Rasmus Juul Olsen

If you’re looking for the ultimate experience, it doesn’t get better than Umbwe. Your legs, thighs and calves will curse you all day long, but your eyes and senses will delight at the scenery on display.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all!

The most mesmerizing scene can be found early in the trek, as you leave the rainforest behind and walk between skinny heathers. Narrow this ridge may be, but the mouth-watering imagery on each side ranks as the second-most dramatic views that Kilimanjaro has to offer.

Relentlessly uphill, yet mesmerizingly beautiful

The Umbwe Route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the south. It is an extremely steep and direct climb that goes all the way to Barranco Camp before turning east and traversing under the Southern Ice Field. Sure, the scenery is mesmerizing and the slopes stay untouched, but this private climb is never easy.

The most challenging route

You ascend quickly to a higher altitude and that’s never easy. The Umbwe route doesn’t offer easy acclimatization and this means that the route specifically caters to experienced trekkers and strong hikers only.

As the newest kid on the block, its obvious that the Northern Circuit Route Kilimanjaro is nothing if not hip. It offers 360 degree views and boasts of untouched slopes that have very little footfall. The scenery is spectacular and the summit success rates are mind-blowing. Simply put, Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro is probably the one of the best ways to climb the mountain.

The most scenic route with little to no traffic

The journey starts at the Londorossi Gate (Moshi). You follow the Lemosho route for a couple of days, passing the rainforest zone, before ascending to the Shira Ridge and crossing the Shira Plateau. You depart from the Lemosho Route near Lava Tower and head towards an area that most will never get to see.

The ONLY route to travel north around Kili

At this point, you circle around towards the northern slopes of the mountain to get into untouched surroundings. The climb is entirely unique and the scenery often tends to take the breath away. You’re likely to encounter very few travelers here, so the experience is extremely rewarding as well!

Highest summit success rates

The route takes you past western forests and southern planks deep into the northern plains. It lets you walk on remote slopes and enjoy quiet, seldom-used camps. As a result, Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro can be extremely expensive. But if you have time on your hands, and wish to enjoy a connoisseur-like experience of the mountain, this is probably your best bet of doing so.

Starting near the Kenyan border, the Rongai Route is the only approach that starts from the north of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is considered one of the easier routes with a gradual climb to the summit.

A remote alternative to the crowded Marangu

While Rongai takes a minimum of six days, a seven-day itinerary is recommended as one day should be spent for acclimatization. The scenic diversity is not as great as the western routes, but Rongai is the only route in which you get to experience African wildlife during the early stages of your climb.

Combines African wildlife with exotic treks

The Rongai route starts at a fair distance from from Moshi, making this route more expensive, as transportation costs to and from Moshi must also be included. The route takes you past pristine rainforests and African wilderness, and despite feeling drier, it’s actually quite scenic and beautiful. Just don’t make the mistake of comparing the scenery to the western routes.

Preferred route during the rainy season

Although the route is gaining popularity of late, climbers who seek a remote hike can expect low traffic. However, the trail will join the Marangu route at Camp Kibo and the descent is common for both routes. If you’re looking for a nice quiet hike up the mountain without having to deal with a lot of traffic, this is the route for you.

Unlike other trails, the Lemosho Route starts at a very low altitude. It is a long and difficult, but it is lets you gain elevation gradually and introduces you to mesmerizing natural beauty at every step.

An easier alternative to the Shira Route

Approaching the mountain from the west, the route begins with a long drive from Moshi. The minimum duration for this route is six days, but 8 days is ideal, so climbers get time to get acclimatized and enjoy the panoramic views from multiple sides of the mountain.

Antelopes, buffalo and elephants can be seen on the lower slopes

During the first two days of the trip, trekkers traverse through beautiful rainforests, where small animals such as the Colobus and blue monkeys are visible. In comparison to the Machame route, which simply intersects the Shira Plateau, Lemosho crosses the Plateau from east to west, providing marvelous views of Kibo Peak.

Scenic views with relatively low traffic

Other attractions that can be explored while trekking the Lemosho Route include the Lava Tower, where climbers get to enjoy panoramic vistas and the Great Barranco Wall, which presents a difficult and thrilling challenge. Climbers will rest overnight in tents and after reaching the summit, the descent is made on the Mweka Route (designated descent trail for the other routes).

Extremely high success rates

After a few days of climbing, the Lemosho route 7 days itinerary merges with the Machame route all the way up to the summit and the descent down Mwaka. Due to the extra days on the lower altitudes, this is the best trek in terms of acclimatization.

The Marangu Route, also known as the “Coca Cola Route Kilimanjaro” because of the availability of Coca Cola in the tea huts back in the day, is the easiest of all the Kilimanjaro routes due to its gradual slope and the removal of obstacles to create a well-defined path.

One of the easiest and most popular routes

The sleeping huts found here are quite comfortable, which eliminates any need for camping. Also known as the “Tourist Route” because of its popularity and relative ease of ascent, Marangu is ideal for people who prefer walking on well-defined paths rather than secluded steep slopes. Because of its ease, Marangu is much cheaper than other routes as well.

The oldest route on the mountain

The minimum number of days from the base to the summit is 5, but it is highly recommended that trekkers spend a day or more for acclimatization for safety reasons and a greater chance of a successful summit. All along the route, there are dormitory-style huts where trekkers can rest overnight.

The best route during rainy season

The ascent and descent are on the same path making it the most crowded and one of the least scenic of all the routes, as it only goes through a single part of the mountain. So, only take the Marangu route if you don’t mind crowds. Granted Marangu is not the greatest choice of routes, but it is the best route during the rainy season because hut accommodations are generally preferred to camping in wet grounds.