Marangu Route
Probably the more popular route on Kilimanjaro,
this route offers hut accommodation at all 3
camps. The route starts at the Marangu Parks
Gate (1 800 m) where a well defined path heads
into the rainforest until it reaches camp 1 Mandara Hut (2 727 m) on the rainforest belt.
Maundi Crater (2 800 m) is about a 15 minute
walk from camp and is worth a visit.
On the second day there are gorgeous views of
Mawenzi (5 149 m) and the south-eastern slopes
of Kilimanjaro. These views dominated the sky
line all the way to camp 2 Horombo Hut (3 720
m). Expect temperatures to drop below freezing
with a possibility of frost in the mornings. An
extra day for acclimatization is highly
recommended and allows for a hike to Mawenzi Hut
(4 600 m). On route to Mawenzi you will pass
Zebra Rock, one of nature's miracles you'll see
along the route. As you proceed along in a
northerly direction, you'll reach a junction
where there is a memorial plaque to Loretta Mae
Hendricks who lost her life on the mountain in
April 1979.
From this point you can view The Saddle and the
south-eastern slopes of Kilimanjaro. The steep
screen path ascending to Gillman's Point (5 685
m) is also clearly visible. This extra day is
highly recommended and can increase your chances
of reaching the summit. Camp 3 Kibo Hut (4 703
m) is reached after a hike through the
semi-desert landscape of The Saddle. On summit
night you will follow a winding rocky footpath
to Hans Meyer Cave (5 150 m).
After passing the cave you continue up the
steepest section that zigzags to Gillmans
Point (5 685 m). From Gillmans Point (5 685 m)
you continue along the crater rim to Stella
Point and eventually Uhuru Peak (5 895 m) the
highest point on the African continent.
Top
Machame Route Without a doubt, this is the most scenic route on Kilimanjaro. The path starts at the Machame Gate (1 800 m) and heads into the pristine forest eventually reaching camp 1 - Machame Hut (3 000 m). From camp there are views of Meru Peak and the Western Breach of Kilimanjaro. The path from Machame Hut to Shira Hut (3 840 m) heads into the moorland and offers great views of the Shira Needle, Shira Cathedral and East Shira Hill. On day 3 you will reach an altitude of about 4 600 m at Lava Tower. The walk from Lava Tower to Barranco Hut (3 950 m) offers great photo opportunities of the awe-inspiring Western Breach and Breach Wall. Barranco Hut is located in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Walls. After ascending the almost vertical Barranco Wall to an altitude of about 4 200 m, the footpath crosses through the south-western slopes to reach the Karranga Valley. From here you ascend a ridge along a footpath that leads to Barafu Hut (4 600 m). On a clear day The Saddle and Mawenzi (5 149 m) can be seen to the east. At around midnight you'll head up the South East Valley towards Stella Point on the crater rim and eventually reach Uhuru Peak (5 895 m). This stretch offers great views of Rebmann, Decken, Kersten and Heim Glaciers. From Uhuru Peak you can also see Furtwangler Glacier and the Eastern Ice Fields. Above all, you will also be rewarded with just about the most beautiful African sunrise ever. If you choose to summit via Arrow Glacier, from Lava Tower you will ascend to Arrow Camp (4 800 m). Just before midnight you head up the Western Breach eventually reaching the crater rim - Kibo. The path continues past Furtwangler Glacier and the Crater campsite, to reach Uhuru Peak (5 895 m) you need to ascend a gradual slope that leads to the highest point on Kibo. Top
Umbwe Route Undoubtably the less utilised and shortest route to the Western Breach. This route makes the distances covered between camps shorter and avoids crowding experienced in some sites in season. An ascent to Kibo via the Umbwe Route is quite taxing, primarily due to the relatively fast ascent to higher altitudes, but the rewards are plentiful. Fewer people, pristine forest, greater chances of seeing wildlife and bird life in the lower levels, and shorter walking distances make it a great option for fit hikers. There are two main ascents on the Umbwe Route, via Barafu Hut or Arrow Glacier. Although both of these options can be done in 5 days, a 6-day hike is recommended for correct acclimatisation. From the Umbwe Gate (1 700 m) you will walk through the spectacular forest to camp 1 - Bivouac 1 (2 900 m). The path generally keeps to a narrow ridge crest between the Lonzo River on the west and the Umbwe on the east. Altitude is gained quickly with some spectacular views of deep gorges, and if you are lucky glimpses of Kilimanjaro towering above you in the distance. Camp 2 on this route is Bivouac No 2 (3 780 m), if youre feeling strong, then you may continue to Barranco Hut (3 950 m). The path is fairly steep through the forest, heading along a sharp ridge before it flattens as you approach Barranco Hut in the moorland zone. A fairly long and strenuous day, you will now start to feel the symptoms of altitude. Top
