Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Routes
There are several routes for trekking Kilimanjaro tours and each depends on your physical ability and time taken to reach the summit. Top routes include;
Machame Route
Kilimanjaro tours Tanzania via the Machame route are not only the most scenic but the most popular route tours for hiking Mount Kilimanjaro Tanzania. This route takes about 6-7 days to complete and you are assured of spectacular views of a diverse landscape. A Mount Kilimanjaro Hike on this route starts with a drive to Machame gate (1,640m) about 2 hours from Arusha where your gear will be weighed before hiking up towards Machame Camp (2,835m).
The next day’s Mount Kilimanjaro trek continues to Shira Camp (3,850m) for the 2nd night. Here you can catch sights of Kibo, Mt Meru and the Shira Plateau. On the 3rd day, you approach Barranco Camp (3,900m) through the larva tower (4,600m) and Shark’s tooth where you get to acclimatize. Hiking on the 4th day presents a challenging passage over the Barranco wall through Karanga valey to Barafu camp (4,680m).
The 5th day of the Machame route starts off at midnight from Barafu Camp to the summit at Uhuru peak (5,895m) through Stellar point (5,739m). Ensure you are well covered from the cold, take enough pictures then descend to Mweka Camp (3,100m). The next day, you finish off the trek with an arrival at Mweka Gate (1,640m) where you get a gold certificate for reaching the summit or a green one for reaching Stellar Point.
Marungu Route
The Marangu Route accommodates Tanzania Kilimanjaro tours to the oldest route on Mount Kilimanjaro and one of the most popular routes used when hiking owing to the fact that it is the only route that offers huts and mattresses for hikers. However, this route uses the same path for ascent and descent therefore it sometimes gets a bit crowded by many Tanzania Tours Kilimanjaro goers. You can complete the hike in 5 days, but an extra day is recommended to help in acclimatization.
Upon arrival at Marangu gate (1,870m), porters weigh your gear as you prepare for your trek to Mandara Hut (2,700m) for an overnight rest. The 2nd day’s hiking Mount Kilimanjaro Tanzania covers beautiful terrain through giant lobelia and Maundi crater to Horombo Hut (3,720m). Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro on the 3rd day is a light trek to Kibo Hut over the last water point as you prepare for a summit hike at midnight.
Summit day often starts at midnight from Kibo Hut with a trek to Hans Meyer Cave (5,150m) over Gilman’s Point and finally to Uhuru Peak (5,895m). A swift descent then follows to Horombo Hut for an overnight rest and the next day to Marangu gate. Within about 7 hours, the Mount Kilimanjaro Trek experience will be complete and you can head back to your hotel with your certificate in hand.
Rongai Route
Rongai often seems like a lone route for Tanzania Kilimanjaro tours since it is the only route that approaches from the north eastern side. The paths here are often dry as this side of the mountain receives little to no rainfall. It also employs some great wildlife sightings like Buffalo, Elephants and Antelope set against a lush green rainforest background. The adventure starts off with arrival from Rongai starting point (1,950m) to Rongai first cave (2,620m).
Trekking Kilimanjaro tours via the route traverse from Rongai 1st cave where you spend the night to Rongai 2nd cave for lunch and finally to Kikelewa Camp (3,600m) for the 2nd night of the adventure. The 3rd day is acclimatization day as you endure rough terrain from Kikelewa to Mawenzi tarn (4,300m) just below Mawenzi Peak. Rest enough at Mawenzi as the next day’s hike will be a gruesome one as you approach Kibo Hut (4,700m).
Summiting often starts at midnight and this will be the 5th day as you trek to Hans Meyer Cave and then to Gilman’s Point and finally to Uhuru Peak (5,895m). Take as many pictures as you want at the summit before a quick descent to Horombo Hut (3,720m) and eventually to Marangu gate (1,870m). This marks the end of your hike on Rongai route.
Shira Route
The Shira route was originally the main route before Lemosho was created to improve the starting point of the route. Tanzania Kilimanjaro tours via this route are characterized with a lot of altitude sickness since it starts off at 3,600m at Shira Gate and doesn’t give the body enough time to acclimatize. This route joins the Lemosho route on day 2 at Shira Camp 2. A typical 1st day’s hike sets off from Shira gate (3,600m) to Simba Camp (2,671m)
Reaching Shira Camp 2 (3,850m) is exclusively challenging since the route covers steep terrain through low alpine vegetation. The 3rd day is more tolerable as you cover 11km to Barranco camp (3,900m) through the Lava Tower (4,600m). It also offers a chance to acclimatize on Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania. Test out your scrambling skills as you cross the Barranco wall to Karanga Camp for lunch and further push to Barafu Camp (4,680m) for a night’s rest.
