MOUNTAIN KILLIMANJARO

🏔️ All Mount Kilimanjaro Routes — Full Explanation

Below are the 7 main climbing routes, each with:

• Route description

  
  

1️⃣ Marangu Route (“Coca-Cola Route”)

Type: Hut accommodationDifficulty: ModerateDuration: 5–6 daysScenery: Good but less varied than other routesSuccess rate: Medium

Map Description:Shows a straight ascent from Marangu Gate → Mandara Hut → Horombo Hut → Kibo Hut → Uhuru Peak, and descent the same way.

2️⃣ Machame Route (“Whiskey Route”)

Type popularDuration: 6–7 daysScenery: Very scenic — rainforest, Shira Plateau, Barranco WallSuccess rate: High

Map Description:A winding route from Machame Gate → Machame Camp → Shira → Lava Tower → Barranco → Barafu → Summit.

3️⃣ Lemosho Route

Type: : ModerateDuration: 7–8 daysScenery: One of the best — wide wilderness, Shira PlateauSuccess rate: Very high

Map Description:Starts from the far west at Lemosho Gate → Mti Mkubwa → Shira Plateau → Barranco → Karanga → Barafu → Summit.

4️⃣ Rongai Route

Type:: ModerateDuration: 6–7 daysScenery: Quiet, starts near Kenyan borderSuccess rate: Good

Map Description:A northern approach:Rongai Gate → Simba Camp → Mawenzi Tarn (beautiful) → Kibo Hut → Summit, descending via Marangu Route.

5️⃣ Northern Circuit Route

Type: ModerateDuration: 9–10 daysScenery: The best on the mountain, very quietSuccess rate: Highest of all routes

Map Description:Follows Lemosho start → circles the north side around to School Hut → Summit.

6️⃣ Umbwe Route

Type: CampingDifficulty:  / steepestDuration: 6 daysScenery: Dramatic and steepSuccess rate: Low

Map Description:Straight, steep ascent from Umbwe Gate → Umbwe Cave → Barranco, then joins the Machame route.

7️⃣ Shira Route

Type: ModerateDuration: 7 daysScenery: Starts high — less acclimatizationSuccess rate: Medium

Map Description:Starts at Shira Gate, quickly joins Lemosho near Shira 2 Camp.