Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. It is located in Tanzania, Africa. Kilimanjaro is also one of the tallest and most famous mountains in the world. The height and elevation gain of Mount Kilimanjaro stands at the height of 5,985 m (19,431 ft). There are a lot of things that you need to know about this mountain beyond just its height if you are a mountain enthusiast or willing to climb the Kili any time soon.
In this article, we are going to discuss the height, elevation gain, and more about Mount Kilimanjaro. If you want to know more, stay tuned till the end of this article, we have covered everything you need to know!
What is the height of Mount Kilimanjaro?
Mount Kilimanjaro is 5,985 m (19,431 ft) above sea level. Kili is on the top of the crater and is called Uhuru Peak for a reason. This is the highest peak in Africa, Tanzania, and one of the seven summits in the world.
Mount Kilimanjaro Elevation Gain
Mount Kilimanjaro is famous for not just its height but also its elevation gain and routes. The different elevations of the Kilimanjaro route, along with their altitudes, are;
1. Northern Circuit: 2,100 m (6,890 ft) at Lemosho Gate
This is the longest route in Kilimanjaro. Yet, it is also the most common route taken by travelers. The Northern circuit route will take up to 9 days of trekking, extending towards the Lemosho route to the Shira plateau. The Lemosho route is west, while the travelers must cross the Lava Tower and head north to the Rongai route. When you take the Northern route, you should climb from the eastern side and descend from the southern side of the Mweka route.
The Northern Circuit may be one of the most commonly chosen and longest routes, but it is not for those with bad health and fitness. This route might lead to difficulty and a lot of tiredness which is not always the best experience for all. If you want to take a route where you can go slow in case any respiration problem arises in the higher route, however, then this route might be it for you.
2. Lemosho route: 2,100 m (6,890 ft) at Lemosho Gate
The Lemosho route at 2100m at Lemosho Gate is probably one of the best routes anyone can take when they are looking to summit Mount Kilimanjaro. This is one of the most scenic yet convenient routes of all time. And it has been highly preferred by travelers as well. Moreover, the chances of altitude sickness lessen when traveling from the Lemosho route because it will take you eight days which is good enough to familiarize yourself with the altitude sickness probable as the altitude increases.
The Lemosho route is also famous for the forests you will go through before you summit the peak of Kilimanjaro. The route is around 70 km or 42 miles. It joins with the Machame route. And, it is not likely for you to take more than 7 to 8 days at maximum if you trek continually, given the fact that you are not suffering from any respiratory diseases or accidents along the way, which is a lot less likely in this route.
How hard is the Lemosho route, though? Well, the answer to this is quite simple. The Lemosho route is probably the easiest route to Kilimanjaro. The longer route serves for better acclimatization. One of the downsides for many travelers, whatsoever, might be that they have to go up to the Barranco Wall, and the mountain only gets steeper and steeper until summited.
3. Shira route: 3,414 m (11,200 ft) at Morum Barrier
The Shira route has always been compared to the Lemosho route. But a major difference between these two is that the Shira route is a far less advanced version of the Lemosho route. While the Lemosho route makes it easier for travelers to get proper acclimatization, the Shira route makes it impossible to get better acclimatization, with the summit ending at six days. Most travelers tend to suffer the most on this route.
Moreover, the Shira route starts higher from the west at Morum Barrier. In comparison to other easier routes, including the Lemosho route, the Shira route requires you to get used to the changing altitudes much quicker due to the high altitude it begins its route with. It would not be wrong to call the Lemosho route a more developed version of the Shira route, though.
4. Machame route: 1,640 m (5,380 ft) at Machame Gate
After the Lemosho route, the Machame route is the easiest route a traveler can take. One of the pros of the Machame route is that it does not take long to climb the mountain and be able to summit it, even for beginners. Though inexperienced backpackers might not have the easiest time climbing the mountain, the Machame route at Machame Gate is probably one of the best for proper acclimatization. The length of this route is 62 km or 37 miles. And since the route is short, it will take around six days to trek through this route.
Beginners are recommended to start from the Machame route.
5. Marangu route: 1,843 m (6,047 ft) at Marangu Gate
Marangu route approaches the peak of Kilimanjaro from the southeast. This route is probably the easiest as it is also the shortest taking only 5-6 days. The time taken to summit through this route is just around five days. Whatsoever, the benefit might also become a back draw for many as this route will lessen the chances of acclimatization for people.
Speaking of the length, the route is 72 kilometers (45 miles) long. Sadly, this route has only a 50% success rate which is quite low considering the success rates of routes like Lemosho. This is mostly due to the lack of time travelers get to adjust their respiration as the altitude changes quickly and fast.
6. Rongai route: 1,950 m (6,398 ft) at Rongai Gate
When you take the Rongai route, you climb the mountain from the northeastern side. The success rate of climbing from the Rongai route is 80% which is quite impressive. And it will take travelers about 6 to 7 days at most to climb the mountain through this route. You also get to experience the wilderness of Kilimanjaro through the Rongai route.
7. Umbwe route: 1,800 m (5,906 ft) at Umbwe Gate
The Umbwe route is one of the shortest routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. But, this does not play any significance in the summit’s success. Travelers will likely suffer from oxygen problems and hardships on the Umbwe route. The Umbwe route is probably one of the riskiest, mostly because it takes only five days. The shortness contributes to bad acclimatization and hence higher risks of suffering from health mishaps.
Among all the other elevation gains of Mount Kilimanjaro, this is the most dangerous.
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