Embark specializes in climbing Mt. Killimanjaro through the less-traveled Lemosho Route and up the Western Breach. The Lemosho route takes 4 to 5 days before it reaches the true base of the mountain, where the Western Breach section begins. This approach is the only one that travels up the western, steep side of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

The Western Breach is an alternative route off the Lemosho Route, and can be taken on the final two days prior to the summit. The breach is essentially a steep, 3,000-foot scramble (from 15,000 to 18,100 feet in altitude) done by less than 1 percent of the total Kili climbers. It’s only mildly dangerous (all mountain climbing is, right?), and is typically only done by mountaineering type companies boasting high caliber guides who, if needed, can kick steep, with an ice axe for 11 hours up a route that is not visible by the snow.

We truly believe the Lemosho and Western Breach combo is not only the best, most advanced non-technical route up Mt. Kilimanjaro, but it also affords many things that the average person climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is not able to access using different routes. We are so committed to climbing this route up Mt. Kilimanjaro that we now lead this route exclusively.

There is a secret behind the Machame and Marangu routes that other outfitters do not share.

Authentic experience

Less than 10 percent of the Kilimanjaro climbers come up the Lemosho Route and less than 1 percent up the Western Breach. Why?

First, the Lemosho Route is hard to get to. It’s a three-hour drive from Moshi on a bad road, and as such it is difficult and expensive to transport gear and people to this side of the mountain. There is a forest fee for reaching the start of the Lemosho Route that makes it more expensive for outfitters. They would prefer you to climb the easily-accessed route. We believe the more remote and difficult to get to, the better! After all, you’ve traveled thousands of miles for this.

Acclimatize

On the Lemosho Route, you have to commit to spending more time on the mountain, as the Lemosho route is best done over eight days, whereas other routes requires only 7, 6, or even 5 days.

Should you climb up a 19,000-foot mountain in five days? Any mountaineer will tell you no. It is too high, too fast. You need to acclimatize your body in order to climb that high, and you have a much higher chance of success if you climb the Lemosho / Western Breach route and take a full day of rest at 15,000 feet.

For Mountaineers types

Most of Mt. Kilimanjaro is essentially a big hill hike. You hike to 19,341 feet while walking. The Western Breach, however, is much steeper, has a few places with exposure, and even has some fifth-class climbing.

It mountaineering terms, you sometimes use both your feet and hands to climb up various steep rocks. While the Western Breach can be done by anyone in good physical shape and does not require ropes, this type of climbing is much more suited for a mountaineer versus someone who just wants a hill hike The last day is steep, the trail is not wide, and you must take the climbing seriously.

Any mountaineer who has climbed Kilimanjaro will tell you to climb the Western Breach, as it truly affords you the best experience. If you are adventurous, we highly recommend the Western Breach.

Crowds

The dirty secret of Kilimanjaro is that there are loads of people climbing the mountain. During certain times of the year, you can easily be in a camp with 300 to 500-plus people. It is often dirty and loud.

Because the Lemosho route is more expensive, and because the Western Breach requires a certain caliber of guide and outfitter, most people do not use it. Therefore on the Western Breach, you may find a group or two, but not 500 people like the sheer volume of people on the Machame and Marangu routes. On the Western Breach you will hear the quiet mountain; on the Machame route, you will hear all the other people.

The Machame and Marangu routes see more than 80 percent of the climbers, which means you have loads of people on trails, too. It can be a sea of hikers, with hundreds of people at each camp.

Touch The Glaciers & Explore the Ash Pit

Most people want to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro to see the beautiful glaciers at the summit–the ones we hear are melting. Due to their locations and because climbers have been at it for eight hours by the time they summit, the Machame and Marangu routes afford climbers little opportunity to explore.

When you come up the Western Breach, you cross the rim of the mountain and into the inner cone of Kilimanjaro, and therefore can see all the glaciers, from the Northern and Eastern icefields to the Furtwangler Galicer. You can touch the famous Furtwangler Glacier, walk around it, and explore the Ash Pit of the Reusch Crater. Check out Embark’s picture at the Furtwangler glacier.

Crater Camp

The highest camp on Mt. Kilimanjaro is Crater Camp, which is best accessed through the Western Breach. It sits at more than 18,000 feet and is a great way to only have a one-hour climb to the summit. If you want to sleep at the summit, then you’re best off climbing through the Western Breach. This camp should only be used by those who take climbing Kilimanjaro serious