• MARANGU ROUTE
• MACHAME ROUTE
• UMBWE ROUTE
• LONDOROSI / SHIRA ROUTE
• LEMOSHO GLADES ROUTE
• RONGAI ROUTE

Marangu Route

This is the most popular route, so easy that is also called “Coca Cola Route”.  The path is straight forward and there are three good wooden Chalets, the first two manned by overmanned staff, along the way:
            1. Mandara
            2. Horombo
            3. Kibo

Itinerary:5 Days & 4 Nights

Drive to Marangu Gate.
Climb through the rain forest to Mandara Hut (2,700m) about 3 hours.

Very early start for the summit on steep and heavy scree up to Gilman’s Point (5,686m) which is on the crater rim.  Continue around the rim (which will take about two hours if you are fit) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) the highest place in all Africa.  Descend to Kibo Hut for tea and biscuits or soup and then down to Horombo Hut.

EXTRA DAY - MARANGU ROUTE

This is normally spent at Horombo and you climb to Mawenzi hut (4,600m) and return to Horombo hut for overnight.

Machame Route

This route is a fantastic opportunity to combine mountain skills and experience.  It maximises the time and options available for climbing and allows for a more leisurely pace.  Kilimanjaro’s glaciers and rock formations are resplendent with icefalls, chasms, snowfields, and excellent climbing terrain.

Itinerary: 6 Days & 5 Nights

Drive to Machame village.  The climb begins at the end of the tarmac road.  Walk through the shamba and through the forest to the Machame Hut (3,000m) about 6 hours

Continue east towards Kibo passing the junction, then east towards the Lava Tower.  Shortly after this, you climb down to Baranco Hut (3,940m).

Very early start for the summit, first to Stella Point and then to Uhuru Peak (5895m).  The descent is by the Mweka Route - Uhuru - Barrafu - Mweka Hut and will take about 6 hours.  The route is steep but picturesque.

EXTRA DAY - MACHAME ROUTE

This is normally spent at Shira, walking to Shira Plateau and Shira Needles or Shira Cathedral, overnight at Shira Hut.

Machame by Arrow Glacier 6 Days

This is a really steep, hard but short route to the summit from Arrow Camp.  Two (2) days are spent at Shira for acclimatisation.  From December to February crampons and ice axes may be needed.

Umbwe Route

This is one of the shortest routes to the Southern Glaciers and the Western Breach of Kibo.  An ascent to Kibo via the Umbwe Route is probably one of the most scenic ‘non-technic’ mountaineering expeditions in East Africa.  It is quite taxing, primarily due to the relatively fast ascent to higher altitudes, but the rewards are plentiful.  Fewer people, pristine forest, greater chance of seeing wildlife and bird life in the lower level, and shorter walking distances make it a great prion for fit hikers. There are two main ascents on the Umbwe Route, via Barafu Hut or Arrow Glacier.  Although both of these options can be done in five (5) days, a six (6) day hike is recommended for correct acclimatisation.

Itinerary: 6 Days & 5 Nights

Drive along Kibosho road through coffee and banana plantation until you reach Umbwe Park Gate (1,650m) for registration.
Start the climb with lunch packets passing through montane rain forest to Umbwe Cave camp (2,850m) which is reached after 3 – 4 hours of hiking. 
Hot dinner and overnight.

After breakfast the climbing start by crossing a steep rocky ridge known as the Baranco Walls, then continue ups and down until you come to Karanga Valley camp site (4,000m) located along a stream for overnight.  Hot lunch and dinner are prepared and served with tea or coffee (about 3 hours).

BARAFU – STELLA POINT - UHURU

An early wake up around 12:30hrs for preparation and light breakfast before starting the final ascent to the summit, first to Stella Point (5,700m) which is reached in approximately 6 hours, and a further ascent to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) in another 1-11/2 hrs.  After signing and short rest, descend to Barafu Hut where light lunch is served then continue down to Mweka Hut (3,100m) for hot dinner and overnight.

After breakfast start the climb by crossing steep rocky cliffs heading North West towards the Lava Tower camp (4,600m) which is reached after 3 hours.  Hot lunch is served. If time permits, may have nature hike and possibly climb up the summit of Lava Tower, and return to campsite for hot dinner and overnight.

An early wake up at around 01:00 hours for preparation and light breakfast before starting the final ascent to the crater rim (5,560m) which is reached after about 6 hours.  If physically fit, climb through the crater wall straight to Uhuru Peak (5,895m).  This takes 1-11/2 hour walk through Stella Point, and then continue along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak.  After signing descend through Stella Point to Barafu Hut where light lunch is served, then continue down to Mweka Hut (3,100m) for hot dinner and overnight.

EXTRA DAY – UMBWE ROUTE

This is normally spent at Baranco Hut where you walk to Lava Tower and Arrow Glacier, returning to Baranco Hut for overnight.

Londorosi / Shira Route

This route is the longest but less crowded and provides one of the most spectacular scenic views of both Shira Plateau and Western Breach wall.

Itinerary: 6 Days & 5 Nights

Drive along Moshi – Arusha road to Boma Ng’ombe junction then turn right to Sanya Juu Shopping Centre.  Continue driving on rough road up to Londorosi Park Gate located on the western side of mountain (188 km).  Driving takes about 3 hours.  After registration, start the climb with packed lunch passing through mountain forest to Forest Campsite (2,700m) for hot dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, continue hiking on a gentle slope towards Shira campsite for hot dinner and overnight.

