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How to Hike Mount Kilimanjaro

The best route to Hike Mt Kilimanjaro can be analyzed based on the many factors, We will analyse the best Kilimanjaro route based on 7 Key factors but before we go to the best route to climb mount Kilimanjaro note that All Mount Kilimanjaro climbing routes differ in length, cost, days and scenery.

Selecting a mt Kilimanjaro Hike route and selecting a Kilimanjaro tour operator  is the most important decision you have to make.

7 Reasons ‘Which Is The Best Route To Hike Mount Kilimanjaro’?

1: Success Rate to Summit

2: The Cost of each Kilimanjaro route

3: The Route best views or scenery, Attractive

4: The Easiest Route

5: The Accommodations Available on that Route

6: The Number of days on each Route

7: Advantage and Disadvantages of All Mount Kilimanjaro Routes:

 

1 According to Summit or Peak success Rate by Hiking Routes.

      Hiking Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route has Highest Success Rate.

The 8 day Kili trek has a peak success rate of  90% while the 7 day Kili trek has a peak success rate of 85% and for the 6 day Kili trek option has a         summit success rate is around 65% but the lemosho route has the best mount Kilimanjaro summit success rate.

      Hike Mt Kilimanjaro Rongai Route

The 7 day Kili hike has a summit success rate of 80% while the 6 day Kili climb has a 65% summit success rate.

     The Machame Route Success Rate

The 7 days Kili Machame route has an average summit success rate of 85% while the 6 days Kili  trek option has a 73% summit success rate.

    The Marangu Route lowest Success Rate

The 5 days kili marangu route has the lowest summit success rate of 50% while the 6 days Marangu route  has a peak success rate of 70%

 

Climbing mount Kilimanjaro from the rongai route for 6 days cost 2300 Usd and 7 days cost 2600 Usd

The Lemosho Route Cost

Lemosho route is the most expensive route with 7 days costing 2700 Usd and 8 days costing 3000 Usd

3: The Route with best views or scenery or Attractive

The Lemosho route

It is the most beautiful route with great views of landscape, wildlife and vegetation

The Machame Route

This is the second most beautiful route, all through the lemosho route, rongai route and shira route join in the trial.

The Marangu Route

This is the least attractive route, because it goes up and down on the same route, all those route ascend and descend is different.

4: The Easiest Route

The Marangu Route

It is the easiest route as its straight without many ups and downs, and covering short distance while walking from the gate to summit.

The Lemosho Route

It is the second easiest with 8 days every day you have a simple walk for 4 hours, it also has the highest summit success rate.

The rongai route

These are the third easiest route, but their is a very small difference that people say shira is a bit more difficult than rongai. With rongai already the driest route i will say its the third easiest followed by shira.

The Shira Route.

These route is the fourth easiest but people can argue since you can use a 4 wheel drive up this route and two days of your trek will be reduced.

The Machame Route

Its the hardest route to hike mount Kilimanjaro with many ups and downs and very long distance covered and time consuming. its very tough.

The Umbwe route

This is the expert route, its very very steep and should be opted if you have good climbing experience.

5: The Accommodations Available on that Route

There are 2 types of accommodation Hut accommodation or tent (camping). Only the Marangu route has hut accommodation while all other routes have camping accommodation.

6: The Number of days on each Route

You can hike Kilimanjaro any where from 5 to 10 days but i will analyse based on the number most people take.

Marangu route 5 days

Machame 6 DAys

Rongai 7 days

Lemosho 8 days

7: Advantages and Disadvantages of All Mount Kilimanjaro Hike Routes

Marangu | Machame | Rongai | Shira | Lemosho | Umbwe | Mweka

The Marangu Route

For a long time Marangu route was the most popular Kilimanjaro route. But now its second two by the Machame route the most popular now.

Duration of climb: 5 days, An acclimatization day can be increased.

Advantage Of Marangu Route

• Lowest cost.   (See Cost of all mount Kilimanjaro route)
• Accommodation is in huts or bed, no camping equipment required.   ( See pictures)
• Widely is the easiest route.   (I beg to differ See why)

Disadvantage of Marangu Route

• Lowest summit success rate. (See Why?)
• Very crowded route.
• Camping is not allowed in this route.
• The same way up and down. (other route uses a different way down)
  

Hiking Kilimanjaro on the Marangu Route | Marangu Route Pictures  Return to Overview | Return to Top

 

The Machame Route

The Machame route is among the most attractive routes on Kilimanjaro. When it was discovered Machame route quickly became the most popular mount Kilimanjaro route.

