Lemosho, Machame, Rongai and Marangu — success rates, crowds, huts versus tents, terrain and price, so you can pick the route that actually suits you.
Success rates below are ours, for climbers on the longer itinerary of each route. Prices are the lowest published per-person rate for two climbers.
| Route | Days | Success | Traffic | Sleeping | Approach | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lemosho Route The Scenic Route | 7 or 8 days | 97% | Very low | Tents | West | USD 2,200 |
Machame Route The Whiskey Route | 6 or 7 days | 92% | High | Tents | South | USD 1,880 |
Rongai Route The Northern Route | 6 or 7 days | 90% | Low | Tents | North | USD 1,890 |
Marangu Route The Coca-Cola Route | 5 or 6 days | 85% | Very high | Huts | South-east | USD 1,850 |
The most beautiful — and most successful — way up Kilimanjaro.
Approaches Kilimanjaro from the quiet west, crossing the Shira Plateau and joining the Southern Circuit for the summit push. Long, gradual acclimatisation and huge summit-day success rates.
Steeper, wilder, more dramatic — Kilimanjaro's climber's route.
Approaches from the south and crosses to the west before curving back for a southern summit push. Steeper daily gain than Marangu, but excellent scenery and a great built-in acclimatisation profile.
The quiet northern approach — drier, wilder, less trafficked.
The only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, near the Kenyan border. Drier weather, fewer climbers, and better chances of wildlife sightings in the lower forest zones.
The only route with permanent mountain huts — no tents required.
The oldest and most established route. Ascends and descends on the same trail from the south-east. Sleeping is in shared dormitory-style huts with bunks and mattresses.
Answer three quick questions about your hiking experience, how many days you have and what matters most to you, and we will point you at the route our guides would put you on.
Lemosho. Its long, gradual western approach gives you the most acclimatisation days before summit night, and our climbers on the 8-day Lemosho itinerary summit at around 97%. Machame follows at about 92%, Rongai around 90% and Marangu — the shortest and steepest-profiled route — about 85%.
There is no easy route to 5,895 m, but Marangu has the gentlest terrain and is the only route with permanent huts, so you sleep on a bunk rather than in a tent. It is also the shortest, which is why its success rate is the lowest. Rongai has an easier daily gradient than Machame and far fewer climbers.
Seven or eight days. Each extra night above 3,000 m materially improves your chance of reaching Uhuru Peak and reduces the risk of altitude sickness. Five and six day itineraries are possible and cheaper, but they compress acclimatisation into fewer nights.
Lemosho and Machame. Both cross the Shira Plateau or the Barranco Wall and traverse five climate zones, from rainforest to arctic summit. Rongai is the most remote and offers close views of Mawenzi peak; Marangu ascends and descends the same trail, so you see the least variety.
Rongai, the only northern approach, sees the fewest climbers of the main routes. Lemosho is also very quiet for its first three days before joining the Southern Circuit at Barranco.
Yes. Longer routes need more park camping fees, food and crew days, so an 8-day Lemosho costs more than a 6-day Marangu. Park fees are set by TANAPA and are identical for every operator, so a much cheaper quote usually means fewer days, a bigger group or a smaller crew.