Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Recommended Routes

There are various routes up the mountain with varying dfficulty.  These are some of the recommended routes –

7 Days Machame – A popular and scenic route, well-suited for acclimatisation.

8 Days Lemosho – A quieter alternative with a very high summit success rate.

9 Days Northern Circuit –The longest and most peaceful route, offering exceptional views and excellent acclimatisation.
If you’re seeking a quieter path and have the time to acclimatise properly, we recommend the Northern Circuit. Currently the most peaceful route on the mountain, it has only recently begun to see more foot traffic. The ascent begins on the western side via the Lemosho Route and then circles around to the northern slopes, offering expansive views over the Kenyan plains far below. The trail is incredibly scenic, passing through all of Kilimanjaro’s distinct ecosystems.

Rongai ( 6 or 7 days)  A less-traveled path from the northern side with spectacular views over the Kenyan plains and unique scenery near Mawenzi Peak. Rongai is a great route to climb. It’s incredibly scenic, passing through all the different ecosystems on the mountain. It’s also known for being quieter than many of the other routes, due to the longer journey to the starting gate.  This does mean it’s slightly more expensive, but Rongai gives fantastic views over the Kenyan plains and the experience of sleeping below the jagged and awe-inspiring Mawenzi Peak.

What is most challenging

Mt Kilimanjaro provides a challenge, not that of a technical climb but the height.  At 5, 895m high altitude sickness can get the better of you.   

All of these routes pass through a variety of ecosystems and benefit from a “climb high, sleep low” approach, which improves the chance of reaching the summit successfully. As a general rule, the longer the itinerary, the greater the opportunity to acclimatise properly and rest before summit night.