Exceptional
Journeys

The Lemosho Route is widely regarded as the most scenic trail on Mount Kilimanjaro, offering breathtaking panoramic views from multiple sides of the mountain. As one of the newer and less crowded routes, Lemosho provides an ideal balance of stunning landscapes, peaceful trekking, and a high summit success rate. At HWS Adventures, it is our preferred route, and most of our clients choose Lemosho for their Kilimanjaro climb. Feedback from hikers consistently highlights its beauty, comfort, and unforgettable experience.

The journey begins at Londorossi Gate, situated at an altitude of 2,360 meters, on the western approach to the mountain. The trail winds through lush rainforest, home to some of the region’s most unique wildlife, before continuing to the mountain’s third summit at Shira Ridge. This carefully planned route offers excellent acclimatization, making it both safe and highly rewarding for climbers seeking a memorable adventure to the Roof of Africa.

The Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct route. It is considered to be 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, though 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.

The Machame Route, famously known as the “Whiskey Route,” is one of Kilimanjaro’s most iconic and adventurous trails. It earned its nickname for being more challenging than the “Coca-Cola” Marangu Route, offering steeper paths, longer trekking distances, and tented camping rather than hut accommodations. Climbers choosing Machame enjoy a dynamic journey through changing landscapes—from lush rainforest to moorland and alpine desert. Although the climb can be completed in six days, HWS Adventures strongly recommends a 7-day itinerary to allow better acclimatization and increase summit success.

Beginning at Machame Gate on the southern slopes of the mountain, the trail ascends through vibrant rainforest before emerging onto the dramatic Shira Plateau. From there, it follows the scenic Southern Circuit, giving trekkers sweeping views of Kilimanjaro from multiple angles. The summit push takes place from the east via Barafu Camp, and the descent is made along the Mweka Route. With its stunning scenery, rewarding challenge, and strong acclimatization profile, the Machame Route remains one of the most popular choices for climbers—one that HWS Adventures proudly recommends to those seeking a true mountain adventure.