Uhuru Peak (5895 m)
Day 5: Barafu camp 4550 m - Uhuru Peak 5895 m - Mweka 3100 m. Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak 7/8 hours to descend to Mweka
There are six routes officially sanctioned for climbing Kilimanjaro and two routes used for descent. These are:
Machame
Marangu
Rongai
Lemosho
Umbwe
Shira
Mweka descent only
Marangu Route Commonly called the Coca-Cola Route, because it is the easiest route and vendors sell Coca-Cola at some of the huts. Marangu is by far the most popular route to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Typical duration is either 5 or 6 days depending upon whether you elect to spend an extra day for acclimatisation to the altitude. This is the only route that offers huts versus tents.
Day 1: Marangu Gate 1980 m - Mandara hut 2700 m. Hiking time: 5 hours
Day 2: Mandara hut 2700 - Horombo hut 3720 m. Hiking time: 6 hours
Day 3: Horombo hut 3720 m - Acclimatisation day if necessary
Day 4: Horombo hut 3720 m - Kibo hut 4700 m. Hiking time: 6 hours
Day 6: Horombo hut 3720 m - Marangu Gate 1980 m. Hiking time: 6 hours
Machame Route Some call this the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro. Where accommodation on the Marangu route is in huts, the Machame route offers strictly tents only This makes Machame also referred to as the "Whiskey route" better suited to the slightly more adventurous hiker, however rewarding him with a scenic splendor such as not seen on the Marangu route.
Day 1: Machame Gate 1490 m - Machame camp 2980 m. Hiking time: 7 hours
Day 2: Machame camp 2980 m - Shira camp 3840 m. Hiking time: 6 hours
Day 3: Shira 3840 m - Lava Tower 4630 m - Barranco camp 3950 m. Hiking time: 7 hours
Day 4: Barranco camp 3950 m - Barafu camp 4550 m. Hiking time: 7 hours
Uhuru Peak (5895 m)
Day 5: Barafu camp 4550 m- Uhuru Peak 5895 m - Mweka 3100 m. Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak 7/8 hours to descend to Mweka
Lemosho Route Little used and more remote than other routes. The route is one of the few where groups may be accompanied on the first day by an armed ranger, as the forests around the Lemosho Glades are rich in buffalo, elephant and other big game animals.
Day 1: Londorossi Gate 2100 m - Mti Mkubwa camp 2750 m. Hiking time: 3 hours
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa camp 2750 m - Shira 2 camp 3840 m. Hiking time: 6/7 hours
Day 3: Shira 3840m - Lava Tower 4630m - Barranco camp 3950m. Hiking time: 7 hours
Day 4: Barranco camp 3950 m - Barafu camp 4550 m. Hiking time: 7 hours
Uhuru Peak (5895 m)
Day 5: Kibo hut 4700m - Uhuru Peak 5895 m - Horombo hut 3720 m. Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru - 6 hours to descend to Horombo
Day 6: Mweka camp 3100 m - Mweka Gate 1980 m. Hiking time: 3 hours
' A variation on the Lemosho Route inserts two extra days in the itinerary for acclimatization and also to avoid having to climb up to the summit in the dark
Day 4: Barranco 3950 m to Karranga Valley 4000 m. Hiking Time 4 hours. This segment takes you up the infamous 'Barranco Wall.'
Day 5: Karranga Valley 4000 m to Barafu camp 4550 m. Hiking Time 3 hours
Uhuru Peak (5895 m)
Day 6: Barafu camp 4550 m - Uhuru Peak 5895 m - Crater Camp 5640m. Hiking Time about 8 hours
Day 7: Crater Camp 5640 m - Mweka 3100 m. Hiking time: 7/8 hours to Descend
Rongai Route The Rongai route ascents Kilimanjaro from the northeastern side of the mountain, along the border between Tanzania and Kenya.
Day 1: Rongai Gate 1950 m - 1st Caves camp 2600 m. Hiking time: 5 hours
Day 2: 1st Cave 2600 m - Kikelewa Cave 3600 m. Hiking time: 6/7 hours
Day 3: Kikelewa Cave 3600 - Mawenzi Tarn camp 4330 m. Hiking time: 3/4 hours
Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn camp 4330m - Kibo hut 4700 m. Hiking time: 4/5 hours
Uhuru Peak (5895 m)
Day 5: Kibo hut 4700 m - Uhuru Peak 5895 m - Horombo hut 3720 m. Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru - 6 hours to descend to Horombo
Day 6: Horombo hut 3720 m - Marangu Gate 1980 m . Hiking time: 6 hours