Kilimanjaro hiking Routes
Kilimanjaro hiking routes are the roads for approaching Kilimanjaro summit. Kilimanjaro Trekking experiences has 7 hiking routes. Read more on Kilimanjaro route map and selection.
About the Kilimanjaro National Park (Kilimanjaro Mountain)
In the Motherland of the Chaga people in Moshi district, Kilimanjaro Region stand the Highest Mountain in Africa and the World’s highest freestanding Mountain, the majestic Kilimanjaro Mountain that covers the largest part of the Kilimanjaro National Park. Kilimanjaro Mountain is of 5,895 meters (19,341 ft.) above sea level and at about 4,900 meters (16,100 ft.) high from its plateau base at the Uhuru Peak. The Mountain is between the latitude of 2o50” and 3o10” E, which is about 330km South of the Equator in the Northern Tanzania with the size of 1688Km Square. It comprises of two dormant volcanoes which are Kibo of 5,895m and Mawenzi of 5,149m and one extinct Shira of 3,962m, where Kibo is the famous summit point at the uhuru peak.
The area of the Kilimanjaro Mountain was declared as a National Park in the 1973, and officially opened for tourism activities in the 1977. The Park was also declared as the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and the African Natural Wonder in 2013. The Headquarters of the Kilimanjaro National Park is at Marangu at the Marangu Climbing Route gate, the very first and developed Kilimanjaro Climbing route.
Wind is the main influence of the Kilimanjaro Mountains Climate that makes two rainy seasons in a year. The wet season is from March to May during which it rains around the mountain base and snow accumulates on its peak.
The dry season is from late June through September during which the nights are cool and the days completely clear. However, there are short rainy period of October to December where you can find rain during the day but does not affect the nights and mornings visibility. January and February are usually dry, warm and clear with brief rain showers that provides a cooling power on the climb. Hence the Uhuru peak can be reached throughout the year.
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LEMOSHO CLIMBING ROUTE
Lemosho is considered to be the most scenery climbing route, but because of it bein in remoteness which requires an extra mile drive, it is a less popular route among Kilimanjaro Climbers. The trailhead starting point is at high elevation thus makes a slow and easy start. Through Lemosho route on the first day trekking through the forest expects the sighting of Buffalo and elephant. It is the longest Kilimanjaro Mountain ascending route with the minimum of 7 Climbing days and maximum from 8 or so. Being the Longest Route, Lemosho has the maximum acclimatization time has increases the success summit rate. The many changes of scenery and spectacular hike across the Shira Plateau make this trek truly special. Ascending via Lemosho, you will be lodging in tents (Camping) and you descend will be via the Mweka Route.
MACHAME CLIMBING ROUTE
Machame is the Kilimanjaro ascending route discovered after Marangu route and being one of the scenic ascending routes to the Uhuru peak. Trekking via Machame route, costs a minimum of 6 days/5nights to the maximum of 7days/6nights in the Mountain. Other than the Marangu which seems to be easier with huts for accommodation, Machame is a vigor route which makes more adventure with the camping accommodation that increases the adventure experience. Climbing via the Machame route you will descend down via Mweka Route.
MARANGU CLIMBING ROUTE
Marangu is the Popular and developed route where the park headquarters office is located. Being a developed route, it is nicknamed as the Coca-Cola route said to be the easiest route by the most climbers. It was the first discovered route developed with huts for accommodation and climbers being supplied with mattresses and pillows, but sleeping bags should be brought along. There are communal dining halls, washrooms and toilets. There are 60 bunk beds each (for 60 people each) at Mandara Hut (2700m) and Kibo Hut (4700m), and 120 bunk beds (for 120 people) at Horombo Hut (3720m). With all the development, only the climb remains adventurous and the rest of the adventure experience such as that of camping.
Marangu Route climb usually takes a minimum of 5 days/4nights to the Maximum of 6 days/5nights. Having an extra day at Horombo Hut for acclimatization and the price goes with the number of climbing days.
UMBWE CLIMBING ROUTE
Considered to be the adventurous ascending rote with some steepness and requires climbers to have the climbing experience, Umbwe Climbing route is the ascending route approaching the Uhuru peak from the South. Climbers via this route spend a minimum of 6-days / 5-night tour and Maximum of 7 days or so. Due to its vigorous, Umbwe is sometimes referred as the technical climb with the first two ascending days being extremely steep, muddy and generally vigor with a rare acclimatization which can be added via an extra day at the Karanga Valley, which make it suitable for well-trained mountaineers. Ascending via the Umbwe climbers will descend down via Mweka Route.
RONGAI CLIMBING ROUTE
Rongai only route in the north eastern side of the Kilimanjaro Mountain with a usual climb of 6 days/5nights, it is a less popular route that makes it with less traffic and being with unspoiled wilderness and offers a different perspective on Kilimanjaro. Generally, Rongai is considered to be the easiest among the climbing routes and what make its easiness differ from that of Marangu, the route has no accommodation other than camping, which turns its adventure.
Rongai is an ideal route for people looking for a decent quality experience and are perhaps not absolutely confident about their fitness. Moreover, Rongai is the driest route most of the time and ascending via this route a climber will descend down via Marangu route; however, you will still be camping. The route is favored with it being the driest route in most of the time. Climbing via the Rongai route, climbers will be ascending via Rongai and descend down via the Marangu route, with the camping accommodation throughout.
NORTHERN CIRCUIT CLIMBING ROUTE
The Northern Circuit is the newest and longest route on Mount Kilimanjaro. It begins in the West at the Londorossi Gate and follows the same path as the Lemosho Route for the first two days. After crossing the Shira plateau the path veers north near Lava Tower, following the longer Northern Circuit instead of the more popular Southern Circuit via Barranco Valley The route circles around the quieter northern slopes to the east side of the mountain. The Northern Circuit is longer than the other trails on Kilimanjaro, taking a minimum of eight or nine days to complete. The eight-day trek skips the additional acclimatization day that is usually spent at Shira Camp 2 and continues straight on to Moir Camp.
