Mount Kilimanjaro climbing routes

Mount Kilimanjaro
Kibo Summit of Kilimanjaro
Elevation	5,895 m (19,341 ft)
Prominence	5,885 m (19,308 ft) Ranked 4th
Location
Location	Tanzania
Coordinates	03°04′33″S 37°21′12″E / 3.07583°S 37.35333°E / -3.07583; 37.35333Coordinates: 03°04′33″S 37°21′12″E / 3.07583°S 37.35333°E / -3.07583; 37.35333
Topo map	Kilimanjaro map and guide by Wielochowski [1]
Geology
Type	Stratovolcano
Last eruption	None in recorded history
Climbing
First ascent	1889 by Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller
Easiest route	Hike

There are several routes by which to reach Kibo, or Uhuru Peak, the highest summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, namely, Marangu, Rongai, Lemosho, Shira, Umbwe and Machame.

Annually, approximately 15,000 people attempt to reach the summit of the mountain, of whom 40% do so. A brief summary of the advantages and disadvantages of each route is set out below.^[2]

Machame:^[3]

• Highly recommended with the best success rate
• Great for acclimatization with lots of walk high, sleep low opportunities
• Challenging trek with stunning scenery through 5 diverse climatic zones
• Good opportunity to split pre-summit day climb to leave climbers rested before summiting
• Very popular trail, therefore can be busy
• Fully catered camping only

Marangu:

• Nicknamed the 'Coca-Cola' route due to the tea huts where Coke can be bought along the way
• The shortest and cheapest route, but less time to acclimatize, therefore lower success rate
• Dormitory style accommodation
• Less scenic due to ascent and descent on same route

Shira or Lemosho:^[4]

• Recommended. High success rate. Good for acclimatization
• Remote and spectacular, dramatic gorges and views of west Kilimanjaro
• Converges with Machame on day 4 at Baranco
• Experience Kilimanjaro's diverse climatic zones as you climb higher
• Shira offers higher start point compared to Lemosho and poorer acclimatisation
• Fully catered camping only

Rongai:

• Only northern approach to Kilimanjaro
• Offers a true wilderness experience on the early stages of the climb
• Very tough final summit night from the North
• Less acclimatisation opportunities Less scenic and flat
• Fully catered camping only

Umbwe:

• Steep, short route with lower success rate
• Poor acclimatization due to rapid ascent
• Very remote and quiet
• Fully catered camping only

Of all the routes, Machame is by far the most scenic albeit steeper route up the mountain. The Rongai is the easiest camping route and the Marangu is also easy, but accommodation is in huts. As a result, this route tends to be very busy and ascent and descent routes are the same. Although the Rongai route is a flatter walk it offers less opportunities for acclimatisation. The Machame and Lemosho routes both allow better opportunities to "walk high and sleep low" which is critical to avoiding altitude sickness.

Climbing description

The trek to Uhuru Peak is considered to be a relatively straightforward endeavour; however, ample time must still be provided for proper acclimatization to prevent altitude sickness. The three shortest routes, Marangu, Rongai and Machame are less challenging and are often trekked by individuals with limited mountaineering experience. Some trekkers employ altitude-sickness medication, including acetazolamide but taking at least 7 days^[5] is the best way to avoid altitude sickness.

Route travel times range from 5 to 9 days to summit and return to the base of the mountain. Huts with cooking facilities, bathrooms, and electricity are available on the Marangu route, and camps with less facilities are available on many other routes. All huts and many camps have rangers stationed at them with rescue facilities (modified wheelbarrows to transport trekkers stricken with altitude sickness to lower altitudes).

Summit attempts are generally undertaken at night so that trekkers can reach the rim of the crater to view the sunrise so typically clients start walking around midnight. walking overnight alse means the ground (loose gravel) is frozen, making the going significantly easier.

Trekkers on the Marangu route first encounter Gilman's Point on the rim of the crater, which is roughly a 1½ hour hike from Uhuru Peak. Trekkers who follow the Southern Circuit will reach the summit via Stella Point which is about an hour from the summit.Both these compare with the Rongai route where the trip from where you reach the rim to the summit can be over 2 hours making for a very long summit day.

