Kilimanjaro - Mikio Tours

This route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west. It offers a chance to visit Shira Plateau (Cathedral peak) and Shira Caldera. Lemosho Route crosses from Shira Ridge to Shira 2 Camp, in a pleasant hike. Climbers encounter low traffic until the route joins the Machame route.

Afterwards, Lemosho follows the same route as Machame Route through Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu, known as the southern circuit.

The minimum days required for this route is 7 days, but eight days is recommended as it will give more chance to acclimatize and reach the summit.

Like Machame, this is a scenically spectacular and varied route. Lemosho is highly recommended and it has an abundance of wildlife such as elephant, buffalo, eland and lion which come over to forage during dry season from Longido game controlled area.

Climbers encounter low traffic until the route joins the Machame route. Afterwards, Lemosho follows the same route as Machame Route through Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu, known as the southern circuit.

The minimum days required for this route is 7 days, but eight days is recommended as it will give more chance to acclimatize and reach the summit.

Two peaks climb means climbing Mount Meru (4,566 m) then Mt Kilimanjaro (5,895 m).

The climb of Mt. Meru helps greatly in succeeding in reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro due to the acquired acclimitization. Besides the acclimitization, the Mt. Meru climb is very enjoyable and beautiful, offering a unique landscape, flora and fauna found in the park plus some great views of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

This route approaches Kilimanjaro from the west and is nearly identical to the Lemosho Route. In fact, Shira was the original Lemosho route in this western side of the mountain. While Lemosho starts at Londorossi Gate and treks through the rain forest to Shira 1 Camp, the Shira route bypasses this segment by using a vehicle to transport climbers to Shira Gate, located near the Shira Ridge.

On the first day on the mountain, climbers begin their hike from (3,400 m) and end at Shira One Campsite, (3,500 m). The remainder of the route follows the southern circuit route, traversing beneath the Southern icefields before summiting from Barafu or Western Breach Route.

Umbwe is a short route, providing challenges as it is very difficult to climb due to its steepness. Due to the fast ascension, this route does not provide enough time for altitude acclimatization, so proceeding slowly is vital.

Although the traffic on this route is very low, the chances of success are not as great unless an acclimatization day is added. The route is offered at a minimum of six days, and seven days is preferred. This route merges along the way with Machame route, Lemosho route and Shira route.

Western Breach Approach

An alternative route to the summit approaches Uhuru Peak from the west, called the Western Breach Route.

The strenuous Western Breach ascends 850m in about 1.25 miles (2 km), and requires some scrambling (climbing on hands and feet) at certain points. This path is very beautiful but also very challenging due to its rocks formations and its steep slope.

The Western Breach was gaining popularity by climbers using the Umbwe, Lemosho, Shira and Machame routes until a rock fall claimed the lives of three climbers in January 2006. In response, Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA) closed the Western Breach Route but in 2007 KINAPA opened it again with condition that all clients and their supporting members who want to use this option must sign at the entrance gate that they are doing it at their own risk.

The minimum days required for this route is 7 days, but eight days is recommended as it will give more chance to acclimatize and achieve the summit.

The minimum days required for this route is 7 days, but eight days is recommended as it will give more chance to acclimatize and reach the summit. Like Machame, this is a scenically spectacular and varied route.

Lemosho is highly recommended and it has an abundance of wildlife such as elephant, buffalo, eland and lion which come over to forage during dry season from Longido game controlled area.

This is one of Kilimanjaro’s easiest routes, and it has become an increasingly popular route in recent years. This route is located on the northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro with a variety of spectacular landscapes together with different plants and animal species. The typical duration for this trip is 6 days. However, you can also add an acclimatization day and make it 7 day climb.

The Rongai Route is more scenic than the Marangu Route and easier than other camping route in climbing Kilimanjaro and the success rate on the Rongai Route is very high. Unlike the Marangu Route where you sleep in huts, on the Rongai Route you sleep in tents, the porter will have your tent pitched and waiting for you at the end of each days trek.

This route starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border and is one of the least traveled routes. The route merges with the Marangu Route for the summit climb. The descent follows the Marangu Route on the mountain’s southeast side, so you will able see Kilimanjaro from many view points.

There are two versions of this trek – a direct 6-day itinerary, and a 7-day itinerary that takes a longer route. The 6-day itinerary is described down below and the longer variation is described in the extra day’s section.

The Rongai Route is more scenic than the Marangu Route and easier than other camping routes in climbing Kilimanjaro and the success rate on the Rongai Route is very high. Unlike the Marangu Route where you sleep in huts, on the Rongai Route you sleep in tents, the porter will have your tent pitched and waiting for you at the end of each days trek.

This route starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border and is one of the least traveled routes. The route merges with the Marangu Route for the summit climb. The descend follows the Marangu Route on the mountain’s southeast side, so you will be able to see Kilimanjaro from many view points.