CHOOSING KILIMANJARO
CLIMB BEST ROUTE, FIRSTLY BASED ON YOUR DESIRE
Each route, out of all six ascend routes have its own benefits and challenges.. Hence, which route is the best to climb depends on yourself. Like many things in life there is no absolutely right or wrong. – When overview of goods and worse of each route, firstly prefer to your High altitude records, physical conditions as well as your expectations while on Kilimanjaro on your way to the summit – Ask yourself about what you expect, A less crowded route? Extra acclimatization day(s), The more scenic and paranomic views, The very possible budget route? All are possible For your successfully trek on Kilimanjaro, just let us now see how it works in each route
Advantages and Challenges of the Kilimanjaro ascend Routes (Routes)
Machame Route
Also referred as the Whisky Route Machame is currently the favorite route among many
climbers . The classic duration to the top is 7 days, or you can have option of skip one
day and make it six days. It is alongside Lemosho Route the most picturesque route on
Kilimanjaro. The hike follows steeper paths and is more adventurous, especially because
of the famous Breakfast Wall (Barranco Wall). On the fifth day Machame Route merges with
Lemosho Route. Both routes take from here the same trek up to Uhuru Peak.
Advantages: The Machame Route is known as one of the most beautiful
routes. The route follows the climbers’ philosophy to hike high and sleep low and
therefore offering excellent acclimatisation and success rate to the summit. As a
classic camping route Machame Route is not limited, which in turn leads us to the
disadvantages.
Disadvantages: Firstly, Machame Route has immensely become very
popular, Because of its wide camping, there have no limits on number of climbers sign in
per each day hence sometimes overcrowded,. Climbers should be prepared that especially
in high season it can get very busy.
Secondly for the Six days hikers, it can be very long day to hike all
way from Baranco camp, to Basecamp, hence having very short hours of rest before summit
attack, and this can leads to low performance. ( You must discuss with your guide about
exactly time to start hike to the summit incase you get very late at the basecamp
possibly start the hike to the summit Next day early morning instead of Midnight, IT IS
VERY POSSIBLE
Read more.. about Machame Route 7 Days.
Lemosho Route
Lemosho Route is one of the quieter routes with fantastic views. Although it is possible
to get to the summit in Seven Days, But Lemosho route designed for the eight days trek.
It is recommended for the climbers who never be on high altitude before, to take lemosho
route Eight days trip, so as to have ... Short hikes per each day hence enough hours of
rest, More extras acclimatization Days, Giving your body enough time to adopt new height
you get something that will easier your acclimatization too and have more success
chances. The rout on the fifth day, at the Shira Plateau, meets up the popular Machame
Route and from there shares the same path all the way to the summit.
Advantages: It is the best route for very enough acclimatization and
with best of Mountain experience. Very fantastic views, and possibly chances to see many
wild animals than other kilimanjaro routes.
Disadvantages: During short rain seasons, October to January, Lemosho
preferred as more rainy zone than other parts due to its heavy rain forest accompanied
with Artificial forest on the margin of the mountain. Also according to it’s length, 8
days climbers have to pay more expensive than other routes.
Read more.. about Lemosho Route 8 Days.
Rongai Route
Rongai Route is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the North, along the
border between Kenya and Tanzania. It is considered as the wildest and quietest route.
The North is also drier and less wooded, which makes Rongai Route the ideal route for
the rainy season.
Advantages: Rongai Route is referred as the less steep and the shortest
route of Kilimanjaro.When choosing to climb straight to the summit without getting to
Mawenzi Lake hut , it becomes the shortest, and easiest route. Rongai slopes receive
less rain and thus have better conditions for hiking. It is also one of the less
populated route.
Disadvantages: The option of climbing straight to the summit does not
follow the principles of climbing high and sleeping low, a seventh day( Throught
Mawenzi) for acclimatization is therefore strongly recommended. Also because it is dry
Side of Kilimanjaro, also water is a bit limit, hence porters have to make some more
distance during the dry season to fetch clean water on the mountain natural springs.
Read more.. about Rongai Route 7 Days.
The Northern Circuit
The Northern Circuit route is the newest and longest route – and did we say it’s also
truly beautiful? You’ll take nine days to reach the summit and, boy, you’ll remember
every single one of those nine days!
Advantages: This route is the cycling route of Kilimanjaro. It takes
you almost 360 degrees round the mountain before you summit, so you will experience new
best views each day. At nine days it’s the longest route, so it’s the best route for
acclimatization and so you will have the best chance of reaching the top.
Disadvantages: Same as Lemosho route the only disadvantage is Extra
costs according to the number of days that you will spend on the mountain.
Read more.. about Northern Circuit 9 Days.
Marangu Route
The Marangu Route is the oldest, most well established route. The route was counted many
years as the most popular route to the summit due to its Huts provided and gradual
slopes. It is also known under the nickname Coca-Cola Route, because , Sleeping in huts
on a bed with big sleeping Matt, and its gradual slopes,( no big valleys to walk
through), make it it easy to climb like Just drimking a Coca-Cola. . However, nowdays
many climbers prefer camping than Huts (Bandas)
Advantages: The Marangu Route is the only route with hut accommodation
in a dormitory style. It the cheapest route to climb up to Mount Kilimanjaro . Therefore
climbers do not need camping equipment, which reflects in the number of porters. Because
vof the limited number of Huts, climbers must book earlier so as to get space .The beds
in the huts are limited too, so that only a certain number of climbers per day are
allowed on this trek.
Disadvantages: As it is the first route to be established on
Kilimanjaro mountain, it is straight up the mountain hence less views of the Peaks. From
second day you are starting to see the peak, it almost same view up to last day you are
going to summit. For the five days hikers, chances of making it to the top is very low
and so an extra acclimatization (sixth) day is highly recommend to summit Kilimanjaro.
Read more.. about Marangu Route 6 Days.
The Umbwe Route
The Umbwe Route is another best Scenic and with very natural thick forest because of less
climbers use ut per year. It is the hardest and most challenging route up Kilimanjaro as
it is very steep from Starting point to second day when you meet climbers from Machame
on their Day Three at Barranco camp. It also have little opportunity for acclimatization
and so it is only for the experienced high-altitude climber. It is the Route that Many
Fast Ascent record holders use it to make it only in some hours from bottom of the
mountain to the summit and back.
Advantages: Very beautiful from forest valleys to amazing water falls.
Also it is the route that you can spot Leopard on Kilimanjaro or many other wild
animals. If you’re an experienced high altitude climber, then you’ll have the mountain
to yourself! Although it’s not technical. Fast route for six or even five days trek.
Karl Eglof make it for only some hours.
Disadvantages: It’s a quick climb so you’ve less chance of properly
acclimatizing unless you’re an experienced at high altitude.
Read more.. about Umbwe Route 6 Days.