There are 7 main routes to reach Uhuru Peak, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. One (Rongai) starts from the north, while the rest start from the south. Here's a quick overview to help you choose the best one for your adventure:
1.Lemosho Route: Kilimanjaro Trekking
Lemosho Route
The Lemosho route is considered the most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro, granting panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain.
As one of the newer Kilimanjaro routes, Lemosho is a superb choice for your climb. It is our preferred route due to its ideal balance
of low crowds, beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate.
✅ Best overall route – high success rate
🌄 Most scenic – stunning views from the west
🕒 Recommended: 7–8 days
2.Machame Route: Kilimanjaro Trekking
Machame Route
The Machame route, also known as the “Whiskey” route, is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro.
Machame’s draw is in its scenic beauty. However, the trail is considered difficult, steep and challenging, particularly due to its shorter itinerary. Therefore this route
is better suited for more adventurous folks or those with some high altitude, hiking or backpacking experience.
✅ Also excellent for summit success
🔁 Popular for its beautiful and varied landscapes
💰 Slightly cheaper than Lemosho
🕒 Recommended: 7 days
3.Marangu Route: Kilimanjaro Trekking
Marangu Route
The Marangu route, also known as the “Coca-Cola” route, is the oldest, most well established route on Kilimanjaro.
This is the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style accommodations in lieu of camping
Many favor Marangu because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope
and direct path. However the short time frame of the route makes altitude acclimatization fairly difficult.
🏠 Only route with hut accommodations
📉 Shortest Route
🕒 5–6 days
4.Rongai Route: Kilimanjaro Trekking
Rongai Route
🌅 Only route from the north
🧘♂️ Quietest trail, fewer climbers
🕒 6–7 days
The Rongai route is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border. Though gaining popularity amongst climbers, this route still experiences low crowds.
Rongai has a more gradual slope than the mountain’s other routes.
Rongai is a moderately difficult route and is highly recommended, especially for those with less backpacking experience.
5.Umbwe Route: Kilimanjaro Trekking
Umbwe Route
🔥 Most difficult and steepest route
🚶♂️ For experienced hikers seeking a challenge
🕒 6 days
The Umbwe route has a well-deserved reputation of being the most challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Due to the fast ascent to high altitude, this route does not provide the necessary stages for acclimatization.
Approaching from the south, the Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct climb.
6.Northern Circuit Route: Kilimanjaro Trekking
Northern Circuit Route
🧭 Longest route with best acclimatization
🌿 Remote and quiet, ideal for avoiding crowds
🕒 9 days recommended
The Northern Circuit route is one of the best routes on Kilimanjaro, offering nearly 360 degrees of beautiful scenery including
the quiet, rarely visited northern slopes.
As the longest Kilimanjaro route, the Northern Circuit also has the most acclimatization time and the highest summit success rate.
Thus, the Northern Circuit route is highly recommended.
