1. Marangu Route – “Coca-Cola Route”

Days: 5-6
Difficulty: Medium
Scenery: Decent but less diverse
Success Rate: 50%-60%
Accommodation: Huts (Only route with huts)
Crowds: High

Pros:

• Shortest route (faster ascent)
• Hut accommodations (no tents needed)

Cons:

• Lower success rate (rapid ascent = less acclimatization)
• Very busy and commercialized

Best for: Budget climbers who prefer hut accommodations.

2. Machame Route – “Whiskey Route”

Days: 6-7
Difficulty: Challenging
Scenery: Beautiful & diverse
Success Rate: 70%-85%
Accommodation: Camping
Crowds: High

Pros:

• Stunning scenery (forests, moorlands, glaciers)
• Better acclimatization with climb high, sleep low strategy

Cons:

• Steeper and more demanding than Marangu
• Can get crowded

Best for: Adventurers looking for a scenic and moderately challenging climb.

3. Lemosho Route – Best for Acclimatization

Days: 7-9
Difficulty: Moderate
Scenery: Spectacular (Rainforest, Shira Plateau, Barranco Wall)
Success Rate: 85%-90%
Accommodation: Camping
Crowds: Medium

Pros:

• High success rate due to gradual acclimatization
• Breathtaking landscapes and fewer crowds at the start

Cons:

• Slightly more expensive due to longer duration
• Remote starting point requires extra transport

Best for: First-time climbers who want the best chance of success.

4. Rongai Route – Least Crowded

Days: 6-7
Difficulty: Moderate
Scenery: Good but less varied
Success Rate: 70%-80%
Accommodation: Camping
Crowds: Low

Pros:

• Less rain (best for climbing during wet seasons)
• Remote, less crowded experience

Cons:

• Less scenic than Machame or Lemosho
• Steeper final ascent

Best for: Climbers looking for a quieter and drier route.

5. Northern Circuit – Longest but Easiest Route

Days: 8-9
Difficulty: Easy (due to gradual ascent)
Scenery: Stunning (360° views around Kilimanjaro)
Success Rate: 90%-95%
Accommodation: Camping
Crowds: Very Low

Pros:

• Highest success rate due to slow ascent
• Most scenic route with panoramic views
• Avoids crowded trails

Cons:

• Most expensive due to longer duration
• Requires more time and planning

Best for: Climbers who want maximum acclimatization and fewer crowds.

6. Shira Route – Similar to Lemosho but Harder

Days: 7-8
Difficulty: Challenging
Scenery: Excellent
Success Rate: 75%-85%
Accommodation: Camping
Crowds: Low

Pros:

• Scenic route similar to Lemosho
• Lower crowd levels

Cons:

• Starts at higher altitude (3,600m), increasing risk of altitude sickness
• More difficult compared to Lemosho

Best for: Experienced trekkers with good altitude adaptation.

7. Umbwe Route – Toughest & Steepest

Days: 5-6
Difficulty: Very Hard
Scenery: Good
Success Rate: 40%-50%
Accommodation: Camping
Crowds: Very Low

Pros:

• Shortest and most direct route
• Offers a real mountaineering challenge

Cons:

• Very steep & fast ascent (highest risk of altitude sickness)
• Low success rate

Best for: Experienced mountaineers looking for a technical and extreme challenge.