Another route is the Western Breach, which includes short sections of scrambling (where hands are required for balance and support). The rock on Kilimanjaro though is highly fragmented and deaths from rockfall from above have happened and as a result this route is not recommended except for experts.

On all the Southern routes and on the Western breach climb it is possible to sleep overnight in the crater.This can be a fantastic experience for those who acclimatised well and has three major advantages. First you can summit during the day avoiding the midnight rush; second you have time to visit the crater and explore the glaciers and finally you can get back to the rim very early the next day to see the sunrise. The Furtwängler Glacier on Kilimanjaro is a remnant of the ice cap that once covered the mountain. These has retreated dramatically over the last century with over 80% glacial retreat. The glacier is named after Walter Furtwängler, who along with Ziegfried Koenig, were the fourth to ascend to the summit of Kilimanjaro in 1912.

the rapidly retreating Furtwängler Glacier is near the summit.

^[6]

At the summit, there is a sign posted by the Tanzanian government. The sign (printed in English only) reads "Congratulations! You are now at Uhuru Peak, Tanzania, 5,895 m. AMSL. Africa's Highest Point. World's Highest Free-Standing Mountain." It used to have a fourth part of the sign which read, "One of World's Largest Volcanos. Welcome.", however that portion of the sign no longer exists. The sign is covered in travel stickers from past trekkers who have left their mark on the top of the peak. Near this famous sign is a box containing a log that many trekkers have signed. As of January 2007 this box has either been removed or buried.^{[citation needed]}

Trekking routes

Forest along the Marangu climbing route.

Kilimanjaro has several official climbing routes. These are:

• Northern Circuit ^[7]

• Machame ^[8][9]Kilimanjaro - Climber.Org Trip Report</ref>

• Marangu ^[10][11]

• Rongai ^[12][13][14]

• Londorossi Lemosho ^[15][16]

• Umbwe ^[17][18]

• Shira ^[19][20][21]

• Mweka (descent only) ^[22]

Summary of routes

Route	Description	Days	Length
Northern Circuit [23]	Newest route on Kilimanjaro. Very low traffic, traverses nearly the entire mountain including the north side. Long route with great views.	9	90 km (55.9 mi)
Lemosho [24][25]	Long access drive, remote, less frequented, beautiful forests, scenic traverse to Barafu, camping. Excellent for acclimatization.	8 (-1)	56 km (34.8 mi)
Machame [26][27]	Second most popular route. Beautiful forest, very good for acclimatization, scenic traverse to Barafu.	7 (-1)	49 km (30.4 mi)
Marangu [28][29]	Very popular. Gentle gradients and long sections up to 4700m (2.9 mi). Beautiful forests and moorlands, comfortable but basic huts. The 6 day variant provides good time for acclimatization.	6 (-1)	64 km (39.8 mi)
Rongai [30]	Long access drive, remote, less frequented, some fine, wild, high-altitude mountain scenery, camping. Good for acclimatization.	6	65 km (40.4 mi)
Umbwe [31]	Shortest and steepest route, very physically taxing and requires serious endurance. Beautiful forest, spectacular ridge, bad for acclimatization, scenic traverse to Barafu, camping. Dangerous route.[32]	6 (-1)	37 km (23 mi)

A three-dimensional Google-Earth route map can be seen here.^[33]

Northern Circuit

The Northern Circuit is the newest route on Kilimanjaro and takes 8–9 days. It begins from the north, then traverses nearly the entire mountain counter clockwise before approaching the summit from the east. This route offers diverse views, making a particularly scenic route. Being a lengthy, wilderness route, and the only route to cross the northern face, there is very little traffic on this route.^[23] Its length means that it provides more acclimatisation time than other routes.^[34]

