Is Kilimanjaro an Ant Trail, like the Inca Trail?

While the Inca Trail in Peru is sending 500 people per day up to Machu Picchu, Mount Kilimanjaro is still relatively relaxed and isn’t necessarily always an Ant Trail, as referenced in this letter: Kilimanjaro Memories: That means, 15,000 people per month – excluding February – hike the classic trail in Peru. This year, 30,000 people will climb Mt Kilimanjaro, making it one of the busiest years ever. However, that is a far cry from the Inca Trail.

Of course, if you go hike the Marangu or Machame Route Trail in July and August, you are bound to find other groups and occasional get caught in a steady line of people. If you climb Kilimanjaro expecting to summit on New Years, you will meet many groups along the way and be in the proverbial ant trail.

However, if you are smart – take a lesser known route – do the Lemosho, Shira, Rongai – and spend a longer period of time on the mountain, and go the months of March, June, October and you are bound to have much of the mountain to yourself.