Kenya

Different routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro, located in Tanzania, East Africa, the highest mountain in Africa, and the highest single free-standing mountain in the world, standing stiff with its snow-peaked summit eye-catching even from miles away. Mt Kilimanjaro is on the bucket list of almost all travel fanatics due to its exciting and difficult levels. However, taking on Kilimanjaro can be an intimidating task, and deciding which route to follow can be another challenge.

Kilimanjaro's view from the Amboseli National Park _{The view of Kilimanjaro from the Amboseli National Park, Photograph: Crispin Jones/Unsplash}

There are seven major routes to climb to the world's highest freestanding mountain; each has its own pros and cons. Choosing which one is the best for you depends on your experience and expertise. Here are seven of them.

Northern Circuit

The Northern circuit route, which is considered to be the longest route to climb to the top of Mt Kilimanjaro, has the highest success rates. It usually takes approximately 8-9 days to reach on top, which involves plenty of climbing and low sleep opportunities. The trek starts from west of the mountain, followed by the Lemosho route in the initial two days. Then it routes north near the Lava Tower and crosses around the mountain summit.

_{Sunrise over Mount Kilimanjaro, Photograph: Yoad Shejtman/Unsplash}

Lemosho Route

The Lemosho Route is the most scenic yet the most expensive one, offering spectacular views of the most dramatic gorges of the beautiful western side of Mt Kilimanjaro. The route usually takes 7-8 days, starting from the remote rainforest before connecting to the Machame Route.

_{A senecio tree on the way to Mount Kilimanjaro, Photograph: Peter Conlan/Unsplash}

Shira Route

The Shira Route, also known as the Poor Acclimatisation route, is on the western side of Mt Kilimanjaro but has a higher start point than the Lemosho. This route usually takes six to seven days to complete the trek. Therefore, one should be confident in their trekking ability to follow this route.

_{Glacier on top of Mount Kilimanjaro, Photograph: Hu Chen/Unsplash}

Machame Route

The Machame Route, popularly known as the Whiskey route, is the most popular and one of the most scenic routes to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. It is comparatively difficult on the Marangu route and has a higher success rate than the Marangu route. It usually takes around six to seven days to reach Mt Kilimanjaro through this route.

_{Guide at Mount Kilimanjaro, Photograph: Tom Cleary/Unsplash}

Rongai Route

The Rongai Route is the easiest and the only route to summit Mt Kilimanjaro from the north. It usually takes seven days through this route and is much drier than other southern slopes and is advised to take this route during the wet season. However, this route is less scenic than other routes.

_{People climbing the Rongai Route, Photograph: Crispin Jones/Unsplash}

Marangu Route

The Marangu Route is well known as the Coca-cola or the tourist route because coca cola is popularly sold along the way. It is also the easiest route and attracts a lot of tourists.

_{Tents at night on Mount Kilimanjaro, Photograph: Tom Cleary/Unsplash}

Umbwe Route

The Umbwe Route is the most difficult route, which involves ascending Barranco Camp. This route is a steep and exposed route which is not suitable for acrophobic people. It takes almost seven days to summit the mountain through this route.

_{Sunset on Mount Kilimanjaro, Photograph: Daniel Vargas/Unsplash}