Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with destination Kilimanjaro (destinationkili), is a comprehensive guide to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro by Climbing Kilimanjaro. Mt Kilimanjaro: 005.00 degrees south, 036 degrees east, 5895m a.m.s.l. Crowned by an eternal snowcap, Mt. Kilimanjaro is situated inside the Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania; it is the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest freestanding mountain on earth. This guide aims to provide the potential Kilimanjaro climber with valuable and accurate information on climbing Kilimanjaro, which will hopefully contribute towards increasing your chances of a successful summit attempt. Detailed itineraries, maps, useful links, stunning pictures and photography cover all the major routes, including the Kilimanjaro Marangu route, Kilimanjaro Machame route, Kilimanjaro Umbwe route, Kilimanjaro Mweka route (only for descending), Kilimanjaro Shira route, Kilimanjaro Lemosho route, Kilimanjaro Rongai route (Nalemoru), and Kilimanjaro Arrow Glacier route. To further assist you with your preparation on hiking or trekking to the summit of this breathtaking mountain, we have included essential information and tips on your mental and physical preparation, a fitness program, and a list of all equipment required.
The Advantages and Disadvantages
of the Different Kilimanjaro Climb Routes
Marangu route | Machame route | Rongai route | Shira route
| Lemosho route | Umbwe route | Mweka route
Marangu
Route on Mount Kilimanjaro
Climbing /Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro using Marangu Route
Marangu route is commonly known as Coca Cola route as it
is the easier climbing popular route. For many years Marangu route
is used to be the most popular Kilimanjaro route. It has now been
delegated to number two by the Machame route. This could partly
be as a result of the fact that the Marangu is the least expensive
route, but more so, perhaps the fact that it is possible to do the
Marangu route in 5 to 6 days, thereby getting to the summit one
day earlier than on the Machame route.
Duration: 5 days, acclimatization day can be added
Advantages of Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu
route:
Low cost
Accommodation is in huts, no camping equipment needed
supposedly the easiest route (I beg to differ)
Disadvantages of Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu
route:
Lowest success rate
Very crowded
Camping is not allowed
The only route that uses the same way up and down
Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route
The Machame route is one of the most scenic routes on Kilimanjaro.
Since the budget operators discovered it, Machame is also the most
popular Kilimanjaro route. Machame route sometimes called the Whisky
Route. This is a popular route up steep paths through magnificent
forests to gain a ridge leading through the moorland zones to the
Shira Plateau. It then traverses beneath the glaciated precipices
of the Southern Ice fields to join the Barafu Route to the summit.
Duration: 6 or 7 days
Advantages of Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Machame
route:
Relatively low cost
A very scenic Kilimanjaro route
Higher success rate than Marangu
Disadvantages of Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Machame
route:
Higher level of difficulty
Very crowded
Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route
The Rongai route is the easiest route up Kilimanjaro. It has a reputation
as a remote wilderness trail. Rongai is the only route to approach
Kilimanjaro from the north. Mount Kilimanjaro Hiking Rongai Route
is one of the remote and less frequently used route is the
second easiest route to Kilimanjaro. The approach to the mountain
is from the less-forested north side and the descent is by the Marangu
Route. There are several variations; the one described is a longer
route taking in Mawenzi Tarn.
Duration: 5 or 6 days
Advantages of Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai
route:
The easiest Kilimanjaro route
One of the quieter routes on Kilimanjaro
Approaches the mountain from the driest side, best chances of good
weather
Ascent and descent are on opposite sides, you see both sides of
Kilimanjaro. (You descend on the Marangu route).
Disadvantages of Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai
route:
Higher cost due to additional travel to reach other side
Considered somewhat less scenic
Climbing/ Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Shira Route
The route over the Shira Plateau has several possible variations.
The Shira route, approaches Kilimanjaro’s summit from the
west and crosses the caldera of Shira Volcano before heading beneath
the southern ice fields of Kibo. The route is seldom used by other
trekkers and so your initial two days on the mountain are less crowded
than on most other routes.
Duration: 6 - 8 days
Advantages of Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Shira
route:
Less crowded
Very scenic
Disadvantages of Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Shira
route:
Higher cost
Higher difficulty level
Meets the Machame trail, hence possibly busy on the later days
Climbing Kilimanjaro on the Shira Route
Climbing/ Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route
Remote and beautiful, but long and expensive, this route also approaches
Kilimanjaro across the Shira plateau. Lemosho Route Mount Kilimanjaro
trekking, this is the longest and most remote route to Kilimanjaro.
After beautiful forests and moorlands it crosses the Shira Plateau
to meet up with the Machame Route. Groups may be accompanied on
the first day by an armed ranger as the forests around the Lemosho
Glades are rich in buffalo, elephant and other game.
Duration: 7 - 8 days
Advantages of Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho
route:
Extremely scenic route
Very low number of climbers during the first days
Plenty of time for acclimatization
Disadvantages of Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho
route:
High cost
Higher difficulty level
Meets the Machame and Shira trail, hence possibly crowded on the
later days
Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route
The steepest Kilimanjaro route with scenic view, the Umbwe route
is one of the shortest routes to the Southern Glaciers and the Western
Breach. It is probably the most scenic, non-technical route on Kilimanjaro.
It is quite taxing, primarily due to the relatively fast ascent
to higher altitude, but the rewards are plentiful. Very steep route
best suited to experienced trekkers.
Duration: 6 – 7 days.
This route is not used much. The Umbwe route is only suitable for
people with mountain climbing experience. |
