Before you choose a route you need more information about all routes available when climbing Kilimanjaro and get to know the different between the routes. There are six routes used to climb Kilimanjaro and one for descent only Mweka route, each has its own characteristics and offers a different perspective and challenge. The most used route is the Marangu route as which attracts the many visitors to Kilimanjaro. Machame route is also likely route because many visitors are likely to climb Kilimanjaro through this way and as a result can also be very busy. These two routes are most used by clients because are simple route than others because it take only six days to complete. Another route is Umbwe route is the shortest but toughest of all the routes to the top and can be accomplished with minimum of five days as Marangu.
The other three routes which are Shira, Lemosho and Rongai are less used routes but having beautiful scenic as you trek. To choose the best route for you first you need to ask yourself the following questions after get answers you have to decide which route will be the best and it will make you experienced.
Machame Route
The Machame route is highly recommended for scenic value and has a medium to high success rate, especially if you choose the seven day or six days itinerary option. It is a good to choose harder Kilimanjaro route for acclimatization as it has a climb high. Trekkers climb from Shira Camp two to Lava Tower where they have lunch and then hike back down to Barranco Camp to sleep. Like all Kilimanjaro routes, the Machame is a challenging trek with stunning scenery through four diverse climatic zones There is a good opportunity to split pre summit day climb by adding an extra rest day at Karanga Camp. The route has however got very popular over the past few years which mean it can get busy, especially at Barranco where climbers join up with trekkers from the Lemosho, Shira and Umbwe routes. The Machame route only offers fully catered camping.
Lemosho Route
On Lemosho route there is a seven or eight day itinerary to summit and offers lots of opportunities to properly acclimatize. It is among of highly Kilimanjaro route that has relatively high summit success rates. It is also recommended as the starting point is relatively remote and hence provides trekkers with a rather untouched and wild start to their Kilimanjaro adventure. The route also provides unparalleled and spectacular views of the dramatic gorges that characterize the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro. The Lemosho offers trekkers the experience of hiking across the Shira Plateau is one of the largest high altitude plateaus in the world. Trekkers on the Lemosho typically converge with Machame route on day three at Barranco camp and use the Barafu camp route to the summit. Although it is now quite common for Lemosho trekkers to veer north before Lava Tower to join the Northern Circuit which circles the north side of Mount Kilimanjaro and follows an assault passage via Gilman’s Point. The trekkers planning to climb the Western Breach to the summit they also use Lemosho route. The Lemosho is fully catered camping only.
Marangu Route
The first beginners climbers who are unprepared, inexperienced they use marangu route as a result of the reputation for being the easier route. Marangu route is among of the cheaper and the lower success rate route when climbing Kilimanjaro. It is also the shortest Kilimanjaro route with low success rates on the Marangu. The marangu route it takes six day itinerary. it give trekkers an opportunity to climb high or low speed as they wish but also the elevation is moderate and not as effective as other climb high or low speed it is opportunities that are present on other Kilimanjaro routes. Out of all the Kilimanjaro routes, the Marangu route is the only one with accommodation in huts for the whole duration of the climb. The huts come with mattresses and basic amenities, making them a popular choice for budget operators who don’t have the right equipment to tackle the other Kilimanjaro routes. The Marangu offers beautiful views from the Saddle but can be considered less scenic than other Kilimanjaro routes due to ascent and descent on the same choice.
Rongai Route
The Rongai route beginning on the side of Kilimanjaro National Park and is the only northern start point to Kilimanjaro. The Rongai offers a true wilderness experience on the early stages of the climb, and like the Lemosho route it is possible to see large wildlife like buffalo, antelope and elephant. The Northern slopes tend to be dryer than the southern slopes which makes the Rongai a great Kilimanjaro Route for trekking during the wet season. However, because the northern slopes are dryer they can also be considered less scenic. That being said, a northern approach is often characterized by clear views of Kilimanjaro something that is not that common from the southern side. The Rongai is also a flatter route for the first few days which makes for easy trekking. The route is usually completed on a seven day itinerary but has limited climb high, sleep low opportunities which means that acclimatization opportunities are not as good as on other Kilimanjaro routes. Also the route descends via the Marangu route although the route has fully catered camping until the last night on the mountain.
