Kilimanjaro - Routes on the Mountain
There are a number of routes you can take to reach Uhuru Peak. The majority of trekkers choose the Marangu Route, otherwise known as the Coca Cola or Tourist Route. It is the easiest trail to the summit over mostly gentle slopes on the eastern side of the mountain and takes a minimum of 5 days. The next most popular is the Machame Route, also known as the Whiskey route as it is supposed to be a trail to be savoured. It takes a minimum of 6 days (the extra time helps with aclimatisation) and provides some of the most spectacular scenery on the mountain. It is reportedly a lot more strenuous than the Marangu Route but the extra effort is supposedly worthwhile. This is the route we chose and it certainly does offer spectacular scenery. The other options on the mountain are relatively unused by comparison and are generally tougher still. These include the Mweka and Umbwe Routes. They may be worth considering if you really want to avoid other trekkers.
What most people describe as the Machame Route is actually officially known as the Machame - Mweka Combination Route. The first two days are spent on the Machame trail, the next two on the South Circuit Path and the last two on the Mweka trail. Route plans are shown below.
Map showing the Machame - Mweka Combination Route
Taken from 'Map and guide to Kilimanjaro' by Andrew Wielochowski published by EWP ISBN - 0-906227-66-6
Oblique view of Kilimanjaro showing the southern routes on the mountain
Taken from 'Map and guide to Kilimanjaro' by Andrew Wielochowski published by EWP ISBN - 0-906227-66-6
Link for EWP to purchase Map and Guide