Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Rongai, Umbwe or the Northern Circuit? A plain-language comparison of the routes we climb, and how to pick the one that suits you.
All our routes lead to the same place — Uhuru Peak, 5,895 metres, the roof of Africa. What changes is the scenery, the number of other climbers and, most importantly, how much time your body gets to adapt to the altitude.
The golden rule: more days, better chances
You do not need to be a mountaineer to climb Kilimanjaro, but you do need time. Routes with seven or more days give you extra acclimatisation and noticeably higher summit success.
The routes at a glance
- Marangu (5 days) — the only route with huts and beds. Simple and direct, but with less time to acclimatise.
- Machame (6 or 7 days) — the “Whiskey Route”: beautiful and varied, with the Lava Tower and the Barranco Wall. The 7-day version adds an important extra night.
- Umbwe (6 days) — steep, quiet and demanding. Best for fit, experienced hikers.
- Rongai (7 days) — approaches from the north, drier and quieter, with gentle gradients.
- Lemosho (7 or 8 days) — starts in remote rainforest and crosses the Shira Plateau. One of the most scenic routes, with excellent acclimatisation.
- Northern Circuit (9 days) — the longest and quietest route, circling the mountain before the summit. The highest success rate of all.
Our recommendation
For most first-time climbers we suggest Lemosho 8 days or Machame 7 days. If you have limited time, Marangu is a good option; if you want peace and the best possible chance of reaching the top, choose the Northern Circuit.
Compare all the routes side by side on our Mountain Trekking page, or ask a mountain guide on WhatsApp.
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