There are six main routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro. They differ in length, scenery, crowds and how well they help you acclimatise. The right one depends on how many days you have, the season and the kind of experience you want.
The routes compared
| Route | Days | Sleeping | Crowds | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machame | 6–7 | Tents | Busy | Scenery and value |
| Lemosho | 7–8 | Tents | Moderate | Scenery and acclimatisation |
| Northern Circuit | 9 | Tents | Quiet | Highest success, solitude |
| Rongai | 6–8 | Tents, then huts | Quiet | Rainy season, gentler slopes |
| Marangu | 5–6 | Huts | Moderate | Those who prefer huts |
| Umbwe | 6–7 | Tents | Very quiet | Experienced, strong trekkers |
Machame: the most popular
Machame climbs from the south through rainforest to the Shira Plateau, Lava Tower, the Barranco Wall and Barafu Camp. It has excellent scenery and good acclimatisation on the seven-day version. The trade-off is that it can be busy in peak months. Read our Machame Route guide.
Lemosho: the scenic all-rounder
Lemosho starts in the quiet west, crosses the whole Shira Plateau and joins the Machame trail near Lava Tower. Eight days give some of the best acclimatisation on the mountain. Read our Lemosho Route guide.
Northern Circuit: the longest
This route starts like Lemosho, then circles the quiet northern slopes before the summit. Nine days make it the best route for acclimatisation, and you see few other climbers.
Rongai: from the north
Rongai starts near the Kenyan border and gets less rain than the southern routes. The slopes are gentler and the trail is quieter, though the scenery is less varied. Read our Rongai Route guide.
Marangu: the hut route
Marangu is the only route with dormitory huts the whole way. It goes up and down the same trail. The five-day version is short for good acclimatisation, so we recommend six days. Read our Marangu Route guide.
Umbwe: steep and direct
Umbwe is the steepest route and gains height quickly. It suits experienced trekkers who have been to altitude before.
Our recommendation
For most first-time climbers, eight days on Lemosho or seven on Machame is the best balance of scenery, success and cost. In the rainy months, choose Rongai.
Frequently asked questions
Rongai and Marangu have the gentlest slopes. The easiest overall is a longer route such as Lemosho or the Northern Circuit, because the extra days help acclimatisation.
Longer routes: the Northern Circuit (nine days) and Lemosho (eight days).
Lemosho and Machame, which cross the Shira Plateau and pass Lava Tower and the Barranco Wall.