Registration for the route is at Londorossi Gate, with the trek itself beginning at the road head at Lemosho Glades and following a little used track called Chamber's Route.^[35] The route then follows around the northern face of the mountain, crossing the high desert plateau of Shira Caldera and passing Shira Cathedral to reach Moir Valley and then Buffalo Ridge. From here, the route climbs onto The Saddle, a lunar landscape which stretches between Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks. The overnight ascent to the summit is made from School Hut campsite to the crater rim at Gilman's Point, from where a trail leads on to the summit of Kilimanjaro at Uruhu Peak. Descent from the summit is made via Stella Point, Barafu Camp and Millennium Camp, leaving the park at Mweka Gate.^[34][35]

Lemosho Route

This is an unspoilt, remote, less-used and beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau. Trekkers sometimes use it to ascend the Western Breach route, or follow it with the Kibo South Circuit to ascend by the easier Barafu Route. The first day of the route is rich in game animals, and armed rangers may accompany a group temporarily. ^[1][24]

The standard route takes 7 days^[36] on the mountain, and is sometimes extended to 8 days ^[37] with a stay at Karanga Valley.

Route Outline

1. Drive from Moshi or Arusha to Londorossi Park Gate (2250 m, 2 hours). From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades (2100 m, 11 km, 45 minutes) and a possible campsite (park fees are not paid to camp here). Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite, (2750 m, 3 hours).
2. The trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. Several streams are crossed then it gains the Shira Ridge at about 3600 m and drops gently down to Shira 1 camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau (3500 m, 5 hours). This campsite could be omitted.
3. A gentle walk across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream (3850 m, 1.5 hours). A variety of walks are available on the Plateau making this an excellent acclimatization day.
4. Continue east towards Kibo passing the junction, then east towards the Lava Tower. Shortly after this, you descend to Barranco hut (3940 m, 4 hours).
5. A short scramble to the top of the Great Barranco and then a traverse over scree and ridges to the Karanga Valley (4000 m, 3 hours), beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers. After climbing out of the Karanga Valley the trail ascends a ridge to the Barafu Hut, a bleak location with little vegetation at 4600 m, (3 hours walking).
6. An early start for the ascent to the rim of the Kibo Crater between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers, (4 hours); the last section before the rim can sometimes be snow-covered and an ice-axe or ski stick is useful for balance. From here a further hour leads to Uhuru Peak, from where there are often fine views of Meru to the west and the jagged peak of Mawenzi to the east. Descend to the Barafu Hut for a rest and lunch before continuing on down to camp at Mweka Hut in the giant heather zone on the forest edge. Those with energy on the summit may wish to descend to the Reutsh Crater and visit the dramatic ice pinnacles of the Eastern Icefields.
7. A 3-4 hour descent through beautiful forest brings you to the Park gate and your waiting transport.

A travelogue of the Londorossi Lemosho route can be viewed here.[1]

Detailed description:^[1][24]

Machame route

The Machame route as of 2006 is described here. The route is typically done on a six^[38] or seven day hike.^[1][26]

The campsites and gates (with corresponding elevations) are as follows: [2]

• Machame Gate (start of trek) (5718 ft/1738 m)
• Machame (9927 ft/3018 m)
• Shira (12355 ft/3756 m)
• Barranco (13066 ft/3972 m)
• Karanga (optional camp, used by 7-day climbers)
• Barafu (high camp before summit) (15239 ft/4633 m)
• Mweka (descent) (10204 ft/3102 m)
• Mweka Gate (end of trek) (5423 ft/1649 m)

(The given altitudes are sourced from a GPS device and are accurate to a few hundred feet)

One benefit of the Machame route is its quick rise to relatively high elevations (~10,000 ft/~3,040 metres), and a short ascent to the Lava Tower site (~15,000 ft/~4,560 m) before descending back to Barranco Camp (12,700 ft/3,870 m) on the same day. This follows the climber's adage 'climb high, sleep low', and helps altitude acclimation. The initial steep ascent also helps trekkers acclimatise better.

The Machame route starts from Machame Gate and travels upwards through the montane rainforest, characterized by dense vegetation, a muddy trail and short sections of steep climbs. The first campsite, Machame Camp, is right after the dense tree cover in an area with lower but still thick bushlands.

