As more people get vaccinated and it becomes safe to travel again, how about a trip to Nepal’s stunning mountains? We’ve compiled a list of Nepal’s four most popular trekking routes, all of which you should visit at least once in your life.
Nepal’s mountain biking trail offers a unique experience of stunning single tracks consisting of flowy single tracks to gnarly tracks that test your technical skills and assault your senses.
Some of the trails are versatile and offer enjoyable single tracks with stunning backdrops of the Himalayas, slowly giving way to switchbacks and rolling green hills.
Here are the top four MTB routes for your next pedal adventure:
Food on Mount Kilimanjaro is very important part of you Kilimanjaro hiking Adventure! During your hike on Mount Kilimanjaro by Nature Horizons, you will be provided with breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day. The food, specifically selected to help your climb, are high-energy carbohydrate foods that are easily digestible. The primary carbohydrates of the meals are rice, potatoes, and pasta. Fresh fruit and vegetables accompany every meal. Meat is served on the mountain but not in large quantities because it is not easily digestible at higher altitudes, nor does it keep well on the mountain. We resupply the team with fresh food throughout the climb.
If this is your first time in Tanzania or your first time on a safari, the packing list below will help you be well-prepared and comfortable during your adventure. If you do forget a few things, don’t worry, you can pick up most everyday items in town before you leave.
Travel Documents
Clothing
Remember, it’s not a fashion show out there, so be a bit more practical when choosing your safari wardrobe. Try to stay away from bright colors – khaki and other neutral colors tend to work well. It is probably best if you dress in layers since it can get cold, but also very hot depending on the time of day.
Highly recommended
Others tips
Travelers planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro frequently ask how long does it take to climb Mount Kilimanjaro? It takes about five to nine days on the longer routes to reach Mount Kilimanjaro Summit Uhuru peak and descend to the finishing point. The more days you spend on the mountain acclimatizing, the better your chances of reaching the top. Trekkers who spend only five days have the lowest summit success rate.
Trekkers who spend eight or nine days have a much better chance of summiting. Factors affecting how long it takes to climb Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro is a “walk-up” mountain, meaning there is no technical climbing involved. How long it takes to reach the summit is largely dictated by how well you are able to acclimate to the lack of oxygen at high altitudes.
The main reason why climbers fail to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro is simply that they have not acclimatized to the altitude.
How badly do you want to get to the summit? If you’re serious about completing the climb, the main factor standing in your way is acclimatization.
The good news is that going slow and taking your time allows your body to gradually adapt to the reduced oxygen.
The more days you spend on the mountain acclimatizing, the better your chances of reaching the top. Trekkers who spend only five days on Kilimanjaro have the lowest success rate, while those who spend 8 or 9 days have a much better chance of standing on the Roof of Africa.
The Wilderness Medical Society Practice Guidelines for the Prevention of Acute Altitude Illness says that controlling the rate of ascent, in terms of the number of meters gained each day is a “highly effective means of preventing altitude illness.”
A slow and steady ascent gives your body time to adjust to the altitude, and while physical fitness does not seem to have an effect on how well you acclimatize, you’ll build in enough time for rest and recovery after the day’s hiking.
It’s difficult to get up-to-date data from the Kilimanjaro National Park, but in 2006 estimates of the success rate based on the number of days spent on the mountain were clear. At that time:
Those numbers have no doubt improved since then thanks to better guides, improved gear, and a better understanding of how to successfully hike the trail. But they give you an indication of the importance of taking your time on the mountain.
Being very fit does not correlate with an increased ability to acclimatize. Being physically fit will make the hiking easier, as well as reduce fatigue and stress, but it won’t help you acclimate.
According to Dr. Hackett from the Institute for Altitude Medicine, says physical fitness will give you no protection from altitude sickness. Sometimes, many young, fit people will push through the discomfort, ignoring important symptoms.
There are a total of six different routes you can use to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
The shortest possible way to the summit is by the Marangu or the Umbwe Route. These routes can be completed in 5 days (but we don’t recommend it for most hikers).
The longer treks, Lemosho, Machame, Rongai, or the Northern Circuit route take 6-10 days.
The main reason you’d want to take a longer route is to give your body time to acclimatize to the altitude, but there are other considerations as well.
