Sun Rise on Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro climbing Itineraries
The Kilimanjaro Itineraries provided by Above Kilimanjaro Expeditions are categorized into:
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Standard Routes
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Speacial Routes
Standard Routes
01
Northern Circuit Route
This is relatively a new and longest route on Kilimanjaro that takes a circular path around the Northern slopes of the mountain, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The trail normally takes 9-10 days to complete and is less crowded than other routes.
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Rongai Route
This is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the North that offers a unique perspective on the mountain. It`s vistas and ascent are a different experience in comparison to the other routes on the South-Western side of Kili. The trail offers spectacular views out over the broad Massai savannah land and it’s also a trail for traditional migratory animals such as Elephants. The Towns of Taveta and Tarakea/ Loitokitok can be seen from 3000-M asl high on the Kilimanjaro massif. The trail typically takes 6-7 days to complete.
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Lemosho Route
This relatively new trail offers stunning views of the mountain from the west. It is a longer and more remote route, which means it is less crowded and offers a more peaceful experience. The trail typically takes 7-8 days to complete and its entry gates are reached after a 188Km drive from Moshi, passing the districts town of Sanya Juu and West Kilimanjaro to an elevation of 12,000 Ft-asl. You get to see wildlife such as the giraffe and Zebras as well as Masaai herders grazing along the way.
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Machame Route
The Machame is amongst the most popular routes for climbing Kilimanjaro. The trail passes through a variety of terrain, from lush rainforest to alpine desert, and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Machame`s thick forested moors-land is much conducive and better for acclimatizing whereby, besides its scenic vistas you also have a one-hour advantage on the summit night and you get to see ¾ of the mountain images from Machame. It is a scenic and challenging route that typically takes 6-7 days to complete. The descent from Kibo takes you to the Mweka Millenium campsite for the overnight before exiting through the rainforest then Mweka gates, where you will be awarded with your certificates of achievement and then driven back to your hotel.
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Umbwe Route
Umbwe is the most scenic yet unspoiled and shortest routes to approaching the Western breach and the Southern glaciers. You get to view 80% of the massif`s wild dramatic geological formation exceptional to all other routes. Although this trail can be quite demanding primarily due to its rough terrain and fast altitude gain its rewards are awesome, Umbwe is the shortest but steepest trails to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. You`ll have fewer climbers along the trail, shorter hiking distances and you will observe the best-preserved flora and fauna in the lower altitudes. It is known for its challenging ascent and is considered one of the toughest routes. The Umbwe route is known for its untouched scenic beauty, wilderness, and remoteness. The trail has a low traffic and offers a unique experience to the climbers.
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Marangu Route
This is the oldest and most established trails on Kilimanjaro. It is also known as the "Coca-Cola" route, as it is the only route that offers sleeping huts instead of tents. The trail typically takes 5-6 days to complete and is less challenging than other routes. However, many climbers don’t make it to the summit via this route due to their quick ascents that gives their body’s less time to acclimatize thus end up sick. The law of “polepole” has to be observed very keenly on this trail especially for in experienced climbers in order to make it up Kibo.
Special Routes
02
Kosovo Campsite Route
This is another variation of the Lemosho & Machame route that takes climbers through the remote and pristine western slopes of Kilimanjaro. The route offers stunning views of the Shira plateau and is a great option for those who are looking for a quieter and more off-the-beaten-path experience. The route takes around 7-8 days to complete and is suitable for experienced climbers.
Crater Campsite Route
This is a unique and challenging route that is not commonly used for climbing Kilimanjaro. It is a variation of the Lemosho route that takes climbers to the Crater Campsite, located near the summit of Kilimanjaro. The route offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and is a great option for experienced climbers who are looking for a more challenging and less crowded route.
Kilema Cycling Route
This is an alternative way to summit Mount Kilimanjaro that involves cycling for a significant portion of the climb. The route starts from Kilema village on the eastern side of the mountain and goes through forests, villages, and coffee plantations before reaching the Marangu Gate. From there, the route continues up the mountain through the rainforest to the Mandara Huts and then on to the Horombo Huts. At this point, the cycling part of the journey ends and climbers continue on foot up to the Kibo Huts and then the summit of Uhuru Peak. The Kilema Cycling Route provides a unique and challenging way to climb Kilimanjaro, with the added benefit of being able to cover more ground and see more of the surrounding areas during the cycling portion of the climb.
