommended, especially for those with less backpacking experience. There are different options to complete the climb in 5, 6, or 7 days.
Umbwe
- Steep, short route with lower success rate
- Poor acclimatization because of rapid ascent
- Very remote and quiet
- Fully catered camping only
Of all the routes, Umbwe is by far the most scenic albeit steeper route up the mountain. The Rongai is the easiest camping route and the Marangu is also easy, but accommodation is in huts. As a result, this route tends to be very busy and ascent and descent routes are the same. Although the Rongai route is a flatter walk, it offers less opportunities for acclimatisation. The Machame and Lemosho routes both allow better opportunities to "walk high and sleep low", which is critical to avoiding altitude sickness.
Northern Circuit
- Longest route up Kilimanjaro - good for acclimatization
- Only route to traverse all of the Northern Slopes on a circumnavigation of the mountain
- Beautiful scenery from the western approach
- Fully catered camping only
The Northern Circuit is the newest route up Kilimanjaro and also the longest. The Northern Circuit takes a minimum of 8 days to complete but most operators offer the 9 day option. Because of its length, the Northern Circuit has the highest summit success rate. The route follows the same as the Lemosho Route for the first two days and then veers off to circle around the quieter northern slopes to the east side of the mountain. There a number of route variations, but generally the Northern Circuit approaches the summit via Gilman’s Point before descending on the same route as the Machame and Lemosho.
Climbing description
The trek to Uhuru Peak is considered to be a relatively straightforward endeavour; however, ample time must still be provided for proper acclimatization to prevent altitude sickness. The three shortest routes, Marangu, Rongai, and Machame, are less challenging and are often trekked by individuals with limited mountaineering experience. Some trekkers employ altitude-sickness medication, including acetazolamide, but taking at least seven days is the best way to avoid altitude sickness as your body needs proper time to adapt and acclimatize to high altitude.
Route travel times range from five to nine days to summit and return to the base of the mountain. Huts with cooking facilities, bathrooms, and electricity are available on the Marangu route, and camps with fewer facilities are available on many other routes. All huts and many camps have rangers stationed at them with rescue facilities (modified wheelbarrows to transport trekkers stricken with altitude sickness to lower altitudes).
Trekkers on Mount Kilimanjaro typically have a support crew of guides and porters who are integral in helping climbers reach the summit. The size of the support crew depends on the number of trekkers in a group and is regulated by the Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA). Tour operators are expected to comply with KINAPA guide and porter regulations. A typical climbing group of 2 trekkers will have one guide, one assistant guide, 6 porters (3 for each climber) and one cook. Porters are responsible for carrying a trekkers gear as well as key items like tents, water and cooking supplies. It is customary to tip guides and porters at the last meal on the mountain or at the end of the trip. The tipping value varies depending on the number of days spent on the mountain and the number of climbers in a group.
Summit attempts are generally begun at midnight so that trekkers can reach the rim of the crater to view the sunrise. Walking overnight also means the ground (loose gravel) is frozen, making the going significantly easier.
Trekkers on the Marangu route first encounter Gilman's Point on the rim of the crater, which is roughly a 1.5 hour hike from Uhuru Peak. Trekkers who follow the Southern Circuit will reach the summit via Stella Point which is about an hour from the summit. Both these compare with the Rongai route where the trip from where you reach the rim to the summit can be over two hours making for a very long summit day.
Another route is the Western Breach, which includes short sections of scrambling (where hands are required for balance and support). The rock on Kilimanjaro though is highly fragmented and deaths from rockfall from above have happened.
On all the southern routes and on the Western Breach climb it is possible to sleep overnight in the crater. This has three major advantages. First, you can summit during the day, avoiding the midnight rush. Second, you have time to visit the crater and explore the glaciers. Finally, you can get back to the rim very early the next day to see the sunrise. The Furtwängler Glacier on Kilimanjaro is a remnant of the ice cap that once covered the mountain. This has retreated dramatically over the last century with over 80 percent glacial retreat. The glacier is named after Walter Furtwängler, who along with Ziegfried Koenig, were the fourth to ascend to the summit of Kilimanjaro in 1912.
