SUMMARY OF KILIMANJARO ROUTES
There're 8 Kilimanjaro routes. However some join up with each other & merge - so it's worth looking at our Kilimanjaro map for a sense of the geography.
MACHAME ROUTE - popular and comes in from the South through the rain forest . 6 or 7 days trek with camp sites en route, and via Barafu high camp and Stella Point to Kilimanjaro's summit.
MARANGU ROUTE - known as the KIlimanjaro 'Coca Cola Route'as many were on cheap 5 day 'dashes' with poor success rates. Accommodation is in huts of varying levels of quality. Not a route we use or recommend - camping is better on Kilimanjaro!
NORTHERN CIRCUIT - follow in the footsteps of Comic Relief on this quiet route accessed via Lemosho Route - heading clockwise around Kilimanjaro with great views over Kenya and remote camp sites. Joins Rongai Route at Gilman's Point - done over 8 days.
LEMOSHO ROUTE - approaches Kilimanjaro from the West and joins the Machame Route on Day 3. Popular - and is one of the 'classic' Kilimanjaro routes with stunning scenery - often done over 7 days
SHIRA ROUTE - also heads to Kilimanjaro from the West and joins the Lemosho / Machame Routes on the Shira Plateau. Not used that much - as the Lemosho Route is a better Kilimanjaro experience.
RONGAI ROUTE - Starts in the North East near the Kenya boarder. Quieter with more wildlife and shorter trekking distances on the first few days of the Kilimanjaro climb. Normally done over 6 or 7 days with camping - via Kibo High Camp and Gillmans Point - and then around to join other routes at Stella Point on the way to the summit of Kilimanjaro.
UMBWE ROUTE - starts in the South and is the short & steep way up to Kilimanjaro's Barranco Camp - where it joins up with the Lemosho / Machame Routes. Really only used on 'special climbs' - as a quick way up Kilimanjaro for climbers already acclimatised (eg on Mt Meru).
WESTERN BREACH - accessed from the Lemosho / Machame Routes from Lava Tower - and is the tough way up Kilimanjaro to the crater and summit from Arrow Glacier Camp - to the West of the mountain. Used only on tough Kilimanjaro itineraries - with the right levels of support & levels of experience.