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!
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.
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.
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.
Join us on this nine-day, guided trip to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. This tour is for those wanting to conquer Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route, one of the most favoured route to summit Kilimanjaro because of its high summit rate and great scenery.
This route is less crowded than other routes, making it perfect from first-time trekkers. Also, since it takes more to reach the top through this route, it provides better acclimatization to the climbers, increasing the chances of a successful summit.
Your trek starts on the western side of Kilimanjaro from Londorossi Gate. Continue your journey through the rainforest to reach the Shira Plateau. At this point, the trail moves east to the Lava Tower from where it heads down to the Barranco Valley.
You also get the chance to spend a night in Crater Camp, just below the summit, during descent, which arguably is the most interesting part of this journey. 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 go through the itinerary below.
The Marangu route is one of the most popular routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro. This could partly be as a result of the fact that the Marangu is the least expensive route, but more so, perhaps the fact that it is possible to do the Marangu route in 5 days, thereby getting to the summit one day earlier compared to the Machame route. This is not always the best way, due to a shorter acclimatisation period.
The Marangu route does however offer you the option of spending an extra acclimatisation day on the mountain. This extends the route into a 6-day trek, greatly increasing your chances of success. This offer includes the 6 days trekking, and the trip will in total take 8 days including arrival and departure from Tanzania.
Shared hut accommodation on the Marangu route forms one of the main differences, compared to the other kilimanjaro routes. It offers you the relative luxury of being able to sleep in huts along the entire route. Mineral water, soft drinks, chocolates and beers are also sold at all the camps on this route. All your equipment and supplies are portered and a cook prepares all your meals.
This will be a climbing adventure of a lifetime. No previous mountaineering experience is needed. We will take care of your safety and make the utmost out of your trip to Mt. Kilimanjaro.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.