Every main route on Kilimanjaro leads to the same summit — Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres — but the journey there can feel very different. The most important factor for most climbers is acclimatisation: giving your body enough time to adjust to the altitude.
Longer routes improve your chances
Routes that allow more days on the mountain, and that ‘climb high and sleep low’, generally give the body more time to adapt. That is why longer itineraries on the Lemosho, Machame and Northern Circuit routes are so popular.
The routes at a glance
- Machame — varied, scenic and popular, with the Barranco Wall scramble.
- Lemosho — a remote western start and the Shira Plateau; excellent acclimatisation.
- Northern Circuit — the longest and quietest, circling the northern slopes.
- Marangu — the only route with huts; ascent and descent on the same path.
- Rongai — a quieter, gentler approach from the north.
- Umbwe — steep and direct; best for experienced, pre-acclimatised trekkers.
Questions to ask yourself
How many days can you spend on the mountain? Do you prefer camping or huts? Is solitude important? Have you been at high altitude before? Your answers usually point clearly to one or two routes.
Explore each route on our Kilimanjaro climbing page, or tell us about your plans and we will recommend an option.
