Like most much-climbed mountains, Mount Kilimanjaro has a large number of well-traversed routes to reach its highest peak. These routes all vary in difficulty, and each has a different kind of scenic beauty.

Happily, Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the easiest mountains to climb. In fact, the youngest person to climb the mountain was actually a seven-year old. If little Keats Boyd could do it, so can you.

The six most popular routes up the Kilimanjaro are -

1. Machame. Once the most popular route to climb the Kilimanjaro, this is indeed a very beautiful trek. Verging on 50 km through rainforest, moorland and then alpine desert, this week-long track offers a scenic route to the Barafu high camp. The Machame is an excellent track for acclimatization, as it has a fairly steep incline. The incline allows climbers to acclimatize faster, and the process is helped along by the fact that the ascent to Lava Tower or to the peak from Barafu is accomplished in a very short period of time.

2. Northern circuit. The Northern Circuitis is a new route up/along the Kilimanjaro that has overtaken the Machame as the most popular route for climbing the mountain. This is a low-rising, circuitous trail, circling almost the entirety of the mountain during ascent. However, the diverse and spectacular trail offers a glimpse of everything the mountain has to offer, making it well worth the nine days spent trekking.

3. Lemosho. For a touch of pristine, nearly unsullied natural beauty, the Lemosho is the ideal track up the Kilimanjaro. It has been used by climbers to access the now blocked Western Breach route, as well as to be followed by the Kibo South Circuit and ascent from the Barafu route. This route is recommended for intermediate climbers rather than absolute beginners, though rangers or animal enthusiasts can accompany climbers on the first day of this trek to gape at or photograph the big game that can be seen.

4. Marangu. By far the easiest route to climb the Kilimanjaro, the Marangu route moves across the Saddle, a semi-desert zone on high altitude, situated between Mawenzi and the Kilimanjaro's main summit - Kibo. A place called Horombo Hut here is a regular haunt for climbers who seek to acclimatize themselves or seek rest, or who spend the night in wait so that they can climb the scree to the peak more easier while the ice stays frozen.

5. Rongai. Yet another beautiful climbing track, taking climbers through rainforest, plantations, bush as well as screes and caves. When timed well, your climb will also show you the sun as it rises from behind the Mawensi peak - a sight unlike any other.

6. Umbwe. The toughest route to climb the Kilimanjaro - moving through forest track, and continuing along the ridged land between the Umbwe and Lonzo rivers. However, the spectacle of moving through unmediated, unsullied rainforest is completely worth the effort for experienced climbers.

The Kilimanjaro only needs basic fitness in order to climb it. However, the glorious ice caps on the mountain tops have begun to melt at alarming rates. People may see them only in books a few years down the line, so catch them while you can!




Climb Kilimanjaro . Specialists for Kilimanjaro and Meru Treks, Kilimanjaro by all routes: Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Rongai, Shira, Umbwe.