Summit night often involves some midnight snacks and a steep trek from Barafu to Kibo onto Stellar Point. If you have any strength left, push to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) and back down to Mweka Camp (3,100m) for the night. After six days on Mount Kilimanjaro, descend to Mweka gate (1,640m) to acquire your certificate and head on back home.
Northern Circuit
Trekking Kilimanjaro tours via northern circuit take you to the relatively new route and also the longest trail for a Mount Kilimanjaro trek since it is often completed in 8 days. This route follows the Lemosho route for the first two days before joining the northern circuit instead of the usual southern circuit that transverses the Barranco wall. The first step is arriving at Londorossi Gate (2,100m) followed by a drive to the starting point (2,360m) and a hike to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820m)
From Mti Mkubwa Camp, Kilimanjaro tours Tanzania via this route follow a relatively steep ascent through giant lobelia and moorland to Shira Camp 1 (3,610m) for the 2nd night and finally to Shira Camp 2 (3,850m) for the 3rd night stay. The northern circuit on a Mt Kilimanjaro Hiking adventure then continues from Shira camp 2 to the Lava Tower (4,600m) at the Shark’s tooth and then rest at Moir Camp (4,200m). Sleeping low helps your body to acclimatize and reduce altitude sickness.
From there on, the route continues from Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp (4,020m) when hiking Mount Kilimanjaro Tanzania for the 5th night’s stay and eventually to Rongai 3rd cave (3,800m) for the 6th night’s overnight stay. The 7th night’s stay is at School Hut (4,800m) from where you will hike to the summit and then back down to Millennium Camp (3,950m) and finally to Mweka Gate (1,640m) to receive your Mount Kilimanjaro Trek certificate.
Lemosho Route
The Lemosho route is possibly the newest route used for Mt Kilimanjaro Hiking. It explores the western base of Mount Kilimanjaro Tanzania that randomly offers wildlife sightings such as Buffalo, Elephants and Antelope. This route often joins the Machame route at the Lava tower via the southern circuit to the Barranco Valley. Kilimanjaro Tanzania tours via this route starts off at Londorossi Gate (2,100m) followed by a light hike to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820m).
From Mti Mkubwa Camp head to Shira Camp for lunch through low alpine zone to Shira Camp 2 (3,850m). From Shira Camp 2, Lemosho route continues to Barranco Camp (3,900m) for the 3rd night’s stay through the Lava Tower (4,600m) over the Shark’s tooth. Mt Kilimanjaro hiking on the 4th day is quite challenging as you scramble over the Barranco Camp to the Karanga valley and onto the Barafu Camp (4,680m) as you prepare for summit night.
Summit nights start at midnight and on the Lemosho route, you set off from Barafu Camp over Kibo to Stellar Point. If you are persistent, you can then push to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) then back down to Mweka Camp (3,100m). The trek continues with a quick descent to Mweka gate (1,640m) to receive your certificate either for reaching the summit or Stellar’s point.
Umbwe Route
The Umbwe route was the shortest, steepest and most direct route to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Trekkers often embarked on this route via the western Breach however that was closed after an accident that claimed 3 hikers’ lives. Currently, it has been fashioned to join the Machame route on the evening of the second day. A 6 days Mount Kilimanjaro trek offers better success odds on this route.
Kilimanjaro Tanzania tours via the Umbwe route start off with arrival to Umbwe gate (1,600m) followed by a hike to Umbwe cave camp (2,850m) for the 1st night’s rest and onto Barranco Camp (3,900m) for the 2nd night’s rest. From Barranco Camp, it is a formidable challenge over the Barranco wall and through the Karanga valley onto Karanga Camp (3,960m). The 4th day’s hike is a light one to Barafu Camp (4,670m) as you prepare for the summit.
Summit day starts off at midnight after some snacks over Kibo onto Stellar point. From Stellar point you have to gather enough strength to reach Uhuru peak (5,895m). After taking your pictures, descend immediately to Mweka Camp (3,100m) on the 5th day and onto Mweka gate (1,640m) to receive your certificate and end the Mount Kilimanjaro Trek.
Frequently Asked Questions
When’s the best time for hiking Mount Kilimanjaro Tanzania?
