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Top Mt. Kilimanjaro Attractions
Mt. Kilimanjaro tours offer various experiences catering to different interests and levels of adventure. From cultural immersions and wildlife encounters to challenging treks and scenic routes, each tour provides unique opportunities to explore the beauty and diversity of Africa's highest peak. Here are some experiences you can enjoy:
- Summiting the tallest point in Africa is a never-to-be-forgotten thrill. Uhuru, the highest peak, is more than 19,000 feet above sea level
- Climbing one of seven Mount Kilimanjaro routes for the amazing views of the Tanzania plains below
- Surveying Furtwangler Glacier atop the mountain (before it recedes even further)
- Catching glimpses of unique wildlife -- a true taste of Africa -- through five distinct eco-zones: rainforest, heath, moorland, alpine desert and glacier
- Witnessing never-to-be-forgotten sunrises and sunsets from an extinct volcano.
- Taking advantage of the rare opportunity to see snow by the Equator
- Experiencing the camaraderie and support of fellow climbers and guides, creating lifelong friendships and memories
- Visiting the picturesque Shira Plateau, a UNESCO World Heritage site with its stunning vistas and unique flora
- Camping under the star-studded African night sky, far from the lights and noise of civilization
- Learning about the local Chagga culture and traditions from your guides and porters, who are often members of this Indigenous group
- Exploring the diverse and lush rainforest at the base of the mountain, home to numerous plant and animal species unique to the region
Mt. Kilimanjaro Tours & Travel Guide
Mt. Kilimanjaro Attractions & Landmarks Guide
Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro holds an almost mythical fascination for the adventurous traveler. This snowcapped peak near the Equator is the highest freestanding mountain in the world, towering over the vast African savannah below.
Although anyone can climb it without technical climbing gear, it still presents challenges even for the very fit—including choosing the right guided trip to the top. Travelstride can act as your Mount Kilimanjaro trip planner, helping you reach the heights of adventure alive without the pitfalls, all based on your own comfort level.
Many Americans first heard about Mount Kilimanjaro through Ernest Hemingway’s famous short story, “The Snows of Kilimanjaro,” published in Esquire magazine in 1936. A 1952 film starring Gregory Peck, Susan Hayward, and Ava Gardner further popularized the mountain by bringing The Snows of Kilimanjaro to the silver screen.
Seven Main Kilimajaro Routes
While Hemingway’s fearless spirit took him to Africa alone, planning a Mount Kilimanjaro trek can be intimidating. For starters, there are several routes to choose from, each offering differing levels of difficulty and other advantages and disadvantages.
Sorting these out is essential: while ascending to the peak is not as strenuous as ascending to some other mountains of its size, it is still a long trek, even for those with extra lung capacity.
Here are the seven main routes:
Marangu Route
Often referred to as the "Coca-Cola Route," the Marangu Route is Kilimanjaro's oldest and most established path. It's the only route that offers dormitory-style hut accommodations, making it a popular choice for trekkers seeking comfort and convenience. The ascent and descent are done on the same path, which can get crowded during peak seasons.
Machame Route
Known as the "Whiskey Route," the Machame Route is one of the most popular and scenic routes. It offers diverse landscapes and a more challenging climb with steeper paths and longer days. The route follows a different path for the ascent and descent, providing a more varied experience and better acclimatization.
Lemosho Route
The Lemosho Route is praised for its stunning scenery and lower traffic. It starts on the mountain's western side and joins the Machame Route before reaching the summit. This route offers a longer trek, which is excellent for acclimatization. It traverses lush rainforests, heath, and moorland before ascending to the alpine desert.
Shira Route
Like the Lemosho Route, the Shira Route begins on the western side of Kilimanjaro. However, it starts at a higher altitude, which can be challenging for those who are not well-acclimatized. The route crosses the Shira Plateau and joins the Machame Route, offering breathtaking views and diverse ecosystems.
Rongai Route
The Rongai Route approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, near the Kenyan border. This route is known for its gentler gradient and drier conditions, making it an excellent choice during the rainy season. It is less crowded than the southern routes and provides a unique perspective of the mountain, with a high chance of spotting wildlife.
Northern Circuit Route
The Northern Circuit is Kilimanjaro's newest and longest route, providing a 360-degree journey around the mountain. Due to its extended duration and gradual ascent, it offers the best acclimatization opportunities. The route is less frequented, ensuring a more serene and secluded trekking experience with varied landscapes.
