Climbing
Kilimanjaro - Routes in Brief
There
are several routes available to climbers
on Kilimanjaro, each offering something
different in the way of scenery and
terrain. Adventure Kenya Safaris choose
to offer the routes that provide the
best possible chance for our clients
to reach the summit safely; as a bonus
these have the most varied and beautiful
scenery. We typically achieve over
95% success on our climbs.
Machame
Route – One of most and popular
featured routes
Taken as a six night climb Machame
is probably the most scenic and beautiful
route up Kilimanjaro, particularly
the traverse below the Western Breach.
Few people climb by this route affording
greater peace and exclusivity, and
comfortable private tented camps are
set up by your climbing team at each
campsite. The final ascent is via
Stella Point, the shorter of the routes
to Uhuru Peak, which allows our clients
a greater chance of success. Rates
1250 Joining and Private 1350US$ per
person
Lemosho
Route – One of Most recommended
featured routes
One of the longer routes with eight
nights on Kilimanjaro, the Lemosho
Route offers a very good chance of
success since your body gets a lot
of time to acclimatise to the altitude.
Even quieter than the Machame Route,
this route also uses private tented
camps that are set up by the climbing
team every day, and ascends via Stella
Point. This route has the highest
success rate of all thanks to spending
the most days on the climb. Rates
1700US$ per person
Marangu
Route.One of the easiest
and advised for young and Elderly
Although this is the shortest, least
expensive route up Kilimanjaro with
sleeping huts at every campsite, it
is the busiest and most developed
route with the hardest final climb
via Gilman’s Point. Limited
time for altitude acclimatisation
can mean a lower chance of success.Rates
1150 Joining and Private 1250US$ per
person
Rongai
Route - One of the best
for fit and all seasons trekking route
This route is logistically awkward,
starting on the northern, Kenyan,
side of Kilimanjaro. It is a steep
climb for the first couple of days,
with little in the way of attractive
scenery. The final climb is via Gillman’s
Point and the descent is by the Marangu
route, making it a relatively hard
and busy route. Rates
1350US$ per person
Umbwe
Route
- For ultimate
climbers and challengers to trekking
This route is one of the shorter but
more difficult routes to reach Uhuru
peak, with a particularly hard first
day’s climb. There is also little
in the way of scenery when compared
to the Machame and Lemosho routes,
and you do not see much of Kilimanjaro
itself. Rates
1510US$ per person
Mweka
Route
The Mweka route is used as a descent
from Kilimanjaro only.
Climbing
Kilimanjaro - Fitness
To climb Kilimanjaro you need to be
able to walk significant distances at
altitude over several days – the
detailed climb descriptions for the
Machame and Lemosho Routes will give
you the lengths of each day’s
walk. Physical fitness is only part
of the ‘Kilimanjaro test’;
determination and self discipline are
equally important to enable you to reach
the summit, as the altitude is felt
by everyone whether they are fit or
not. To cope with and adjust to the
altitude it is vital to walk or climb
as slowly as you can, and take your
time to enjoy the flora, fauna and scenery
as you go.
We
recommend that in most cases you will
need to do some training before arriving
in Tanzania including practicing with
the kit you aim to use on the climb
and ensuring that your footwear is comfortable
and does not rub.
Climbing
Kilimanjaro - Seasons
East Africa’s rainy seasons typically
fall in April, May and November. Whilst
it is possible to climb Mount Kilimanjaro
almost year round, the weather conditions
can make a big difference to your experience
– notably the level of comfort
and success rates.