The second day continues through increasingly sparse trees and bushes into moorlands. Picturesque hanging mosses often cover trees and offer an ethereal quality to the landscape. The day finishes with Shira Camp, which is on a small plateau in the high moorlands, and features views of Kibo in the northwest and Mount Meru towards the east. White necked ravens can be seen throughout the day. There is also a set of small caves a short walk from the campsite known as the Shira Caves.

Garden of the Senecios, with part of Kibo in the background.

High camp at Barafu. GPS showing elevation (15287 feet).

The third day starts in the moorlands and moves into alpine desert, with fewer trees and more rocks. The highest point is the base of the Lava Tower, after which the trail descends into the Barranco Valley. More vegetation is present in this zone, especially the area just before the campsite. This area is called the 'Garden of the Senecias' which features many of the huge senecio plants. Shorter lobelia plants are also present.

The fourth day starts with the ascent of the Barranco Wall, which is considered a scramble in climbing terms. The top of the Wall has attractive vistas of Kibo and the surrounding landscape. The trail continues with many up and down sections across small streams and rivulets, and finally crosses the Karanga River to the Karanga campsite.

The fifth day follows the path up and across a rocky zone, finishing at the high camp Barafu. Very little vegetation can be found on the inhospitable terrain. A field of sedimentary rocks litters the ground like many broken mirrors. (Note - the six day trek omits the Karanga campsite, and trekkers continue directly to Barafu on the same day.)

The summit is usually attempted on the very early morning of the 6th day (around midnight). Barafu is also used as a summit campsite for the Umbwe route. Trekkers typically take somewhere between five and seven hours to ascend, using headlamps and cold weather gear. Making the ascent on a full moon or shortly thereafter can make the headtorch unnecessary and the night ascent a beautiful experience. The first milestone, generally reached shortly after dawn, is Stella Point (18,652 ft/5,685 m), which is on the crater rim. Following Stella Point, the trail continues for another 30 mins to the summit - Uhuru Peak.

The descent back to Barafu takes roughly four hours. Some trekkers 'scree slide' down the slope, which entails skidding/running down the loose gravel at medium speed. From Barafu, trekkers typically take a short break, and continue downwards through the alpine desert and ensuing moorlands to Mweka Camp.

The seventh and final day has trekkers continue through the montane forest to Mweka Gate. Troops of black-and-white colobus monkeys can often be seen in the dense growth.

Detailed description:^[1][26]

A travelogue of the Machame route can be viewed here.[3] A trip report of the Machame route can be viewed here.[4]

Marangu Route

Waterfalls at Marangu

The Marangu Route (also known at the 'Coca-Cola' route) is the easiest ascent of Kilimanjaro, although any ascent can be challenging. Climbs can be done over 6 days. It crosses The Saddle, a 5 km wide, high-altitude, semi-desert that separates craggy Mawenzi from the main summit Kibo. From the summit, glaciers, screes, cliffs, afro-alpine moorland and forests lead down to the cultivated foothills.^[1][28]

Trekkers sometimes spend an extra day to acclimate to the altitude at Horombo Hut. Also, trekkers often start the final ascent to Uhuru Peak early from Kibo Hut, since the scree is easier to climb when frozen, and dawn views from the crater rim are often spectacular.

Route Outline

1. Drive to Marangu Gate. Walk through the rain forest to Mandara hut (2743 m), about 3 hours.
2. Leave the forest and cross open moor land to Horombo hut (3760 m).
3. Rest and acclimatisation day at Horombo Hut. Day walk to Zebra Rocks or to Mawenzi Hut. This day can be missed out making a 5 day itinerary; however, the less acclimatized climbers are, the less likely they will be able to summit.
4. Walk through moorland then alpine desert to "The Saddle" between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. From here you will walk for about an hour to reach Kibo hut (4730 m).
5. Very early start for the summit on steep scree up to Gillman's Point (5681 m) which is on the crater rim. Continue around the rim (which will take about two hours if you are fit) to Uhuru Peak (5895 m) the highest point in Africa. Descend to Kibo Hut for tea and biscuits or soup and then down to the thicker air and relative warmth of Horombo hut.
6. Descend to Marangu gate.

