Every climber is different — your fitness, your time, how you handle altitude, whether you want quiet trails or a shorter trip. The right route is the one that fits you. Here's how to find it.
The summit success rate matters less than the route's fit, with your fitness, your timeline, and how you want to remember the climb.
We've guided every one of these for nearly two decades. Some are quieter, some are steeper, some give your body more time to adjust. The right route is the one that gets you to the summit, healthy, with the team intact.
Below: a map, a short quiz that narrows the field to two recommendations, a side-by-side comparison, and the long version of each. If you'd rather skip ahead, talk to our team.
All Kilimanjaro routes converge at Stella Point or Gilman's Point on the crater rim, then walk the last hour to Uhuru Peak, 19,341 ft.
Four questions. We'll narrow ten itineraries down to the two we'd actually recommend.
Upcoming group departures across every route — dates, availability, and all-in pricing. Switch between list and cards, or open the full calendar.
Wide acclimatization profile, all five climate zones, and the most varied scenery of any route on the mountain. The one we recommend first.
The classic Kilimanjaro route. Steep ascents, varied terrain, the Barranco Wall, and the route the rest of the industry calls "the whiskey".
Longest itinerary on the mountain. Lowest traffic, highest summit rate, and the most spacious acclimatization profile we offer.
The only route from the north. Drier than the southern approaches, a shoulder-season favourite, and the quietest of the moderate routes.
The only hut route on Kilimanjaro. Bunks, hot meals, and the same trail up and down, comfortable, but the shortest itinerary on offer.
Northern Circuit with one extraordinary addition: a night inside Reusch Crater at the rim of the ash pit. The rarest itinerary on the mountain.
A four-day climb up a 14,968 ft volcano with an armed ranger and giraffes at the trailhead. Often paired with Kilimanjaro as acclimatization.
Troyvia TripadvisorYour team was great. Had a wonderful experience. Couldn't have had more professional service. Everything was absolutely excellent. You have great people and I loved each and every one of them. Staff treated us like family — great people.
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Ryan Jvia TripadvisorEverything was amazing. Guides were on top of everything, vitals were monitored and guides had a lot of altitude knowledge and could help in any situation that arose. Meals were delicious and filling, tents were very comfortable and I stayed warm even as a solo. Peak Planet wants to get you to the top and as long as it is safe to do so and your body can handle it, they will get you to the summit. Put your trust in them and you won't be disappointed.
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Cherie Dvia TripadvisorThis was the trip of a lifetime! Peak Planet got everything, and I mean everything, right! I went solo on the 7 day Machame trip and my guide Mussouri and his group made me feel safe, encouraged and valued. The food was outstanding — three course meals so tasty, and I'm a picky eater with absolutely zero issues. I also did the 2 day Safari and loved every moment of it, from the Ngorongoro Crater to Lake Manyara. Peak Planet is the only guide service that I would ever use! These guys are just fantastic!
Read on Tripadvisor →No script, no upsell. We'll ask about your fitness, your dates, and your travel style, and tell you which route we'd put you on if you were a friend.