At the summit, there is a sign posted by the Tanzanian government. The sign (printed in English only) reads "Congratulations! You are now at Uhuru Peak, Tanzania, 5,895Â m. AMSL. Africa's Highest Point. World's Highest Free-Standing Mountain." It formerly had a fourth part of the sign, which read, "One of World's Largest Volcanos. Welcome." The sign is covered in travel stickers from past trekkers who have left their mark on the top of the peak. Near this famous sign is a box containing a log that many trekkers have signed.
Trekking routes
Kilimanjaro has a number of official climbing routes. These are:
- Northern Circuit
- Machame
- Marangu
- Rongai
- Londorossi Lemosho
- Umbwe
- Shira
- Mweka (descent only)
Please note the indicative costs in the table below do not account for VAT which was implemented on all Tourism related activities in Tanzania in 2016 by the Ministry of Tourism in Tanzania.
Summary of routes
A three-dimensional Google-Earth route map can be seen here.
Northern Circuit
The Northern Circuit is the newest route on Kilimanjaro and takes 8â€"9 days. It begins from the north, then traverses nearly the entire mountain counter clockwise before approaching the summit from the east. This route offers diverse views, making a particularly scenic route. Being a lengthy, wilderness route, and the only route to cross the northern face, there is very little traffic on this route. Its length means that it provides more acclimatisation time than other routes.
Registration for the route is at Londorossi Gate, with the trek itself beginning at the road head at Lemosho Glades and following a little used track called Chamber's Route. The route then follows around the northern face of the mountain, crossing the high desert plateau of Shira Caldera and passing Shira Cathedral to reach Moir Valley and then Buffalo Ridge. From here, the route climbs onto The Saddle, a lunar landscape which stretches between Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks. The overnight ascent to the summit is made from School Hut campsite to the crater rim at Gilman's Point, from where a trail leads on to the summit of Kilimanjaro at Uruhu Peak. Descent from the summit is made via Stella Point, Barafu Camp, and Millennium Camp, leaving the park at Mweka Gate.
Lemosho route
This is an unspoilt, remote, less-used, and beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau. Trekkers sometimes use it to ascend the Western Breach route or follow it with the Kibo South Circuit to ascend by the easier Barafu Route. The first day of the route hardly ever has any game animals, and armed rangers never accompany a group.
The standard route takes 7 days on the mountain, and is sometimes extended to 8 days with a stay at Karanga Valley.
Route Outline
- Drive from Moshi or Arusha to Londorossi Park Gate (2,250 metres (7,380Â ft), 2 hours). From here a forest track requiring a four-wheel drive vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades (2,100 metres (6,900Â ft), 11 kilometres (6.8Â mi), 45 minutes) and a possible campsite (park fees are not paid to camp here). Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite, (2,750 metres (9,020Â ft), 3 hours).
- The trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. Several streams are crossed then it gains the Shira Ridge at about (3,600 metres (11,800Â ft) and drops gently down to Shira 1 camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau ((3,500 metres (11,500Â ft), 7 hours). This campsite could be omitted.
- A gentle walk across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream ((3,850 metres (12,630Â ft), 4 hours). A variety of walks are available on the plateau making this an excellent acclimatization day.
- Continue east towards Kibo passing the junction, then east towards the Lava Tower. Shortly after this, you descend to Barranco hut ((3,940 metres (12,930Â ft), 6 hours).
- A short scramble to the top of the Great Barranco and then a traverse over scree and ridges to the Karanga Valley ((4,000 metres (13,000Â ft), 3 hours), beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers. After climbing out of the Karanga Valley, the trail ascends a ridge to the Barafu Hut, a bleak location with little vegetation at (4,600 metres (15,100Â ft), (3 hours walking).