Mount Kilimanjaro is located within the equator range and this provides some relief of bad weather; but only to a certain extent. Expect some snow storms, heavy winds and rainfall especially at the summit and in the months of March to May and November to December. However during the dry months of January, February and September, the weather is better and this is the best time to hike.
What facts should I know about Mount Kilimanjaro?
• Within the northern part of Tanzania, in Kilimanjaro National Park, lies the country’s and Africa’s highest point; Mt Kilimanjaro! It runs for about 100km long and 65km wide.
• Featuring three volcanic cones; Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira, Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano that is believed to have last erupted about 360,000 years ago.
• Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa with its highest point; Uhuru, standing at an elevation of 5,895m above sea level; about 2,950m lower than Mount Everest.
• Additionally, it is the highest free standing Mountain in the world; meaning it is not part of a mountain range. It makes up the seven summits of the world (the highest Mountains on each of the seven continents).
• Due to global climate change, Mount Kilimanjaro has lost a sizeable amount of its ice cap and glaciers in the past Century. Research proves that about 82% of its ice cap and 55% of its glaciers have receded posing a risk of complete loss of these in the coming century.
• About 35,000 people embrace Mt Kilimanjaro hiking annually using either of the eight hiking routes; Machame, Umbwe, Marangu, Shira, Lemosho, Rongai, Mweka, Northern circuit and the western breach. The Mweka route is used for descent only while the western breach is rarely used since it is technically challenging and risky.
• Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania has had its fair share of fame. For instance, in October 1898, German geologist Hans Meyer, Ludwig Purtscheller and a native called Lauwo were the first people to summit the Mountain. The proceeding years saw record breakers such as Kilian Jornet (fastest ascent and descent) and Keats Boyd (youngest climber) among many others summit the mountain.
• About 3-7 people die while hiking Mt Kilimanjaro a year. These deaths can be blamed on falls, Acute Mountain Sickness such as HACE and HAPE, hypothermia, Malaria and many others.
What will the weather be like when I go Mt Kilimanjaro hiking?
When you set out to hike Mount Kilimanjaro Tanzania, you will realize that as vegetation zones and altitudes change so will the weather. You will go from warm tropical rain forests to freezing conditions below zero at high altitudes such as the Shira plateau. The trick is always to be prepared for anything; carry warm clothes for higher altitudes and follow the three layer rule especially when summiting.
What are the Visa, Vaccinations and Medication requirements for Mt Kilimanjaro Hiking tour in Tanzania?
Visa:
Before flying into Tanzania to hike Mount Kilimanjaro, you will need a visa. You can apply for a tourist Visa online and pay to the bank as well. You will be able to get your visa upon arrival so that you do not miss out on the most memorable moment of your life on a Mt Kilimanjaro Hike.
Medical requirements:
It is of paramount importance that before Mt Kilimanjaro hiking, you have a medical check up done. Consult your local physician before you travel and have all the necessary tests run. A healthy and fit condition will increase your chances of reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro Tanzania.
Vaccinations:
Travelling to a new country and a tropical one at that will increase you risk of exposure to certain diseases and therefore, you will need to get some vaccinations. A Yellow Fever vaccination card is a must and will be requested of you at the airport. Other vaccinations you can get include; Hepatitis A and B and boosters for Polio, Tetanus and Diphtheria. Precautions such as insect repellants should be employed to safe guard against Malaria.
Are there age restrictions for hiking Mount Kilimanjaro?
Yes! While there isn’t a maximum age limit for a Mount Kilimanjaro trek, the minimum age allowed for hiking the Mountain is 10 years. However, trekkers should acknowledge that the trek to Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania is strenuous and challenging to your body so one ought to be of great physical fitness. With that said, you should only trek if your body can endure the hustle of Mountain life.
Additionally, you should consider how a descent will affect your joints especially if you are 60 years and older. Also, older and much younger people might not deal well with Acute Mountain Sickness especially loss of appetite or even recover better from illnesses such as Malaria. We thus recommend that trekkers hiking Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania should at least be between 15 and 60 years of age.
Will the altitude on Mount Kilimanjaro Trek affect me?
Yes! Regardless of your age, gender or fitness level, you will definitely be affected by the altitude. The difference comes in with how well your body handles it! Mount Kilimanjaro Tanzania is the highest point in Africa and its summit rises as high as 5,895m above sea level. As you ascend, you will come to the realization that the air will start thinning and you will need to take more deep and steady breaths to keep going.
