We avoid the crowded Marangu route on Kilimanjaro, preferring to approach the mountain from the north by the lightly-used Rongai route. The Rongai route starts just south of the Kenya-Tanzania border and has been almost unused for many years because the area was considered sensitive. Now open for climbing once again, experienced guides consider this ascent route to be both easier and more beautiful than the main Marangu trail. The Rongai route begins in attractive farmland and delightful forest, with the possibility of wildlife viewing, and passes through several different climate zones, adding considerably to the interest of the trek.
We have laid out the day-by-day itinerary under the "itinerary tab". If you have any questions to us, please contact us. We can assure you that this will be an experience of a lifetime.
Trek type: Small- Medium group size, Youth and Family, High altitudes. Summit Success Rates: Gilman’s Point (96%). Uhuru Peak (97%)
Trekking and HikingClimbing
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping, Tent, Hut, Guest House, Sleeping Hut
Tanzania is home to the best and most exciting trekking adventure of Africa, the fascinating Mount Kilimanjaro, rising to a height of 5,895 meters. The mountain is the tallest in the continent and is also known as the rooftop of Africa. This tour takes you along the Machame Route, arguably the most scenic route to the top fo the mountain. The trek starts in a dense rainforest, makes way through giant heather zoons, continues onto moorlands and finally culminates in highland deserts. As a result, you get to see a vast variety of sights and attractions, unique wildlife and exotic birds, and some of the most beautiful scenes on the planet.
Each night we will stay in mountain dome tents where you will enjoy meals prepared by our mountain camp chefs. You will be led by a local Tanzanian guide whose expertise and vast knowledge of the mountain you will notice as he explains fascinating details about the route, flora and fauna. He will also attend to the endless details that make a climb successful and will look out for your safety.
One day before your climb, you will meet and greet with your mountain guide from Kanuth Adventure Safari for a breefing about the climb.
We made a tracking to the Kilimanjaro summit in January 2024. It was the best experience ever! Super professional company, best guides, porters, etc.
Great, very warm service and food. Lead guide Stanford, second guide Osward, and all the team, you are the best. Thank you!
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.
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.
Also known as the “Whiskey” route, the Machame route is now the most popular ascent route on Mt Kilimanjaro. Compared with the Marangu route, the walking days on the Machame route are longer and the walks are steeper. However, the scenery is spectacular and landscape interesting. The Machame route is considered a difficult route, and is better suited for more adventurous trekkers and those with some hiking or backpacking experience.
The Machame route is scenically beautiful and varied. However, due to its popularity there are increased numbers of trekkers, it loses some of its splendour. 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.
Climbers sleep in supplied tents at designated campsites, and eat meals either outdoors or inside a large dining tent, depending on weather conditions. Bless Africa Tours staff will prepare all meals and set up and take down the tents.
The Machame route is a highly successful route to the summit as you climb high and sleep lower because of position of the campsites, which aids acclimatization. It also offers the opportunity to take an alternative route to the summit, either via Barafu camp or the less frequented and more difficult Western breach route. The minimum number of days required for this route is six days, although seven days is recommended to make the walk more enjoyable and improve acclimatization.
After arrival in Moshi and the hotel, there will be the opportunity to rest. Later there will be a meeting with the tour guide for a briefing about the trek and Mt Kilimanjaro and, very importantly, an equipment check.
We recently completed a 10-day adventure in Tanzania and I can confidently say it was one of the most incredible and well-organized travel experiences of my life. The tour was a perfect combination of challenge, natural beauty, and wildlife—featuring a 7-day Machame Route hike up Mount Kilimanjaro, followed by a 3-day classic safari through Tanzania’s top parks.
Trekking and HikingClimbing
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Camping, Tent, Hotel, Hut
Age Range
7-79 yrs
Operated in
english, french, german, spanish
Destinations
Kilimanjaro, Mount Kilimanjaro N
Kilimanjaro, Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route, Mti Mkubwa, Moshi, Shira Camp One, Shira Camp Two, Moir Hut, Buffalo Camp, School Hut Campsite, Crater Camp, Mweka Camp
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.
Trekking and HikingClimbing
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Tent, Camping, Hut
Age Range
5-79 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kilimanjaro Rongai route, Kilima
Kilimanjaro Rongai route, Kilimanjaro, Moshi, Simba Camp, Second Cave, Kikelewa Camp, Mawenzi Tarn Hut, Kibo Hut, Horombo Hut
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the top things to do while visiting Africa. It offers mesmerizing experiences, and is a must-do for all adventure travelers. That said, choosing from the number of routes available can be a huge task. Luckily for you, we've done all the hard work, so that you can focus your energies on preparing for the most exciting adventure of your life.
The Lemosho route approaches Kilimanjaro from the west. Rather than simply intersecting Shira Plateau (like Machame), Lemosho crosses it from Shira Ridge to Shira 2 Camp, in a pleasant hike. Climbers 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. Including Arusha National Park but is Option,
The Lemosho route is considered the most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro, granting panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. As one of the newer routes, Lemosho is a superb choice for your climb. It is our preferred route due to its ideal balance of low crowds, beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate.
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Arusha to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rain forest to Shira Ridge. The Lemosho route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike.
Certainly, the best agency to take you on this great adventure on the top of Kilimanjaro! The guides and staff were really professional, answering all the questions and constantly paying attention to your needs, so that you just have to focus on the summit 🏔️
Thanks to the team again, we all made it to the top and had a lot of good time with our group and the entire crew.
I would definitely recommend anyone to take this agency!
Trekking and HikingClimbing
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Camping, Hotel, Hut, Lodge, Tent
Age Range
12-69 yrs
Operated in
english, tanzanian
Destinations
Kilimanjaro Rongai route, Mount
Kilimanjaro Rongai route, Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, Moshi, Simba Camp, Second Cave, Kikelelwa Camp, Mawenzi Tarn Camp, School Hut Campsite, Horombo Hut, Marangu Gate
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.
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.
One the seven main routes used to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the Machame route is the most popular path. It is the route of choice for many people because it provides impressive views and a variety of habitats. About 50% of all climbers, and most seasoned climbers, choose the Machame route.
The Machame route is also known as the Whiskey route, given its reputation for being a tough climb, in contrast to the easier Marangu route, which is known as the Coca Cola route. Unlike the gradual incline and hut accommodations found on the Marangu Route, the climbers on Machame hike steeper trails, for longer distances, while sleeping in tents.
Despite it being a little more difficult it is highly recommended because it provides a fantastic trail and great views along the way. We are looking very to taking you on a trip of a lifetime.