Duration of Climb: 6 or 7 days

Advantage of Machame Route

• Relatively low cost, second Cheapest.
• Very attractive or scenic.
• Better success rate than Marangu.

Disadvantage of Machame route

• Higher level of difficulty many ups and downs.
• Very crowded route.

Hiking Kilimanjaro on the Machame Route | Machame Route Photos

Return to Overview | Return to Top

 

Rongai Route

The Rongai route is the easiest route to Hike Kilimanjaro. It is a remote wilderness trail. Rongai approach Kilimanjaro from the north.

Duration of climb: 5 or 7 days

Advantage of the Rongai route

• The easiest route to H Kilimanjaro. (see how)
• The quieter route on Kilimanjaro.
• Approaches Kilimanjaro from the driest side, good weather.
• Ascent and descent on opposite sides, (see both sides of Kilimanjaro). (

Disadvantage of Rongai Route

• Higher cost. 
• Considered somewhat less attractive.

Hiking Kilimanjaro on the Rongai Route | Rongai Route Pictures

Return to Overview | Return to Top

 

Shira Route

This route over the Shira Plateau has many possible variations.

Duration of climb: 6 – 8 days

Advantage of Shira Route

• Less crowded on the 1-3 days.
• Very attractive or scenic.

Disadvantage of Shira Route

• Higher cost. (compared to Marangu, Machame, Rongai)
• Higher difficulty level.
• Joins the Machame route, (very busy on the later days).

Climbing Kilimanjaro on the Shira Route | Shira (Machame) Route pictures (the routes join on day 3)

Return to Overview | Return to Top

 

Lemosho Route

The Lemosho route remote, beautiful, long and expensive. (My opinion the best route to Hike mount Kilimanjaro)

Duration of climb: 7 – 8 days

Advantage of the Lemosho Route

• Very attractive or scenic route.
• Highest Success rate.
• Very low number of people during the first days.
• A lot of time for acclimatization.
  

Disadvantage of the Lemosho Route on how to Hike Kilimanjaro

• Highest cost.
• Higher difficulty level.
• Joins Machame and Shira route on the 4 day, hence very crowded later.

Climbing Kilimanjaro on the Lemosho Route | Lemosho (Machame) Route photos (the routes join on day 4)

Return to Overview | Return to Top

 

Umbwe Route

This is the steepest Kilimanjaro route. its definitely not the best route to climb mount Kilimanjaro

Duration: 5 – 6 days.

This route is not very used. The Umbwe route is suitable for people with experience in mountain climbing and have adapted to the altitude.

Return to Overview | Return to Top

 

Mweka Route

This is route is only for descent. You will be following it from  Machame, Shira, Lemosho or Umbwe route. Its not the best route to climb mount Kilimanjaro

Return to Overview | Return to Top

Conclusion

We can all agree their is no single the best route to hike mount Kilimanjaro but in my opinion Lemosho route is the best as its the most beautiful and has the highest summit success rate.

There is no single best Mount Kilimanjaro hike route. Which hike route up Kilimanjaro is the best for you depends on time, money, experience and fitness.

See all mt Kilimanjaro hiking routes and good they are:

• The Marangu Route kili Hike:  its the only Kilimanjaro climb route with hut accommodation.

• The Machame Route kili climb: its the most popular climbing route up mt Kilimanjaro.

• The Rongai Route climb: its the easiest route on Kilimanjaro climb.

• The Shira Route Kili climb: this one takes you to some high altitude on the first day.

• The Lemosho Route kili climb :  the most beautiful Kilimanjaro hiking route, but very expensive.

• The Umbwe Route Kili climb: the most difficult  route on Kilimanjaro trek, but the most spectacular.

The best route to hike Mount Kilimanjaro (Top Page) The best Route to climb Mount Kilimanjaro

 

Mt. Kilimanjaro mounting Routes – that is that the Best for You?

 

The six mountain peak mounting routes vary not solely long, price and scenery.

 

They even have totally {different|completely different} issue levels and different success rates.

 

Selecting a Kilimanjaro climb route is one among the foremost necessary choices you have got to create.

 

(The alternative one is choosing a Kilimanjaro tour operator/trekking agency).

