These three routes are the most popular routes on Mount Kilimanjaro that use camping as a mode of accommodation. It would be unfair to pit the Marangu Route against these three routes, as it is unique in its own way and has no similarities whatsoever with them. Marangu uses A-shaped, dormitory-style huts for accommodation and doesn’t share any stops with the Lemosho, Machame, and Northern Circuit routes on the way to the summit. The latter 3 routes, however, meet up at Shira Camp, all the way to the summit. It is only the Northern Circuit route that turns around somewhere near the summit to go around the mountain instead of taking a direct approach like Lemosho and Machame. So basically, Lemosho and Northern Circuit have the same starting points but different end points, while Lemosho and Machame have the same end points but different starting points. If you’re planning to climb Kilimanjaro, you’ve probably seen these three route names pop up again and again: Lemosho, Machame, and Northern Circuit. They’re all solid choices, but they’re not interchangeable. Each one offers a very different experience in terms of scenery, crowds, acclimatization, and how your body will feel on summit night. After speaking with dozens of climbers and guides over the years (and having done Lemosho myself), here’s a straightforward, no-hype breakdown of how these three routes actually compare.
Quick Comparison of the Routes
| Route | Days (Recommended) | Starting Side | Crowds | Acclimatization | Scenery Highlights | Best For | Approx. Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemosho | 8 | West | Moderate (later busy) | Excellent | Shira Plateau, forests, views | Most people, first-timers | ~90% |
| Machame | 7 | South | Very busy | Very Good | Dramatic ridges, Barranco Wall | Those who want popular & scenic | ~85% |
| Northern Circuit | 8–9 | West | Quietest | Best | Full circle of the mountain | Maximum success & quiet trails | 92–95%+ |
Lemosho Route vs Machame & Northern Circuit
Lemosho starts on the quieter western side of the mountain and crosses the beautiful Shira Plateau early on. It’s become one of the most popular routes in recent years for good reason.
Best for: First-time climbers who want great scenery and solid acclimatization without going for the absolute longest option.
- Excellent acclimatization profile (especially on the 8-day version)
- Stunning early scenery — you get the vast Shira Plateau views that Machame hikers miss
- Less crowded in the first 3–4 days
- Good balance of challenge and comfort
- Strong success rates when done over 8 days
- Gets busy once it joins the Machame route around Lava Tower/Barranco
- Slightly longer and more expensive than a standard 7-day Machame
- Some days feel quite long (especially Day 3)
Machame Route vs Lemosho & Northern Circuit
Machame is still the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. It starts from the south and is known for its dramatic landscape changes and the famous Barranco Wall.
Best for: People who want that classic Kilimanjaro experience and don’t mind sharing the trail with more people
- Very scenic — especially the ridge walking and the Barranco Wall climb
- Strong “climb high, sleep low” opportunities (particularly the Lava Tower day)
- Well-established trail with good infrastructure
- Slightly shorter than Lemosho (if you do 7 days)
- Can feel very crowded, especially from Day 3 onwards
- Some sections are steeper and more physically demanding than Lemosho
- Less time for acclimatization compared to the 8-day Lemosho or Northern Circuit
- Summit day can feel more rushed for some people
Northern Circuit vs Machame & Lemosho
Best for: Anyone whose main priority is reaching the summit with the highest possible chance of success and who doesn’t mind a longer, quieter trek.
- Best acclimatization profile of the three (longest and most gradual)
- Significantly quieter trails for most of the trek
- You get to see parts of the mountain that most climbers never experience
- Highest success rates (especially on 9-day versions)
- More time to enjoy the journey instead of just enduring it
- Longest option (more expensive and requires more time off work)
- Some sections (especially the northern side) are less dramatic than the southern/western views
- Fewer “wow” moments compared to Machame’s ridges in some people’s opinion
Head-to-Head Comparison: Acclimatization & Success Rate.
You have seen the pros and the cons for each route, now let us get down to the finer details between these big 3 routes.
Northern Circuit > Lemosho (8 days) > Machame (7 days)
Scenery
Machame edges it for drama, but Lemosho and Northern Circuit win for variety and fewer crowds. Northern Circuit gives you the most complete “around the mountain” experience.
Crowds
Northern Circuit (quietest) > Lemosho (quiet early, busy later) > Machame (busy most of the way)
Physical Difficulty
Machame feels the most demanding day-to-day. Lemosho and Northern Circuit spread the effort more evenly.
Cost
Machame (7 days) is usually the cheapest of the three. Lemosho 8-day sits in the middle. The Northern Circuit is the most expensive because of the extra days.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Choose Lemosho (8 days) if you want the best all-rounder — great scenery, excellent acclimatization, and a strong success rate without going full Northern Circuit. See why Lemosho is the best all-around route on Kilimanjaro.
- Choose Machame (7 days) if you want the classic, most popular experience and are happy with slightly more crowds and a slightly steeper profile.
- Choose Northern Circuit (8–9 days) if reaching the summit is your absolute top priority and you want the quietest, most gradual experience possible.
My Personal Take
If I were doing it again and money/time weren’t major issues, I’d go on the Northern Circuit. The extra days and quieter trails make a noticeable difference in how you feel by summit night. However, for most people I talk to, the 8-day Lemosho hits the sweet spot. It gives you most of the benefits of the Northern Circuit without adding quite as many days or cost. The “best” route isn’t the one with the prettiest photos online — it’s the one that matches your priorities, fitness level, and how much time and money you want to invest in giving yourself the best possible chance of standing on Uhuru Peak. Have you already decided on a route, or are you still torn between these three? I’m happy to help narrow it down based on your specific situation.
More comparisons and key sources to read
- Lemosho or Northern Circuit Route, which is the best route to choose when trekking Kilimanjaro?
- Lemosho vs Marangu Route comparing the newer and the older routes on Kilimanjaro
- Lemosho or Machame, which Kilimanjaro Route is Best for climbing Kilimanjaro?
- Why is Lemosho route the best favorite among the Kilimanjaro routes?
- How many days are the Rongai, Machame, Lemosho, and Marangu routes?
- 7 days vs 8 Days Lemosho Route trek, what is the difference?
- Lemosho Route Summit Success Rate
- What is the success rate for the Rongai, Machame, Lemosho, and Marangu routes?
- Which Kilimanjaro Route has the Best Elevation Gain Profile — and Which Has the worst?
- Why it is Not Possible to climb Mount Kilimanjaro from the Kenyan Side but only Tanzania
- What is included and excluded in our Kilimanjaro trekking package expenses?
- Machame vs Marangu Route, comparing the most popular routes on Kilimanjaro
- 20 good reasons why Machame Route is so popular
- The Machame Route Guide: A Popular Way to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro
- Elevation gain on your Kilimanjaro trek for Lemosho, Machame and Marangu routes
- Northern Circuit Summit Success Rate; Best summit success rate
- Difference between Marangu Route and Rongai Route
- One Day Kilimanjaro Trek to Mandara Hut- Marangu
- One Day Hike on Kilimanjaro to Shira Plateau
