This route is easy, gradual ascent and the most popular route for climbing Mt Kilimanjaro. You will be sleeping in shared wooden huts where toilets, dining and washing rooms (cold shower) are available. This route is recommended proper acclimatization. The Marangu Route is also known as the "Tourist Route" or "Coca Cola Route".
And just about every tour operator will tell you:
The Marangu route is the easiest, cheapest and by far the most popular. Unfortunately, only one of these statements is true: climbing Kilimanjaro on the Marangu route is the cheapest option. You will need a sleeping bag, warm clothes and walking poles.
At Horombo we will take an extra day for acclimatization. During this day you will be able to take various walks so it is not at all a waste of a day. Rather, it is a great day and also one that will give you a much higher chance of reaching Kilimanjaro's top, as you will be properly acclimatized.
For a detailed itinerary, we kindly ask you to see the itinerary tab.
The Lemosho Route is perhaps the most scenic Kilimanjaro route, from the first day to the last. The trail begins north of Shira, also on the western side of the mountain. But unlike the Shira Route, where for the first day you walk on a wide 4 WD road, Lemosho is a narrow wilderness trail right from the beginning, passing through pristine and remote rainforest with good chances of seeing wildlife. It then crosses the Shira Plateau before joining the Machame Route near the Lava Tower.
Luckily, despite its growing popularity, especially for second time Kilimanjaro climbers, Lemosho sees a very low number of people and truly offers and incredible adventure on the highest peak in Africa, and the highest free standing mountain in the world.
Maasai Wanderings is looking very much forward to providing you with a climb of a lifetime. No previous mountaineering experience is required for this trip.
Among all the routes used to climb the mighty Kilimanjaro, the Lemosho Route is a relatively new one. This route has less traffic compared with other routes and a high summit success rate at the same time. Join us on this seven-day, private, guided expedition and conquer Africa's highest mountain.
We will pick you up from your hotel or accommodation in Moshi and drive you to Londorossi Gate on the first day of the tour (one night's pre-tour accommodation included in the tour price). Hit the trail after all the formalities are done.
Spend the first two days travelling through a rainforest to reach Shira Ridge after which comes the Shira Plateau. Unlike the popular Machame Route, which only passes through a section of the plateau, the Lemosho Route crosses the entirety of the plain from west to east. The routs climbs upward from the plateau via Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu (known as the southern circuit) to reach Kilimanjaro summit.
In addition to having less traffic, this route is considered by many to be the most scenic route to the top of the mountain. Enjoy panoramic vistas of the mountain from different angles during the trip. We will drop you off at your accommodation in Moshi after the tour is over.
Machame Route (also known to as the "Whiskey Route") is the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro with high summit success rate. It rewards hikers with scenic splendors. From late afternoon sunsets at Shira to the misty revelations of Kibo at the great Barranco Wall, witness a scenic "slide show" as you trek to the top of the world's highest free-standing mountain.
There is an added benefit to taking the Machame Route, as you are afforded the most valuable commodity on the mountain: acclimatization. The route takes you high to Lava Tower (4,630m) on Day 3 and brings you down by nearly 700m for an overnight at Barranco camp (3,950m). This is the secret to successful acclimatization.
(Note: All your equipment and supplies are portered and a cook prepares all your meals. While the accommodation on the Marangu route is in huts, the Machame route offers strictly tents only accommodation.)
See the itinerary section for more details about this tour.
The Rongai route is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border. Though gaining popularity amongst climbers, Rongai has low traffic. It is the preferred route for those looking for an alternative to the crowded Marangu route, for those who would like a more remote hike, and for those who are climbing during the rainy season (the North side receives less precipitation).
The Rongai route is one of the easiest route up to Kilimanjaro summit and it joins the Marangu route at Kibo hut. The minimum number of days required for this route is six days, and seven days are recommended. We have designed the trip for 7 days as that will allow for proper acclimatization on the mountain.
Wildlife can be seen on the lower slopes such as buffalo's, Elephants, Baboons and monkeys together with different species of birds.