 

There is no single best Mt. Kilimanjaro climb route.

Which route up Kilimanjaro is that the best for you depends on many factors:

 

The time and cash you have got accessible, previous expertise and fitness, the time of the year, personal preference…

 

Let’s explore the individual Kilimanjaro mounting routes and World Health Organization they’re appropriate for:

 

The Marangu Route:  the only Kilimanjaro climb route that offers hut accommodation.

The Machame Route: the foremost standard mounting route up Kilimanjaro.

The Rongai Route: the easiest route on Kilimanjaro.

The Shira Route: this one catapults you to some serious altitude on the primary day.

The Lemosho Route: handily the foremost stunning Kilimanjaro climb route, however dear.

The Umbwe Route: the foremost tough and tight route on Kilimanjaro, and the most spectacular.

The Marangu Route

Kilimanjaro Climbing Route: Marangu

The Horombo Huts on the Marangu Route.

The Marangu Route is jokingly mentioned because the “Tourist Route” or “Coca-Cola Route.”

 

It’s called “Tourist Route” for two reasons.

One reason is solely its popularity: it makes this route somewhat touristic

 

The Marangu route is additionally the sole mounting route that uses an equivalent path up and down, that contributes thereto being the foremost packed climb route on Kilimanjaro.

 

The Marangu route could be a snug hiking path with a really steady, gradual slope (at least until you reach the last camp).

This gave the Marangu route a name as Associate in Nursing “easy” climb route.

 

And that’s the opposite reason for the name “Tourist Route”: as a result of it’s speculated to be “easy”, the Marangu route is used by many shockingly unprepared “tourists”, rather than trekkers.

 

The name “Coca Cola Route” stems from the sleeping huts on the route.

They sell the stuff (as well as bottled water and candy bars).

The Marangu route is that the solely Kilimanjaro mounting route that provides hut accommodation.

Camping is not allowed.

A move the Marangu route is relatively low cost.

You need no bivouacking instrumentation (no price for additional porters to hold the equipment) and you’ll do the hike in 5 days/four nights.

Also, many cut throat budget operators run treks on this route.

But build no mistake: the Marangu route isn’t straightforward and it’s NOT for tourists!

It is a significant climb with terribly low success rates.

Only 1 / 4 to a 3rd of the climbers on this route reach the summit of Kilimanjaro.

The reason?

The “tourists” on this route are shockingly unprepared.

A five day climb does not allow for sufficient acclimatization, many hikers have to turn around because of altitude sickness. (You can add an optional acclimatization day.)

Budget operators have much lower client success rates.

Equipment, food, expertise level of guides, all that produces a giant distinction and every one that prices cash.

 

The day of reckoning before the summit try could be a long one and covers a thousand m of altitude distinction.

There is not abundant time to recover or adapt before starting off once more at the hours of darkness to climb another 1200 m.

Not good.

Add to that the dearth of scenic selection compared to the opposite routes, and you wonder why anyone would want to climb Kili on the Marangu route.

 

Well, although not as scenic as alternative routes, it is still a spectacular experience with great views all along.

There are two reasons why you may want to Hike Kilimanjaro on the Marangu route:

1. You absolutely can not, under no circumstances, imagine sleeping in a tent for five nights or more. (But don’t think those huts offer luxury accommodation or that there are any amenities. There aren’t. You get a mattress and pillow – no linen – on a bunk bed, and you get to eat in a crowded dining hall. No less and no more.)
2. the opposite reason to pick out Marangu is that if cash is your main thought, before everything else.

I you do not care regarding scenery, aren’t worried by big crowds, and are willing to accept a reduced chance of success, Marangu is the cheapest option you have.

(But do yourself a favor and take that optional additional acclimatization day.)

 

Read an in depth description of a Kilimanjaro move the Marangu route

 

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The Machame Route

Climbing the Barranco Wall on the Machame Route

Climbing the Barranco Wall on the Machame Route. © Uta Philipp.

The Machame route is additionally known as the “Whiskey Route”, a relation to the “Coca Cola Route” Marangu (see above).

Machame is “tougher” than that.

Machame is so a harder climb in some respects, however it will have a lot of higher success rates than Marangu, particularly if you select the seven day version.

(According to estimates regarding hr of the climbers on Machame build it to the summit, and over three quarters reach the crater rim.)

 

The seven day version provides you a awfully short day before your summit try, which leaves plenty of time to recover, acclimatise and get ready.

