Mount Kilimanjaro is vast. It is 5,895 meters in height, and has topographic isolation of 5,510 kilometers. It’s one of the best and adventurous climbing places in the world. There are five distinct climate zones which vary as you go from one area to another. Rocky Mountains to green pasture lands to snow caps, Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing has got it all covered.
The size not only influences the variety of conditions found in different parts of it, but it also has a direct impact on how to climb it and indirectly on how much it will cost you and what the scenery you’ll be seeing along the way. There are six distinct Kilimanjaro Routes which are different from one another. These are:
Marangu Route:
The Marangu route is the oldest and also called the " COCA -COLA Route". This route approaches Kilimanjaro from the South East . Because of the direction path and the gradual in line . The Marangu Route is known as the easiest route to reach the top of Kilimanjaro . This is also the only route with the comforts of sleeping huts at every campsite with the Solar lights and comfortable beds. The huts are communal and the bunks have a sponge mattress and pillows .The route is usually done in 5 days but can be done in 6 days for better acclimatization . The extra day can be spent resting at Horombo hut or going a little bit high up Zebra Rock or Mawenzi , Kibo and Saddle view point.
Rongai Route:
Rongai route begins on the northern side of Kilimanjaro Mountain, 65km from Moshi town or 112km from Arusha. This is one of Kilimanjaro's easiest routes, and it has become an increasingly popular route in recent years. This route is located on the north-east side of Mt. Kilimanjaro has a variety of spectacular landscapes together with different plants and animal’s species. The typical duration for this trip is 6days. However, you can also add an acclimatization day and make it a 7 day climb. The Rongai route is more scenic than the Marangu route and easier than other camping routes in climbing Kilimanjaro and the success rate on the Rongai route is very high. Unlike the Marangu route where you sleep in huts, on the Rongai route you sleep in tents, the porter will have your tent pitched and waiting for you at the end of each day's trek.
This route starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border and is one of the least traveled routes. The route merges with the Marangu for the summit climb. The descent follows the Marangu route on the mountain’s southeast side, so you will be able to reach Kilimanjaro from many points. There are two versions of this trek- a direct 6 day itinerary and a 7 day itinerary that takes a longer route. You can choose to attempt the summit via Mawenzi Tarn Hut or via School Hut which is also referred to as the Outward Bound Hut. The former is longer and more popular. Prior acclimatization is suggested in order to attempt the latter successfully.
Machame Route:
This route is a combination route documented by the makers of the Kilimanjaro large format “Kilimanjaro, to the Roof of Africa” The trails explore the five coziness of the mountain in depth. This itinerary offers the most amount of acclimatization time, and allows a rest day in the middle of the trek, allowing those who may struggle initially a chance to recuperate and gather their strength. The trail begins through the rainforest at Machame Village at the Southwest, and during the first three days. The middle three days are designed to offer the short help for acclimatization and whilst letting the body acclimatize.
There are no huts on this route, the accommodation is in mountain tents and dining is in our mess tents. Toilet tents are set up at all camps.
Shira Route:
The Shira Route is a little used trail that begins near Shira Ridge. Although Shira is a varied and beautiful due to the high altitude of Shira’s starting point which is accessed by vehicle. (Morum Barrier Gate)It is possible that climbers will experience altitude related symptoms on the first day. Climbers using Shira should be confident of their ability to acclimatize quickly.
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi or ARUSHA to Shira Ridge. The vehicle bypasses the rain forest zone and the hiking trail begins on Shira Ridge. The Shira route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. Then the route traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.
Lemosho Route:
The Lemosho Glades route is the amongst the least-used approach routes on Kilimanjaro, partly because of the remote starting location and farming trees roads leading to the trailhead. The trailhead is at relatively high elevation, and thus we start slow and easy on this route. The previous years, Buffalo and elephant sightings are possible on the first day trekking through the forest, and the trail is sometimes overgrown. The trail leads up to the western edge of the Shira Plateau, and the hike across the plateau is said to be one of the most stunningly beautiful hikes in Africa . On day four the trail merges with the Machame Route at Lava Tower (a volcanic plug which has endured the ravages of wind and erosion to stand a few hundred feet above a pass along the trail) and continues along the ridges and valleys of the southern circuit trails, all the while trekking with Kibo’s massive glaciers above us to the north. The trail reaches Barafu Camp at 15,100 feet (4,670 m), and from here we trek to the crater and Summit for an up-close experience with Kilimanjaro’s dwindling glaciers. This part of the experience sets this trek apart from any other. The Crater of Kilimanjaro is in soft “beach” sand, and looking from the beautiful views, trekkers can only see the vertical ice walls of the Furtwangler Glacier. All the trekking on this route is very scenic, and overall this trek is designed to get you closer to nature, and to experience Kilimanjaro in a way that so few others do. All trekking days on days 4, 5 and 6 make this trek quite beautiful, but generally more than adequate for acclimatization. The spectacular hike across the Shira Plateau and the beauty of camping , make this trek truly unique. There are no huts on this route; the accommodation is in mountain tents and dining is in our mess tents. Toilet tents with convenient and sanitary portable flush toilets are set up at all camps.
Umbwe Route:
This route should only be considered by those with some sturdy calf muscles and experience trekking at high altitude. It is the shortest route on Kilimanjaro (just 33km to the top) but there is no such thing as a shortcut on the mountain… In your first two days you will reach the same point as it takes to reach within four days on the Lemosho route therefore you are missing out on extra days of acclimatisation. The beauty of this route is the solitude you will have for the first two days – most are put up by the idea of solid uphill walking! You will be some of the lucky few to experience absolutely breath-taking scenery, and undisturbed wilderness on the mountain. Provided you have done a fair bit of training and are used to trekking at altitude, you will absolutely love this climb and the thought you have trekked a path few others would be prepared to take.
