So, what’s the best route to climb Kilimanjaro? It’s the #1 question we get from aspiring trekkers. And the truth is—there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
Your ideal Kilimanjaro route depends on your goals—whether you want the best scenery, the easiest acclimatization, fewer crowds, or the fastest trek.
Kilimanjaro offers seven distinct routes to Uhuru Peak, each with its own challenges, landscapes, and success rates.
Kilimanjaro Routes: South vs. North
South Side Routes (Most Popular)
- Machame – Challenging, scenic, high success rate.
- Shira – Panoramic views, higher starting altitude.
- Lemosho – Best for acclimatization, stunning scenery.
- Marangu – Only route with huts, shorter duration.
- Umbwe – Steepest and most direct, for experienced trekkers.
- Northern Circuit – Longest but best for acclimatization.
North Side Route (Less Crowded)
- Rongai – Remote, gradual ascent, wildlife sightings.
The 7 Kilimanjaro Routes: Which One is Your Best Fit?
1. Lemosho Route – The Scenic Superstar
⭐ Best for: The ultimate Kilimanjaro experience with top-notch acclimatization and jaw-dropping scenery.
⏳ Duration: 7-8 days
📈 Success Rate: Very high
🚶♂️ Crowds: Starts quiet, merges with Machame crowds later
If you want the best balance of adventure, altitude success, and breathtaking landscapes, Lemosho is the way to go. It starts on the quieter western side of Kilimanjaro, winds through lush rainforests, and gradually ascends—giving your body plenty of time to adjust. More time = higher summit success.
✅ Why Choose Lemosho?
- Stunning scenery, from rainforest to alpine desert
- Longest acclimatization time = higher summit success rate
- Starts remote, then joins the popular Machame route
2. Machame Route – The Classic Trekker’s Favorite
⭐ Best for: A mix of adventure, challenge, and solid acclimatization.
⏳ Duration: 6-7 days
📈 Success Rate: High (if done in 7 days)
🚶♂️ Crowds: Very popular
The Machame Route (aka the “Whiskey Route”) is the most popular choice—and for good reason. It’s challenging but well-paced, with a climb high, sleep low profile that helps with acclimatization. Plus, the views? Unreal. Think Shira Plateau, Barranco Wall, and sweeping vistas you’ll never forget.
✅ Why Choose Machame?
- Great acclimatization profile (if you do 7 days)
- Incredible scenery and diverse landscapes
- A bit tougher than Lemosho but still manageable for most
🚨 Heads-Up: If you choose the 6-day version, your success rate drops. More speed = less acclimatization.
3. Rongai Route – The Quiet Northern Path
⭐ Best for: Avoiding crowds while keeping a solid chance at summiting.
⏳ Duration: 6-7 days
📈 Success Rate: Moderate to high
🚶♂️ Crowds: Very low (especially at the start)
If you want to dodge the crowds, the Rongai Route is your best bet. It’s the only route approaching from the north, meaning drier weather and far fewer trekkers. While it’s not as scenic as Machame or Lemosho, you still get some solid views—and your own space to enjoy them.
✅ Why Choose Rongai?
- Less crowded than the southern routes
- Better for rainy season (drier northern side)
- Steady, gradual ascent (good for altitude adjustment)
🚨 Heads-Up: The descent is via the busy Marangu Route, so expect company on the way down.
4. Northern Circuit – The Ultimate Trekking Experience
⭐ Best for: Maximum acclimatization, stunning scenery, and low crowds.
⏳ Duration: 9 days
📈 Success Rate: Extremely high
🚶♂️ Crowds: Very low
If you’ve got the time (and budget), the Northern Circuit is hands down the best route. It’s the longest trek, which means top-tier acclimatization and the highest summit success rate of any route. Plus, the views? Absolutely next level.
✅ Why Choose Northern Circuit?
- Best acclimatization = highest success rate
- Unbeatable scenery (you see more of Kili than any other route)
- Fewer people, more solitude
🚨 Heads-Up: It’s longer and more expensive, but if you want the best experience, it’s worth every penny.
