Choosing Kilimanjaro
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
Kilimanjaro Routes
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
Disadvantages
Secondly
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
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 route 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
Disadvantages
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.
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
Disadvantages
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.
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
Disadvantages
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.
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 the bottom of the mountain to the summit and back.
Advantages
Disadvantages
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.
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Testimonials
Simon B
If you ever think about climbing kilimanjaro, this is your company.
Everything is arranged from the moment you step out of the plane until the moment you get back home.
On the mountain the porters are looking out for you, the guide was amazong and the food of Kassim couldn’t be better!
Jonas B
Great team which made possible for us to reach Klimanjaro peak! Everything was organised perfect. Thanks for all of you. My sincere recomendations 👍
Krzysztof B
great adventure only with kilidestinstion! safely, professionally with a smile and excellent food we climbed Kilimanjaro. the professionalism of the guides and the whole group was pure pleasure. we will come back here for other trips
Pranav
I and my sister did a 7-day lemosho route and a 4-day safari in Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire.
Calvin and his team adjusted to our every need like my sister being vegetarian, helping us push during tough times, or literally carrying our bags at one point.
They are truly a set of professional crew with years of experience under their belt. Moreover, you would be supporting a local company directly rather than a European or American company as well as saving money while doing so.
Adrianna
Thank you to Kevin and the Kilidestination Adventures team for helping me make my biggest dream come true.
I really appreciate your professionalism, commitment, support, kindness and smile at every stage of the trekking along the Lemosho route.
Monika T
miss Kevin's team, for that morning coffee☕️ in the tent⛺️, for talking together at breakfast, lunch and dinner. For Jeff's guitar🎸, for this unknown way to the top📍 🏔🥾🥾, for overcoming our own weaknesses, because man is a fragile being and so strong at the same time.