Africa is a land of unlimited adventures. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the best, and if you are looking for the best route to climb Kilimanjaro, read on to get your answer and plan your Kilimanjaro adventure.
Table of Contents
Conquering Mount Kilimanjaro
For adventure seekers, the Kilimanjaro challenge is irresistible, it being the highest free-standing mountain above sea level in the world! Located in Tanzania, Kilimanjaro has been attracting climbers ever since it was first conquered in the late 19th century. Mount Kilimanjaro is actually a dormant volcano and there are 7 official trekking routes to ascend to the top.
Routes To Climb Kilimanjaro
The top of Kilimanjaro can be accessed by different routes. Officially there are seven routes to climb Kilimanjaro. The seven routes to climb Kilimanjaro are; Machame, Marangu, Rongai, Shira, Umbwe, Northern Circuit, and Lemosho. Let us take a brief look at each of the 7 routes to climb Kilimanjaro, and then see which one is the best. It is important to mention here that choosing a route to climb Kilimanjaro would depend on various factors like your experience and fitness levels, the kind of views that you prefer on your trek, etc.
Machame – Route To Climb Kilimanjaro
One of the popular routes to climb Kilimanjaro is the Machame route. Climbers who take this route are treated to breathtaking and varied landscapes, and views that can only be termed as stunning. The starting point for the trek to the top is Machame Gate which is located on the southern slope of Mount Kilimanjaro. This route is also popular as the ‘Whiskey Route.”
Marangu – Route To Climb Kilimanjaro
The Marangu route to climb Kilimanjaro is the most popular of the seven routes to climb Kilimanjaro. Hence, it is no wonder that this route is also the most crowded of all the routes.
Rongai – Route To Climb Kilimanjaro
This is a route that does not have too many takers. If you are looking for a relatively exclusive climbing experience, then this is the route to choose. The climb to the top takes 6 to 7 days on this route, which is the only route that begins from Kilimajaro’s northern slope.
Shira – Route To Climb Kilimanjaro
The Shira route too is a lesser-used trail. One of the reasons is that the starting point is at a relatively higher altitude. It is interesting to note that the Shira route was the original Lemosho route. The Lemosho route is an improved version of the Shira route. The approach to the summit is made from the western side in this route.
Umbwe – Route To Climb Kilimanjaro
The Umbwe route is arguably the most challenging of the routes to climb Kilimanjaro. One of the reasons for this is that the ascent is fast and does not allow much time for acclimatization. This route is attempted by very few climbers, those who are confident of their ability to acclimatize and climb fast. The Umbwe route starts from the south and is a fast and steep climb that is sure to test the climbing skills of the climbers.
Northern Circuit – Route To Climb Kilimanjaro
This route is the longest of all the routes to Mount Kilimanjaro. Thus it takes more time and also provides more time for acclimatization to the climbers. Needless today that the success rate among climbers on this route is also high. The route which begins from the west treats the climbers to some breathtaking views along the climb.
Lemosho – Route To Climb Kilimanjaro
The Lemosho route offers beautiful panoramic views and also has a very high success rate of climbers reaching the summit. The route is also not crowded, and this makes it the best of the routes to climb Kilimanjaro. This route has a success rate which is as high as 98 per cent, making it a great route for beginners too.
“We spoke with a climbing expert. He shared his 7 years of experience and analytics with us, demonstrating that no single route on Kilimanjaro can compete with the Lemosho. It has a perfect high-altitude acclimatization profile, easy treks between camps, amazing views of the 100-year-old Dendrosenecio Kilimanjari plants on the way, and the highest success rate. He also advises checking out the below video to learn more details.
We hope you found our post about the different routes to climb Kilimanjaro useful and informative. We also hope that when you embark on your Kilimanjaro adventure, this information stands you in good stead. For more such informative and interesting posts, subscribe to our blog and newsletter. Connect with us on our social media channels for quick updates from us.
Flights – Cleartrip or Makemytrip or IndiGo or Cheapair or Priceline
Tours – Click to book top tours around the world. Book tours and activities here.
Experiences – Book your next unforgettable experience here, with flexible bookings and free cancellations. Reserve tours and activities now and pay later.
Hotels – Click to book the best hotels/resorts. Choose the best stay options with TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or makemytrip or goibibo or Booking.com or HotelsCombined or Agoda
Travel Insurance – Click to book Travel Insurance that covers a range of travel insurance and safety services including medical emergencies, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more
Visas and Travel Documents Application – Click here for Online Travel Visa Check
Online Passport Photo – Get Your Passport Photo Online here
Do You Love Traveling?
Do you want to know how to travel the world? We have put together a very useful travel resources page with the best travel tips. Go check it out now. Thanks for visiting our site Voyager - imvoyager.com and taking the time to read this post! If you wish to collaborate/work with us then reach us at [email protected] We’d love it if you’d comment by sharing your thoughts on this post and share this post on social media and with your friends. Follow our journey on our social media channels: Facebook X Instagram Pinterest YouTube
Start dreaming about your next adventure with Tripadvisor. Book your next unforgettable experience here with flexible bookings and free cancellations.
60+ Million Users Trust TripAdvisor With Their Travel Plans. Shouldn't You?