Rongai Route
Machame Route Without a doubt, this is the most scenic route on Kilimanjaro. The path starts at the Machame Gate (1 800 m) and heads into the pristine forest eventually reaching camp 1 - Machame Hut (3 000 m). From camp there are views of Meru Peak and the Western Breach of Kilimanjaro. The path from Machame Hut to Shira Hut (3 840 m) heads into the moorland and offers great views of the Shira Needle, Shira Cathedral and East Shira Hill. On day 3 you will reach an altitude of about 4 600 m at Lava Tower. The walk from Lava Tower to Barranco Hut (3 950 m) offers great photo opportunities of the awe-inspiring Western Breach and Breach Wall. Barranco Hut is located in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Walls. After ascending the almost vertical Barranco Wall to an altitude of about 4 200 m, the footpath crosses through the south-western slopes to reach the Karranga Valley. From here you ascend a ridge along a footpath that leads to Barafu Hut (4 600 m). On a clear day The Saddle and Mawenzi (5 149 m) can be seen to the east. At around midnight you'll head up the South East Valley towards Stella Point on the crater rim and eventually reach Uhuru Peak (5 895 m). This stretch offers great views of Rebmann, Decken, Kersten and Heim Glaciers. From Uhuru Peak you can also see Furtwangler Glacier and the Eastern Ice Fields. Above all, you will also be rewarded with just about the most beautiful African sunrise ever. If you choose to summit via Arrow Glacier, from Lava Tower you will ascend to Arrow Camp (4 800 m). Just before midnight you head up the Western Breach eventually reaching the crater rim - Kibo. The path continues past Furtwangler Glacier and the Crater campsite, to reach Uhuru Peak (5 895 m) you need to ascend a gradual slope that leads to the highest point on Kibo. Top
Umbwe Route Undoubtably the less utilised and shortest route to the Western Breach. This route makes the distances covered between camps shorter and avoids crowding experienced in some sites in season. An ascent to Kibo via the Umbwe Route is quite taxing, primarily due to the relatively fast ascent to higher altitudes, but the rewards are plentiful. Fewer people, pristine forest, greater chances of seeing wildlife and bird life in the lower levels, and shorter walking distances make it a great option for fit hikers. There are two main ascents on the Umbwe Route, via Barafu Hut or Arrow Glacier. Although both of these options can be done in 5 days, a 6-day hike is recommended for correct acclimatisation. From the Umbwe Gate (1 700 m) you will walk through the spectacular forest to camp 1 - Bivouac 1 (2 900 m). The path generally keeps to a narrow ridge crest between the Lonzo River on the west and the Umbwe on the east. Altitude is gained quickly with some spectacular views of deep gorges, and if you are lucky glimpses of Kilimanjaro towering above you in the distance. Camp 2 on this route is Bivouac No 2 (3 780 m), if youre feeling strong, then you may continue to Barranco Hut (3 950 m). The path is fairly steep through the forest, heading along a sharp ridge before it flattens as you approach Barranco Hut in the moorland zone. A fairly long and strenuous day, you will now start to feel the symptoms of altitude. Top
Rongai Route
This is undoubtedly one of the least
utilised routes on Kilimanjaro; you will
camp expedition style in high altitude
tents. The route starts at the Rongai
Parks Gate (2 000 m) and follows a well
defined path leading through a
plantation and maize fields eventually
reaching the rain forest. There is a
wide variety of trees to see when
trekking through this narrow band of
forest before reaching camp 1 Simba Camp
(2 850 m), this camp is situated on the
upper borders of the rain forest belt.
There is a possibility of encountering
wildlife in the form of Lion, Buffalo
and Elephant; an armed ranger will
escort hikers on their second day to
Second Cave (3 450m). Day 2 presents
gorgeous views of Mawenzi (5 149 m) and
the north-eastern slopes of Kilimanjaro.
Mawenzi and Kibo will dominated the sky
line until you reach camp 2 - Kikelewa
Camp (3 600 m). Expect temperatures to
drop below freezing with a possibility
of frost in the mornings. An extra day
for acclimatisation is highly
recommended, on this day you will hike
to the picturesque Tarn Hut (4 330m),
this camp has a fresh spring water lake
and is located on the lower slopes of
Mawenzi swimming in the lake is strictly
prohibited. As you proceed along in a
westerly direction, youll reach a high
point above a ridge that offers stunning
views of The Saddle and the
south-eastern slopes of Kilimanjaro. The
steep scree path ascending to Gillmans
Point (5 685 m) is also clearly visible.
This extra day is highly recommended and
can increase your chances of reaching
the summit.