Furthermore; if you have an already pre-existing condition, it might get worse as you have a lesser oxygen supply and are greatly fatigued. So, for Mt Kilimanjaro hiking, keep a slow and steady pace and always opt to hike high and sleep low so that your body can get the chance to acclimatize to the altitude. For pre-existing condition, talk to your local doctor before trekking to figure out how to keep your condition from escalating on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Additionally, remember to take plenty of fluids and eat as much food and snacks as you are given. Most of the time, trekkers on a Mt Kilimanjaro hike experience loss of appetite but an empty stomach will deplete your energy and worsen your response to Mountain sickness. Also, remember to rest as much as you can even if it means using ear plugs and if you feel you are past your physical limit, request to descend immediately.
What will I eat on a Mt Kilimanjaro Hike?
Our Mount Kilimanjaro Tanzania hiking team will have all the needed gear that is essential for cooking. While on your trek, you need only rest and await the meals prepared. Though your appetite may run low, you are advised to always eat a mixture of everything to maintain a balanced diet and keep you in great shape. Carbohydrates are particularly important in keeping your energy level up and fruits will help regulate your blood sugar.
You can always carry some energy bars with you and snacks to much on as you trek or when you rest. Purely milk chocolate bars are not advised as they tend to melt during the day and freeze at night. Always keep hydrated and avoid alcohol and caffeine as these will only deplete your energy levels. Most of the meals provided will contain edible local dishes of fruit, vegetables and common meals such as eggs, fish and others.
What shall I drink when hiking Mount Kilimanjaro Tanzania?
One of the crucial factors that will help you summit Mount Kilimanjaro is staying hydrated; and this means taking plenty of fluids including water. You will realize that as most of the water you will take will be collected from clear mountain streams flowing from the Mountain Rivers. This water will be boiled by your porters for your trek to Mount Kilimanjaro. This means you need a refillable water bottle that can carry at least 2 liters of water.
As you keep hydrated on this Mount Kilimanjaro hike, it is important to refrain from over consumption of plain water as it can result in a drop of plasma sodium concentration thus causing dehydration. Instead, you can add some isotonic or hypotonic solution which will help your body and cells absorb the water to replace that lost during sweating and urination. Substitute alcohol and caffeine for hot chocolate.
Where will I sleep on a Mount Kilimanjaro trek?
Depending on which route you choose for trekking Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania, you will have the best sleeping conditions available on the Mountain. The Marangu route is the only trailhead that offers trekkers sleeping accommodations in huts. There are several huts (constructed in wooden A frame style) at each camp on the route furnished with bunk beds and running water with flushing toilets.
However, you will find that you have to share the huts with trekkers on different routes or even members of the opposite sex since there is only a limited number at each camp. When hiking Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania on other routes however, your accommodations will feature typical camping lifestyle. Several tents are set up including sleeping tents and “washroom” tents where you can “ease” yourself and clean up as well.
Two person tents can be put up under the open sky with anti-mosquito netting, reflective guy ropes, a flysheet made from ripstop nylon and a 3000mm water head to keep you warm and dry at all times. Trekkers wishing to summit Mount Kilimanjaro should remember that accommodations area always basic with just the main aim of giving you a comfortable place to rest after your hike.
What if I have never trekked before?
Hiking Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania doesn’t require mountaineering experience or technical climbing skills but does require a good level of fitness. You will realize that a Mount Kilimanjaro Trek will require you to trek about 4-12 hours a day. Some itineraries go as far as 16 hours especially when acclimatizing; and you cannot accomplish these tasks unless you are really physically fit or in good health.
Therefore, the best thing to do is have some self-training especially in aerobics months before your Mt Kilimanjaro Hiking experience. You can attempt to hike uphill for 5-8 hours a day and incorporate exercises like walking or running up and down several stairs a day keeping in mind that with the altitude sickness working against you, the actual Mount Kilimanjaro trek will be much harder.
How do Mountain guides communicate on a Mount Kilimanjaro trek?
Owing to the fact that there is limited cell coverage on the mountain, our guides and porters often carry short wave radios so as to remain in touch with the rest of the group.
What should I know about Mount Kilimanjaro Tanzania porters and guides?