Unless you are very fit, covering the same amount of ground in a shorter time frame can increase your chances of fatigue and injury – and compromise your enjoyment of the environment.
Climbing Kilimanjaro recommends Trekkers who have a flexible schedule to consider a longer route or build in one or two acclimatization days and have an easier time reaching the summit.
Each route is varied in the duration of the mountain, the types of accommodation, the level of difficulty, the type of scenery, and other factors.
The table below lists each route, sorted by the number of days usually taken on each route.
| Route | Number of Days | Route Length |
|---|---|---|
| Marangu Route | 5 | 64 kilometers (40 mi) |
| Umbwe Route | 6 | 37 kilometers (23 mi) |
| Rongai Route | 6 or 7 | 65 kilometers (23 mi) |
| Machame Route | 6 or 7 | 49 kilometers (30 mi) |
| Lemosho Route | 7,8 or 9 | 66 kilometers (35 mi) |
| Northern Circuit | 8 or 9 | 66 kilometers (35 mi) |
You can definitely climb Kilimanjaro in five or six days. Most clients we’ve spoken to are attracted to the shorter routes for these reasons:
In all of Climbing Kilimanjaro’s combined years of experience as mountain guides and trek organizers, we encourage a longer, steadier climb as it is safer, and increases our clients’ summit success rate dramatically.
Additionally, giving yourself time to enjoy the unique mountain environment with adequate rest and recovery will make for a much more enjoyable experience.
When is it a good idea to opt for a shorter Kilimanjaro climb?
It’s an undeniable fact that longer routes increase summit success rates.
How long does it take to descend Kilimanjaro?
It takes around two days to descend Kilimanjaro from the Uhuru Peak Summit to the Finish point. The descent can take up to five hours to reach the camp for overnight, and four to six hours the following day depending on the route and trekker’s experience.
Quick Facts: Fastest times to the Summit of Mount Kilimanjaro by elite athletes
Current record holder:
Karl Egloff, a Swiss climber, made it in 4 hours, 56 minutes. He’s gone on to break records on Aconcagua, Cotopaxi, and others. You can read more about his intense training and pre-acclimatization program here.
Other notable times:
How long will it take YOU?
Climbing Kilimanjaro is a once-in-a-lifetime experience: you’ve trained for it and paid for it, so don’t compromise your safety or chance of success.
Got questions? Send us an email or hit the live chat button.
Known for its disarming beauty, Langtang has lured thousands into its regal splendor for years. But the colossal damage caused by the earthquake in 2015 seemed to shadow its beauty, but only for a while. What stands out despite the catastrophe is the indomitable spirit of the people around.
Just a year after the earthquake, the residents reclaimed the site as their home and source of livelihood. The progress made since then is consistent and the message is loud and clear; it is safe and open for trekking.
Most of all, the warm smiles, welcoming hospitality, and the resilient spirit of the people awes you and changes your outlook on life. For Best Nepal Adventure Holidays, Nature Horizons offers the best Nepal tour packages which includes Langtang trek adventures and Langtang Bike Adventures.
In this article, we describe best tour destinations in Nepal. If you are looking for best places to visit in Nepal, we are here to guide you.
Nature Horizons do the planning for your dream vacations for Nepal Tour!
Book Nepal Tour Package with us! Whether you are looking for Vacation Packages, Group Holidays Packages, Tour & Travel Packages, School Educational Tour Packages, Accommodations, or the whole package, we have covered all. Simple tell one of our Nepal travel specialists where you want to go and we will help you figure out the rest. While working with us, we want you to be completely happy with the experience. If you have questions about us, our services, or even travel tips, get in touch! We hope you continue to book with us for many years to come.
Kilimanjaro Guides & Porters
Kilimanjaro guides, porters, and other crew make up an essential part of a true Kilimanjaro experience. One of the most renowned mountaineers of the 20th century, Peter Boardman gave an apt description of guiding brethren:
“Their lives are linked by a love and profession to the mountains, and their company will enhance the experience of all those who wish to approach the mountains and learn.”
This is very true here in Kilimanjaro – the guides’ job is not just to make it possible for you to reach the mountain peak safely and sound, but also to make sure that the days that you’ll spend on these slopes are amusing and memorable. And it’s not simply a job – it is a lifestyle and, in some ways, an outlook. It makes the Kilimanjaro guides quite different from those found on the slopes of other popular mountaineering destinations.