Detailed description:^[1][28]

Rongai Route

Route Outline

1. Drive 4 hours to the Rongai Gate. Walk to Simba Camp at 2650 m, 2½-3 hrs. The walk is initially through plantations then rain forest and finally bush country.
2. Walk to 2nd Cave at 3450 m, 3½ hrs. A gentle day through bush then heathers.
3. Gentle rising traverse through moorland over several ridges to Kikelea Caves, 3600 m, 3 hours.
4. Moorland then screes to Mawenzi Tarn Hut, 4330 m, 3-3½ hrs.
5. Easy angled screes slopes lead across the Saddle to Kibo Hut, 4700 m, 4½-5 hrs.
6. Very early start for the summit on steep scree up to Gillman's Point (5681 m) which is on the crater rim. Continue around the rim (which will take about two hours if you are fit) to Uhuru Peak (5895 m) the highest point in Africa. The views of the sunrise over Mawensi to the East is stunning. Descend to Kibo Hut for tea and biscuits or soup and then down to the thicker air an relative warmth of Horombo hut.
7. Descend to Marangu gate.

Climbers often omit the 2nd Cave during ascent, although the climb is more difficult. Detailed description:^[1][30]

Umbwe Route

Southern Icefields viewed from Umbwe Route (Barranco Camp)

The Umbwe route (also known as the "Vodka Route") is often considered the hardest but most spectacular and direct way to reach Uhuru Peak.

Route Outline

1. Drive to the Umbwe Roadhead at 1800 m. The route initially follows a forestry track winding up through the natural rain forest. It then narrows and steepens to climb the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers. The first campsite is in the forest by some rock overhangs at 2940 m, (5–6 hours walking).
2. Shortly after leaving the camp the forest ends and the path continues along a narrow spectacular ridge. Above, the sheer 1000 m of the Breach Wall appears and disappears as the afternoon mists roll up the Great Barranco. From the Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly to the Barranco Hut and our camp in the valley floor at 3900 m, (5–6 hours walking).
3. A short scramble to the top of the Great Barranco and then a traverse over scree and ridges to the Karanga Valley (4000 m, 3 hours), beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers.
4. After climbing out of the Karanga Valley the trail ascends a ridge to the Barafu Hut, a bleak location with little vegetation at 4600 m, (3 hours walking).
5. An early start for the ascent to the rim of the Kibo Crater between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers, (4 hours); the last section before the rim can sometimes be snow-covered and an ice-axe or ski stick is useful for balance. From here a further hour leads to Uhuru Peak, from where there are often fine views of Meru to the west and the jagged peak of Mawenzi to the east. After a short time on the summit you descend to the Barafu Hut for a rest and lunch before continuing on down to camp at Mweka Hut in the giant heather zone on the Mweka route.
6. A 3-4 hour descent through beautiful forest brings you to the Park gate.

Detailed description:^[1][31]

Rock climbing routes

The Credner Glacier

Abseiling down the Credner Glacier on the way to the Western Breach

The rock on Kilimanjaro is generally unsuitable for rock climbing; however, there are several good snow and ice routes that are rapidly vanishing due to glacial recession.^{[citation needed]} Mawenzi's peaks provide a few rock routes on loose rock.

Until recently, glacial recession has made it harder to ascend the Umbwe Route followed by the Heim Glacier. Just left of the glacier, the Breach Wall was considered the hardest route on Kilimanjaro (featuring a 100 m high vertical icicle). Further left again, the Western Breach (Arrow Glacier) Route provides an easy scrambling route to the crater.

Park authorities and outfitters require special arrangements and often disclaimers to climb these routes. Although it is only a scramble, the Western Breach route falls into this category on account of rock fall danger.

