The Marangu route is commonly thought of to be the best route on Mount Kilimanjaro, however do not be fooled, as no route on Kilimanjaro is “easy”. It’s given this ranking as you trek better distances every day, that means that the ascent per day is extra gradual. In contrast to the opposite routes on the mountain, Marangu may be accomplished in 5 days and is without doubt one of the shortest routes. Lodging is in shared dormitory fashion mountain huts in contrast with all different routes, which make use of tents.The draw back to Marangu is that it affords little probability of acclimatising by the precept of ‘climb excessive, sleep low.’ It’s also, due to its “easier route” standing, typically chosen by people who find themselves much less match and think about it to be the straightforward choice to summit. Sadly, the result’s that the quantity of people that attain the summit is decrease than on a lot of the different routes. One other issue to think about is that ascent and descent are by way of the identical route, limiting variation in surroundings.To make a hit of Marangu route, it’s advisable so as to add a day’s acclimatisation trek from Horombo Huts as much as Zebra Rocks, and again to Horombo Huts for the night time.The Rongai route is often known as the ‘Loitokok’ route or what was once known as, the outdated ‘Outward Sure Route.’ The path begins close to the Kenyan border and ascends in a northerly path. The ascent profile of Rongai is just like the Marangu route and is taken into account to be the second best route. It meets up with Marangu route at Kibo Huts, the place the paths be part of and result in the summit.
It additionally doesn’t supply a lot by the use of the ‘climb excessive, sleep low,’ precept, so including on an additional day to the trek is useful in case you want to improve your probabilities of success.One of many advantages of the route, is that it’s a very quiet, much less populated route. Lodging is in tents and the descent from summit heads down the Marangu Route.The Machame route begins out from Machame forest on the other aspect of the mountain from the Rongai route. The trail heads up via the thick forest in a south-westerly path, taking a complete of 6 days to succeed in the summit. The great thing about the Machame route is that after the forest space, the route heads east, supplying you with superb views throughout the Shira Volcano. It’s thought of to be one of many steeper routes to the summit, however may be very scenic. An evening is spent at Baranco camp on the third night time, which is at a decrease altitude than the second night time’s camp, guaranteeing higher acclimatisation. Lodging on the Machame route is in tents.The place to begin for each the Shira and Lemosho routes, is on the far western aspect of the mountain. Like Machame, each routes are ranked as very scenic. Nevertheless, the ascent profile for Shira route on the primary day is steep, as you climb as much as 3500m from 2200m. The trail then meander throughout the Shira plateau the place it finally joins up with the Lemosho and Machame routes close to Lava Tower. The rest of the route follows the identical paths because the Machame Route and lodging is in tents.In contrast to Shira and Machame, the Lemosho route covers a better distance on the primary two days, with extra time being spent within the rain forest. It’s subsequently finest to do that route over seven to eight days. Like Rongai, it’s a quieter route for the primary few days till it joins in with Shira and Machame routes. Lodging is in tents.The Umbwe route is the hardest and steepest path to the summit and shouldn’t be undertaken by anybody who is just not match or unaccustomed to steep trekking. The route heads instantly upward in a northerly path to Baranco Wall the place it joins in with Shira, Lemosho and Machame routes. It has a steep ascent profile and affords much less alternative to acclimatise appropriately.
The Northern Circuit route is the latest path to open on Kilimanjaro and is commonly known as the ‘360 Route’ or the ‘Grand Traverse.’ Like Shira and Lemosho, it begins on the western aspect of the mountain at virtually 3000m.The trek may be finished in seven days however finest accomplished in eight days. Of all of the routes, it affords good acclimatisation because the altitude achieve every day may be very low. It’s also very quiet because the route is seldom used and sometimes your solely companions at camp are area mice. It’s only while you be part of up with the Rongai Route at ‘Third Caves Camp,’ and later at ‘Kibo Huts,’ that you just see different folks. The ultimate path to summit joins the Marangu route after which descends down the Mweka route.Selecting the route that fits you’ll depend upon what you need to get out of the trek, factoring in things like health, surroundings, period of time, value and whether or not you might be completely satisfied sleeping in a tent or not. Because the saying goes, “all roads lead to Rome,” and on this case, all routes result in the summit of Kilimanjaro. Which route you select, is as much as you.