Umbwe Route
The Umbwe Route is Kilimanjaro's shortest and steepest route, known for its challenging and direct approach. It is recommended for experienced trekkers with a high level of fitness and acclimatization capability. The route provides dramatic views and a sense of adventure but requires careful consideration due to its demanding nature.
Native Guides
Fortunately, you can choose among a wide variety of trusted tour operators who can provide guided Kilimanjaro tours with various itinerary choices, group sizes, and accommodation options, allowing you to keep the adventure alive without worries.
Tanzania mandates that a native guide escort travelers; your Tanzania tour operator will always take care of this requirement. Use Travelstride filters to find a suitable trip, read reviews, or contact our travel experts to ensure you get the best guides — knowledgeable and friendly escorts who go along on the adventure.
What Does a Guided Kilimanjaro Tour Look Like?
Most guided tours of Mount Kilimanjaro take five to seven days to reach the summit, with stays in tents or mountain huts. The trails showcase a diverse landscape. Your trek begins as you leave the African savannah, head into the jungle, through cloud forest, and into surprising hanging-moss forests before reaching a landscape reminiscent of the high desert.
As you climb toward the peak, an even starker desert unfolds, and a glacier appears nearby.
The latter is receding rapidly -- a third of the glacier has melted away in just the past quarter century -- so it’s advisable not to put off a Mount Kilimanjaro tour if you want to witness the striking natural wonder of ice near the Equator.
But before you head off, let Travelstride act as your personal travel advisor, showcasing the Mount Kilimanjaro guided trips that will best meet your comfort levels.
Add a Safari to Your Trip to Mt. Kilimanjaro
Many people who travel to summit the highest mountain in Africa also join a Tanzania wildlife safari during their vacation. The Serengeti plains, Ngorongoro Crater, and other incredible wildlife parks aren’t far away.
While Hemingway was able to wring remarkable literature out of his Kilimanjaro experiences, you may well be rendered speechless as you trek. Instead, you can take brag-worthy photos that will leave your friends envious.
While Tanzania's climate is tropical in general, be sure to pack cold-weather gear for your Mount Kilimanjaro trek. Although you may be by the Equator, it gets freezing up at the Uhuru peak!
How Challenging is the Kilimanjaro Trek?
Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro is a unique and challenging adventure that varies in difficulty depending on one's fitness level, experience, and chosen route.
Beginner Level
The Marangu Route is often recommended for beginners due to its relatively gentle gradient and hut accommodations, which provide more comfort. While it's one of the more accessible routes, beginners will still face significant challenges, including long days of hiking and altitude sickness.
Proper preparation, including physical conditioning and acclimatization, is essential. Even the easiest routes require stamina and determination, as the trek involves hiking for several days in varying weather conditions.
Intermediate Level
Intermediate trekkers with some hiking experience can consider routes like Machame, Lemosho, or Rongai. These routes offer more varied and scenic landscapes but have steeper ascents and longer trekking days.
Intermediate trekkers should be prepared for more demanding terrain and higher altitudes, which require good physical fitness and prior trekking experience.
These routes provide better acclimatization opportunities and are less crowded, making them ideal for those looking to challenge themselves further while enjoying the diverse beauty of Kilimanjaro.
Expert Level
The Umbwe Route and the Northern Circuit offer expert trekkers the most demanding and rewarding experiences.
The Umbwe Route is the shortest but steepest path, requiring excellent fitness and acclimatization skills due to its rapid ascent.
The Northern Circuit, on the other hand, is the longest route, offering unparalleled acclimatization and diverse scenery but demanding endurance and stamina.
Expert trekkers are expected to handle extreme weather conditions, rugged terrain, and prolonged physical exertion, making these routes suitable for those with significant trekking experience and a high fitness level.
Mt. Kilimanjaro Reviews & Ratings
Highly Recommended
I just completed the 7 Days Machame trek with Lappet Faced Safaris and it was absolutely amazing. They went above and beyond to take care of me and everyone in our g...
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Brian Page
Unfortunately for the first time ever I suffered from altitude sickness with reduced my stamina and caused loss of balance and coordination. However, thanks to the...
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Amazing!
What a hard, rewarding experience... although Kili is not the prettiest of mountains it is certainly a mighty challenge... and withholds its beauty till summit day...
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Kilimanjaro Rongai Route - October 2018
Exodus Travels were an excellent company to deal with whilst arranging my recent trip to Kilimanjaro. I felt like I had my own personal travel agent to help me ev...
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Kilimanjaro
I was part of a group of 6 teamed up with a further 10 individuals. We bonded well from the beginning and throughout this amazing adventure and from this experienc...
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