Northern Circuit
The Northern Circuit is the longest route on Mount Kilimanjaro and has one of the highest summit success rates as the route offers lots of climb high and most climbers climb at a low speed because of its hardest. The route departs from the same start point as Lemosho but then joins the Northern Circuit near Lava Tower, before traversing the north slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. The summit assault is via Gilman’s Point. The route can be completed on an eight or nine day itinerary. If you are looking for a quiet and wild Kilimanjaro experience, then this route is for you. The route it takes more time until summit the Kilimanjaro. It is among of the hardest route which takes a long time until summit. You are not advised to use this route mostly because of its high start point.
Umbwe Route
The Umbwe Route has a short and steep beginning profile up to Barranco camp where trekkers join climbers from the Lemosho, Shira and Machame route. The Umbwe has poor acclimatization opportunities due to its rapid ascent and therefore success rates can be low on this Kilimanjaro route. Fully catered camping only.
Western Breach Route
The Western Breach is the most technically difficult approach to Mount Kilimanjaro, but it’s the most rewarding. The approach to the Western Breach usually starts on the Umbwe Route and then continues north and up from Lava Tower. The Western Breach is very dangerous route so according to its dangerous it was closed due to fatal rock fall in 2006 but reopened in 2007 with a new and safer route configuration. Success rates are typically moderate to high as the route is usually only tackled by experienced high altitude trekkers. Therefore before you want to choose the best route firstly you should know the characteristic of each route. It advised to choose longer route because it will help you to increase the ability of acclimatization. Rather than choosing shorter route like Marangu and Machame route.
The harder route help a climber to increase the ability of acclimatization. Arrange your time means the time to climb longer route of more than seven days in order to reduce your summit rate. Check your money budget, or do you wish to pay a premium for a longer climb with a group or a private tour then guides they will made arrangement fast as possible.
Other things to be considered are your health fitness and experience. If you are used to high altitude hiking and you are an experienced mountaineer, then you may choose to option for a tougher route such as Umbwe route, or you will chose simple route like machame or marangu route whereas if you are not used to high altitude climbing then easier route would be the better option.
There are routes which are more interesting, while others are tougher and experience, so this is important worth taking into consideration before you climb. Each Kilimanjaro route has its own advantages and disadvantage. Normally some are great for interesting. Others offer high summit success rates but are also quite busy at certain times of the year.
Ability
The abilities of all climbers including guides and porters must be factored into choosing a route. Are there assistant group they have ability to climb a simple or tougher route when among chosen. So you have to pick a route that best fits everyone on your group.
Limitation
You have to check the limitations surround the route you want to choose before you choose. See if does the route interact your budget and the number of days on your trip are also interact your budget. There are harder routes, and shorter and longer itineraries. Get an idea of how much money and how many days people are willing to spend on the mountain.
Comparison
Do a comparison between long, short, harder and simple route. Check to see if you want the most challenging route or a simple route to climb. Compare between the tougher like Umbwe or simple like machame and marangu when choose Kilimanjaro can bring out a lot of discomfort and suffering.
Choose your Starting point
Your best starting point will help you to summit the uhuru peak. Routes start from all sides of the mountain then choose where do you want to begin your climb and where you begin affects cost, scenery and scenic variety. It is your choice if you want to start from the western routes of the mountain or the southern route of the mountain.
Purpose of climbing
Check the reasons for climbing. If is it very important to summit the Kilimanjaro then choose a route with a high success rate. And if you want to take the photos if the answer is yes then pick a scenic route. If you want a route to improve your health so choose a simple and short route like marangu or machame route.
Choose the best season to climb
Choose the best month to climb Kilimanjaro like in dry season and great. But if you are climbing during the rainy season or the shoulder seasons your route you select can play into the climb's difficulty. Climbs around holidays and full moons are especially crowded.
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