Mountain Kilimanjaro Routes climbing - Africa Natural Tours ( africanaturaltours.com )
Mountain
Kilimanjaro Routes: Africa Natural Tours (For Kilimanjaro,
Serengeti and Zanzibar) Tanzania safari company in Moshi
Specialized in:
Wildlife safaris, Mountain climbing, Cultural tourism and Beach holidays
in East Africa
Contact +255 653 679 958
Email: info@africanaturaltours.com Website: www.africanaturaltours.com
Mountain
Kilimanjaro Routes
Advantages
& Disadvantages of the Kilimanjaro Routes
Marangu Route
The Marangu
Route is the oldest, most well established route. The route was counted many
years as the most popular route to the summit due to its gradual slopes.
Marangu Route is also known under the nickname Coca-Cola Route, due to its high
popularity and relative simplicity to climb. However, in the recent years
Marangu Route was displaced into second place by the more popular Machame
Route. Advantages: The Marangu Route is the cheapest and fastest route (five or
six days) up to Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the only route with hut accommodation
in a dormitory style. Therefore climbers do not need camping equipment, which
reflects in the number of porters. The beds in the huts are limited, so that
only a certain number of climbers per day are allowed on this trek. It is
considered due to its gradual slopes as the easiest of all routes.
Disadvantages: The rapid climb is not always the best. The chances of making it
to the top in five days are very low and an extra acclimatization (sixth) day
is highly recommended to summit Kilimanjaro. Not without a reason is “pole,
pole” (slowly, slowly) the motto on Kilimanjaro. Due to its shortness the
success rate of making it to the peak is lower than on the longer routes.
Marangu Route compared to its sister routes has less scenic variety, because
ascent and descent follow the same trek.
Machame Route
Machame Route
is the favorite route among climbers. It is also referred to as the Whisky
Route. The classic duration to the top is 6 days, though an extra acclimatization
day can be added. It is alongside Lemosho Route the most picturesque route on
Kilimanjaro. The hike follows steeper paths and is more adventurous, especially
because of the famous Breakfast Wall (Barranco Wall). On the fifth day Machame
Route merges with Lemosho Route. Both routes take from here the same trek up to
Uhuru Peak. Advantages: The Machame Route is known as one of the most beautiful
routes. The route follows the climbers’ philosophy to hike high and sleep low
and therefore offering excellent acclimatization and success rate to the
summit. As a classic camping route Machame Route is not limited, this in turn
leads us to the disadvantages. Disadvantages: In recent years, Machame Route
has immensely grown in popularity, which is owed to the limit amount of
climbers on Marangu Route. Climbers should be prepared that especially in high
season it can get very busy.
Lemosho Route
Lemosho Route is one of the quieter routes with
fantastic views. Your trek to the summit is possible via a seven or eight days
trek. The route meets, on the fifth day, at the Shira Plateau, the popular
Machame Route and from there shares the same path to the summit. Advantages: It
is the longest route and provides, through its duration, the best conditions
for acclimatization. Small number of climbers choose Lemosho Route, thus it is
one of the quieter routes and our secret favorite. Disadvantages: Due to its
length climbers that favor Lemosho Route should be prepared to pay more.
Rongai Route
Rongai Route is the only route that approaches
Kilimanjaro from the North, along the border between Kenya and Tanzania. It is
considered as the wildest and quietest route. The North is also drier and less
wooded, which makes Rongai Route the ideal route for the rainy season.
Advantages: Rongai Route captivates with rough wilderness and fantastic
panoramas. The Northern slopes receive less rain and thus have better conditions
for hiking. Rongai Route is the least populated route. Disadvantages: The route
does not follow the principles of climbing high and sleeping low, a seventh day
for acclimatization is therefore strongly recommended.
The Northern
Circuit
The Northern Circuit route is the newest and
longest route – and did we say it’s also truly beautiful? You’ll take nine days
to reach the summit and, boy, you’ll remember every single one of those nine
days! Advantages At nine days it’s the longest route, so it’s the best route
for acclimatization and so you’ve the best chance of reaching the top. This
route takes you almost 360 degrees round the mountain, so you’ve a new scenic
beauty every day. Because it’s the newest route to open, the paths are definitely
less travelled so you’ll be one of the first to experience it. Disadvantages it’s
a long route so, yes, it costs a little more so it’s not so good if you’re
watching your wallet.
The Umbwe Route
The Umbwe Route
is the most challenging route up Kilimanjaro. It’s the steepest route with
little opportunity for acclimatization and so it’s only for the experienced
high-altitude climber. It’s a fantastic, energizing, life-changing climb amid
knife-edge ridges, sheer-drop gorges and the most amazing panoramas; but it’s
only suitable for you tough experienced adventure freaks out there. We don’t
recommend it for normal, sane people. Advantages if you’re an experienced high
altitude climber, then you’ll have the mountain to yourself! Although it’s not
technical, it’s steep and arduous so it’s a Challenge with a capital C.
Beautiful, beautiful scenery. It’s quick – there and back in six days.
Disadvantages It’s a quick climb so you’ve less chance of properly acclimatizing
unless you’re an experienced at high altitude. We don’t offer a group excursion
on this route because it’s so difficult, but we do offer small, bespoke climbs.
You are still unsure which of the routes is the right route for YOU? You are
undecided between two routes? Our team is always happy to answer your
questions. Get in contact with us via
For more information visit www.africanaturaltours.com
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