5. Marangu Route – The “Coca-Cola” Route
⭐ Best for: Trekkers looking for hut accommodations instead of tents.
⏳ Duration: 5-6 days
📈 Success Rate: Lower than other routes
🚶♂️ Crowds: Very busy
Marangu is the only route with huts, making it appealing if you’re not a fan of sleeping in tents. However, it’s the least recommended route due to poor acclimatization (most do it in 5 days, which is too fast for most people to adjust).
✅ Why Choose Marangu?
- Hut accommodations instead of tents
- Easiest path (gradual ascent)
- Cheaper than other routes
🚨 Heads-Up: Lower summit success rate due to its fast pace. If you pick this route, go for 6 days minimum to improve your chances.
6. Shira Route – Similar to Lemosho, but Higher Start
⭐ Best for: Trekkers looking for a shorter version of Lemosho.
⏳ Duration: 6-7 days
📈 Success Rate: Moderate to high
🚶♂️ Crowds: Starts quiet, joins Machame
Shira is basically Lemosho’s cousin, but it starts at a much higher altitude (3,600m), meaning less time for acclimatization. It’s a great option if you’re already well-acclimatized, but for most people, Lemosho is the better pick.
✅ Why Choose Shira?
- Similar to Lemosho, but slightly shorter
- Great scenery
🚨 Heads-Up: The high starting altitude can cause altitude issues early on.
7. Umbwe Route – The Steep & Intense Ascent
⭐ Best for: Highly experienced trekkers who want a short, steep, and extreme challenge.
⏳ Duration: 5-6 days
📈 Success Rate: High for seasoned climbers
🚶♂️ Crowds: Very low (but for a reason…)
The Umbwe Route is the steepest, most direct, and most demanding way up Kilimanjaro. While it offers a fast approach, it lacks proper acclimatization time, making it a high-risk, low-success option for most trekkers. This is not a route for casual hikers—it’s for those with serious high-altitude trekking experience who can handle rapid altitude gain and tough terrain.
✅ Why Choose Umbwe?
- The quickest route to the top (but at a cost)
- Least crowded—you’ll have the trail almost to yourself
- Dramatic ridge-line views with steep, thrilling climbs
🚨 Heads-Up:
- Extremely poor acclimatization = very high altitude sickness risk
- Only recommended for expert trekkers with previous high-altitude experience
👉 Bottom Line: If you want speed, solitude, and a hardcore challenge, Umbwe delivers. But if your goal is actually reaching the summit, other routes (like Lemosho or Northern Circuit) offer a much better shot at success.
🔍 Kili Facts to Impress Your Friends
Some of Kilimanjaro’s glaciers are over 11,000 years old—but climate change is melting them fast. Scientists predict they could disappear entirely within a few decades. Better climb now while they’re still there!
Which Route Matches Your Fitness & Acclimatization Needs?
First things first—Kilimanjaro is not a technical climb. You won’t need ropes, crampons, or ice axes. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. It’s a long, high-altitude trek that demands solid endurance, mental toughness, and preparation.
Your fitness level and past trekking experience play a huge role in choosing the right route. Some routes offer a gentler ascent, while others go straight for the challenge with steep climbs and quick altitude gains.
Beginner-Friendly Routes
🌟 Best for: First-time trekkers or those with limited high-altitude experience.
✅ Marangu Route (5–6 days) – The easiest physically, with gradual inclines and hut accommodations instead of tents. Sounds nice, right? Not so fast. Marangu has a poor acclimatization profile, which means lower summit success rates. If you choose this route, opt for the 6-day version to improve your chances.
✅ Lemosho Route (7–9 days) – One of the best beginner routes with a gentle ascent, amazing scenery, and plenty of time to acclimatize. It’s a favorite for first-time trekkers because of its high success rate and balanced difficulty.
✅ Rongai Route (6–7 days) – The only northern approach, offering a gradual incline and drier conditions (ideal if you’re trekking in the rainy season). It’s quieter than other routes, making it a solid choice for those who want less foot traffic and a more peaceful trek.
💡 Takeaway: Lemosho is the best all-around choice for beginners who want a great acclimatization profile and stunning scenery.
