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There are six main ways to reach the top of Kilimanjaro as shown in the illustration below. They vary in difficulty, length and therefore the amount of time the climber has to acclimatise. This can be important for the reasons expressed on the altitude page.
The routes can be summarised as follows:
This is the most popular, easiest and shortest route up the mountain and is also known as the Coca-Cola or tourist Route. It usually takes 5 days, though as with other routes an extra day can be added. Climbers stay in huts with simple beds, which differentiates it from all other routes which are camping-only. The other aspect which differentiates it from other routes is that it is "two-way" traffic, i.e. the climber takes the same route down as they took up the mountain, whereas on most other routes either the Mweka or Marangu routes are used for descent.
This is also popular, providing outstanding views of the mountain as it traverses high up from west to east before turning north-westwards for the summit. It is more difficult than the Marangu Route and is often referred to as the Whiskey Route. It usually takes 6 days, though an additional day can be added to help acclimatisation, hiking distances are longer and the summit ascent is steeper than the Marangu Route. It also requires climbers to camp out in sub-zero temperatures. Given the increased number of days the success rate is fairly high as people have longer to acclimatise. This route is "one-way" with descent by means of the Mweka Route.
This route is steeper and shorter than the Machame Route, which it joins near the Barranco Hut. As a result it may not be suitable for everyone as time for acclimatisation is limited in the way it is on the Marangu Route. This route is "one-way" with descent by means of the Mweka Route.
This is the only route approaching the summit from the north and requires a very long 4 to 5 hour drive from Moshi or Arusha to arrive at the entry gate near the Kenyan boarder. It is a relatively easy route, has a high success rate and is more scenic than the Marangu Route. It is drier than most of the other routes with little rainforest and therefore less mud on day one. It usually takes 6 days, is "one-way" but descent is means of the Marangu Route rather than the Mweka Route.
This route approaches the mountain from the west and starts quite high up, which may cause problems for some people until they acclimatise. There is also a long drive to the start gate. It usually takes 6 days and runs parallel to the Lemosho, joins it, and then merges with the Machame Route near Shira Camp. This route is "one-way" with descent by means of the Mweka Route.
This route is much longer than most of the others and is a variation on the Shira Route, running parallel to it, and then joining it, before both merge with the Machame Route near Shira Camp. It usually takes 8 days, which helps acclimatisation, but is more expensive as a result and the drive to the start gate is quite long. This route is "one-way" with descent by means of the Mweka Route.
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