WORLD COMPASS ADVENTURES
Climbing routes
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Kilimanjaro Routes There are several routes by which to reach Uhuru Peak, at 5895m the highest summit Africa and Mount Kilimanjaro. Mount Meru Routes Mount Meru, at 4562m the fifth-highest peak in Africa, offers a great trek with spectacular views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Momella lakes.
Kilimanjaro Routes
There are several routes by which to reach Uhuru Peak, at 5895m the highest summit Africa and Mount Kilimanjaro.
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Mount Meru Routes
Mount Meru, at 4562m the fifth-highest peak in Africa, offers a great trek with spectacular views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Momella lakes.
Day Trips
Day Trips Near Mount Kilimanjaro · Marangu Day Trip, Waterfalls and Village Tour ·Olpopongi Maasai Village
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Kilimanjaro Route Overview
Climbers on Kilimanjaro can use seven main routes to reach Uhuru Peak. These routes are:
- Marangu Route is the oldest route to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. The route begins in the southeast and approaches Uhuru Peak through Gilman’s Point. It is the only route that uses huts for accommodation instead of tents for the entire climb. It uses the same route to ascend and descend the mountain.
- Umbwe Route. These two routes ascend the mountain from the southwest side of the mountain. Climbers on these routes use the Southern Circuit Barafu Camp and Stella Point to summit Uhuru Peak.
- Machame Route Like the Umbwe Route, this route starts at the southwest side of the mountain, just a valley more to the east. You pass by Lava Tower and join the Umbwe Route at Barranco Camp. The summit ascend is the same as the Umbwe Route. Because you spend an extra day on the mountain, the acclimatization is much better.
- The Lemosho Route begins on the far western side of the mountain. Like Machame and Umbwe, it uses the Southern Circuit to summit Uhuru Peak via Lava Tower through Barafu Camp and Stella Point. In addition it offers a great, wild trek over the Shira Plateau and a small side summit, the Shira Cathedral (3895m). The extra day on the mountain makes this one of the routes with the best acclimatization and success rates.
- The Shira Route is a more direct alternative to the Lemosho route.
- The Rongai Route starts from the North-east and passes through the Saddle, an area situated between Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks. This route approaches the summit through Gilman’s Point and descends through Marangu Route.
- The newest and longest route is the Northern Circuit. This route, just like the Lemosho Route, starts at Lemosho Gate. It however deviates to the north before Lava Tower. It circles around the north of the mountain. Like Marangu and Rongai, it approaches Uhuru Peak through Gilman’s Point.
There is the eighth Kilimanjaro route, Mweka. But this is used as a decent route only. On most tented routes you will use the Mweka route to reach the valley at Mweka Gate.
The Western Breach Route, from Lava Tower straight to the crater rim, is a difficult trail. It is seldom used by most tour operators. It is steep, it offers poor acclimatization and has objective hazards like rock fall. You need a special permit to use the Western Breach Route.
Route summary
| Marangu | Umbwe | Machame | Lemosho & Shira | Rongai | Northern Circuit | |
| Also know as | “Coca Cola” | “Whiskey” | ||||
| From | Southeast | South | South | West | North | West |
| Duration | 5-6 days | 5-6 days | 6-7 days | 7-8 days | 5-6 days | 8 days |
| Total distance | 82 km | 53 km | 62 km | 74 km | 79 km | 88 km |
| Total climbing m | 4300m | 4200m | 5000m | 5200m | 4300m | 5200m |
| Sleeping | Huts | Tent | Tent | Tent | Tent | Tent |
| Acclimatization | ★☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆ | ★★★★ | ★★☆☆ | ★★★★ |
| Success rate over all operators | 80% (6 days) | 60% (6 days) | 85% (7 days) | 95% (8 days) | 85% (7 days) | 95% |
| 65% (5 days) | 50% (5 days) | 80% (6 days) | 90% (7 days) | 70% (6 days) | ||
| Traffic on lower stages | Busy | Low | Busy | Moderate | Low | Low |
| Costs | $$ | $$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$ | $$$ |
| Specials perks | Sleep in hutsThe SaddleGillman’s PointUhuru Peak | Umbwe valleyBarranco WallStella PointUhuru Peak | Lava TowerBarranco WallStella PointUhuru Peak | Shira plainLava TowerBarranco WallStella PointUhuru Peak | View of Kenya Gillman’s PointUhuru Peak | WildernessGillman’s PointUhuru Peak |
Mount Meru
Mount Meru is a dormant stratovolcano located 70km west of Mount Kilimanjaro in southeast Arusha Region, Tanzania. At a height of 4562m it is visible from Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear day, and is the fifth-highest of the highest mountain peaks of Africa.
Mount Meru is located just north of the city of Arusha. It is the second-highest mountain in Tanzania, after Mount Kilimanjaro. The Momella route – which starts at Momella gate, on the eastern side of the mountain – is used to climb Mount Meru. Its fertile slopes rise above the surrounding savanna and support a forest that hosts diverse wildlife, including nearly 400 species of birds, giraffe, buffalo, wildebeest and also monkeys and leopards.
World Compass Adventures will gladly guide you up to the summit of Mount Meru. Note that the path up to Mount Meru is more exposed than the routes on the Kilimanjaro.
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