Although the scenery is not as varied as the western routes, the Rongai route makes up for this by passing through true wilderness areas for days before joining the Marangu route at Kibo camp. On the way down this route goes together with the Marangu route.
The Rongai route as such is a moderately difficult route and relatively easier than other routes up Kilimanjaro. It is therefore highly recommended, especially for those with less backpacking experience, as the probability of reaching the summit will be higher.
The Marangu Route is the most popular route for mount Kilimanjaro trekking. On this route, one of the difference is that, instead of camping, climbers sleep in huts, which gives people the impression that it makes the climb easier. Because of this the route has been nicknamed the Coca-Cola route because it is so "easy" (in relative terms...). This has led to many trying to climb the route in 5 days instead of 6 or 7. Now for the facts: The Marangu Route starts at approx 6000ft, just like every other route. It also finishes at the summit just like every other route.
We propose this route as a set departure and would strongly recommend you consider this route for the successful Kilimanjaro trekking. If you have your heart set on climbing this route, we advise you to book this tour. We will take care of you and make sure that you get a fantastic trip.
Known as the Whiskey route, the Machame route is now the most popular route on the mountain. Compared with Marangu, the days in Machame are longer and the walks are steeper. The Machame route is considered a difficult route and is better suited for more adventurous folks and those with some hiking or backpacking experience as well as It is for physically fit people with some hiking experience.
The Machame route approaches the summit from the southwest and descends using the Mweka route, rewarding climbers with views of the expansive Shira Plateau, an optional scramble up Lava Tower, a climb up the Great Barranco wall, and a traverse underneath Kilimanjaro's southern ice field.
The Lemosho route is one of the newer routes leading to Mount Kilimanjaro, and a superb choice for your climb. It is our preferred route due to its ideal balance of low traffic, beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate. The route approaches Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rainforest to Shira Ridge.
Unlike the popular Machame route, which simply intersects the Shira Plateau, the Lemosho route crosses the entirety of the plain from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. An added bonus is that climbers will encounter low traffic until the route joins the Machame route. Afterwards, Lemosho follows the same route through Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu, known as the southern circuit. Descent is made via the Mweka route.
Lemosho is considered the most scenic route on Kilimanjaro, and grants panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain.
For those who only have six days to climb Kilimanjaro, this climb through the Machame route is the best choice because of its acclimatization profile.
Compared to the other six day routes, the Machame route exposes the climber to higher elevations quicker (day three) which kickstarts the body's adaptation to altitude. However, this route requires that a person is in good shape to be able to tackle the challenging elevation gains and losses.
In particular, day four combined with day five makes for a very challenging schedule. Day four is a full day of hiking from Barranco to Barafu. Then after dinner and a partial night's sleep, the very long and exciting summit day begins around midnight.
To find out more about day-by-day activities, please see the itinerary.
This 8-day Lemosho Route on Kilimajaro starts with a high-altitude drop-off in the alpine region at 3,500 meters. Starting from this high point generally makes the trek easier and milder, making it perfect for families or beginners.
Lemosho route is known for its premium-class Kilimanjaro trekking. If you choose it as your trekking option you will get a unique fusion of the most amazing landscapes and easy acclimatization. Lemosho makes Uhuru accessible even for teenagers.
This route has a slightly more expensive price which is fully justified by the advantages of the Lemosho Route. These include spectacular scenery, an SUV transfer to the beginning of the trek, and the highest chances of successful climbing and solitude! Also, the camping site's location and gradual altitude increase are the most suitable for beginners and amateurs. Compared with other routes, the acclimatization process is the easiest one on Kilimanjaro, making the summiting chances the highest.
I always dreamed of conquering Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, and the team has been a great partner in fulfilling this dream. I chose the Machame Route because it's a little more challenging but offers a lot of beautiful scenery. The sunsets of Shira and walking through the mist of the Barranco Wall - all in one word, it was a wonderful experience. Guides and porters were always on hand; they handled everything from the pitch of the tent to the cooking of the food perfectly. I'm grateful to this team.
I recently completed the 7-day Machame Route hike to Mount Kilimanjaro with Kilisa Tours & Safaris, and it was truly the adventure of a lifetime.
