Marangu vs Machame vs Lemosho: Which Kilimanjaro Route Is Best?

How Do the Kilimanjaro Routes Compare at a Glance?

The three routes we run differ mainly in where they start, whether you sleep in huts or tents, and how gradually they gain height. Machame and Lemosho share the same trail from Lava Tower to the summit, while Marangu uses a separate trail on the south-east side, going up and down the same way.

Prices are per-person starting rates for our packages, for two people sharing at mid-range level, including a hotel night before and after the climb. Compare all six itineraries in the next section.

Which of Our Kilimanjaro Packages Should You Choose?

Choose the longest package that fits your plans. The table compares all six of our climbs; each name links to the full day-by-day itinerary.

How Should You Choose a Kilimanjaro Route?

Choose your route by working through four questions in order: how many days you have, whether you want huts or tents, how much scenery and solitude matter, and your budget.

How many days can you spend on the mountain?

This is the most important question. Altitude sickness is the main reason climbers turn back, and it depends on how quickly you gain height, not on fitness. Seven or eight days gives your body far more time to adjust than five or six. If you only have five or six days, choose the 6-day Marangu or 6-day Machame rather than the 5-day option where possible.

Do you want huts or tents?

Marangu is the only route with huts, which are drier and need no tent setup. Machame and Lemosho use tents, which your crew carries and pitches for you. If staying warm and dry at night matters most to you, especially in the rainy months, Marangu has the edge.

How much do scenery and quieter trails matter?

Machame and Lemosho traverse the mountain, so the views change every day, from the Shira Plateau to the Barranco Wall and Kibo's southern glaciers. Lemosho's first two days are the quietest of any of our routes because fewer climbers start in the west.

What is your budget?

Park fees are charged per day, so shorter climbs cost less. If the budget is tight, a 6-day route is a better compromise than cutting to five days, because the extra day noticeably improves acclimatisation.

Marangu Route: Huts and the Gentlest Trail

The Marangu Route is the oldest route on Kilimanjaro and the only one with sleeping huts. It climbs the south-eastern slopes from Marangu Gate via Mandara, Horombo and Kibo huts to Gillman's Point and Uhuru Peak, and descends the same trail. It is often called the 'Coca-Cola Route' because of its reputation as the easiest way up.

Advantages of the Marangu Route

• Huts with bunk beds and mattresses, so no tents to pitch
• The gentlest gradients of our routes
• Shelter on wet nights, an advantage in the rainy months
• The lowest-cost option, especially the 5-day version

Disadvantages of the Marangu Route

• The 5-day version gains altitude quickly with no rest day
• You see the same trail on the way up and down
• Huts are shared and can be busy from July to September
• The summit night from Kibo Hut is long and steep

Choose Marangu if you prefer huts to tents. We recommend the 6-day Marangu, which adds an acclimatisation day at Horombo, over the 5-day Marangu for most climbers.

Machame Route: The Most Popular Scenic Route

The Machame Route climbs the south-western slopes from Machame Gate, crosses the Shira Plateau, climbs to Lava Tower and drops into the Barranco Valley before scaling the Barranco Wall and approaching the summit from Barafu Camp. You descend a different trail, via Mweka. It is nicknamed the 'Whiskey Route' because it is tougher than Marangu.

Advantages of the Machame Route

• Varied scenery through every climate zone
• Good acclimatisation from the Lava Tower 'climb high, sleep low' day
• A traverse, so you see new terrain every day
• The Barranco Wall, a non-technical scramble many climbers enjoy

Disadvantages of the Machame Route

• The busiest camping route on the mountain
• Steeper and more demanding than Marangu
• The 6-day version has a long fourth day straight before summit night
• Camping can be cold and wet in the rainy months

The 7-day Machame is the itinerary we recommend most often, because the extra night at Karanga makes the final approach easier. The 6-day Machame suits fit climbers who have one day less.

Lemosho Route: The Quietest and Most Gradual

The Lemosho Route starts from Londorossi Gate on the remote western side of the mountain, climbs through quiet rainforest and crosses the full width of the Shira Plateau. It joins the Machame Route near Lava Tower and follows the same southern circuit to Barafu Camp and the summit, descending via Mweka.

Advantages of the Lemosho Route

• The most gradual altitude gain of our routes
• Quiet first days, with few other climbers
• The Shira Plateau crossing, one of the most scenic sections of the mountain
• The 8-day version has short walking days and plenty of rest

Disadvantages of the Lemosho Route

• A longer drive to the western gate on Day 1
• More days on the mountain, so a higher cost
• From Lava Tower onwards, the trail is as busy as Machame

Choose the 8-day Lemosho if reaching the summit is your top priority or you have struggled with altitude before. The 7-day Lemosho gives a similar experience with one less night on the Shira Plateau.

What About the Rongai, Northern Circuit and Umbwe Routes?

Kilimanjaro has other official routes that we do not currently list as packages. They suit specific needs, and we can advise on them if you ask.

• Rongai approaches from the north, near the Kenyan border. It is drier and quieter, with fewer views of the southern glaciers, and descends via Marangu.
• Northern Circuit is the longest route, circling the quiet northern slopes over eight or nine days, which gives excellent acclimatisation.
• Umbwe is the steepest and most direct route. It gains height very quickly and is best left to experienced high-altitude trekkers.

Do the Number of Days Matter More Than the Route?

Yes. The number of days you spend on the mountain affects your chance of reaching the summit more than which route you choose. Every route reaches the same summit, and the main risk on all of them is altitude sickness, which depends on how fast you gain height.

Adding a day does two things: it spreads the altitude gain over more days, and it usually adds a 'climb high, sleep low' opportunity. That is why we recommend the 6-day Marangu over the 5-day, the 7-day Machame over the 6-day, and the 8-day Lemosho for anyone with altitude concerns. Our guide to improving your summit chances explains the other factors you can control.

Which Route Do We Recommend for You?

Whichever route you choose, prepare with our 12-week training plan and Kilimanjaro gear list, or compare everything on our Kilimanjaro climbing page.