Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing
Routes
There are six established routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro - Marangu, Machame, Lemosho,
Shira, Rongai and Umbwe. Route travel times range from 5 to 9 days to summit and return to the base of
the mountain. Huts with cooking facilities, bathrooms, and electricity are available on the Marangu route,
and camps with less facilities are available on many other routes. All huts and many camps have
rangers stationed at them with rescue facilities (modified wheelbarrows to transport climbers
stricken with altitude sickness to lower altitudes). Of all the routes, Machame is by far
the most scenic albeit steeper route up the mountain. The Machame and Lemosho routes
both allow better opportunities to "walk high and sleep low" which is critical to
avoiding altitude sickness. The Rongai is the easiest camping route and the
Marangu is also easy, but accommodation is in huts. As a result, this
route tends to be very busy and ascent and descent routes are
the same.
The climb to Uhuru Peak is considered to be a relatively straightforward endeavour; however,
ample time must still be provided for proper acclimatization to prevent altitude sickness. Summit attempts
are generally undertaken at night so that climbers can reach the rim of the crater to view the sunrise
so typically clients start walking around midnight. Climbing overnight alse means is frozen
together, making the climb significantly easier.
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