We have many clients who climbed Mt Kilimanjaro years ago. Most of them don’t remember the names of routes, camps, or how the landscape looked, but all of them remember the names of their guides. Our Kilimanjaro team leaders always leave a special imprint on climbers, and their skills largely determine if the climb will be successful or not.
Therefore, when selecting your Kilimanjaro adventure, choosing your guide is the first and foremost decision to make.
Must-have Skills of our Kilimanjaro Local Guides
Each and every Kilimanjaro Local guides possess deep knowledge of a number of things. Briefly, their competencies may be put into two distinct groups. The first type, so-called “soft” skills, are needed to make the experience enjoyable, amusing, and memorable for you and for the crew. The second, “hard” skills – are needed to handle the practical needs of the expedition, such as camp management, crew composition, pathfinding, emergency response, and others.
“Soft” skills
“Hard” skills
Major accidents are relatively rare on Kilimanjaro – only recorded once in a decade on certain parts of the mountain. A more important and common concern is acute altitude sickness or AMS. This is a concern for climbers on any mountain of significant altitude and Kilimanjaro is no exception. A skilled guide should be capable of diagnosing this sickness at the very earliest stages, treating it to minimize long-lasting impacts, and organizing evacuation if necessary.
When helicopter evacuation is not necessary, the guide should be able to organize manual transportation on a special stretcher.
So, you can expect the following from our Kilimanjaro local guides:
Nature Horizons Tours takes pride in the hard work of our staff and we strive to maintain and grow our reputation of excellence. Our guides uphold a high level of professionalism while still keeping the experience fun for the clients.
Our Kilimanjaro local guides understand and are aware that customer satisfaction, a safe and successful climb is one of our company’s core values.
Kilimanjaro Porters
Kilimanjaro porters are the backbone of every expedition and a very special breed of mountaineers, whose physical fitness and stamina always draw the surprising looks of Kilimanjaro trekkers. Trudging uphill, the exhausted hikers are often astonished to see the galloping team of porters, heavily loaded with camping equipment, seeming to have no difficulties whatsoever.
The porter crews have many important responsibilities, such as:
Our porters receive three nutritious meals every day, and apart from ugali and beans, their diet includes meat (goat and beef), eggs, potatoes, rice, spinach vegetables, tea, and bread. A simple menu, yet rich in calories and carbohydrates. At Nature Horizons Tours we can proudly say that our porters never go asleep with an empty stomach.
Shoddy tents: Many budget companies are using inferior tents. As a result, their porters often suffer from hypothermia when the weather becomes bad. Every year some of them die, but the climbers are seldom aware of that. We take good care of our porters, so they take good care of you.
No, you cannot: Under the National Parks Mountain Climbing Regulations of Tanzania, each trekking group should be accompanied by a licensed climbing guide.
Under the law, the porters are not a requirement – their participation in the expedition is mostly a result of the evolution of the climbing industry. Some of the Kilimanjaro outfitters are offering “light” packages, where you will be accompanied by the guide only. Yet, this option is suitable for the experienced climbers only, who have taken part in other high-altitude trips and know how to set up a camp, cook meals at altitude and otherwise survive in the wilderness. These climbers should be also physically fit and capable of carrying up to 20 kg of expedition supplies and gear.
Selecting a Kilimanjaro climb route is one of the most important decisions you have to make. There are seven established routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro:
The Marangu, Machame, and Umbwe route all approach from the south of the mountain (Mweka is used only for descent). The Lemosho, Shira, and Northern Circuit routes approach from the west. The Rongai route approaches from the north. The illustrations below depict a dimensional view of Kilimanjaro’s climbing routes and a close-up of the approaches to the summit.
Selecting a route is a hard choice for most climbers. To find the best Kilimanjaro route for you, the following considerations should be taken:
Known as the “Coca-Cola” route, the Marangu route is a classic trek on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the oldest, most well-established route. The Marangu route is also the only climbing route that uses the same path up AND down, which contributes to it being the most crowded climbing route on Kilimanjaro.
Many favor the Marangu route because it is considered the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope. It is also the only route, which offers sleeping huts in dormitory-style accommodations.
