The short answer
- Best all round
- Lemosho, 8 days
- Most popular
- Machame, 7 days
- Huts not tents
- Marangu, 6 days
- Quietest
- Northern Circuit, 9 days
Seven official routes climb Kilimanjaro, and they differ more than you might expect: in scenery, in crowds, in whether you sleep in tents or huts, and above all in how well they help you acclimatise. The route and the number of days decide your chance of reaching the summit far more than your fitness.
The routes at a glance
| Route | Days | Sleeping | Scenery | Crowds | Acclimatisation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemosho | 7 to 8 | Tents | Excellent | Quiet, then busy | Very good |
| Machame | 6 to 7 | Tents | Excellent | Busy | Good |
| Northern Circuit | 8 to 9 | Tents | Excellent | Very quiet | Best |
| Rongai | 6 to 7 | Tents | Good | Quiet | Good |
| Marangu | 5 to 6 | Huts | Good | Moderate | Fair |
| Umbwe | 6 to 7 | Tents | Very good | Quiet | Poor (steep) |
| Shira | 6 to 7 | Tents | Very good | Quiet | Poor (starts high) |
Most routes come down the Mweka route; Marangu climbers descend the way they came.
The five most climbed routes
Machame
Most popular- Days
- 6 or 7
- Sleeping
- Tents
- Scenery
- Excellent
- Crowds
- Busy
The "Whiskey route": scenic and good for acclimatisation thanks to the Lava Tower day, but busy. Choose 7 days rather than 6.
Lemosho
Best all round- Days
- 7 or 8
- Sleeping
- Tents
- Scenery
- Excellent
- Crowds
- Quiet at first
Starts on the remote west side through rainforest and the Shira Plateau, then joins Machame. The 8 day version has some of the best summit success rates.
Marangu
Huts- Days
- 5 or 6
- Sleeping
- Huts with bunks
- Scenery
- Good
- Crowds
- Moderate
The only route with huts. Gentle gradients make it look easy, but it goes up and down the same path and the 5 day version has low success rates. Take the 6 day version.
Rongai
Drier side- Days
- 6 or 7
- Sleeping
- Tents
- Scenery
- Good
- Crowds
- Quiet
Approaches from the north near the Kenyan border, the drier side of the mountain, so a good choice in the rainy months. Less varied scenery.
Northern Circuit
Longest- Days
- 8 or 9
- Sleeping
- Tents
- Scenery
- Excellent
- Crowds
- Very quiet
Circles the quiet northern slopes for the longest acclimatisation of any route and the best success rates, at a higher price.
Profiles are approximate and drawn to the same scale (1,500 to 6,000 m, a dotted line every 1,000 m), so a taller line means higher ground. The red dot is the highest point.
Which route suits you?
What matters most?
Choose an answer to see what we recommend.
See all 6 recommendationsHide the list
- Best chance of the summit: Lemosho (8 days) or the Northern Circuit
- Long, gradual routes with the climb high, sleep low profile that helps you acclimatise.
- Scenery: Lemosho or Machame
- Rainforest, the Shira Plateau, Lava Tower and the Barranco Wall, with views of the glaciers.
- A bed in a hut: Marangu (6 days)
- The only route with huts and bunks. Take the 6 day version for a better chance.
- Climbing in the rainy season: Rongai
- The north side is the driest part of the mountain.
- Avoiding crowds: Northern Circuit or Rongai
- Far fewer climbers than Machame, especially in peak season.
- Lowest price: Machame (7 days)
- Cheaper than Lemosho because the gate is closer to Moshi, with similar scenery. Avoid the 6 day version.
What about the Barranco Wall?
On Machame, Lemosho and Umbwe you climb the Barranco Wall on the morning after Barranco Camp: a 250 metre scramble where you sometimes use your hands. It looks intimidating from below but is not technical, and most climbers enjoy it. Porters carry everything up the same path.
Tip: Whatever the route, ask your operator how many days they recommend for you and whether they add an acclimatisation day. An extra day costs a few hundred dollars and noticeably improves your chance of the summit.
Rather have a trip to Tanzania made just for you?
Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest route up Kilimanjaro?
No route is easy, because of the altitude. Marangu and Rongai have the gentlest gradients; Lemosho and the Northern Circuit give the best acclimatisation, which often matters more.
Which Kilimanjaro route has the best success rate?
The longest routes: the 9 day Northern Circuit and the 8 day Lemosho. Operators commonly report 85 to 95% summit success on them.
Is Machame or Lemosho better?
Lemosho is quieter at the start and usually a day longer, which helps acclimatisation. Machame is cheaper and more popular. From day 3 they follow the same trail.
Can you climb Kilimanjaro in 5 days?
On Marangu, yes, but it is too fast for most people and success rates are low. Choose at least six days, ideally seven or eight.
Tanzania month by month
More Tanzania guides
Best time to visit Tanzania: safari, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar by month
June to October is the best time for most of Tanzania: dry safaris, good climbing on Kilimanjaro and sunny Zanzibar. January and February are a second high season, with calving in the southern Serengeti. Avoid April and May, the long rains.
Updated 16 October 2026
How much does a Tanzania safari cost? Prices, park fees and a calculator
Expect about US$250 to 350 per person per day for a budget camping safari, US$400 to 700 mid range and US$900 or more for luxury, including park fees. Fees alone add about US$150 a day in the Serengeti once the nightly concession fee is included.
Updated 16 October 2026
The Great Migration in Tanzania: where to see it month by month
The herds spend about ten months a year in Tanzania. Stay around Ndutu for calving in January and February, the Western Corridor in June, and the northern Serengeti near Kogatende for Mara River crossings from July to October.
Updated 16 October 2026
Tanzania safari itineraries: 3, 5, 7 and 10 days
Every northern safari starts in Arusha. Three days covers Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater, five adds the Serengeti, seven is the classic northern circuit, and ten adds Zanzibar or the far north of the Serengeti.
Updated 16 October 2026