Find your Kilimanjaro route

Lemosho Route

Western approach · 7–8 days · Level 3 of 5

Lemosho begins on the quiet western side, crosses the Shira Plateau over two days and joins the southern circuit near Barranco. Its length is the point — the extra days are what let your body catch up with the altitude.

Comes down via Mweka Gate. Camps and altitudes from our 8 Days Lemosho Route itinerary.

1. Londorossi Gate 2,100 m
2. Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp 2,650 m
3. Shira 1 Camp 3,610 m
4. Shira 2 Camp 3,850 m
5. Lava Tower
6. Barranco Camp 3,900 m
7. Karanga Camp 3,995 m
8. Barafu Camp 4,673 m
9. Uhuru Peak 5,895 m
10. Mweka Camp (descent) 3,100 m
11. Mweka Gate (descent) 1,640 m

Machame Route

Southern approach · 6–7 days · Level 4 of 5

Machame climbs steeply out of the rainforest on the southern side and follows a varied, scenic line around the mountain. Its profile naturally forces climb-high-sleep-low days, which helps; its crowds and its shorter itineraries do not.

Comes down via Mweka Gate. Camps and altitudes from our 7 Days Machame Route itinerary.

1. Machame Gate 1,800 m
2. Machame Camp 3,000 m
3. Shira Camp 3,840 m
4. Lava Tower
5. Barranco Camp 3,900 m
6. Karanga Camp 3,995 m
7. Barafu Camp 4,673 m
8. Uhuru Peak 5,895 m
9. Mweka Camp (descent) 3,100 m
10. Mweka Gate (descent) 1,640 m

Shira Route

Western approach · 7–8 days · Level 3 of 5

Shira approaches from the west across the same plateau as Lemosho, but the road takes you high before you take a step. That saves a day of walking and costs you the gentlest part of the acclimatisation.

Comes down via Mweka Gate. Camps and altitudes from our 7 Days Shira Route itinerary.

1. Shira Gate 3,400 m
2. Shira 1 Camp 3,610 m
3. Shira 2 Camp 3,850 m
4. Lava Tower
5. Barranco Camp 3,900 m
6. Karanga Camp 3,995 m
7. Barafu Camp 4,673 m
8. Uhuru Peak 5,895 m
9. Mweka Camp (descent) 3,100 m
10. Mweka Gate (descent) 1,640 m

Northern Circuit Route

Western approach · 8–9 days · Level 3 of 5

The Northern Circuit starts on Lemosho, then swings around the rarely walked northern slopes before approaching the summit from the east. It is the only route that shows you the mountain from all four sides.

Comes down via Mweka Gate. Camps and altitudes from our 9 Days Northern Circuit Route itinerary.

1. Londorossi Gate 2,100 m
2. Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp 2,650 m
3. Shira 1 Camp 3,610 m
4. Moir Hut Camp 4,200 m
5. Buffalo Camp 4,020 m
6. Third Cave Camp 3,870 m
7. School Hut 4,750 m
8. Uhuru Peak 5,895 m
9. Millennium Camp (descent) 3,820 m
10. Mweka Camp (descent) 3,100 m
11. Mweka Gate (descent) 1,640 m

Rongai Route

Northern approach · 6–7 days · Level 3 of 5

Rongai climbs the northern side near the Kenyan border, through terrain that is drier and more open than the southern rainforest, before joining the Marangu descent.

Comes down via Marangu Gate. Camps and altitudes from our 7 Days Rongai Route itinerary.

1. Nalemuru Gate 1,950 m
2. Simba Camp 2,625 m
3. Second Cave Camp 3,450 m
4. Kikelewa Caves 3,600 m
5. Mawenzi Tarn Camp 4,330 m
6. Kibo Hut 4,700 m
7. Uhuru Peak 5,895 m
8. Horombo Hut (descent) 3,720 m
9. Marangu Gate (descent) 1,860 m

Marangu Route

Eastern approach · 5–6 days · Level 3 of 5

Marangu is the oldest route on the mountain and the only one where you sleep in shared dormitory huts rather than tents. It is also the shortest, which is precisely why its reputation is mixed.

Comes down by the same trail. Camps and altitudes from our 6 Days Marangu Route itinerary.

1. Marangu Gate 1,860 m
2. Mandara Hut 2,720 m
3. Horombo Hut 3,720 m
4. Kibo Hut 4,700 m
5. Uhuru Peak 5,895 m

Umbwe Route

Southern approach · 6–7 days · Level 5 of 5

Umbwe climbs a narrow forested ridge on the southern side, gaining height fast. It is beautiful and quiet, and it is the least forgiving profile on Kilimanjaro.

Comes down via Mweka Gate. Camps and altitudes from our 6 Days Umbwe Route itinerary.

1. Umbwe Gate 1,600 m
2. Umbwe Cave Camp 2,850 m
3. Barranco Camp 3,900 m
4. Karanga Camp 3,995 m
5. Barafu Camp 4,673 m
6. Uhuru Peak 5,895 m
7. Mweka Camp (descent) 3,100 m
8. Mweka Gate (descent) 1,640 m