Mount Kilimanjaro

Around 35000 people, attempt to climb this majestic snow-capped Kilimanjaro Mountain every year. There are seven established routes to reach Uhuru Peak (5895 m), the highest summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Each route to the summit has its pros and cons. Choosing a route depends on various factors including the route’s difficulty, scenery, popularity, and acclimatization conditions. Some routes are great for scenery, but may not provide suitable acclimatization conditions. Some routes may be busy and some others may offer high success rates of scaling it.

Seven Kilimanjaro routes namely Machame, Marangu, Rongai, Shira, Umbwe, Northern Circuit, and Lemosho are used to trek the highest mountain in Africa. The Mweka Route is only used for decent by trekkers on the southeast side of the mountain. The Lemosho, Northern Circuit, and Shira routes depart from the west side of the mountains. The Marangu, Machame, and Umbwe routes approach the climb from the southern side. The Rongai Route begins from the north.

It is estimated that the best routes to climb the mighty Kilimanjaro route are the Lemosho (the most scenic) or the Machame (the most popular route). They offer good acclimatizing conditions and there are low chances of altitude sickness. They are very scenic and the success rate of scaling them is on the higher side making them the best routes.

Climbers are prone to altitude sickness when scaling such great heights. While many opt for the Marangu Route as it is the shortest route to the summit. But going for a longer route will help in acclimatization and is the best way to go forward.