The list of the routes

There are several routes by which to reach Kibo, or Uhuru Peak, the highest summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, namely, Marangu, Rongai, Lemosho, Shira, Umbwe and Machame.

Machame

• Highly recommended for scenic value
• Great for acclimatization with lots of walk high, sleep low opportunities
• Challenging trek with stunning scenery through 5 diverse climatic zones
• Good opportunity to split pre-summit day climb to leave climbers rested before summiting
• Very popular trail
• Fully catered camping only

Marangu

• Nicknamed the "Coca-Cola" route due to the older days when Coke used to be bought along the way in tea huts
• Often selected by unprepared, inexperienced climbers because of its reputation for being the "easiest" route, attributing to the lower success rate
• The shortest and cheapest route, but less time to acclimatize, therefore lower success rate
• Dormitory style accommodation in huts
• Less scenic due to ascent and descent on same route

Shira / Lemosho

• High success rate. Good for acclimatization
• Remote and spectacular, dramatic gorges and views of west Kilimanjaro
• Converges with Machame on day 4 at Baranco
• Shira offers higher start point compared to Lemosho and poorer acclimatisation
• Fully catered camping only

The Lemosho route approaches Kilimanjaro from the west. Rather than simply intersecting Shira Plateau (like Machame), Lemosho crosses it 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 through Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu, known as the southern circuit. There are several options to complete the trek over (7, 8, or 9 days) based on your experience.

Rongai

• Only northern approach to Kilimanjaro
• Least scenic route
• Offers a true wilderness experience on the early stages of the climb
• Very tough final summit night from the north
• Less acclimatisation opportunities
• Less scenic and flat

Although the scenery is not as varied as the western routes, Rongai makes up for this by passing through true wilderness areas for days before joining the Marangu route at Kibo camp. Rongai is a moderately difficult route, and is highly recommended, especially for those with less backpacking experience. There a different options to complete the climb in 5, 6, or 7 days.

Umbwe

• Steep, short route with lower success rate
• Poor acclimatization because of rapid ascent
• Very remote and quiet
• Fully catered camping only

Of all the routes, Machame is by far the most scenic albeit steeper route up the mountain. The Rongai is the easiest camping route and the Marangu is also easy, but accommodation is in huts. As a result, this route tends to be very busy and ascent and descent routes are the same. Although the Rongai route is a flatter walk, it offers less opportunities for acclimatisation. The Machame and Lemosho routes both allow better opportunities to "walk high and sleep low", which is critical to avoiding altitude sickness.

(Source: Wikipedia)