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Kilimanjaro Climb
Rising to 5,895 metres above sea level, Mount Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania is Africa's highest peak and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. Eight officially recognised trails wind through five distinct climate zones — rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, and arctic summit — each offering a different pace, view, and chance of reaching Uhuru Peak.
Machame Route
The "Whiskey Route" — scenic, well-trodden, and built for strong acclimatization through rainforest, moorland, and the dramatic Barranco Wall.
View ItineraryLemosho Route
Remote and quiet, crossing the wide Shira Plateau before joining Machame — widely regarded as having the highest summit success rate.
View ItineraryMarangu Route
The "Coca-Cola Route" — the only path with hut accommodation throughout, but its shorter itinerary means less time to acclimatize.
View ItineraryRongai Route
Approaching from the Kenyan border side, quieter trails and drier conditions year-round make this a reliable dry-season choice.
View ItineraryUmbwe Route
The steepest and most direct line up the mountain — a demanding, low-traffic route best suited to experienced, well-acclimatized climbers.
View ItineraryNorthern Circuit
The longest and least travelled route, circling the quiet northern and eastern slopes for the most gradual ascent and the highest success rate of all.
View ItineraryShira Route
A close cousin of Lemosho that starts at higher altitude by vehicle — fewer crowds, expansive plateau views, and a slightly steeper start.
View ItineraryCrater Camp Route
A rare, guide-intensive itinerary that scrambles the Western Breach to sleep beside Kilimanjaro's ash pit before a short summit push at dawn.
View ItineraryKnow Before You Go
Kilimanjaro Summit Success Calculator
Route length and personal fitness are the two biggest factors in reaching Uhuru Peak. Answer a few quick questions for an estimate of your summit chances.
Gear Up Right
What to Pack to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
A Kilimanjaro trek carries you through five climatic zones in a single week — from warm tropical forest at the gate to arctic summit conditions where night temperatures fall to around −15°C (5°F). Weather can turn from bright sunshine to wind and rain within the hour, so proper layering, footwear, and a sleeping bag rated for sub-zero nights aren't optional extras — they're what get you to Uhuru Peak comfortably.
Prepare Your Body
How Should I Train to Climb Kilimanjaro?
No technical mountaineering skill is required, but a moderate baseline of fitness makes every day on the mountain more enjoyable — and safer.
Cardio Base
Build toward running 5km (3 miles) comfortably, three times a week, for at least eight weeks before departure.
Long Hikes
Practice back-to-back days on your feet — aim for a 10km (6+ mile) hike with a loaded daypack most weekends.
Strength & Stairs
Add stair climbs, step-ups, and leg strength work to prepare for sustained daily elevation gain.
Cross-Training
Swimming and cycling build aerobic capacity without the joint strain of daily running.
Climb Safely
Altitude Sickness and the Dangers of Climbing Kilimanjaro
The biggest risk on Kilimanjaro is Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), caused by ascending faster than the body can adjust to falling oxygen levels. In rare, severe cases it can progress to high-altitude cerebral or pulmonary edema — both life-threatening.
AMS is largely preventable. A 7-day-or-longer itinerary, a slow pace, and good hydration remove most of the risk.
Guides trained to recognize early symptoms and act decisively matter just as much as the route itself — ask any operator whether their crew carries supplemental oxygen, pulse oximeters, and a full medical kit on every climb.
- 01 Choose a 7–8 day itinerary — the single biggest factor in avoiding AMS.
- 02 Walk slowly ("pole pole") and follow the climb-high, sleep-low principle.
- 03 Drink 3–4 litres of water a day to support acclimatization.
- 04 Report any headache, nausea, or dizziness to your guide immediately.
- 05 Travel with guides trained as Wilderness First Responders.
- 06 Confirm your operator carries oxygen and a full medical kit on every trek.
Choose Your Path
Best Kilimanjaro Routes for Climbers
Machame Route
Known as the "Whiskey Route," Machame is popular for its scenic variety, moving from rainforest to alpine desert and crossing the dramatic Barranco Wall. The 7-day option gives noticeably better acclimatization than the 6-day.
Lemosho Route
Starting on Kilimanjaro's remote western side, Lemosho crosses the wide Shira Plateau before joining Machame near Lava Tower. Its gradual profile gives it the highest summit success rate of any route.
Marangu Route
The "Coca-Cola Route" is the only path with hut accommodation throughout the climb, sleeping in shared wooden huts rather than tents. It also follows the same trail on the way up and down.
Rongai Route
The only route approaching from the northern, Kenyan-border side of the mountain, Rongai runs through quiet pine forest with far fewer climbers and drier conditions — a strong choice during the rainy season.
Umbwe Route
The steepest, most direct line up the mountain, Umbwe climbs quickly through beautiful rainforest — home to colobus and blue monkeys — before merging with Machame. Best suited to experienced, well-acclimatized trekkers.
Northern Circuit
The longest and newest route on the mountain, circling the quiet northern and eastern slopes before summiting. Its gradual ascent profile gives it the highest success rate of any Kilimanjaro route.