Route Selection
There are five main routes on Mount Kilimanjaro - Marangu, Machame, Shira, Rongai and Umbwe.
Marangu: Very popular. Gentle gradients and long sections up to 4700m. Beautiful forests and moorlands, comfortable but basic huts. The 6 day variant provides good time for acclimatisation. 5-6 days 64km
Machame: Second most popular route. Beautiful forest, very good for acclimatisation, scenic traverse to Barafu. 6-7 days 49km
Shira: Long access drive, remote, less frequented, beautiful forests, scenic traverse to Barafu, camping. Excellent for acclimatisation. 7-8 days 56km
Rongai: Long access drive, remote, less frequented, some fine, wild, high-altitude mountain scenery, camping. Good for acclimatisation. 6-7 days 65km
Umbwe: Shortest and steepest route, tough. Beautiful forest, spectacular ridge, bad for acclimatisation, scenic traverse to Barafu, camping. Dangerous route. 5-6 days 45 km