Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with Kilimandscharo Active Tours (Mount kilimanjaro climb using different trails), is a comprehensive guide to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro by Climbing Kilimanjaro. Mt Kilimanjaro: 005.00 degrees south, 036 degrees east, 5895m a.m.s.l. Crowned by an eternal snowcap, Mt. Kilimanjaro is situated inside the Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania; it is the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest freestanding mountain on earth. This guide aims to provide the potential Kilimanjaro climber with valuable and accurate information on climbing Kilimanjaro, which will hopefully contribute towards increasing your chances of a successful summit attempt. Detailed itineraries, maps, useful links, stunning pictures and photography cover all the major routes, including the Kilimanjaro Marangu route, Kilimanjaro Machame route, Kilimanjaro Umbwe route, Kilimanjaro Mweka route (only for descending), Kilimanjaro Shira route, Kilimanjaro Lemosho route, Kilimanjaro Rongai route (Nalemoru), and Kilimanjaro Arrow Glacier route. To further assist you with your preparation on hiking or trekking to the summit of this breathtaking mountain, we have included essential information and tips on your mental and physical preparation, a fitness program, and a list of all equipment required.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Different Kilimanjaro Climb Routes

Marangu route | Machame route | Rongai route | Shira route | Lemosho route | Umbwe route | Mweka route

Climbing /Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro using Marangu Route:
Marangu route is commonly known as Coca Cola route as it is the easier climbing popular route. For many years Marangu route is used to be the most popular Kilimanjaro route. It has now been delegated to number two by the Machame route. This could partly be as a result of the fact that the Marangu is the least expensive route, but more so, perhaps the fact that it is possible to do the Marangu route in 5 to 6 days, thereby getting to the summit one day earlier than on the Machame route.

Duration: 5 days, acclimatization day can be added
Advantages of Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu route:
Low cost
Accommodation is in huts, no camping equipment needed
supposedly the easiest route (I beg to differ)

Disadvantages of Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu route:
Lowest success rate
Very crowded
Camping is not allowed
The only route that uses the same way up and down

Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route:
The Machame route is one of the most scenic routes on Kilimanjaro. Since the budget operators discovered it, Machame is also the most popular Kilimanjaro route. Machame route sometimes called the Whisky Route. This is a popular route up steep paths through magnificent forests to gain a ridge leading through the moorland zones to the Shira Plateau. It then traverses beneath the glaciated precipices of the Southern Ice fields to join the Barafu Route to the summit.

Duration: 6 or 7 days
Advantages of Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Machame route:
Relatively low cost
A very scenic Kilimanjaro route
Higher success rate than Marangu

Disadvantages of Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Machame route:
Higher level of difficulty
Very crowded

Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route:
The Rongai route is the easiest route when climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. It has a reputation as a remote wilderness trail. Rongai is the only route to approach Kilimanjaro from the north. Mount Kilimanjaro Hiking Rongai Route   is one of the remote and less frequently used route is the second easiest route to Kilimanjaro after Marangu route. The approach to the mountain is from the less-forested north side and the descent is by the Marangu Route. There are several variations; the one described is a longer route taking in Mawenzi Tarn.

Duration: 5 or 6 days
Advantages of Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai route:
The easiest Kilimanjaro route
One of the quieter routes on Kilimanjaro
Approaches the mountain from the driest side, best chances of good weather
Ascent and descent are on opposite sides, you see both sides of Kilimanjaro. (You descend on the Marangu route).

Disadvantages of Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai route:
Higher cost due to additional travel to reach other side
Considered somewhat less scenic

Climbing/ Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Shira Route:
The route over the Shira Plateau has several possible variations. The Shira route, approaches Kilimanjaro’s summit from the west and crosses the caldera of Shira Volcano before heading beneath the southern ice fields of Kibo. The route is seldom used by other trekkers and so your initial two days on the mountain are less crowded than on most other routes.

Duration: 6 - 8 days
Advantages of Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Shira route:
Less crowded
Very scenic

Disadvantages of Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Shira route:
Higher cost
Higher difficulty level
Meets the Machame trail, hence possibly busy on the later days
Climbing Kilimanjaro on the Shira Route

Climbing/ Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route:
Remote and beautiful, but long and expensive, this route also approaches Kilimanjaro across the Shira plateau. Lemosho Route Mount Kilimanjaro trekking, this is the longest and most remote route to Kilimanjaro. After beautiful forests and moorlands it crosses the Shira Plateau to meet up with the Machame Route. Groups may be accompanied on the first day by an armed ranger as the forests around the Lemosho Glades are rich in buffalo, elephant and other game.

Duration: 7 - 8 days
Advantages of Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho route:
Extremely scenic route
Very low number of climbers during the first days
Plenty of time for acclimatization

Disadvantages of Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho route:
High cost
Higher difficulty level
Meets the Machame and Shira trail, hence possibly crowded on the later days

Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route:
The steepest Kilimanjaro route with scenic view, the Umbwe route is one of the shortest routes to the Southern Glaciers and the Western Breach. It is probably the most scenic, non-technical route on Kilimanjaro. It is quite taxing, primarily due to the relatively fast ascent to higher altitude, but the rewards are plentiful. Very steep route best suited to experienced trekkers.

Duration: 6 – 7 days
This route is not used much. The Umbwe route is only suitable for people with mountain climbing experience.