When hiking Mt Kilimanjaro, you will be accompanied by a team of porters and rangers as per the criteria below;
• 1 guide, 2-3 porters and 1 cook for 1 trekker
• 1 guide, 5-6 porters, 1 cook and 1 assistant guide for 2 trekkers
• 2 guides, 8-9 porters, 2 cooks and 1 assistant guide for 3 trekkers
• 2 guides, 11-12 porters, 2 cooks and 2 assistant guides for 4 trekkers
• 3 guides, 14-15 porters, 2-3 cooks and 2-3 assistant guides for 5 trekkers
• 3-4 guides, 17-18 porters, 2-3 cooks, 2-3 assistant guides for 6 trekkers
You should note however that while porters are there to carry your luggage, they can only carry luggage that does not exceed 20kgs. They often communicate with you in English and it is customary and standard to offer them a tip at the end of your trek. Tips can range from $100 to $1,000 for the entire hiking team depending on how many trekkers you are.
Do you carry medicines to treat AMS on a Mount Kilimanjaro trek?
Yes! Dexamethasone and Nifedipine are two crucial drugs needed when it comes to dealing with AMS life threatening conditions like High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) and High Altitude Cerebral Endema. Our team always has these drugs as an emergency medical protocol and our staff are well trained on how to use them. Please note that you ought to carry any other personal medical requirements.
Are your Mountain guides trained to recognize symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)?
Yes! Our guides are well trained to recognize AMS and act accordingly. Typically, there are three altitude zones on Mount Kilimanjaro, that is; high altitude at 2,500 to 35,00m, very high altitude at 3,500 to 5,500m and extreme altitude above 5,500m. Most people will start experiencing symptoms at very high altitude due to an increase in atmospheric pressure and a decrease in oxygen quantity.
Some symptoms might include;
• Moderate to severe fatigue
• Mild to severe headache that doesn’t go away with medication
• Nausea, dizziness and vomiting
• Loss of mental capacities and hallucinations
• Fluid buildup in the lungs
• Shortness of breath and unable to breathe even when resting
• Tightness in the chest
• Coughing that brings up white frothy fluid
Our guides are able to recognize such symptoms that might point to HAPE or HACE and deploy emergency solutions. The best thing to do is avoid climbing high so fast and maintain a slow steady climb. Always listen to your body, if you are past your tolerable altitude, stop!
Do your Mountain guides carry first aid kits?
Yes, our guides definitely carry first aid kits! While on a Mount Kilimanjaro hike, you will see that our company guides will always have a first aid kit to treat injuries that may arise as you hike. However, severe injuries and AMS such as HAPE will need urgent medical attention.
What is the average success rate for hiking Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania?
Our average success rate of a Mount Kilimanjaro trek reaching the Uhuru summit is 80%. However, your success depends on a lot of factors such as the weather on the Mountain, your fitness level and health and age among other factors. However, to improve your rates, eat balanced meals for energy, hydrate at all times, keep a slow and steady pace and above all, rest! If you are not feeling well, listen to your body and take a break.
What toilet facilities will I find when on a Mount Kilimanjaro hike?
Toilet facilities on all routes are not really the best and that is why some trekkers go for erecting a separate tent as a toilet facility for the whole trip. Currently, the park authorities are working towards improving toilet facilities and in fact, some eco friendly toilets have been set up at major campsites. However, you can always hire a mobile toilet at about $125 or more depending on the days of your trek.
What should I pack for a Mount Kilimanjaro hike?
Clothes:
When choosing what clothes to carry when hiking Mount Kilimanjaro, you will need to deploy the three layering rule. The first layer should be comprised of light weight body hugging clothes, the next layer should be made of insulation clothes that help retain heat and the third layer must be waterproof to keep moisture from getting in. The layering rule is essential at high altitudes and clothes should always be of breathable material.
Footwear:
Invest is comfortable worn-in hiking boots since they will determine how your feet hold up to the summit. Ill fitting boots will give you blisters, sore feet and missing finger nails. Other footwear includes; trekking socks, thermal socks, Trainers and gaiters. Other essentials include;
• Hat with neck cover
• Beanie
• Scarf or balaclava
• Sunglasses
• Headlamp
• Clear goggles
• Duffle bags
• Daypack
• Outer gloves
• Inner gloves
• Set of trekking poles
• Sleeping bag
• Inflatable pillow
• Thermal mat
• 3ltr water bottle
• Water purification tablets such as iodine
• Baby wipes
• Sunscreen
• Spare batteries
• Ear plugs
• Zip lock bags
• Small rock
• Energy bars
• Energy drink supplement
• Medications
• Toilet paper
• Trekking poles
