Mt Kilimanjaro is the most popular mountains in the world, every year about 50,000 trekkers try to reach the summit [1]https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00207233.2016.1227225?journalCode=genv20. Kilimanjaro has a number of official climbing routes. These are Northern Circuit, Machame, Marangu, Rongai, Londorossi Lemosho, Umbwe, Shira, and Mweka (descent only). [2]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Kilimanjaro_climbing_routes
Here are the main possible routes to Kilimanjaro and also the answer to the question “How long does it take to climb Kilimanjaro?” using these routes. Climbing the Kliminjare takes at least 5 days.
| Route | Description | Days needed | Length |
| Northern Circuit | Newest route on Kilimanjaro. Very low traffic due to very long time on the mountain, traverses nearly the entire mountain including the north side. Long route with great views. | 9 | 90 kilometres (56 mi) |
| Lemosho | Long access drive, remote, less frequented, beautiful forests, scenic traverse to Barafu, camping. Excellent for acclimatization. | 7-8 | 56 kilometres (35 mi) |
| Machame | Second most popular route. Beautiful forest, very good for acclimatization, scenic traverse to Barafu. | 6-7 | 49 kilometres (30 mi) |
| Marangu | Very popular (crowded). Gentle gradients and long sections up to 4700m (2.9 mi). Not a very scenic route as compared to Machame and Lemosho, comfortable but basic huts. The 6 day variant provides good time for acclimatization due to a rest day at Horombo Hut. | 5-6 | 64 kilometres (40 mi) |
| Rongai | Long access drive, remote, less frequented, some fine, wild, least scenic, camping. Good for acclimatization. | 5-6 | 65 kilometres (40 mi) |
| Umbwe | Shortest and steepest route, very physically taxing and requires serious endurance. Beautiful forest, spectacular ridge, bad for acclimatization, scenic traverse to Barafu, camping. Dangerous route. | 5-6 | 37 kilometres (23 mi) |