- An early start for the ascent to the rim of the Kibo Crater between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers, (6 hours). The last section before the rim can sometimes be snow-covered and an ice-axe or ski stick is useful for balance. At the rim, Stella point is reached (18,652 feet (5,685 m)). From here, a further hour leads to Uhuru Peak, from where there are often fine views of Meru to the west and the jagged peak of Mawenzi to the east. Descend to the Barafu Hut (3 hours) for a rest and lunch before continuing on past Millenium camp down to camp at Mweka Hut in the giant heather zone on the forest edge (4 hours). Those with energy on the summit may wish to descend to the Reutsh Crater and visit the ice pinnacles of the Eastern Icefields.
- A 3-4 hour descent through forest brings you to the park gate.
Machame route
The Machame route as of 2006 is described here. The route is typically done on a six- or seven-day hike.
The campsites and gates (with corresponding elevations) are as follows:
- Machame Gate (start of trek) 5,718 feet (1,743Â m)
- Machame 9,927 feet (3,026Â m)
- Shira 12,355 feet (3,766Â m)
- Barranco 13,066 feet (3,983Â m)
- Karanga (optional camp, used by 7-day climbers)
- Barafu (high camp before summit) 15,239 feet (4,645Â m)
- Mweka (descent) 10,204 feet (3,110Â m)
- Mweka Gate (end of trek) 5,423 feet (1,653Â m)
One benefit of the Machame route is its quick rise to relatively high elevations (~10,000 feet (3,000Â m)), and a short ascent to the Lava Tower site (~15,000 feet (4,600Â m)) before descending back to Barranco Camp (~12,700 feet (3,900Â m)) on the same day. This follows the climber's adage "climb high, sleep low", and helps altitude acclimation. The initial steep ascent also helps trekkers acclimatise better.
The Machame route starts from Machame Gate and travels upwards through the montane rainforest, characterized by dense vegetation, a muddy trail, and short sections of steep climbs. The first campsite, Machame Camp, is right after the dense tree cover in an area with lower but still thick bushlands.
The second day continues through increasingly sparse trees and bushes into moorlands. The day finishes with Shira Camp, which is on a small plateau in the high moorlands, and features views of Kibo in the northeast and Mount Meru towards the west. White necked ravens can be seen throughout the day. There is also a set of small caves a short walk from the campsite known as the Shira Caves.
The third day starts in the moorlands and moves into alpine desert, with fewer trees and more rocks. The highest point is the base of the Lava Tower, after which the trail descends into the Barranco Valley. More vegetation is present in this zone, especially the area just before the campsite. This area is called the "Garden of the Senecios", which features many of the huge senecio plants. Shorter lobelia plants are also present.
The fourth day starts with the ascent of the Barranco Wall, which is considered a scramble in climbing terms. The trail continues with many up and down sections across small streams and rivulets and finally crosses the Karanga River to the Karanga campsite.
The fifth day follows the path up and across a rocky zone, finishing at the high camp Barafu. Very little vegetation can be found on the inhospitable terrain. A field of sedimentary rocks litters the ground. (Note - the six-day trek omits the Karanga campsite, and trekkers continue directly to Barafu on the same day.)
The summit is usually attempted on the very early morning of the sixth day (around midnight). Barafu is also used as a summit campsite for the Umbwe route. Trekkers typically take somewhere between five and seven hours to ascend, using headlamps and cold weather gear. Making the ascent on a full moon or shortly thereafter can make the headtorch unnecessary. The first milestone, generally reached shortly after dawn, is Stella Point (18,652 feet (5,685Â m)), which is on the crater rim. Following Stella Point, the trail continues for another 60 minutes to Uhuru Peak, the summit.
The descent back to Barafu takes roughly four hours. Some trekkers scree slide down the slope, which entails skidding/running down the loose gravel at medium speed. From Barafu, trekkers typically take a short break, and continue downwards through the alpine desert and ensuing moorlands to Mweka Camp.
The seventh and final day has trekkers continue through the montane forest to Mweka Gate. Troops of black-and-white colobus monkeys can often be seen in the dense growth.
