Duration: 7-8 days
Difficulty: Moderate
Scenery and Environment: Known for its beauty, the Lemosho route starts in the rainforest and ascends to the Shira Plateau, offering breathtaking views of the mountain’s upper reaches.
Popularity: Fairly popular, but not as crowded as Machame.
Advantages: Lemosho provides a good balance of time for acclimatization, and it features stunning vistas along the way.

Duration: 6 days
Difficulty: Challenging
Scenery and Environment: This is one of the steepest and shortest routes, beginning in a dense rainforest. Umbwe is known for its dramatic landscape, with rugged terrain and fewer distractions.
Popularity: One of the more challenging and less-traveled routes.
Advantages: Great for experienced climbers who are looking for a challenge and less crowd interference.

Duration: 5-6 days
Difficulty: Moderate
Scenery and Environment: Often referred to as the "Coca-Cola" route, Marangu is the only route on Mount Kilimanjaro that offers hut accommodations, which sets it apart from the rest that typically require camping. The trek begins in the lush tropical rainforest and ascends through alpine meadows before reaching the barren, rocky landscape near the summit. Along the way, you'll encounter stunning views of glaciers and icefields at the top, but it lacks the dramatic variety of ecosystems found in some other routes. The route is relatively direct and has fewer challenging sections compared to others like Umbwe, making it accessible to a wide range of trekkers.
Popularity: The Marangu route is one of the most popular routes for climbers due to its ease and shorter duration. It’s a great option for those who want to summit Kilimanjaro with a comfortable and straightforward climb, but it can sometimes be crowded because of its popularity.

Advantages:

Hut Accommodation: Unlike other routes, which require camping, Marangu offers the comfort of staying in huts at each campsite, making it ideal for trekkers who prefer not to sleep in tents.
Shortest Route: Marangu is one of the quickest ways to summit Kilimanjaro, with most climbers completing it in 5-6 days.
Moderate Difficulty: Although the route can be challenging due to its steep sections, it is generally considered more accessible than some of the other routes like Umbwe or Machame.
Great for Beginners: Due to its shorter duration and hut-based accommodation, Marangu is a good choice for climbers who are new to high-altitude treks and want a relatively moderate experience.

Duration: 6-7 days
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Scenery and Environment: Often called the "Whiskey" route (in contrast to Marangu's "Coca-Cola" route), Machame offers a more rugged and scenic experience. The trek begins in the lush rainforests of the lower slopes and climbs through a variety of ecosystems, including heath and moorland zones, before transitioning into the alpine desert at higher elevations. The Machame route provides dramatic views of Kilimanjaro's southern face, with vistas of glaciers, volcanic landscapes, and the expansive plains below. The variety of ecosystems and spectacular panoramic views make this one of the most scenic routes on the mountain.
Popularity: Machame is one of the most popular routes due to its beautiful scenery and varied terrain, as well as its higher summit success rate. Though it can get busy, especially during peak seasons, it is still less crowded than the Marangu route.

Advantages:

Scenic Beauty: The Machame route offers some of the most spectacular views of Kilimanjaro. Climbers pass through lush forests, alpine meadows, and the eerie alpine desert on the way to the summit. This route is perfect for those who want to experience a diverse range of landscapes.
Better Acclimatization: The Machame route is a longer trek, allowing climbers to acclimatize more effectively as they ascend in a gradual, winding manner. The "climb high, sleep low" approach is an important acclimatization strategy that helps reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
Higher Success Rate: Due to its longer duration and the opportunity to adjust to the altitude, the Machame route has a higher summit success rate compared to the Marangu route.
Variety of Experiences: With multiple ecosystems, varied terrain, and breathtaking views, Machame offers a more rewarding trekking experience for those looking to explore Kilimanjaro's diverse landscapes.

The Rongai Route is one of the routes for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. This route is known for being less crowded compared to others like the Marangu and Machame routes, offering a more remote and quiet experience. It is also one of the few routes that ascend the mountain from the north, starting in Rongai Village, near the Kenyan border.
Key Features of the Rongai Route:
Scenic and Remote: The Rongai route is famous for its stunning landscapes, including forests, moorlands, and alpine deserts. It's also the only route that offers views of the Kenyan side of the mountain.
Duration: The trek typically lasts between 6-7 days, though it can be done in 5 days for more experienced hikers. The longer duration helps with acclimatization and increases the chances of successfully reaching the summit.
Trek Difficulty: This route is considered to be moderate in difficulty, though it is still a challenging climb. It is typically favored by those who want a quieter experience, but it still requires physical preparation, especially at higher altitudes.
Altitude and Acclimatization: The Rongai route takes a more gradual ascent, making it better for acclimatization than some steeper routes. However, altitude sickness can still be a risk, and climbers are encouraged to take it slow and follow proper acclimatization practices.
Descent: On the way down, climbers often descend via the Marangu Route. This combination provides an opportunity to experience two different routes and landscapes on Kilimanjaro.
Wildlife: The Rongai route offers a better chance of encountering wildlife, such as monkeys and various bird species, particularly in the early stages of the climb when you're still passing through the forest zone.

The Shira Route is another route for ascending Mount Kilimanjaro, but it is one of the less common paths for climbers. The route starts from the Shira Plateau on the western side of the mountain, near the town of Moshi. The Shira Route is one of the older routes, often used by experienced climbers seeking to acclimatize and enjoy a more scenic, isolated experience.

Key Features of the Shira Route:

Starting Point:
The route begins at Shira Gate, which is located at a high altitude (about 3,600 meters / 11,800 feet). This gives the climbers an immediate head start in terms of altitude compared to other routes like the Marangu or Machame routes.
Trek Difficulty:
The Shira Route is considered to be challenging due to its high starting point and steep terrain. It requires good physical conditioning and proper acclimatization, as the first few days involve a significant altitude gain.
Duration:
Typically, the Shira Route is completed in 6-7 days. It’s important to spend enough time acclimatizing, especially since you start higher than on other routes, which can increase the risk of altitude sickness if proper acclimatization is not followed.
Scenic Views:
This route offers some of the most beautiful and panoramic views of Kilimanjaro. Climbers pass through a variety of ecosystems, including the lush moorlands, alpine deserts, and rocky highlands, with spectacular vistas of the surrounding landscapes. The Shira Plateau is especially noted for its breathtaking views and serene environment.
Acclimatization:
While the Shira Route starts at a higher elevation, the gradual nature of the trek once on the plateau helps with acclimatization. However, the initial climb to the plateau can be strenuous. It’s essential to pace yourself and take it slowly to prevent altitude sickness.
Descent:
Like other routes, many climbers descend via the Mweka Route, which offers a different experience and landscape on the way down. Some climbers may also choose to descend via the Marangu Route, which is easier but more crowded.
Less Crowded:
The Shira Route is less trafficked compared to more popular routes like Marangu and Machame, providing a more secluded and tranquil climbing experience.
Wildlife:
The lower altitudes of the route might offer a chance to spot wildlife, including birds, monkeys, and other species, especially as you begin the trek through the forest zone.
Key Challenges:
High Starting Altitude: Since the trek begins at a higher altitude than routes like Machame, it can make acclimatization more challenging. Climbers need to be cautious about altitude sickness, especially in the first few days.
Rugged Terrain: Some parts of the route are rough and uneven, with rocky paths and sections that require a bit of scrambling.