{"id":66,"date":"2025-06-21T11:43:08","date_gmt":"2025-06-21T11:43:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.blessingsafaris.com\/mount-kilimanjaro\/?page_id=66"},"modified":"2026-02-09T13:49:50","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T13:49:50","slug":"climbing-routes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.blessingsafaris.com\/mount-kilimanjaro\/climbing-routes\/","title":{"rendered":"Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes
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There are six climbing routes for Mount Kilimanjaro (5895m). Five out of six are for ascending to the peak, while Mweka is only for descending from other routes. Marangu is the only route that offers both ascending and descending to the peak, back to the main gate.\u00a0 We invite you to explore these routes in detail for Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.<\/p>\n

Marangu Route
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The\u00a0 Marangu Route<\/a> is also known as the Coca-Cola route. Marangu is the Park Headquarters of Kilimanjaro National Park. <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The Marangu Route begins in the southeast and approaches Uhuru Peak via Gilman\u2019s Point. It is possible to climb\u00a0the Marangu route in\u00a05 <\/a><\/span>or 6 days<\/a>.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Is the only route that offers hut accommodation<\/a> for the entire climb. But also uses the same trail for both ascent and descent. <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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This route is the best for hikers who don’t prefer steeper paths. But it is better to keep in mind that the summit night is always steeper. <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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One of the attractions you can see on the Marangu route is the Mahundi Crater and zebra rocks<\/a>.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Machame Route<\/h3>\n

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The Machame route is also known as the Whisky route. The Machame Route<\/strong><\/a> is one of the most popular routes on Mount Kilimanjaro. This route is very scenic, offering hikers incredible views and varied landscapes.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The Machame route is more difficult than the other routes, except the Umbwe route. Where both routes\u2019 climbers can ascend the Barranco Wall. <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The Machame route is the best of all routes and is suitable for fit climbers with climbing experience. Climbers use a different route for descending. The Mweka Route is on the southeast side of the mountain. <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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You can climb Kilimanjaro via the Machame route for 6 days<\/a> or 7 days, depending on time, budget, or your fitness. One of the attractions you can see on the Machame route is the Shira caves.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Lemosho Route<\/h3>\n
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Lemosho is the most beautiful route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Visitors start hikes in the rainforest and cross the spectacular Shira Plateau.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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It connects to the Machame route on the Southern Circuit. The route has a longer distance to cover in the rainforest ecosystem than other routes. <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The climbers on the Lemosho route meet with other climbers from the Machame route. The meeting point is the junction that leads to the Lava Tower. <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Climbers who want to spend many days on the mountain should use the Lemosho route. This route offers eight (8)<\/a> and seven (7) days of climbing. <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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This is one of the best-recommended routes for altitude acclimatization. Is the route with a high success rate for Mount Kilimanjaro climbing? <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Umbwe Route<\/h3>\n
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The Umbwe Route<\/a> is the most difficult route, but very short. This route is less traveled by Mount Kilimanjaro climbers.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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This route was previously used to pass through Western Breach and Arrow\u2019s Glacier path to the summit. But due to a tragic rockfall, the approach via the Western Breach closed. <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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One (1) year later reopened, but due to its difficulty and safety risks, it is not well recommended. Instead, the Umbwe Route now joins the Machame Route at Barranco camp. This route offers a six-day or seven-day climb for Mount Kilimanjaro.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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It follows the southern circuit to the summit and descends through the Mweka Route.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Rongai Route<\/h3>\n
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Rongai Route starts from the North-East and passes through the Saddle. It <\/span>is situated<\/span><\/span> between Kibo and Mawenzi Peak to approach the summit via Gilman\u2019s Point. <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The Rongai route<\/a> descends via the Marangu Route. The Rongai Route is flatter than the other Kilimanjaro routes. But because of its profile, it does not offer trekkers good options for climbing high and sleeping low. <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Rongai is very beautiful as it passes through the rainforest and remote wilderness. Yet it is not as varied as Machame and Lemosho. It is possible to climb for 6 days or 7 days.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Mweka Route<\/h3>\n
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Mweka is the shortest route from a road head to the summit. It is a special descending route for hikers from the Machame, Lemosho, and Umbwe routes. <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Not only that, but this route is also useful for resupplying fresh food to the Karanga camp or Basecamp.
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\nThe Mweka route has two (2) <\/span>campsites. The first campsite from the base camp is Millennium, and the last campsite on the way down to the gate is Mweka. The accommodation on the way up and down is camping with mobile tents carried by porters.
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Meet Elibariki,<\/h3>\n

Your Safari Specialist<\/p>\n

+255 742 696 430<\/a><\/strong>
\n(Call or WhatsApp)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Meet Elibariki,<\/h3>\n

Your Safari Specialist<\/p>\n

+255 742 696 430<\/a><\/strong>
\n(Call or WhatsApp)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Kilimanjaro Travel Information<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Mountain Sickness <\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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Besides the excitement and the beauty of hiking these giant mountains in Tanzania. Every success is accompanied by unexpected challenges, and for climbing Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is one of the major threats once it comes to climbers. Since safety is our priority we have prepared a list of common altitude sickness which may happen. We invite you to spend time to learn more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)<\/h5>\n

It is the negative health effect of high altitude, caused by rapid exposure to low amounts of oxygen at high elevation. People who climb high mountains might experience the early symptoms of Altitude Sickness. Our guides are well-trained, they are Certified\u00a0 Wilderness First Responder WFR. If you experience any symptoms mentioned below, please inform your guides as soon as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n