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Mount Kilimanjaro Treks

Find your route to the top of Africa's highest mountain

Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 m / 19,341 ft) is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest freestanding mountain in the world.

We have been guiding treks to its summit for more than 35 years. No technical climbing skill is required – Kilimanjaro is a trek, not a climb. What makes it hard is altitude and the sheer volume of ascent and descent, so every itinerary we run is built around the best possible acclimatisation, which is reflected in our high summit success rate.

We offer four routes up Kilimanjaro, each fully supported with expert local mountain guides, porters, a camp crew and emergency oxygen carried on the mountain. The 8 day Rongai Route (6 days trekking) approaches from the quiet northern slopes near the Kenyan border and camps at Mawenzi Tarn (4,330 m / 14,206 ft) beneath Kilimanjaro’s jagged second peak. The 9 day Machame Route (7 days trekking) is the classic ‘Whiskey Route’, climbing the Barranco Wall and traversing the mountain to descend via Mweka. The 10 day Lemosho Route (8 days trekking) is the most scenic and best paced, with two full days acclimatising across the Shira Plateau. The 11 day Remote Northern Circuit (9 days trekking) is the longest and quietest trail on the mountain, with most departures timed to the full moon.

All four routes are graded Moderate to Challenging, are open to trekkers aged 14 and over, and are not suitable for people with limited mobility. Every one finishes at Uhuru Peak (5,895 m / 19,341 ft) on the crater rim, having crossed five distinct ecological zones in a matter of days – cultivated farmland, dense rainforest, open moorland, high alpine desert, and the glaciated arctic zone at the summit. Few treks in the world compress that much change into a single ascent, which is what makes ‘Kili’ – one of the famed Seven Summits – such an unforgettable adventure.

Trekking on Mt Kilimanjaro: the various routes

Five different approaches to climb Kilimanjaro

Lemosho Route

The Lemosho Route is arguably the most beautiful way to climb Kilimanjaro, and at 10 days – 8 of them trekking – it gives you more time to reach the summit than most routes on the mountain. The trail passes through beautiful montane rainforest before opening onto the fascinating rock formations of the Shira Plateau, where two nights at Shira One (3,550 m / 11,647 ft) and Shira Hut (3,840 m / 12,598 ft) build acclimatisation early. From there you traverse the southern side of Kilimanjaro to the summit camp at Barafu (4,600 m / 15,092 ft), and the final pre-dawn ascent reaches Uhuru Peak (5,895 m / 19,341 ft) via Stella Point (5,735 m / 18,816 ft). That extra time at altitude is why the route achieves a summit success rate of over 95%.

View full Kilimanjaro Lemosho route trek details.
Beautiful views of Kibo before summit | <i>Natalie Tambolash</i>

 

 

 

Northern Circuit

The Remote Northern Circuit is Kilimanjaro’s longest and quietest route, and the only one that circumnavigates the mountain – about 270 degrees of it – for a genuinely uncrowded experience on Africa’s highest peak. Over 11 days, 9 of them trekking, you begin on the quiet western side and cross the Shira Plateau, then swing north away from the busy southern trails to camp at Moir Hut (4,200 m / 13,780 ft) and Buffalo Camp (4,150 m / 13,615 ft), with spectacular views over the Kenyan plains far below. The final ascent starts from School Hut (4,700 m / 15,420 ft) and reaches the crater rim at Gilman’s Point (5,685 m / 18,652 ft) before continuing to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m / 19,341 ft). It combines the Shira Plateau scenery of the western routes with the northern wilderness of Rongai, and with 9 days on the trail it has the most gradual acclimatisation profile of our four Kilimanjaro routes. Most departures are timed to the full moon.

View full Kilimanjaro Remote Northern Circuit trek details.

 
Taking in the stunning scenery at Shira Cathedral | <i>Kyle Super</i>
Rongai Route

The Rongai Route is the shortest of our four Kilimanjaro treks – an 8 day trip with 6 days on the mountain – and the only one that climbs from the quiet northern side of the mountain, near the Kenyan border. It begins at Nale Moru (1,950 m / 6,398 ft) through farmland and pine forest where black-and-white colobus monkeys live, then climbs steadily through open moorland to the stunning setting of Mawenzi Tarn (4,330 m / 14,206 ft), camped directly beneath the spires of Kilimanjaro’s rugged second peak. Daily elevation gains are gentler here than on other routes, but do not underestimate the challenge: six days gives you less time to acclimatise, and summit day is 11 to 15 hours of walking from Kibo camp (4,700 m / 15,420 ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m / 19,341 ft) and back down. We have an 86% summit success rate on this route. Rongai’s drier conditions also make it the strongest choice in the shoulder seasons.

View full Kilimanjaro Rongai route trek details.

 
Incredible landscape of Mt Kilimanjaro | <i>Peter Brooke</i>

 

Machame Route

The Machame Route is the most popular way to climb Kilimanjaro, taking around 50% of all trekkers on the mountain, and is known as the ‘Whiskey Route’. Our version is a 9 day trip with 7 days on the mountain. The climb starts at Machame Gate (1,800 m / 5,906 ft) and follows a ridge through dense montane forest – the richest forest zone on Kilimanjaro, and the source of 96% of the mountain’s water – before opening onto views of Kibo’s volcanic cone and the jagged rim of the Shira Plateau. Our camp near Shira Hut (3,840 m / 12,598 ft) has some of the most stunning views on the mountain. The trail then climbs the dramatic Barranco Wall (3,950 m / 12,960 ft) and traverses the southern flank to the summit camp at Barafu (4,600 m / 15,092 ft), where an afternoon of rest before the 1 a.m. start supports a stronger summit success rate. From Uhuru Peak (5,895 m / 19,341 ft) you descend a different trail via Mweka Gate, completing a full traverse of the mountain.

