What are the longest/hardest/steepest routes on Kilmanjaro?
The easy answer would be to say, in terms only of length, that Umbwe is shortest, Marangu is next, Rongai next, then Machame then Londorossi via Shira Plateau. Ahh if only it was that simple. Shortest absolutely does not equal easiest. The single most important factor you should consider is acclimatisation. Londorossi on an 8, 9 or even 10 day trek would give you the best acclimatisation – especially as you will be up around 4,000m for a long time. Machame is next – (that’s our itinerary on a 7 day trek with several days high up) – then the other routes give more direct access but the steepness makes them harder in terms of exertion. Then other factors kick in – cost probably most influential. All the routes except Marangu charge $50 camp fee and $60 entry fee each day – plus a $20 rescue fee. So over a 10 day trek on Londorossi – your park fees alone would be $1,050 per person. Then we need to pay for staff and porters – no where near as much but on a long trip it all adds up – especi
