Which is the best Kilimanjaro climbing route?

From the paths less travelled to the longest and the newest trail, we take a look at the best Kilimanjaro climbing route

The ‘roof of Africa’ was the first high-altitude mountain I ever climbed. At 5,895m (19,340ft), Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is Africa’s highest peak and while I had some hillwalking behind me, I had no prior experience of high-altitude trekking. I opted for the cheapest and quickest route to the summit via the Marangu AKA the ‘Coca-Cola’ route.

A lot has changed in the years since my climb. The mountain’s popularity has soared and now attracts 50,000 annual visitors. High-speed internet has been installed while new trails and even an entirely new route have been opened.

If I were to climb the mountain today, I would trek an entirely different route, approaching from another side of the mountain via longer, quieter, more scenic trails, avoiding the huts and crowds of the Marangu.

With this in mind, we’ve asked Kilimanjaro guides Altezza Travel for their expert advice on which is the best Kilimanjaro climbing route. Based in the foothills of the world’s highest freestanding mountain, they have a wealth of experience when it comes to climbing the celebrated peak.

Kilimanjaro climbing routes

Below, we examine each of the routes, their pros and cons and get Altezza’s inside scoop on which is the best Kilimanjaro climbing route.

Marangu route

Duration: 5-6 days
Approach: southern slope
Pros: quickest and cheapest route to the summit; uses huts; good option for the rainy season
Cons: one of the busiest routes; less acclimatisation time; no camping

The Marangu AKA the ‘Coca-Cola’ route is the oldest and most established Kilimanjaro climbing trail. It is also the most popular and the only one that uses huts instead of camping for accommodation. For some, sleeping indoors is more appealing but for others (including me), it doesn’t feel like a proper climb if you’re not sleeping under canvas. The availability of huts, however, does make the Marangu route a good choice during the rainy season from March to early June.

The trail begins at Marangu Gate, one of the national park’s most accessible entrance gates and only an hour’s drive from Moshi, the gateway town to the mountain. As the most popular and least expensive route, the trail is more likely to be…