Marangu Route: 5-6 days trek
Known as the Coca-Cola Route,
Marangu is by far the most popular route to the
top. It is the quickest also. Camps along the Marangu route offer conveniences such as
hut accomodation, and beverage vendors selling beer, soft drinks, and chocolates.
Each day of the route is an average of 5-6 hours hiking over a distance of 12-16 kilometers. The two exceptions to these averages are the summit day and hike out day. The summit day involves eight hours hiking to Uhuru peak and six hours return to Horombo hut. This is spread over an ascent of six kilometers and a descent of 21 kilometers to the camp. The hike out day is a distance of 21 kilometers which takes about six hours of walking downhill.
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From: Marangu Gate 1980m To: Mandara Hut 2700m
Distance: 12km Elevation Change: +720m
Hiking Time: 5 hours
From: Mandara Hut 2700m To: Horombo Hut 3720m
Distance: 15km Elevation Change: +1020m
Hiking Time: 6 hours
From: Horombo Hut 3720m To: Horombo Hut 3720m*
Distance: 0km Elevation Change: 0
Hiking Time:
From: Horombo Hut 3720m To: Kibo Hut 4700m
Distance: 15km Elevation Change: +980m
Hiking Time: 6 hours
From: Kibo Hut 4700m To: Horombo Hut 3720m*
Distance: 6km ascent; 21km descent Elevation Change: +1195m -2175m
Hiking Time: 8 hours ascent; 6 hours descent
From: Horombo Hut 3720m To: Marangu Gate 1980m
Distance: 27km Elevation Change: -1740m
Hiking Time: 6 hours
Tour Price 1pax: $1550 US |
Tour Price 2pax: $1500 US |
Tour Price 3-4pax: $1450 US |
Tour Price 6-8pax: $14250 US |
Tour Price 10-15+pax: $1350 US |
Extra day $200 US per person
Min 4 pax, tour leader 30% discount
Machame Route: 6-7 days trek
This route takes you through the "Southern Circuit," from the Machame gate to Barafu hut. It concludes by descending down the Mweka route from the peak. The southern circuit offers many views of the summit from different angles. Also, from the Barafu hut on your third day you will be granted fine views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks.
This routes presents challenging stretches of terrain: scree, snow and ice, and steeps through rain forest climate. These challenges are well rewarded as the route offers some of the most spectacular views you are likely to find on Kilimanjaro.
Each day of the route is about 4-7 hours hiking over an average distance of 14 kilometers. The summit day involves a 6-8 hour, seven kilometer ascent, and a 7-8 hour descent over the distance of 23 kilometers.
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From: Machame Gate To: Machame Camp
Distance: 18km Elevation Change: +1270m
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
From: Machame Camp To: Shira Camp
Distance: 9km Elevation Change: +740m
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
From: Shira Camp To: Barranco Camp* 3860m
Distance: 15km Elevation Change: +790m -770
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
From: Barranco Camp 3860m To: Mweka Hut 3100m*
Distance: 7km ascent; 23km descent Elevation Change: +1295m -2795m
Hiking Time: 8 hours ascent; 7-8 hours descent
From: Mweka Camp 3100m To: Arusha 1830m
Distance: 15km Elevation Change: -1270m
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Tour Price 1pax: $1700 US |
Tour Price 2pax: $1650 US |
Tour Price 3pax: $1600 US |
Tour Price 4-6pax: $1580 US |
Tour Price 8-10pax: $1500 US |
Extra day $200 US per person
Min 2 pax, tour leader 20% discount
Umbwe Route: 6-7 days trek
A physically challenging route through varied landscapes: forested areas, scree slopes, knife ridges, and trekking over glaciers that thousands of years ago carved the large valleys set before you. This route provides opportunities for viewing birds, monkeys, bushbuck, duikers as well as the breathtaking expanse of Kilimanjaro's surrounding glaciers, peaks, and mountains.
The Umbwe route consists of shorter hiking days, though quite challenging, averaging 4-5 hours each day except the summit day, and daily distances of 7-10 kilometers. The summit day involves a seven kilometer ascent and 23 kilometer descent. These take 6-8 hours and 7-8 hours, respectively.
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From: Umbwe Gate 1661m To: Umbwe Camp 2850m
Distance: 11km Elevation Change: +1189m
Hiking Time: 6 hours
From: Umbwe Camp 2850m To: Barranco Camp 3985m
Distance: 6.25km Elevation Change: +1135m
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
From: Barranco Camp 3985m To: Karango Camp 4200m
Distance: 7km Elevation Change: +340m
Hiking Time: 4 hours
From: Karanga Camp 4200m To: Barafu Camp 4600m
Distance: 7km Elevation Change: +400m
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
From: Barafu Camp 4600m To: Mweka Hut 3100m*
Distance: 7km ascent; 23km descent Elevation Change: +1295m -2795m
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours ascent; 7-8 hours descent
From: Mweka Hut 3100m To: Arusha 183m
Distance: 15km Elevation Change: -1270m
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Tour Price 1pax: $1780 US |
Tour Price 2pax: $1700 US |
Tour Price 3pax: $1600 US |
Tour Price 4-6pax: $1500 US |
Tour Price 8-10pax: $1450 US |
Min 2 pax, tour leader 20% discount
Shira Route: 7-8 days trek
The Shira route is a seldom traveled route and offers a very unique characteristic - the pre-summit night camp is situated inside the crater only two hours from the top! We consider this route the best of all available routes. Pioneered by Scott Fischer and Wes Krause in the 1980's, the Shira plateau offers spectacular sunsrise and sunset views as well as fine up close views of Kilimanjaro's southern glaciers.