The minimum number of days required for this route is five, although the probability of successfully reaching the top in that time is quite low. Spending an extra acclimatization day on the mountain is highly recommended when climbing Kilimanjaro using the Marangu route.
Marangu is favored only during the rainy season, where the hut accommodations are preferred over wet ground, or for those who only have five days to climb Kilimanjaro (which we do not recommend anyhow).
Known as the “Whiskey” route, the Machame route is now the most popular route on the mountain. Compared with Marangu, the days on Machame are longer and the walks are steeper. The Machame route is considered a difficult route and is better suited for more adventurous folks and those with some hiking or backpacking experience.
Machame is indeed a more difficult climb in some respects, but it does have much higher success rates than Marangu, especially if you choose the seven-day version. (According to estimates about 60% of the climbers on Machame make it to the summit, and over three quarters reach the crater rim.)
The route begins from the south, then heads east, traversing underneath Kilimanjaro’s southern ice field before summiting. The minimum number of days required for this route is six days, although seven days is recommended.
The Machame route is scenically beautiful and varied.
Featuring captivating scenic vistas, pristine wildlife, excellent acclimatization opportunities and low traffic of climbers, Lemosho is our personal first favorite for reaching the roof of Africa. The first two days on the Lemosho route take you through beautiful and very remote rainforest, with good chances of seeing wildlife. The start of the trail is also known as the Lemosho Glades.
The route begins in the west and rather than simply intersecting Shira Plateau (like Machame), Lemosho crosses it from Shira Ridge to Shira Camp. Climbers encounter low traffic until the route joins the Machame route. Afterward, Lemosho follows the same route through Lava Tower, Barranco, and Barafu, known as the southern circuit.
The minimum number of days required for this route is six days, although eight days is ideal.
Lemosho is considered the most beautiful route on Kilimanjaro and grants panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. It is our favorite route because it offers a great balance of low traffic, scenic views, and a high summit success rate. Thus, Lemosho comes highly recommended. Most of our clients use Lemosho.
The Shira route approaches Kilimanjaro from the west and then joins the Machame route. Hence everything that has been said about the Machame climb route also applies to the Shira route. In fact, Shira was the original route and Lemosho is the improved variation. While Lemosho starts at Londorossi Gate and treks through the rain forest to Shira 1 Camp, the Shira route bypasses this walk by using a vehicle to transport climbers to Shira Gate, located near the Shira Ridge.
On the first day on the mountain, climbers begin their hike from 11,800 feet (3,600 m) and spend their first night at the same elevation at Simba Camp. Then, the route merges with Lemosho and follows the southern circuit route.
Although Shira is a varied and beautiful route, Lemosho is recommended over Shira due to the relatively high altitude of Shira’s starting point, which is accessed quickly by vehicle. It is possible that climbers will experience some altitude-related symptoms on the first day while camping at 11,800 feet.
Overall, Shira has excellent success rates if the schedule involves a night at Karanga Valley (making for a short and easy day before the summit day). However, the good success rate is partly due to the operators on this route being higher level than on the more crowded routes
The Northern Circuit route is the newest, most exciting route on Kilimanjaro. The trek follows the Lemosho trail in the beginning, approaching Kilimanjaro from the west. However, instead of following the southern traverse like all the other west-approaching routes, the Northern Circuit traverses the mountain around the quiet, rarely visited northern slopes.
The Northern Circuit route is a nine day climb, which is the longest route in terms of time and distance traveled. The days spent at around 13,000 feet are great for acclimatization, resulting in the highest success rates for all routes on Mount Kilimanjaro.
With a high success rate, incredibly varied scenery, and a very low number of visitors, the Northern Circuit route is certainly one of the best routes on Kilimanjaro.
The six-day version of the Rongai route (via Mawenzi Tarn) is the route of choice for those looking for an easy climb with excellent success rates that is still away from the crowds with great scenery and a wilderness feel to it. Rongai has low traffic, and it is the preferred route for those looking for an alternative to the crowded Marangu route, for those who would like a more remote hike, and for those who are climbing during the rainy season (the north side receives less precipitation).
The Rongai route has a reputation of being less scenic, but even if there is not quite as much variety as on Machame, it is still a spectacular route, especially in the later days. The camp beneath Mawenzi Peak is one of the most scenic places on the mountain.