The six day version has constant downside because the Marangu route therein respect.

See above.

The Machame route is not technically difficult. It is more strenuous. The trail is often steeper and it involves many ups and downs, crossing a succession of valleys and ridges.

But that is why it’s additionally in the future longer than Marangu.

 

Still, for people who have never done any longer hikes in their life and are not well prepared it can be demanding and tiring.

There is additionally the Barranco Wall to cross, a very steep, one and a half hour climb that will require you to occasionally use your hands for balance.

(It sounds and looks a lot more difficult than it actually is!)

Well, and you have got to camp all the approach.

If you accompany a budget operator that alone is demanding , especially if the weather turns bad.

 

As for scenery, the Machame route is absolutely spectacular:  the Shira Plateau, Lava Tower and the Barranco Wall… You start from the west, circle Kibo on the southern side, and

then descend on the Mweka route within the south east.

The variety is hard to beat.

Machame is taken into account the foremost scenic Mount Kilimanjaro mounting route.

 

For that reason the Machame route has become the foremost common climb route on Mount Kilimanjaro.

The advantage of that’s that costs have born and you’ll be able to realize several budget operators on that.

The disadvantage is that the Machame route is incredibly jammed.

 

If you are confident in you ability to hike in difficult terrain for days in a row, if you like camping and nature, but money is very tight, then Machame

may be the Mount Kilimanjaro climb route of selection for you.

You will have to put up with the crowds.

Read an in depth description of a Mount Kilimanjaro bestride the Machame route during hiking Kili

 

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The Rongai Route on how to Hike Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro Climb Route: Rongai

Breakfast underneath Mawenzi Peak on the Rongai Route.

The six day version of the Rongai route (via Mawenzi Tarn) is that the route of selection for those trying to find a simple climb with wonderful success rates, but away from

the crowds, with great scenery and a wilderness feel to it. It is slightly more expensive.

The Rongai route is that the solely climb route that approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the north.

The descent is in the south-east via the Marangu route, so you get to see both sides of the mountain.

The extra transport price makes a Rongai route climb dearer.

It is additionally dearer as a result of there’s less demand and fewer budget operators.

 

The Rongai route includes a name of being less scenic, however albeit there’s roughly the maximum amount selection as on Machame, it is still a spectacular route, especially

on the later days.

The camp to a lower place Mawenzi Peak is one in every of the foremost scenic on the mountain.

 

Rongai is additionally one in every of the routes wherever seeing life on Mount Kilimanjaro remains potential/ on Hiking Kilimanjaro

 

The Rongai climb has constant straightforward, gradual climb profile as the Marangu route.

It rises terribly steady, there aren’t any steep climbs involved, no major ups and downs.

 

However, the camps are staggered plenty higher than on Marangu.

On your day before the summit try you merely ascend a number of hundred metres, and you have all afternoon to rest and acclimatise.

 

With a decent operator you have got associate eighty – ninetieth probability to form it to the crater rim, and 70 – 80% will make it to Uhuru Peak.

 

(If you have got some trekking expertise your probabilities to form it to the summit might be pretty much as good as ninetieth.

(The remaining 100% come back right down to weather, individual preparation, individual altitude tolerance and unforeseen mishaps.)

 

The Rongai route has another necessary advantage: the northern aspect of Mount Kilimanjaro may be a ton drier than the opposite aspect.

Your probabilities to not get soaked on the primary days ar wonderful.

Especially if you climb Mount Kilimanjaro throughout one in every of the wetter periods of the year, using Rongai makes a lot of sense.

 

Read an in depth description of a Mount Kilimanjaro bestride the Rongai route

 

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The Shira Route on how to Hike Kilimanjaro

Kibo seen from Shira Plateau

Kibo seen from Shira Plateau, photo by blhphotography.

The Shira route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west so joins the Machame route.

Hence everything that has been said about the Machame climb route also applies to the Shira route.

There are several variations to the Shira route.

It may be drained six days however most operators additionally provide a extended version of it.

(A dedicated operator will time their departure and stagger their camps during a approach that avoids the heaviest traffic on the Machame path.)

 

That and also the accessory transport price will create Shira a costlier choice.

 

The first day on the Shira route is completely different to alternative climb routes:

 

It follows a four wheel drive route.(How to Hike Mt Kilimanjaro)

So you either walk on the road for many of the day (not terribly attractive) otherwise you prefer to drive as so much as potential.

