Mount Kilimanjaro climbing routes

Mount Kilimanjaro (/ˌkɪlɪmənˈdʒɑːroʊ/) is a dormant volcano (5,895 meters (19,341 ft) above sea level) in the United Republic of Tanzania.

There are several routes by which to reach Kibo, or Uhuru Peak, the highest summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, namely: Marangu, Rongai, Lemosho, Shira, Umbwe and Machame.

Being one of the most popular mountains in the world, roughly 50,000 trekkers every year try to reach the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. According to research published by the Climb Kilimanjaro Guide, the average summit success rate across all climbers and routes is 65%. However, summit success rate heavily depends upon what route is climbed, as routes vary considerably in terms of acclimatization profile and duration of the climb.

Trekking routes

A cloud forest along the Marangu climbing route.

Kilimanjaro has a number of official climbing routes. These are: Northern Circuit, Machame, Marangu, Rongai, Londorossi Lemosho, Umbwe, Shira, and Mweka (descent only).

Summary of routes

Route	Description	Days	Length
Northern Circuit	Newest route on Kilimanjaro. Very low traffic due to very long time on the mountain, traverses nearly the entire mountain including the north side. Long route with great views.	9	90 kilometres (56 mi)
Lemosho	Long access drive, remote, less frequented forested traverse to Barafu, camping.	8 (-1)	56 kilometres (35 mi)
Machame	Second most popular route. Forested traverse to Barafu.	7 (-1)	49 kilometres (30 mi)
Marangu	Very popular (crowded). Gentle gradients and long sections up to 4700m (2.9 mi). Not a very scenic route as compared to Machame and Lemosho, comfortable but basic huts. The 6 day variant provides good time for acclimatization due to a rest day at Horombo Hut.	6 (-1)	64 kilometres (40 mi)
Rongai	Long access drive, remote, less frequented, some fine, wild, least scenic, camping. Good for acclimatization.	5-6	65 kilometres (40 mi)
Umbwe	Shortest and steepest route, very physically taxing and requires serious endurance. Dangerous route.	6 (-1)	37 kilometres (23 mi)

Marangu Route

Waterfalls at Marangu.

The Marangu Route (also known as the "Coca-Cola" route) is the easiest ascent of Kilimanjaro, although any ascent can be challenging. Climbs can be done over 6 days. It crosses The Saddle, a 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) wide, high-altitude, semidesert that separates craggy Mawenzi from the main summit Kibo. From the summit, glaciers, screes, cliffs, afro-alpine moorland, and forests lead down to the cultivated foothills.

The Marangu route is a favourite of local tour operators as it is the shortest route and requires no camping gear to be carried. For this reason, it is often the cheapest option. Because of its short profile, the Marangu route actually has the lowest summit success rate out of any route.

Trekkers sometimes spend an extra day to acclimate to the altitude at Horombo Hut. Also, trekkers often start the final ascent to Uhuru Peak early from Kibo Hut, because the scree is easier to climb when frozen, and dawn views from the crater rim are often spectacular.

Route Outline

1. Drive to Marangu Gate. Walk through the rain forest to Mandara hut (2,743 metres (8,999 ft)).
2. Leave the forest and cross the open moor land to Horombo hut (3,760 metres (12,340 ft)).
3. Rest and acclimatisation day at Horombo Hut. Day walk to Zebra Rocks or to Mawenzi Hut. This day can be omitted.
4. Walk through moorland then alpine desert to "The Saddle" between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. From here it takes about an hour to reach Kibo hut (4,730 metres (15,520 ft)).
5. Very early start for the summit on steep scree up to Gillman's Point (5,681 metres (18,638 ft)), which is on the crater rim. Continue around the rim (which will take about two hours for fit climbers) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 metres (19,341 ft)) the highest point in Africa. Descend to Kibo Hut and then down to the thicker air and relative warmth of Horombo hut.
6. Descend to Marangu gate.

The Credner glacier.

Abseiling down the Credner glacier on the way to the western breach.