Detailed description:
Marangu Route
The Marangu Route (also known at the "Coca-Cola" route) is the easiest ascent of Kilimanjaro, although any ascent can be challenging. Climbs can be done over 6 days. It crosses The Saddle, a 5 kilometres (3.1Â mi) wide, high-altitude, semi-desert that separates craggy Mawenzi from the main summit Kibo. From the summit, glaciers, screes, cliffs, afro-alpine moorland, and forests lead down to the cultivated foothills.
The Merangu route is a favourite of local tour operators as it's the shortest route and requires no camping gear to be carried. For this reason it is often the cheapest option. Because of its short profile, the Merangu route actually has the lowest summit success rate out of any route.
Trekkers sometimes spend an extra day to acclimate to the altitude at Horombo Hut. Also, trekkers often start the final ascent to Uhuru Peak early from Kibo Hut, because the scree is easier to climb when frozen, and dawn views from the crater rim are often spectacular.
Route Outline
- Drive to Marangu Gate. Walk through the rain forest to Mandara hut (2,743 metres (8,999Â ft), about 3 hours).
- Leave the forest and cross open moor land to Horombo hut (3,760 metres (12,340Â ft)).
- Rest and acclimatisation day at Horombo Hut. Day walk to Zebra Rocks or to Mawenzi Hut. This day can be omitted.
- Walk through moorland then alpine desert to "The Saddle" between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. From here you will walk for about an hour to reach Kibo hut (4,730 metres (15,520Â ft)).
- Very early start for the summit on steep scree up to Gillman's Point (5,681 metres (18,638Â ft)), which is on the crater rim. Continue around the rim (which will take about two hours if you are fit) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 metres (19,341Â ft)) the highest point in Africa. Descend to Kibo Hut and then down to the thicker air and relative warmth of Horombo hut.
- Descend to Marangu gate.
Rongai Route
Route Outline
The route described below includes the 'Mawenzi Tarn Hut variation' which is recommended for acclimatization. However, some tours skip this and proceed directly from Simba camp to a 'Third Camp' at around 3700m to Kibo Hut, resulting in a (more difficult because of shorter length) 5-day total trip.
- Drive 2 hours from the Marangu gate to the Rongai Gate. Walk to Simba Camp at 2,650 metres (8,690Â ft), 2.5-3 hrs. The walk is initially through plantations then rain forest and finally bush country.
- Walk to second Cave at 3,450 metres (11,320 ft), 3½ hrs. A gentle day through bush then heathers.
- Gentle rising traverse through moorland over several ridges to Kikelea Caves, 3,600 metres (11,800Â ft), 3 hours.
- Moorland then screes to Mawenzi Tarn Hut, 4,330 metres (14,210Â ft), 3-3.5 hrs.
- Easy angled screes slopes lead across the Saddle to Kibo Hut, 4,700 metres (15,400Â ft), 4.5-5 hrs.
- Very early start for the summit on steep scree up to Gillman's Point (5,681 metres (18,638Â ft)), which is on the crater rim. Continue around the rim (which will take about two hours if you are fit) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 metres (19,341Â ft)) the highest point in Africa. Descend to Kibo Hut and then down to the thicker air and relative warmth of Horombo hut.
- Descend to Marangu gate.
Climbers often omit the second cave during ascent, although the climb is more difficult.
Umbwe Route
The Umbwe route is often considered the hardest but most spectacular and direct way to reach Uhuru Peak.
Route Outline
- Drive to the Umbwe Roadhead at 1,800 metres (5,900 ft). The route initially follows a forestry track winding up through the natural rain forest. It then narrows and steepens to climb the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers. The first campsite is in the forest by some rock overhangs at 2,940 metres (9,650 ft), (5â€"6 hours walking).
- Shortly after leaving the camp, the forest ends and the path continues along a narrow spectacular ridge. Above, the sheer 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) of the Breach Wall appears and disappears as the afternoon mists roll up the Great Barranco. From the Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly to the Barranco Hut and the camp in the valley floor at 3,900 metres (12,800 ft), (5â€"6 hours walking).
- From here the route parts. The traditional route continues north to climb the Western Breach from the Arrow Glacier Camp. However, because of the high risk from falling rock, it is suggested to follow the route below.