Selected rock climbing routes

• Heim Glacier: A Nelson, H J Cooke, D N Goodall, 1957. Grade III+, 12 hours.
• Western Breach: Grade I, 6 hours. The easiest rock-climbing way on the south-west side of the mountain.
• Mawenzi aka South Peak: First climbed in 1924 by George Londt from South Africa. ^[39]

Other climbing routes:^[40][41]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} EWP (2001). Kilimanjaro Map and Guide (Map). 1:75,000 with 1:20,000 and 1:30,000 insets. EWP Map Guides. Cartography by EWP (4th ed.). ISBN 0-906227-66-6. http://www.ewpnet.com/KILIMAP.HTM. 
2. ^ Lemosho, Machame, Rongai, Umbe, Marangu routes private tailor-made treks and charity climbs up Kilimanjaro best service cheapest UK price
3. ^ 3 Dimensional Machame Route Map
4. ^ 3 Dimensional Lemosho Route Map
5. ^ Private Kilimanjaro - How many days are needed to climb Kilimanjaro?
6. ^ Lemosho, Machame, Rongai, Umbe, Marangu routes private tailor-made treks and charity climbs up Kilimanjaro best service cheapest UK price
7. ^ Climb Kilimanjaro | Northern Circuit Route
8. ^ The Machame route up Kilimanjaro, the summit of Africa. Trips and safaris! The seven summits, the highest peaks of the 7 continents! Trips, Statistics & information!
9. ^ Ultimate Kilimanjaro - Machame route
10. ^ The Marangu route to Kilimanjaro, the summit of Africa. Trips and safaris! The seven summits, the highest peaks of the 7 continents! Trips, Statistics & information!
11. ^ Ultimate Kilimanjaro - Marangu route
12. ^ The Rongai - Loitokitok route up Kilimanjaro, the summit of Africa. Trips and safaris! The seven summits, the highest peaks of the 7 continents! Trips, Statistics & information!
13. ^ Ultimate Kilimanjaro - Rongai route
14. ^ Climb Kilimanjaro | Rongai Route
15. ^ The Lemosho Shira - Machame route up Kilimanjaro, the summit of Africa. Trips and safaris! The seven summits, the highest peaks of the 7 continents! Trips, Statistics & information!
16. ^ Ultimate Kilimanjaro - Lemosho route
17. ^ The Umbwe - Western Breach route up Kilimanjaro, the summit of Africa. Trips and safaris! The seven summits, the highest peaks of the 7 continents! Trips, Statistics & information!
18. ^ Ultimate Kilimanjaro - Umbwe route
19. ^ Tanzania Trekking - Mount Kilimanjaro Shira Route
20. ^ Ultimate Kilimanjaro - Shira route
21. ^ Climb Kilimanjaro | Shira Route
22. ^ GORP - Mweka Route - Kilimanjaro National Park
23. ^ ^{a b} Northern Circuit route description
24. ^ ^{a b c} Lemosho detailed route description
25. ^ Lemosho route picture gallery
26. ^ ^{a b c} Machame detailed route description
27. ^ Machame route picture gallery
28. ^ ^{a b c} Marangu detailed route description
29. ^ Marangu route picture gallery
30. ^ ^{a b} Rongai detailed route description
31. ^ ^{a b} Umbwe detailed route description
32. ^ Africa Travel Resource - Tanzania, Tanzania Northeast, Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro Umbwe
33. ^ Three-dimensional google-earth route map
34. ^ ^{a b} "Kilimanjaro Climb - Northern Circuit". Exodus. http://www.exodus.co.uk/holidays/tyn/overview. Retrieved March 25, 2011. 
35. ^ ^{a b} "Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Itinerary". Gane & Marshall. http://www.ganeandmarshall.com/itinerary-pdf/kilimanjaro-northern-circuit-wilderness-route-8-days.pdf. Retrieved March 25, 2011. 
36. ^ Tailor-made Lemosho route climbs up Kilimanjaro for individuals groups and charities over 7 days with the best food and guides
37. ^ Tailor-made Lemosho route climbs up Kilimanjaro over 8 days
38. ^ Machame route itinerary over 6 days for climbing up Mount Kilimanjaro with a private tailor made climb groups charities
39. ^ http://www.climbmountkilimanjaro.com/the-history-of-kilimanjaro/history-of-kilimanjaro-after-meyer/index.html
40. ^ Climbing route information
41. ^ Climbing and walking guide