Moderately Challenging Routes
🌟 Best for: Hikers with multi-day trekking experience or good endurance.
✅ Machame Route (6–7 days) – The most popular route for a reason. Known as the “Whiskey Route,” it’s steeper than Marangu but offers better acclimatization with its climb high, sleep low approach. If you can handle the challenge, this route is a fantastic balance of scenery, adventure, and success rate.
✅ Northern Circuit Route (8–9 days) – The longest and best acclimatizing route, with an extremely high success rate (~90%). It’s not technically difficult but requires solid endurance because of its extended itinerary. If you want the best shot at reaching the summit feeling strong, this is your route.
✅ Shira Route (6–7 days) – Similar to Lemosho but with one big difference—it starts at a high altitude (3,407m/11,181ft), skipping the rainforest section. If you’re not already acclimatized, this route can be a tough start.
💡 Takeaway: Machame is great for adventure seekers, but if you want the best acclimatization and don’t mind the extra days, Northern Circuit is the ultimate choice.
Advanced & Most Challenging Route
🌟 Best for: Experienced trekkers who love a challenge and don’t mind suffering a little.
🔥 Umbwe Route (5–6 days) – Steep, fast, and brutal. This is the shortest and most direct route, but that comes at a cost: poor acclimatization for non experienced mountain climbers. If you’re not already used to high-altitude trekking, stay far, far away from this one.
🚨 Takeaway: Unless you love extreme challenges and have serious trekking experience, Umbwe is NOT your best bet for Kilimanjaro.
How to Pick the Best Route for Your Goals
- Want the best chance at summiting? 👉 Lemosho or Northern Circuit
- Short on time and better with altitude? 👉 Machame or Marangu
- Prefer less traffic? 👉 Rongai or Northern Circuit
- Looking for a challenge? 👉 Umbwe
Summit Night: How Hard Will It Be?
Summit night is the toughest part of the climb—cold, exhaustion, and altitude all come together in one final push to Uhuru Peak. But some routes make it harder than others.
Most Challenging Summit Nights:
⚠️ Rongai & Marangu Routes – Approaching from the north, these routes require a longer trek from the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, adding an extra two-hour grind after reaching Gilman’s Point.
- Rongai Route – Summit night starts at Kibo Hut with a steep ascent to Gilman’s Point before the long trek around the crater rim.
- Marangu Route – Midnight start, long and strenuous climb in darkness to Gilman’s Point, followed by the final push to the summit.
Easier (But Still Intense) Summit Approaches:
✅ Machame & Lemosho Routes – Approaching from the west, these routes lead to Stella Point, which is less than an hour from Uhuru Peak.
✅ Northern Circuit – Gradual ascent with a shorter summit push compared to other routes.
💡 Want to reduce summit night difficulty? Choose a route that approaches from the west (Machame, Lemosho, Northern Circuit) for a shorter final climb.
Tips for a Successful Summit
✔️ Pick a longer itinerary – 7 or 8 days gives your body more time to adjust.
✔️ Follow the “walk high, sleep low” strategy – It’s the best way to avoid altitude sickness.
✔️ Listen to your guides – They know the mountain and will help you navigate challenges.
✔️ Stay hydrated and fuel up – Proper nutrition and water intake make a big difference.
Route Popularity & Traffic
Kilimanjaro’s routes ebb and flow with the seasons and even the days of the week.
When Are Routes the Busiest?
⏳ Peak Seasons = More Crowds (December–March, June–October)
🌍 Most Popular Routes: Machame & Marangu → Expect heavy foot traffic, especially on weekends.
Want fewer crowds?
- Start mid-week → Fewer groups = a quieter trek.
- Skip peak seasons → Rainy months (April–May, November) = more solitude but tougher conditions.
- Choose a quieter route → Rongai is the best low-traffic option.
The Most Secluded Route: Rongai
✅ Why Choose Rongai? – The only route from the north, making it less crowded even in peak season.
✅ What You Get: – A peaceful, remote trek with untouched wilderness and less-traveled trails.
Whatever you choose, GO2KILI has your back. Make your summit dream a reality. Which route are you taking? 👇