View full Kilimanjaro Machame route trip details.

 
Camp set up on Kilimanjaro | <i>Charles Duncombe</i>
Shira Route

The Shira Route approaches Kilimanjaro from the west and, like all our Kilimanjaro treks, is graded Moderate to Challenging. It follows quiet, little-used trails through dense montane forest and open moorland onto the caldera of the extinct Shira volcano – the collapsed remains of one of Kilimanjaro’s three peaks, now a high plateau of dramatic rock formations. From there you traverse past Moir Hut (4,200 m / 13,780 ft) and the Lent Hills, then contour beneath the southern icefields of Kibo to reach the summit camp at Barafu (4,600 m / 15,092 ft), from where the final pre-dawn ascent reaches Uhuru Peak (5,895 m / 19,341 ft). The slightly longer itinerary gives you more time to acclimatise, and the route achieves a 95% summit success rate to Uhuru Peak.

Contact our team to organise a private group via the Shira route.

 
Trekkers exploring Kilimanjaro Shira route | <i>Kyle Super</i>
Considering a climb of Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain? To maximise your chances of a safe and successful trek it's important you ensure that your trek includes some basic safety precautions.

Kilimanjaro Treks Popular routes

What to expect on our Kilimanjaro treks

Trekkers are met on the day before their Kilimanjaro climb begins and given a thorough briefing by our experienced trip coordinator, including details of the practicalities of the trek and particularly the summit day, and a check to ensure all clients have the required equipment for climbing Kilimanjaro.

Diverse terrain means you will need to feel comfortable in variable mountain conditions and the ascent up to Mount Kilimanjaro is a short and steep hike at altitude with expected rock scrambling.

To ensure you reach the prized summit with the best possible chance, you can expect well-paced itineraries and safety at altitude when trekking with World Expeditions. 

  • Trekking towards Lent Hill summit | <i>Kyle Super</i>

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    Ultimate value and high quality inclusions
    Essential items like permits, park entrance fees, a camp crew and accommodation are included in the trip cost to allow you to better budget for your BIG adventure.

    Our quality services – at the best all-inclusive prices – make our expeditions great value for money.
  • Enjoy freshly prepared meals, three times a day, when on trek in Nepal | <i>Lachlan Gardiner</i>

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    Enjoy three-course hearty meals
    Meals are prepared fresh by our cooks with appropriate protein and nutrient-rich foods for a successful climb.
  • Stunning weather overhead as we arrive at Barranco Wall | <i>Heike Krumm</i>

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    Safe working conditions for all mountain porters employed
    Porters are provided with a good working wage, insurance, trekking gear, food and accommodation. Read more about our porter welfare conditions.

    You'll also support host communities where we provide meaningful employment with above industry standard working conditions and training programs.
  • Trekkers on Kilimanjaro's Uhuru Summit | <i>Kyle Super</i>

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    Achieve the best possible acclimatisation through our well-paced and carefully designed itineraries, so your body is given ample time to adjust to the high altitude. This is reflected in our high summit success.

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  • Setup at the Karanga Campsite | <i>Kyle Super</i>

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    Camp in quality mountain tents
    Our comfortable and durable tents are designed for three people but only house two people inside, so there’s plenty of personal space and ample luggage storage area in the two porches. 
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    Safety at altitude with emergency oxygen carried on all Kilimanjaro treks.

    We follow stringent safety procedures and standards.
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    Best ratio of guides
    All our Kilimanjaro trips provide 2 trekkers to 1 guide, so when summit day arrives you’ll receive personal attention and encouragement if the hike proves to be difficult.
  • Trekking to the summit of Kilimanjaro | <i>Kyle Super</i>

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    Porterage of personal gear. You won’t need to carry a heavy daypack with the assistance of porters.

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The climb was a wonderful experience and excellent guides and porters looked after us so well.

We all made it to the top - it wasn't easy, but the expertise of our guides Henry, Alpha and Betrium, and the encouragement that they gave us along the way ensured that we all got to the summit!

 

M. Coman from Victoria☆☆☆☆☆

I was so impressed by the organisation and people from your company; there was nothing I could fault. The type and amount of food prepared and served by the cook was excellent, and gave us the energy required to complete the next day's walk. My highest praise is reserved for the guides on summit day. Without their help and support, I would not have made it to the summit. Thank you for making the trip such a positive and rewarding experience.

 

C. Jordison from South Australia☆☆☆☆☆

The three day safari in Tanzania was wonderful in its own way and restful for the Kilimanjaro climbers. We saw many animals, birds and different landscapes. The tour leader was very obliging and I am sure he went to extra trouble for us – the lodge accommodation was really very, very good.

 

Helen Gough from Victoria☆☆☆☆

It was like a military operation; 58 porters and guides assisting 14 walkers reflected a really healthy ratio of staff to customers and ensured a high success rate to the summit. The route and strategy around managing altitude to avoid or minimise altitude sickness was thorough and the guidance we received was first class. I highly recommend this walk and consider that the wonderful guides (both male and female) were the wind beneath my wings. Thank you.

 

Roger K. from South Australia☆☆☆☆☆

Combine your Kilimanjaro trek with a safari experience

Experience the most of Tanzania with the option to add-on a wildlife safari. Enjoy viewing wild game in the fascinating and thriving World Heritage Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park, as well as the world-famous Serengeti National Park.

Kilimanjaro articles from our Blog

What To Expect Climbing Kilimanjaro

Maximise your chance of summit success with these tips from someone who's climbed it

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How Hard Is It To Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

Ready to climb Kili? Gain some insights into preparation and learn a few tips for the trail

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Choosing the right Kili route for you

With so many different way to reach Uhuru Peak, which one is best for you?

Read more

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