 

The latter not solely means that you skip the primary stage of the climb, the rain-forest zone.

It additionally means you catapult your body to a height of over 3500 m/11500 linear unit while not time for correct acclimatization.

 

If you reside close to water level and you merely flew into Tanzania the day before, this may hurt.

 

Overall, Shira has wonderful success rates if the schedule involves an evening at Karanga depression (making for a brief and straightforward day before the summit day).

However, the nice success rate is partially because of the operators on this route being higher level than on the additional jammed routes.

 

Like the Machame route, the Shira route is for people who are confident in their ability to hike in difficult terrain and camp out for extended periods.

It has less traffic however it’s a costlier choice.

You should even be assured concerning the approach you may react to the altitude on the primary day.

 

Read a close description of a Mount Kilimanjaro jump on the Shira route

 

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The Lemosho Route

Moorland on the Lemosho Route

Views over plain on the second day on the Lemosho Route, exposure by Armstrks.

 

Like the Shira route, the Lemosho route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west so joins the Machame route.

Hence everything that has been said about the Machame climb route also applies to the Lemosho route.

The first 2 days on the Lemosho route take you thru stunning and really remote woodland, with sensible probabilities of seeing life.

The start of the path is additionally called the Lemosho Glades.

 

Lemosho is typically a extended trek, seven or eight days, and there are many variations of it.

Which one you take depends on the operator. (A really good operator will also time their departure and stagger their camps in a way that avoids the heaviest traffic on the Machame trail.)

The length, the remoteness and also the accessory transport price create Lemosho a rather dear choice.

 

However, the longer itinerary and also the undeniable fact that there aren’t any budget operators (you cannot try this route on a budget) cause wonderful success rates on this route and

it has become quite a popular one.

It is a route for folks that area unit assured in their ability to hike in tough tract and tent for extended periods, United Nations agency need a excellent geographical region expertise and

for whom cost is not the main consideration.

Read a close description of a Mount Kilimanjaro jump on the Lemosho route

 

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The Umbwe Route

Start of Umbwe Route

The sign at the beginning of the Umbwe route, photo by Red Betty Black.

 

The Umbwe route isn’t a technical route, but it is a very direct, very steep, very tough, and in parts very exposed route.

 

The Umbwe route joins the Machame route close to the Barranco Camp on the second night.

On the opposite routes Barranco Camp is reached on the third or fourth night.

Goes to show how much steeper Umbwe is…

Parts of the path on the primary day area unit thus steep, they’ll solely be negotiated as a result of the tree roots give one thing like steps.

The tree roots also serve as handle bars to haul yourself up where needed…

The second day is additionally steep and uphill all the approach.

The exposed ridge isn’t for folks uncomfortable at heights… And have a guess why the “Rope Rock” (Jiwe Kamba) is called “Rope Rock”…

 

This is the foremost tough and hard to please of all Mount Kilimanjaro climb routes or Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro routes

Don’t even admit it unless you have got expertise hike mountains.

 

Having said that, it is a spectacular route!

 

Mount Kilimanjaro Time To Hike (Hiking hours to Mt Kilimanjaro)

It varies from one route to another old Mt Kilimanjaro routes have different hike time we are going to analyze the time used to climb Mount Kilimanjaro on different routes Marangu route, Machame route, Rongai route, Lemosho route, Shira route and Umbwe route

Mount Kilimanjaro varies according to the number of days you want to spend on Kilimanjaro so we will analyze all routes with different days and the time you will take in hours to climb Mount Kilimanjaro

Marangu route Hiking time Kilimanjaro

The 5 days route of Marangu you will cover 27 hours

The 6 days route of the Marangu route cover 36 hours

The Machame route Climb time Kilimanjaro

The 6 days route of Machame  covers 46 hours

The 7 days route of Machame covers 49 hours

The Shira route Hiking time Kilimanjaro

6 days shira route covers 35 hours the

7 days shira route cover 37 hours

The rongai route Hiking time Kilimanjaro.

6 days covers 41 hours the rongai route

7 days covers 46 hours the rongai route

8 days covers 46 hours

The lemosho route

8 days covers 47 hours the lemosho route

9 days covers 53 hoursThe lemosho route

10 days covers 53 hours[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4968″][/vc_column][/vc_row]