From beginning to end, the trek was exceptionally well-organized. The guides demonstrated deep knowledge, patience, and unwavering support—particularly during the summit ascent, where their encouragement and steady pacing proved invaluable. They maintained a consistent "pole pole" (slowly, slowly) rhythm and continuously checked in to ensure we were acclimatizing properly and feeling well.
The Machame Route itself offers breathtaking diversity. Each day revealed new landscapes—from the lush rainforest on day one to the dramatic Shira Plateau, the exhilarating Barranco Wall, and the stark beauty of the alpine desert approaching Barafu Camp. The route’s acclimatization profile is excellent, and I am confident it contributed significantly to our group’s high summit success rate.
The support crew—porters, cooks, and camp staff—exceeded expectations. We were warmly welcomed at each camp with hot meals and comfortable resting areas. The quality of the food was remarkable for a mountain expedition—nutritious, hearty, and far above what I had anticipated.
Reaching Uhuru Peak was both emotional and exhilarating. Witnessing the sunrise from the Roof of Africa was a deeply rewarding moment and one of the proudest accomplishments of my life.
For anyone considering a Kilimanjaro climb, I highly recommend the 7-day Machame Route. It offers the perfect balance of challenge, scenic variety, and effective altitude adaptation. I strongly encourage choosing Kilisa Tours & Safaris as your operator—they deliver an outstanding and unforgettable experience.
Book this seven-day, guided trip with us and summit Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain, via the Shira route. The starting point of this route is the Shira Gate, which is located at a higher elevation than the Londorossi Gate, used by travelers heading for the top of the mountain through the Lemosho route. However, what is unique about the Shira route is that the first section of the trail is not covered by foot but driven. Therefore, climbers using this route will miss out on hiking through one of Kilimanjaro’s ecological zones, the rainforest.
Your journey starts in Moshi, from where we will drive you to the Londorossi Gate. An off-road vehicle will then transport you to the Shira Gate, located 3,600 metres above sea level, from where you will then hike up to Simba Camp on the first day of the climb. Please note that those who spent the previous night in Moshi will experience a sizeable gain in elevation today and might face complications due to the lack of acclimatisation.
From Simba Camp, your journey to the top continues via Shira 2 Camp, Lava Tower and Barafu Camp. Although it might be difficult for those who cannot deal with a sudden increase in elevation, this route is much more scenic than other routes to the top as it crosses the spectacular Shira Plateau and then joins the Machame route, thereby allowing climbers to experience beautiful sights around the southern circuit as well. Plus, you will experience a low traffic on this route until it joins the Machame.
The Shira is ideal for those who are confident in their ability to acclimatise fast and deal with sudden elevation increases. Along with this, travelers should also be able to trek through steep trails over an extended period of time.
Please note that the tour price also includes two night's accommodation in Moshi, one night each before and after the climb. For more details, please scroll down.
The Rongai route is the only trail that starts from the northern, or Kenyan, side of Mount Kilimanjaro. Because of its remote location, this route offers trekkers a relatively unspoilt wilderness experience whereby climbers can see large wildlife like antelopes, elephants and buffalos. Additionally, since the northeastern side of the mountain receives significantly less moisture than the southern slopes, climbers are less likely to encounter rain and there is a high chance of enjoying clear, unclouded views of the mountain.
Join us on this seven-day, guided journey to the top of Africa through the route less taken. We will pick you up on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and drive you to your hotel in Moshi. Your journey starts on the second day with a drive from Moshi to Marangu Park Gate.
The trek starts in earnest from the Rongai trailhead. Ascend to the top via Simba Camp, Kikelewa Cave, Mawenzi Tarn Camp and Kibo Hut. Although the Rongai route is flatter than other Mount Kilimanjaro routes, the push to the summit from Kibo Hut is steep and follows the same path taken by those using the Marangu route. Once you have summited the mountain, the descent is made through the Marangu route.
Please note that the tour price also includes two night's accommodation in Moshi, one night each before and after the climb. For more details, please scroll down.
