Mount Kilimanjaro Route Itineraries
The Kilimanjaro Itineraries provided by Exuberant Kilimanjaro are categorized into:
- Standard Routes
- Speacial Routes
Kilimanjaro Route |
Min. Days |
Rec. Days |
Difficulty |
Scenery |
Traffic |
Rating |
Northern Circuit |
9 |
9 |
High |
Excellent |
Very Low |
★★★★ |
Lemosho |
6 |
8 |
High |
Excellent |
Medium |
★★★★ |
Rongai |
6 |
7 |
Medium |
Very Good |
Low |
★★★★ |
Machame |
6 |
7 |
High |
Excellent |
High |
★★★ |
Shira |
6 |
7 |
High |
Excellent |
Medium |
★★ |
Marangu |
5 |
6 |
Medium |
Good |
High |
★★ |
Umbwe |
5 |
7 |
Very High |
Very Good |
Very Good |
★★ |
Recommended |
Good |
Ok |
Not Recommended |
Please read below for more information and itineraries:
Standard Routes
Machame Route
This is one of the most popular routes for climbing Kilimanjaro. The trail passes through a variety of terrain, from lush rainforest to alpine desert, and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. It is a scenic and challenging route that typically takes 6-7 days to complete.
This is one of the most popular routes for climbing Kilimanjaro. The trail passes through a variety of terrain, from lush rainforest to alpine desert, and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. It is a scenic and challenging route that typically takes 6-7 days to complete.
Lemosho Route
This is a relatively new route that offers stunning views of the mountain from the west. It is a longer and more remote route, which means it is less crowded and offers a more peaceful experience. The trail typically takes 7-8 days to complete.
This is a relatively new route that offers stunning views of the mountain from the west. It is a longer and more remote route, which means it is less crowded and offers a more peaceful experience. The trail typically takes 7-8 days to complete.
Umbwe Route
This is one of the shortest and steepest routes to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is known for its challenging ascent and is considered one of the most difficult routes. The route is not recommended for inexperienced climbers or those who have not acclimatized properly. The Umbwe route is known for its scenic beauty, wilderness, and remoteness. The route has a low traffic and offers a unique experience to the climbers.
This is one of the shortest and steepest routes to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is known for its challenging ascent and is considered one of the most difficult routes. The route is not recommended for inexperienced climbers or those who have not acclimatized properly. The Umbwe route is known for its scenic beauty, wilderness, and remoteness. The route has a low traffic and offers a unique experience to the climbers.
Marangu Route
This is the oldest and most established route on Kilimanjaro. It is also known as the "Coca-Cola" route, as it is the only route that offers sleeping huts instead of tents. The trail typically takes 5-6 days to complete and is less challenging than other routes.
This is the oldest and most established route on Kilimanjaro. It is also known as the "Coca-Cola" route, as it is the only route that offers sleeping huts instead of tents. The trail typically takes 5-6 days to complete and is less challenging than other routes.
Rongai Route
This is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north. It is a less crowded route that offers a unique perspective on the mountain. The trail typically takes 6-7 days to complete.
This is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north. It is a less crowded route that offers a unique perspective on the mountain. The trail typically takes 6-7 days to complete.
Northern Circuit Route
This is the newest and longest route on Kilimanjaro. It takes a circular path around the northern slopes of the mountain, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The trail typically takes 9-10 days to complete and is less crowded than other routes.
This is the newest and longest route on Kilimanjaro. It takes a circular path around the northern slopes of the mountain, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The trail typically takes 9-10 days to complete and is less crowded than other routes.
Special Routes
Crater Campsite Route
This is a unique and challenging route that is not commonly used for climbing Kilimanjaro. It is a variation of the Lemosho route that takes climbers to the Crater Campsite, located near the summit of Kilimanjaro. The route offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and is a great option for experienced climbers who are looking for a more challenging and less crowded route.
This is a unique and challenging route that is not commonly used for climbing Kilimanjaro. It is a variation of the Lemosho route that takes climbers to the Crater Campsite, located near the summit of Kilimanjaro. The route offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and is a great option for experienced climbers who are looking for a more challenging and less crowded route.
Kosovo Campsite Route
This is another variation of the Lemosho & Machame route that takes climbers through the remote and pristine western slopes of Kilimanjaro. The route offers stunning views of the Shira plateau and is a great option for those who are looking for a quieter and more off-the-beaten-path experience. The route takes around 7-8 days to complete and is suitable for experienced climbers.
This is another variation of the Lemosho & Machame route that takes climbers through the remote and pristine western slopes of Kilimanjaro. The route offers stunning views of the Shira plateau and is a great option for those who are looking for a quieter and more off-the-beaten-path experience. The route takes around 7-8 days to complete and is suitable for experienced climbers.
Kilema Cycling Route
This is an alternative way to summit Mount Kilimanjaro that involves cycling for a significant portion of the climb. The route starts from Kilema village on the eastern side of the mountain and goes through forests, villages, and coffee plantations before reaching the Marangu Gate. From there, the route continues up the mountain through the rainforest to the Mandara Huts and then on to the Horombo Huts. At this point, the cycling part of the journey ends and climbers continue on foot up to the Kibo Huts and then the summit of Uhuru Peak. The Kilema Cycling Route provides a unique and challenging way to climb Kilimanjaro, with the added benefit of being able to cover more ground and see more of the surrounding areas during the cycling portion of the climb.
This is an alternative way to summit Mount Kilimanjaro that involves cycling for a significant portion of the climb. The route starts from Kilema village on the eastern side of the mountain and goes through forests, villages, and coffee plantations before reaching the Marangu Gate. From there, the route continues up the mountain through the rainforest to the Mandara Huts and then on to the Horombo Huts. At this point, the cycling part of the journey ends and climbers continue on foot up to the Kibo Huts and then the summit of Uhuru Peak. The Kilema Cycling Route provides a unique and challenging way to climb Kilimanjaro, with the added benefit of being able to cover more ground and see more of the surrounding areas during the cycling portion of the climb.
Mawenzi Peak Route
Embark on an exhilarating adventure to Mawenzi Peak, a challenging and awe-inspiring climb that takes you through stunning landscapes and breathtaking vistas. The Mawenzi Peak route offers a unique experience for avid trekkers and mountaineers, with its rugged terrain, technical sections, and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. As you ascend, you'll witness the dramatic changes in ecosystems, from lush rainforests to alpine deserts. Reach for the skies and conquer Mawenzi Peak, an achievement that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. Are you ready to take on the heights of Mawenzi?
Embark on an exhilarating adventure to Mawenzi Peak, a challenging and awe-inspiring climb that takes you through stunning landscapes and breathtaking vistas. The Mawenzi Peak route offers a unique experience for avid trekkers and mountaineers, with its rugged terrain, technical sections, and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. As you ascend, you'll witness the dramatic changes in ecosystems, from lush rainforests to alpine deserts. Reach for the skies and conquer Mawenzi Peak, an achievement that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. Are you ready to take on the heights of Mawenzi?