We offer all six officially sanctioned routes on Kilimanjaro however we do not recommend them all. Since 1st December 2007 the following routes can also be combined with the Western Breach assault route: Machame, Lemosho, Shira and Umbwe. Prior to requesting a Western Breach assault with us we request that climbers first visit our dedicated Western Breach website here.
Machame Route: our most popular route. Usually done in 6 or 7 days. Machame has one of the highest likelihoods of summit success due to the incorporation of the Lava Tower on day three which allows a climb high, sleep low difference on day three of 600 vertical metres. The assault is via Barafu which follows a firm ridge line most of the way to the top of the summit cone. The summit assault from Barafu (common to Lemosho, Shira, Machame and Umbwe) is much easier than the assault from Kibo Huts, which is used by the Marangu and traditional Rongai routes).
Rongai Route: Early in 2007 we pioneered our own 7 day Rongai Route. The route affords as much as 900m worth of climb high, sleep low on day 4 - the greatest differential of any route - and also switches to the easier assault option of Barafu, by traversing the Mawenzi-Kibo saddle along the South Summit Circuit. On 27th December 2007 our 20th expedition on this new route successfully summitted Kilimanjaro and we are now delighted to be able to recommend the TK 7 Rongai Route as a thoroughly tried and tested route variation that we believe offers the greatest likelihood of summit success of all six routes and their variants on the mountain.
Our unique 7 day Rongai Route affords some rare views of Kibo from the east and is the quietest of all the routes because unlike the conventional Rongai Route we don’t have to share the Marangu Route from day 4 as we use the gentlest approach to high camp possible, along a trail that no other companies make use of. Undoubtedly the best of both worlds, the route is an excellent choice for all except those climbers booking alone or in small groups and who wish to join larger groups. Descent is via the Marangu Route.
Lemosho Route: this is simply a variation on the Machame Route that intersects at Shira Camp. Lemosho typically lasts a day longer because of the distance involved with crossing the Shira Plateau. Access to the route is difficult with very few vehicles making it all the way to the start point. Climbers should be prepared to add a couple of kilometres to the route, especially during the wet season. The main advantages are that days 1 and 2 are comparatively quiet and the trail passes through forest whose wildlife is the least disturbed of all the routes. Colobus monkey and small antelope sightings are therefore common.
Umbwe Route: the shortest and steepest ascent route for days 1 and 2, and with the lowest start point. No pro-acclimatisation features until after the Breach Wall. Mountain Sickness is therefore frequent on this route even before reaching 4,000m. Joins the Machame Route to the summit from Barranco Camp. A raw route that is not as developed as other routes and therefore is usually quite quiet. Please be cautious about deciding on this route if you have not been to altitude before and don’t know how you are going to respond.
Marangu Route: almost no acclimatisation features whatever and with a very long and difficult summit assault up a loose scree slope. A very low success rate and frequent Mountain Sickness and therefore not recommended. Accommodation is in huts. Dining is often crowded and noisy and one often has to queue to get a table. Only recommended for people who are not serious about summitting and who are averse to using tents.
Shira Route: another variation on the Machame Route intersecting at Shira Camp. This route is essentially the vehicle evacuation route for sick and wounded climbers who have to give up before crossing the Breach Wall east of Barranco Camp. It is possible to drive a vehicle to 3,760m to within 30 minutes of the day two camp. Not recommended as walking along a road for two days detracts from the wilderness experience.
Machame Route: our most popular route. Usually done in 6 or 7 days. Machame has one of the highest likelihoods of summit success due to the incorporation of the Lava Tower on day three which allows a climb high, sleep low difference on day three of 600 vertical metres. The assault is via Barafu which follows a firm ridge line most of the way to the top of the summit cone. The summit assault from Barafu (common to Lemosho, Shira, Machame and Umbwe) is much easier than the assault from Kibo Huts, which is used by the Marangu and traditional Rongai routes).
Rongai Route: Early in 2007 we pioneered our own 7 day Rongai Route. The route affords as much as 900m worth of climb high, sleep low on day 4 -
Our unique 7 day Rongai Route affords some rare views of Kibo from the east and is the quietest of all the routes because unlike the conventional Rongai Route we don’t have to share the Marangu Route from day 4 as we use the gentlest approach to high camp possible, along a trail that no other companies make use of. Undoubtedly the best of both worlds, the route is an excellent choice for all except those climbers booking alone or in small groups and who wish to join larger groups. Descent is via the Marangu Route.
Lemosho Route: this is simply a variation on the Machame Route that intersects at Shira Camp. Lemosho typically lasts a day longer because of the distance involved with crossing the Shira Plateau. Access to the route is difficult with very few vehicles making it all the way to the start point. Climbers should be prepared to add a couple of kilometres to the route, especially during the wet season. The main advantages are that days 1 and 2 are comparatively quiet and the trail passes through forest whose wildlife is the least disturbed of all the routes. Colobus monkey and small antelope sightings are therefore common.
Umbwe Route: the shortest and steepest ascent route for days 1 and 2, and with the lowest start point. No pro-
Marangu Route: almost no acclimatisation features whatever and with a very long and difficult summit assault up a loose scree slope. A very low success rate and frequent Mountain Sickness and therefore not recommended. Accommodation is in huts. Dining is often crowded and noisy and one often has to queue to get a table. Only recommended for people who are not serious about summitting and who are averse to using tents.
Shira Route: another variation on the Machame Route intersecting at Shira Camp. This route is essentially the vehicle evacuation route for sick and wounded climbers who have to give up before crossing the Breach Wall east of Barranco Camp. It is possible to drive a vehicle to 3,760m to within 30 minutes of the day two camp. Not recommended as walking along a road for two days detracts from the wilderness experience.