Lemosho, Machame, Rongai or Marangu — which one suits you.
There is no single best route up Kilimanjaro. The right one depends on how many days you have, how you handle altitude and whether you would rather sleep in a hut or a tent.
Six or seven days, camping, with a classic climb-high sleep-low profile that acclimatises well. Scenically the best of the southern routes. It is also the busiest, so expect company on the trail.
Seven or eight days from the western side, quiet for the first two days and with the highest success rates of the main routes. The extra day is the single biggest thing you can do to improve your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak.
Six or seven days from the north. Drier and gentler underfoot, with a more gradual profile but less dramatic scenery. A sensible pick during the rains, and good for trekkers who prefer steady days to steep ones.
Five or six days, the only route with dormitory huts. Often sold as the easy option, but the short version has the lowest summit success rate on the mountain because there is simply not enough time to acclimatise.
Nine days circling the mountain. The longest and quietest route, and the best odds of summiting for anyone worried about altitude. Costs more because of the extra days on the mountain.
Add a day if you can afford it; acclimatisation matters far more than fitness. Train with long walks rather than sprints, and be honest with us about any previous altitude experience so we can steer you to the right profile.