- A short scramble to the top of the Great Barranco and then a traverse over scree and ridges to the Karanga Valley (4,000 metres (13,000Â ft), 3 hours), beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers.
- After climbing out of the Karanga Valley, the trail ascends a ridge to the Barafu Hut, a bleak location with little vegetation at 4,600 metres (15,100Â ft), (3 hours walking).
- An early start for the ascent to the rim of the Kibo Crater between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers, (4 hours). The last section before the rim can sometimes be snow-covered and an ice-axe or ski stick is useful for balance. From here, a further hour leads to Uhuru Peak, from where there are often fine views of Meru to the west and the jagged peak of Mawenzi to the east. After a short time on the summit, descend to the Barafu Hut before continuing on down to camp at Mweka Hut in the giant heather zone on the Mweka route.
- A 3-4 hour descent through forest brings you to the park gate.
Climbing Routes - Costs
To climb Kilimanjaro you have to trek with a licensed guide. There is no option to climb solo. When you take into consideration permit fees, park fees, camping and food logistics, the only realistic way to climb the mountain is with a tour operator.
In 2016, the Ministry of Tourism in Tanzania made all Tourist related business VAT-able. As a result, costs have gone up 18% across the board. The prices below do not take into account the increase due to VAT, so factor that into your budgeting when planning your trip.
A local, authorized, no frills operator on the short Marangu route costs between US$1,200 - $1,450. However, the short Marangu route has the lowest summit success rate and if you want to take a longer itinerary it will cost more.
The 8 day Lemosho will cost in the region of US$1,800 and the 9 day Northern Circuit route will cost between US$2,000 - $2,500.These prices are based upon local operator costs. Western operators generally charge more, but not necessarily for a better service. Therefore, spending time searching for the right local operators gets you equivalent service levels at cheaper cost, and at the same time benefits the indigenous community.
A couple of factors determine the prices directly. First is the quality of the tour operator which in a way also determines the safety levels on the climb. There are many companies that may not be on popular travel websites and yet provide great service with quality equipment and high safety standards for relatively cheaper rates.
Second is how the crew is treated and paid by the operator. Unethical treatment of porters is a big problem on the mountain. Tourism being the main source of jobs in Kilimanjaro region has resulted in high competition for porter jobs. Mostly it is the local operators operating at cut-throat or loss-making prices that pay their porters below minimum wage and make them to carry gear that is too heavy. The good operators are cognizant about this problem and provide the minimum stipulated salaries and operate according to Kilimanjaro National Park regulations that withhold ethical and fair treatment of the crew.
Since even the minimum stipulated wages are not enough, a tipping culture has been established on Kilimanjaro treks. Tips to Kilimanjaro guides and porters can vary greatly between $150 to $300 per climber, depending on the number of participants and the operator chosen. Western operators recommend higher tipping amounts to their crew as compared to local operators.
Rock climbing routes
The rock on Kilimanjaro is generally unsuitable for rock climbing; however, there are several good snow and ice routes that are rapidly vanishing due to glacial recession. Mawenzi's peaks provide a few rock routes on loose rock.
Until recently, glacial recession has made it harder to ascend the Umbwe Route followed by the Heim Glacier. Just left of the glacier, the Breach Wall was considered the hardest route on Kilimanjaro (featuring a 100Â m high vertical icicle). Further left again, the Western Breach (Arrow Glacier) Route provides an easy scrambling route to the crater.
Park authorities and outfitters require special arrangements and often disclaimers to climb these routes. Although it is only a scramble, the Western Breach route falls into this category on account of rock fall danger.
Selected rock climbing routes
- Heim Glacier: A Nelson, H J Cooke, D N Goodall, 1957. Grade III+, 12 hours.
- Western Breach: Grade I, 6 hours. The easiest rock-climbing way on the south-west side of the mountain.
- Mawenzi aka South Peak: First climbed in 1924 by George Londt from South Africa.
Other climbing routes:
Frequently Asked Kilimanjaro Questions and Answers
References