ALTERNATIVE CLIMBING PROGRAMME FROM SHIRA HUT.  (See Machame Route)

After breakfast climb towards Lava Tower until you come to the junction point, turn right and descend towards Barranco Hut for hot dinner and overnight.

From Barafu – Uhuru Peak – down to Mweka Hut

EXTRA DAY - LONDOROSI (SHIRA) ROUTE

This is normally spent at Shira where you walk to Shira Plateau and Shira Needles or Shira Cathedral, returning to Shira Hut for overnight.

Lemosho Glades Route

The Lemosho Route is an unspoilt, remote, little used and beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau. The route via the Western Breach is among the least used combination of routes on Kilimanjaro. The trail leads up to the western edge of the Shira Plateau, and the hike across the plateau is said to be one of the most stunningly beautiful hikes in Africa. The route is one of the few where groups may be accompanied on the first day by an armed ranger, as the forests around the Lemosho Glades are rich in buffalo, elephant and other big game animals.

Itinerary: 6 Days & 5 Nights

A three-hour drive from Moshi brings you to the Londorosi Park Gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. At the gate after registration, drive to the trailhead at Lemosho Glades and start your trek through the rain forest. In places the vegetation is so untouched that it grows right across the narrow track. The flora and fauna is richer here than on the other more popular routes through the rain forest. Your trek today will be along a little used track known as Chamber’s Route.  In about 3 - 4 hours you will reach your camp in the rain forest at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree).

After breakfast, start the climb cross the remaining rain forest towards the giant moorland zone.  Today is a full day trek with an altitude gain of 2,000 ft.  A great lunch stop is at the beautiful valley just outside the Shira Crater at around 10,000 ft. After lunch you cross into the Shira Caldera, a high altitude desert plateau which is rarely visited. Shira is the third of Kilimanjaro’s volcanic cones, and is filled with lava flow from Kibo Peak. The crater rim has been decimated by weather and volcanic action. Today you’ll get your first close views of Kibo - the dramatic summit of Kilimanjaro.

Today’s the last of the “easy days”.  It’s about a 7 hour superb hike. You pass the Lava Tower, around the southern flank of Kibo, and slowly descend to Baranco, your most spectacular campsite, at the foot of Kibo Peak, looming high above. Your camp is only 465 feet higher than where you were last night, but our walk will have taken you just over 14,000 feet today.  This is one of your most valuable days for acclimatization

BARAFU HUT to UHURU PEAK (19,340 ft.) to MWEKA HUT

Dress warmly, because we start climbing around midnight, on the steepest and most demanding part of the mountain. The moon will provide enough light, and we’ll reach Stella Point by sunrise. (About 6 hours)  At down, from the Crater rim, rugged Mawenzi is a thrilling sight, with the Kibo saddle still in darkness beneath you, and the crater’s ice-walls looming ahead. If you feel strong enough, you should continue to Uhuru Peak (1 - 2 hours). This is the highest point in Africa, and the world’s highest solitary peak, (19,340 ft).

This is the toughest day that most trekkers have ever experienced. You will have ascend 3,600 feet and descend 7,200 feet in a period of 12-15 hours. Although the descent is far less tiring, it’s a good idea to have a little rest once in a while as you continue down to Mweka Hut (3 - 4 hours from the top).

In the morning you walk down to Mweka Gate.  After a welcome lunch it’s time to say “Kwaheri” to the porters. We then get a lift back to the hotel and a well-deserved beer. This all takes 6 to 7 hours. (The walk and the ride - not the beer!) Drinks, dinner and a warm bed.

ALTERNTIVE TWO - BARANCO TO LAVA TOWER

After breakfast start the climb by crossing steep rocky cliffs heading North West towards the Lava Tower camp (4,600m) which is reached after 3 hrs.  Hot lunch is served. 

If time permits, a nature hike and possibly climb up the summit of Lava Tower.  Return to campsite for hot dinner and overnight.

An early wake up at around 01:00 hours for preparation and light breakfast before starting the final ascent to the crater rim (5,560m) which is reached after about 6 hrs.  If physically fit, climb through the crater wall straight to Uhuru Peak (5,895m).  This takes 1-11/2 hrs

EXTRA DAY - LEMOSHO VIA ARROW GLACIER (WESTERN BREACH)

This is normally spent at Baranco Hut where you walk to Lava Tower and Arrow Glacier, returning to Baranco Hut for overnight.

Rongai Route

The Rongai Route approaches the highest mountain in Africa from the north and retains a sense of untouched wilderness. The easiest of all the routes, it has a relatively gentle gradient and short daily stages as it winds its way from the starting point just south of the Kenya-Tanzania border. It passes through farmland and forest, past Alpine moorland to the beautiful summit cone. There are magnificent views throughout, with possibilities for wildlife viewing. The final ascent is arduous and made in darkness, but the reward is a spectacular dawn view of the glaciers and ice cliffs of the summit, and across the East African plains far below.

Drive to Rongai Gate, Climb through the rain forest to Simba Camp. 
Dinner and overnight at Simba Camp site.

From Mawenzi Turn Hut to Kibo Hut.

EXTRA DAY – RONGAI ROUTE

This is normally spent at third Cave.