Starting in the forest on the South side of the mountain at around 1800m, this is a beautiful and diverse route up Kilimanjaro. Like all the routes except for Marangu, it requires camping and the route is also fairly popular. However, the scenery is excellent and the longer nature of the route means that the percentage of climbers reaching the summit is much greater than on the shorter and steeper Marangu route. Backtracking is also minimised as you ascend the mountain from the South-West and descend via the Southern Mweka or Kidia routes (routes are sometimes closed due to environmental recovery projects).

The first day's climb passes through an area of cloud forest draped in mosses and lichens. This is a good part of the mountain for spotting forest birds which are rare or absent at lower altitudes. Orchids are also common. Emerging from the misty forest at over 3000m you reach the rocky Shira Plateau. Giant Lobelia's and Groundsels, strange high altitude thick leaved plants dominate here. The Shira area is the site of Kili's oldest crater, the Shira cone, a good place to spend some extra time acclimatizing to the rapidly increasing altitude. From here you hike east crossing rugged lunar scenery, eventually reaching the Barranco Wall, a section of the route that requires relatively easy and none-technical scramble up the Barranco Wall. Barafu camp at 4600m is your final, chilly base before undertaking your night-time trek to the summit of Africa and a truly spectacular sunrise! We descend via Mweka or Kidia routes.

The Rongai Route offers one of the least visited routes up Kilimanjaro. It is slightly less accessible so a 2 hour drive is required to reach the Naremoro Village only a few kilometres from the Kenyan Border. The Northern side of Kilimanjaro has a slightly drier climate, and after ascending through forest you relatively quickly emerge into a landscape of wide vistas and alpine moorlands. There are also some excellent sweeping vistas of the Kenyan plains beyond.

The Rongai route offers what is considered to be one of least steep ascents of Kilimanjaro. From the alpine plains you then trek to the South-East, towards Kilimanjaro's 'second' peak, Mawenzi, whose spectacular rocky pinnacles reach 5149m. Camping in the shadow of Mawenzi we then push on over the high 'saddle' connecting Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. Summiting Kibo you'll enjoy Kili's spectacular vistas before descending the quick but relatively steep and busier Marangu route.

The longest of the main routes up Kilimanjaro, the little used Lemosho route offers an extended view of Kilimanjaro's western flank and forests - and also some of best chances of reaching the summit due to the extended acclimatization that this route offers.

Starting in a region of dense forest the route steadily climbs through a wide belt of constantly changing cloud forest. Emerging above the forest you come to the Shira plateau were you pass the Shira Cone (3962m), one of the older volcanic peaks on the mountain. Views of Mt Meru to the West are spectacular. At Shira Camp (3840m) the Lemosho Route joins with the Machame Route were you continue to the summit. As detailed in the Machame/Mweka description this section is well used but spectacular, involving a non-technical scramble up the Barranco Wall and excellent views of the Southern ice-fields and Kibo peak. Descent is via the Mweka or Kidia Routes.

This popular route covers forests, moorlands and the Saddle (a high-altitude desert) on its way to Kibo Hut. This is the quickest route to the summit, however due to it's popularity and quick ascent, the success rate is not as high as other routes.

Group size: Max 12 people
Accommodation: simple hotels (2 nights), mountain huts (4 nights)

This route follows the drier, northern side of the mountain on the ascent and descends down the popular Marangu Route, with its diverse climate zones and stunning views. This route generally has a high success rate due to the slower ascent. You can expect to camp next to the only lake on the mountain and enjoy stunning views over Kenya's Amboseli plains.

Group size: Max 12 people
Accommodation: simple hotels (2 nights), full-service alpine camping (5 nights)

This little-travelled route is considered by many to be the most beautiful path up the western breach of the mountain to the Shira Plateau. The slower ascent and built in acclimatisation days helps to increase your chances of reaching the summit.

Group size: Max 12 people
Accommodation: simple hotels (2 nights), full-service alpine camping (7 nights)

Possibly the most scenic route to the summit, you can enjoy high-alpine deserts with amazing views of the ice fields and the peak of the mountain. This route is somewhat tougher than the others, leading you through magnificent forests before traversing a ridge leading through moorlands to the Shira Plateau. It offers great scenic views beneath the glaciated precipices of the southern ice fields before summiting from the higher Barafu Camp.

Group size: Max 12 people
Accommodation: simple hotels (2 nights), full-service alpine camping (5 or 6 nights)