Snow-capped Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain and the world’s tallest free-standing mountain at 5895 meters above sea level. It has three major volcanic centres: Shira (4160 m), Snow capped Kibo (5895 m) and Mawenzi. Widely considered the roof of Africa, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro through one of the great trekking routes is one of the most rewarding experiences that any person can enjoy.
Regardless of the route, no special equipment or previous experience is required to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
We organize treks to the summit of the Mountain using 5 different routes: Machame, Marangu, Rongai, Lemosho and Umbwe. Regardless of the route, no special equipment (just walking gear) or previous experience is required to climb the Kilimanjaro. A good level of fitness but specially an exceptional level of determination (the last 500 meters of ascent to the summit will be extremely demanding, regardless of your physical condition) is all you will need.
We do not usually recommend the Marangu route because, though it is the only route where you can sleep in huts, they sometimes prove to be less comfortable than the tents we provide. Besides, it has a lower success rate (specially the 5 days version) because it does not use the “climb high, sleep low” principle. The Umbwe route is usually considered the most difficult route but, if you are experienced, it can also provide you with some of the most spectacular scenery while having very few people around climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with you.
The route that we consider to be the most interesting is the 8 days Lemosho Route. This route provides a very balanced trek, having some of the most spectacular scenery and wildlife while not being as demanding as the Umbwe route. It also enjoys a very high summit success rate and very little traffic. If you choose to climb Kilimanjaro on this route, you will have the chance to cross the entirety of the plain from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike.
The Lemosho route is also the longest and less economic one so, if time or budget do not make it a convenient choice, the other two routes we recommend are the Rongai and Machame ones. The Rongai Route has almost no people and provides great chances of encounters with wildlife precisely due to that fact. On the other hand, the Machame Route is one of the most popular routes, being the first choice of most seasoned hikers and providing impressive views and a variety of habitats. Most climbers choose the 7 days version to err on the side of caution and make sure that they are properly acclimatised before reaching the summit. However, the 6 days route is also quite safe and most people with an active lifestyle will manage it without major problems.
When climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, one needs to take into account the seasons: There are 2 “rainy” seasons, from mid-November to mid-December and also in April and May though global weather patterns can sometimes make these “wet months” dry. In any case, we do organize climbs during the wet months and, though rain can create a bit of discomfort, it can also lead to snow in the higher altitudes which makes the whole experience much more dramatic. Besides, you’ll have the mountain almost to yourself allowing you to enjoy it without crowds of tourists around you. the last 500 meters of ascent to the summit will be extremely demanding, regardless of your strength and fitness level
For every detail and doubt about these itineraries or for building a custom private tour to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, please contact us through our contact page.
In the following section, you have the details of every route. We make a big effort to offer the best possible prices, which depend upon many factors like the time of the year, the number of tourists, the constantly changing prices of gas and park fees, etc.