Rongai is also one of the routes where seeing wildlife on Kilimanjaro is still possible. The Rongai climb has the same easy, gradual climb profile as the Marangu route. It rises very steadily, there aren’t any steep climbs involved, no major ups and downs.
The minimum number of days required for this route is six days, but seven days are recommended.
With Nature Horizons tours you have an 80 – 90% chance to make it to the crater rim, and 70 – 80% will make it to Uhuru Peak.
(If you have some trekking experience your chances to make it to the summit could be as good as 90%. (The remaining 10% comes down to the weather, individual preparation, individual altitude tolerance, and unforeseen mishaps.)
The Rongai route has another important advantage: the northern side of Kilimanjaro is a lot drier than the other side. Your chances NOT to get soaked on the first days are excellent. Especially if you climb Kilimanjaro during one of the wetter periods of the year, using Rongai makes a lot of sense.
The Umbwe route is not a technical route, but it is a very direct, very steep, very tough, and in parts a very exposed route. It is considered very difficult and is the most challenging way up Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to the quick ascent, Umbwe does not provide the necessary stages for altitude acclimatization. Although the traffic on this route is very low, the chances of success are also low.
The route is offered at a minimum of six days, although seven days is recommended when attempting this route.
The Umbwe route should only be attempted by those who are very strong hikers and are confident in their ability to acclimatize. However, overall, the Umbwe route is not recommended and we discourage its usage for our clients.
Traveling to Tanzania for a safari holiday? Planning for how many days you will spend for a private multi-day Tanzania Safari? It depends on your budget, whether you are traveling with kids or solo, and the type of safari and national park you want to visit!
This is what a day on a Tanzania safari might look like; You wake up with the sunrise, eat a hot breakfast chased by strong coffee or tea, then head out with your Nature Horizons safari guide in a fully equipped safari vehicle. For hours you drift across the endless savannah or drop into large calderas teeming with wildlife. You stop and you observe, swimming in awe at the sheer amount of wildlife surrounding you.
After lunch at a sweeping overlook, you weave your way across rivers, snapping photos of two-ton hippos and sunbaked crocodiles. For the afternoon game drive, you spend hours tracking thirty elephants as they return from their favorite watering hole. By nightfall, you are back at your accommodations for a beverage, a hearty meal, some story sharing, stargazing, and finally, sleep.
So, what’s the ideal amount of time to spend in a wildlife paradise?
It’s an unusual question to ask, especially when safaris are so superlative, so huge, and utterly life-changing. Is more better? How do I know the optimal amount of days that will afford me time to witness the Big Five and everything in between?
What’s unique about a Tanzanian safari is how much you’re able to pack into a week. Along the Northern Circuit, for example, there is such a variety of experiences and landscapes that after a full week, you’ll have a bunch to process.
Here are just four of these highlights:
Tarangire National Park: Staff favorite; the best place to see African elephants.
Serengeti National Park: Ground zero for the best wildlife viewing on the planet.
Ngorongoro Crater: Largest intact caldera in the world, a beautiful condensed arena of wildlife.
Lake Manyara: Host to millions of pink flamingos, located in the heart of the Great Rift Valley.
The Serengeti is 5,700 square miles, about the size of the state of Connecticut. The last thing you want to feel when you’re out there and searching for those wild animals is rushed. To have at least four full days on the game drives will give you enough time to see an incredible amount of wildlife. Tack on arrival and departure days, travel to and from the national parks and reserves, and we think the optimal time for your safari experience is 6-7 days. This truly gives you the space to experience the essence of a safari while having time to prepare, decompress, and process.
Don’t wait any longer! Contact us today.
Nature Horizons was born out of the dream to explore and discover the most amazing places on the planet. Our travel tours fully immerse you in wildlife, culture, mountains, megalithic sites, adventure, nature, and love for our beautiful Mother Earth.
+1 (845) 324 9598
PO Box 1128, Beach Haven, 08008
Nature Horizons was born out of the dream to explore and discover the most amazing places on planet earth. Our travel tours will fully immerse you in wildlife, culture, mountains, megalithic sites, adventure, nature, and the love for our beautiful Mother Earth.
PO Box 1128, Beach Haven, 08008