Hiking times for this route are mild, usually between 3-8 hours each day. The hike to the summit is two hours up and 8-10 down to lower camp. This route offers consistent daily altitude increments and the final day's major descent will leave you feeling intoxicated by the increased oxygen available lower down.
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From: Airport To: Arusha National Park*
Distance: N/A Elevation Change: N/A
Hiking Time: 6 hours
From: Londorossi 2250m To: Shira Camp One 3550m
Distance: 11km Elevation Change: +1300m
Hiking Time: 6 hours
From: Shira Camp One 3550m To: Shira Hut 3840m
Distance: 7km Elevation Change: +290m
Hiking Time: 4 hours
From: Shira Hut 3840m To: Moir Hut 4200m*
Distance: 8km Elevation Change: +360m
Hiking Time: 5 hours
From: Moir Hut 4200m To: Arrow Glacier Hut 4800m
Distance: 9km Elevation Change: +600m
Hiking Time: 6 hours
From: Arrow Glacier Hut 4800m To: Karanga 4000m
Distance: 9km Elevation Change: +100m -900m
Hiking Time: 6 hours
From: Karanga 4000m To: Barafu 4600m
Distance: 8km Elevation Change: +600m
Hiking Time: 5 hours
From: Barafu 4600m To: Millenium Camp 3800m*
Distance: 16km Elevation Change: +2296m -2096
Hiking Time: 11-15 hours
From: Millenium Camp 3800m To: Mweka Gate 1650m
Distance: 14km Elevation Change: -2150
Hiking Time: 10 hours
Tour Price 1pax: $1750 US |
Tour Price 2pax: $1650 US |
Tour Price 3pax: $1600 US |
Tour Price 4-6pax: $1550 US |
Tour Price 8-10pax: $1480 US |
Tour Price 10-15pax: $1380 US |
Min 2 pax, tour leader 20% discount
Lemosho Route: 8-9 days trek
Lemosho is the longest and most remote of all Kilimanjaro's major routes. Also, this route recquires hikers to spend the first day accompanied by an armed ranger due to the abundant wildlife in the area. The trailhead begins far to the west of the other routes but on the third day merges with the Machame route to the summit and back down the Mweka route.
This route consists of day hikes of three to six hours and distances of between five and twelve kilometers. The summit day involves a seven hour, five kilometer ascent, and five hour, twelve kilometer descent.
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From: Londorossi Gate 2100m To: Mti Mkumbwa 2650m
Distance: 10km Elevation Change: +550m
Hiking Time: 3 hours
From: Mti Mkubwa 2650m To: Shira One Camp 3609m
Distance: 12km Elevation Change: +959m
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
From: Shira One Camp 3609m To: Shira Two Camp 3849m
Distance: 5km Elevation Change: +240m
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
From: Shira Two Camp 3849m To: Barranco Hut 3985m
Distance: 6km Elevation Change: +136m
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
From: Barranco Camp 3985m To: Karango Camp 4200m
Distance: 7km Elevation Change: +340m
Hiking Time: 4 hours
From: Karanga Camp 4200m To: Barafu Camp 4600m
Distance: 7km Elevation Change: +400m
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
From: Barafu Camp 4600m To: Mweka Hut 3100m*
Distance: 7km ascent; 23km descent Elevation Change: +1295m -2795m
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours ascent; 7-8 hours descent
From: Mweka Hut 3100m To: Arusha 1830m
Distance: 15km Elevation Change: -1270m
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Tour Price 1pax: $2250 US |
Tour Price 2pax: $2150 US |
Tour Price 3-4pax: $2000 US |
Tour Price 6-8pax: $1900 US |
Extra day $300 US per person
Min 4 pax
Mt. Meru Hiking: 5-6 days trek
Mt. Meru offers a less traveled alternate to Kilimanjaro. Abundant wildlife viewing, splendid views of Kilimanjaro, as well as a less stenuous route to the peak make this a very attractive route.
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From: Airport Transfer To: Arusha
Distance: N/A Elevation Change: N/A
Hiking Time: N/A
From: Momella Gate To: Miriakamba Hut
Distance: 9km Elevation Change: +740m
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
From: Miriakamba Hut To: Saddle Hut*
Distance: 12km Elevation Change: +790m -770
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
From: Saddle Hut To: Miriakamba
Distance: Elevation Change:
Hiking Time:
From: Miriakamba To: Arusha
Distance: 8km Elevation Change:
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Tour Price 1pax: $950 US |
Tour Price 2pax: $800 US |
Tour Price 3-4pax: $750 US |
Tour Price 6-8pax: $650 US |
Min 2 pax