Climb Mount Kilimanjaro
Six routes. One summit. The right route can make all the difference.
KINAPA-certified guides
Altitude monitoring
Emergency oxygen
Full mountain crew
At 5,895 metres, Kilimanjaro rewards preparation more than bravado. The route you choose determines how quickly you gain altitude, how much time your body has to adjust, what the trail feels like, and how many days you spend on the mountain.
Mujuni climbs Kilimanjaro via six established routes, with experienced mountain guides, a full support crew, and itineraries planned around one priority: giving you a safe, properly paced attempt at the summit.
Which Kilimanjaro route is right for you?
There is no single best route. The right choice depends on how many days you have, whether you have trekked at altitude before, how much you value quieter trails, and how much time you want to give your body to acclimatise.
| Route | Days | Acclimatisation | Trail | Best for | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marangu | 5-6 | Moderate | Popular, hut-based | Shorter schedules, hut accommodation, lower budget | $900 |
| Machame | 6-7 | Very good | Busier, highly scenic | First-time climbers wanting scenary and a strong ascent profile | $1,230 |
| Lemosho | 7-8 | Excellent | Scenic, quiter at the start | Climbers prioritising acclimatisation and longer mountain experience | $1,470 |
| Rongai | 6-7 | Good | Quieter, northern approach | Climbers wanting a less crowded trail | $1,230 |
| Northern Circuit | 9 | Excellent | Longest and quietest | Climbers giving themselves maximum time to acclimatise | $2,650 |
| Umbwe | 5-6 | Demanding | Steep, direct | Experienced trekkers comfortable with a rapid ascent | $1,230 |
See the climb day by day
Marangu Route
5–6 days · Hut accommodation · From $900
Marangu is the only major Kilimanjaro route where climbers sleep in mountain huts rather than tents. Its shorter schedule and lower starting price make it attractive, but fewer days also mean less time to adjust to altitude.
Day 1 — Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
Begin through Kilimanjaro’s rainforest and climb steadily to the first hut.
Day 2 — Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
Leave the forest behind and continue through heath and moorland towards Horombo.
Day 3 — Acclimatisation at Horombo
On the six-day version, use the extra day to climb higher during the day and return to Horombo to sleep lower.
Day 4 — Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
Cross the high saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo and reach the final hut before summit night.
Day 5 — Summit attempt and descent
Leave around midnight for Gilman’s Point and continue towards Uhuru Peak before descending to Horombo.
Machame Route
6–7 days · Camping · From $1,230
Machame combines varied scenery with a route profile that gives climbers more time to adjust than the shortest Marangu itinerary. It is also one of Kilimanjaro’s busier routes.
Day 1 — Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Climb through rainforest to the first camp.
Day 2 — Machame Camp to Shira
The forest thins as you gain altitude and reach the Shira zone.
Day 3 — Shira to Barranco via Lava Tower
Climb high during the day before descending to Barranco to sleep lower, an important acclimatisation day.
Day 4 — Barranco to Karanga
Cross the Barranco Wall and continue through the southern circuit.
Day 5 — Karanga to Barafu
Reach high camp and prepare for the overnight summit attempt.
Day 6 — Summit and descent
Climb through the night towards Stella Point and Uhuru Peak, then descend to lower camp.
Day 7 — Final descent
Return through the lower slopes to the park gate.
Lemosho Route
7–8 days · Camping · From $1,470
Lemosho begins on Kilimanjaro’s western side and takes longer to join the busier southern routes. The extra days make it one of the strongest options for climbers who want more time to acclimatise.
Days 1–2 — Western forest and Shira Plateau
Begin through the rainforest and climb gradually towards the open Shira Plateau.
Days 3–4 — Across the plateau and towards Lava Tower
Continue east while gaining and losing altitude as part of the acclimatisation profile.
Days 5–6 — Southern circuit
Traverse beneath Kibo, including Barranco and the higher camps.
Day 7 — Summit preparation
Reach the final high camp and rest before summit night.
Day 8 — Summit and descent
Climb to Uhuru Peak before beginning the descent.
Rongai Route
6–7 days · Camping · From $1,230
Rongai approaches Kilimanjaro from the north near the Kenyan border. It is generally quieter than the southern routes and suits climbers who value a less crowded trail.
Days 1–2 — Northern approach
Climb gradually through changing vegetation on the quieter side of the mountain.
Days 3–4 — Towards Mawenzi
Continue gaining altitude while using the route’s higher sections for acclimatisation.
Day 5 — Towards Kibo
Cross the alpine zone towards the summit camp.
Day 6 — Summit attempt
Climb through the night towards the crater rim and Uhuru Peak before descending.
Day 7 — Final descent
Finish the climb on the Marangu side.
Northern Circuit
9 days · Camping · From $2,650
The Northern Circuit is Kilimanjaro’s longest route. That is the point. It gives climbers more time to acclimatise while travelling around the quieter northern slopes before joining the summit approach.
Days 1–3 — Western approach and Shira Plateau
Climb gradually through the western side of the mountain.
Days 4–6 — Northern slopes
Continue around the quieter northern circuit, away from the busiest southern trails.
Days 7–8 — Towards summit camp
Complete the circuit and move towards the final high camp.
Day 9 — Summit and descent
Attempt Uhuru Peak before beginning the descent.
Umbwe Route
5–6 days · Camping · From $1,230
Umbwe is steep, direct and fast-gaining. It offers less time to adjust to altitude than the longer routes and is best considered by experienced trekkers rather than simply anyone looking for the toughest option.
Days 1–2 — Steep southern approach
Gain altitude quickly through forest and onto the higher slopes.
Days 3–4 — Join the southern circuit
Continue towards the higher camps and summit approach.
Day 5 — Summit preparation
Reach high camp and rest before the overnight attempt.
Day 6 — Summit and descent
Climb towards Uhuru Peak before beginning the descent.
Preparing for Kilimanjaro
Do I need previous climbing experience?
Not for the standard trekking routes. Kilimanjaro does not require technical mountaineering skills, but you should be comfortable walking for several hours on consecutive days and prepared for the effects of altitude.
How fit should I be?
You do not need to be an elite athlete. You do need enough endurance to spend several days walking uphill, including one very long summit day. Regular hiking, hill work and time on your feet are more useful preparation than training for speed.
What happens if I struggle with altitude?
Your guide monitors how you are feeling throughout the climb and adjusts the pace where necessary. Symptoms of altitude sickness are taken seriously, and if continuing is no longer safe, the correct response is to descend. Reaching the summit is the goal; getting everyone safely off the mountain is the responsibility.
What should I bring?
You will need proper trekking boots, warm layers, waterproof outerwear, gloves, a warm hat, headlamp, daypack, sun protection, water bottles or a hydration system and an appropriate sleeping bag. Mujuni reviews your equipment before the climb so obvious gaps can be dealt with before you reach the gate.
What’s included on every Mujuni Kilimanjaro climb
- Kilimanjaro National Park and conservation fees
- Certified mountain guide
- Porters and support crew
- Mountain cook and meals during the climb
- Camping or hut accommodation
- Tents and sleeping mattresses on camping routes
- Transfers to and from the mountain
- Rescue fees
- Drinking water
- Emergency oxygen
- Pulse oximeter monitoring
- First-aid equipment
- Government taxes
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
Not included
International flights. Travel insurance. Personal trekking equipment. Additional accommodation or meals outside the itinerary. Tips for guides, porters and cooks. Personal expenses.
Ready to choose your route?
You do not need to decide before speaking to us.