Choosing a Route

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	Please don't believe everything you hear about routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro! There are lots of misinformation on the internet - most are not intended to mislead; it's purely a lack of knowledge! On this page we present the facts based on our many years of leading clients to the summit. Please read it carefully, then choose your route based on your comfort level with the following: 1. Overnight at the Crater Camp at 18,500ft? 2. Which approach to the Crater Camp? 3. Which route to the Crater Camp approach?

Inside "Choosing a Route"

Choosing a Route

In this section, we will compare the best routes to the summit of Kibo, called Uhuru Peak

Talk to 10 outfitters and you will get 10 different stories about choosing routes! The fact is, most budget outfitters prefer the Eastern routes because their profit margins are larger. The Western routes require more organization, better transport and equipment, and more experienced mountain teams.

With so many route choices, we will discuss them from the top down since there are only three final approaches to the summit!

The final approaches to Uhuru Peak

1. Western Breach	You approach the summit from the West via a rocky section called the Western Breach. You can reach the Breach by one of several routes - Umbwe, Machame, Lemosho, Shira and the new Rongai Circuit. The approach is best attempted during daylight hours - allowing you to experience Kilimanjaro in all its splendor. Some careless and inexperienced outfits climb the Breach at night. In the dark one cannot see loose rocks tumbling down from climbers ahead. The Western Breach can be treacherous in heavy snow and responsible outfitters avoid it during the rainy months - Apr, early May, Mid-November to mid December. Though very rare, it is prone to dangerous rock falls and several climbers died on Jan 4, 2006 during a massive rock slide. It may be closed during unstable periods.
2. Stella Point	A bit closer to the summit than Gillman's Point, Stella Point is approached via one of several routes - Umbwe, Machame, Lemosho and Shira. From Stella Point the summit is one hour away. This approach is mostly climbed at night for various reasons, however the Kiliwarriors offer a variation that allows for a day time approach! See below!
3. Gillman's Point	The most Eastern approach. You approach Gillman's Point from the East via one of two routes - Rongai or Marangu. This approach is always done at night for various reasons. After a hard climb to reach Gillman's Point, the summit is still 2 hours away, causing many climbers to give up at this point. Due to the night climbing we don't recommend this approach.

Decision 1: Camp near the summit (Uhuru Peak) or not?

Should you sleep at the Crater Camp (18,500ft) next to the disappearing snows of Kilimanjaro?

You traveled around the world to get to Kilimanjaro so we suggest you seriously consider this option. Camping next to the glaciers on a moonlit night is an unforgettable experience!

BUT

You should only camp at 18,500ft if you are properly acclimatized - you need at least 6 nights on the mountain before reaching the Crater Camp. Otherwise you can get into serious altitude-related trouble.

By camping near the summit, you will enjoy Kilimanjaro much more than most climbers:

	You can do all your climbing during day time hours - no need for that freezing midnight ascent,
	Before sunrise, you need only one hour to reach the lookout area to watch the sunrise - others have to climb for 6 hours or longer in the dark night to reach the same spot,
	You can hike to the incredible ash pit - an experience that's near impossible unless unless you sleep at the Crater Camp,
	You can reach the summit at any time you want - waiting for the skies to clear and the crowds to leave, you can sit at the summit and watch the sunset from the roof of Africa!
	It takes only 90 minutes from the Crater camp to the Summit! Most people depart the Crater Camp at 7am and reach the summit at 8:30am.

I want to learn more about the Crater Camp and its approach...
Yes	No

Decision 2: Which approach do I take to the Crater Camp?

IMPORTANT! You must spend at least 6 nights on the mountain before spending a night at the Crater Camp.

You can reach the Crater Camp in one of three ways:

Via the Western Breach - The historical approach to the Crater Camp. When the Western Breach is closed or during heavy snow this approach is not possible.

Via Stella Point - Used by top outfitters when the Western Breach is unavailable.

Via Gillman's Point - Possible but rarely done. The overnight stops and daily altitude gains on the routes to Gillman's (Rongai & Marangu) don't allow for proper acclimatization.

The Stella Point approach starts at 6am at Barafu Camp. You should reach the Crater Camp at 1pm. When our clients are strong enough, we take them from Stella Point to the summit on the way up before going down the Crater Camp! Others will go straight from Stella Point to the Crater camp.

To reach Barafu Camp, you follow the route from Barranco Camp via Karanga Valley Camp (see image below). Some outfitters will skip Karanga Valley Camp - bad idea if you are going to the Crater Camp.

Decision 3: Which route do I take to Barranco Camp?

Barranco Camp is the entry point to the Barafu - Summit approach. You can reach Barranco in many ways. We list the routes here in preferred order:

Routes to Barranco Camp

Option 1 - Lemosho	Thankfully, because of the long drive and bad roads to Lemosho, most budget outfitters avoid it. It has fewer climbers, the forest section has less mud, the Shira Plateau offers great views with a variety of wildlife and plants, and the camp sites are placed perfectly about 2000 feet above each other. It is the best approach to the Crater Camp and summit! You need 4 nights on the mountain before departing Barranco Camp.
Option 2 - Shira	It is more to the west and drier, with no rain forest. In a way, climbing Kilimanjaro without a forest is missing something but since the Machame route is so crowded, we chose the Shira route as our second choice. While one can drive the most part of day one on this route, we recommend against it. You need time on the ground hiking. You need 4 nights on the mountain before departing Barranco Camp.
Option 3 - Machame	This route certainly puts you in the rainforest. As a result, it can get rather muddy and wet on day one. It is the 2nd most crowded route after Marangu. Since the Machame route starts closer to the mountain than the previous options, it is tempting to ascent too fast - a dangerous prospect when camping near the crater rim. You need 4 nights on the mountain before departing Barranco Camp.
Option 4 - Umbwe	This route certainly puts you in the rainforest. As a result, it can get rather muddy and wet on day one.The route is virtually straight up the mountain. You have to be rather fit and unless you spend quite a few nights around Lava Tower and Barranco to acclimatize , this should only be attempted by those with extensive hiking experience at high altitude. You need 4 nights on the mountain before departing Barranco Camp.

Midnight Ascent via Stella Point for those who don't want to overnight at the Crater Camp -

Camp at the Barafu Camp at 15,100 feet. This camp is used by the Lemosho, Shira, Machame and Umbwe routes. Depart the camp no later than midnight and reach the summit at 8:00am or earlier. It takes about 7 hours to Stella Point and other 1 hour to the summit.

It is rather crowded and the slog in the cold and dark on slippery scree is brutal and many climbers will give up before or at Stella Point. Once they reach Stella Point, a high percentage of climbers will go on to the summit since it is only 1 hour away - compare that with the 2-hour heartbreaker from Gillman's, via Stella Point to the summit (read below)!

Stella Point Approach options (in recommended order) when camping at Barafu:

Option 1 - Lemosho/Barafu - 7 days/6 nights (up and down)

Option 2 - Shira/Barafu - 7 days/6 nights (up and down)

Option 3 - Machame/Barafu - 7 days/6 nights (up and down)

Option 4 - Umbwe/Barafu - 7 days/6 nights (up and down)

Midnight Ascent via Gillman's Point (in recommended order):

Option 1 - Camp near the School Hut at 15,883 feet. This camp is part of some itineraries of the Rongai route (discussed below). Depart the camp no later than 00:30am and reach the summit at 8:00am or earlier. It takes about 5.5-6 hours to Gillman's Point and other 2 hours to the summit. This option actually joins up with the Kibo Hut option 2 (below) and is slightly easier and far less crowded, but the slog in the cold and dark on slippery scree is brutal and many climbers will give up once they reach Gillman's.

Option 2 - Camp at the Kibo Huts at 15,430 feet. This camp is normally on the itinerary of the Marangu and Rongai routes (discussed below). Depart the camp no later than midnight and reach the summit at 8:00am or earlier. It takes about 6 hours to Gillman's Point and other 2 hours to the summit. This option is slightly harder than the School Hut option 1 (above) and very crowded. The slog in the cold and dark on slippery scree is brutal and many climbers will give up once they reach Gillman's. Most Kilimanjaro climbers use this route - we don't know why - but maybe it is a good thing since the other routes are less crowded then!

Gillman's Point Approach options (in recommended order) when camping at School Hut or Kibo Hut:

Option 1 - The Rongai route is remote, drier and certainly one of the least crowded except for the final push. It is a good option if you climb during the rain months (Apr, May, November) since you avoid the rain forest! The Northern side of Kilimanjaro is less dramatic, but the scenery and remoteness of this route makes it a much better option than Marangu. The starting point is a long way from the main towns of Arusha and Moshi and the town of Marangu is recommended as the base for this route.

If you must do this route: 6 days/5 nights (up and down)

Option 2 - The Marangu route is best known for its Coke and beer stands at the various huts along the way! While it may appear easier than other routes, it is actually very difficult during the final few days. Less then 50% of climbers on the standard Marangu route reach the summit - our percentage is much higher because our guides know how to help our clients acclimatize properly. Since it is the cheapest route, it continues to attract hundreds of climbers every week! Accommodation is in bunk beds in shared huts. If you enjoy company, this is the route for you! Be aware that the extra day of acclimatization for Marangu has less of a positive impact than on the other routes. You are simply not high enough to take full advantage of the extra day - nevertheless, we still recommend you take an extra day.

If you must do this route: 6 days/5 nights (up and down)

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