Kilimanjaro 8 Days Lemosho route

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), our staff will be waiting for you, holding a KLM Safaris placard for easy identification. You will then be transferred to your hotel in Moshi, where you will spend your first night, preparing for the adventure ahead.

After breakfast at your hotel, your guide will provide a briefing on the day's itinerary. You will then embark on a two-hour drive from Moshi to Londorossi Park Gate.

Upon arrival at a nearby village, you will receive a packed lunch and have the opportunity to purchase mineral water for the hike. At the park entrance, our guides and porters will organize supplies and complete the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) registration process.

Once everything is set, you will begin a three-hour hike through the lush montane rainforest. Keep an eye out for Colobus monkeys along the way! Midway through the trek, you will pause for an afternoon lunch break before continuing to Mti Mkubwa Camp (Big Tree Camp) at 2,750m, arriving in the early evening.

At the campsite, the porters who arrive ahead of the group will set up your tent and prepare boiled water for drinking and washing. The chef will then serve a light snack, followed by a hearty dinner to refuel for the next day’s adventure.

Hiking Time: Approximately 3 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Distance: 8 km (5 miles)

The trek continues from Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira Camp 1 at 3,500 meters (11,483 feet). This 5 to 6-hour hike covers 6 km (3.7 miles), taking you through moorland terrain as the landscape gradually opens up.

After a short rest at Shira Camp 1, you will proceed to Shira Camp 2 at 3,840 meters (12,598 feet). This segment of the trek takes approximately 3 to 4 hours, covering 8 km (5 miles). Along the way, you will enjoy stunning views of Mount Meru and the Shira Plateau, one of Kilimanjaro’s most scenic areas.

The journey continues with a light trek from Shira 1 Camp at 3,505 meters to Shira 2 Camp at 3,840 meters. This 3 to 4-hour hike covers approximately 7 km and is relatively easy, allowing you to enjoy breathtaking views of the African landscape and Kilimanjaro’s unique flora.

Along the way, you will ascend Shira Peak for acclimatization. Shira 2 Camp offers one of the best vantage points on the route to see Mount Meru, Africa’s fifth-highest peak, weather permitting.

Upon arrival at Shira 2 Camp, you will have time to rest before enjoying a warm dinner and an overnight stay.

Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Distance: 7 km

After an early morning breakfast, you will leave the moorland environment and enter a semi-desert, rocky landscape. The trek eastward takes approximately five hours, leading you to the impressive Lava Tower at 4,630 meters. Along the way, you will take short breaks and enjoy snacks to maintain energy.

After reaching Lava Tower, the descent begins toward Barranco Camp at 3,950 meters. This route follows the principle of "climb high, sleep low," which helps your body acclimate to the high altitude.

Barranco Camp is nestled in a scenic valley below the Breach and the towering Great Barranco Wall. As the day ends, you can relax and enjoy dinner while watching the stunning sunset over Kilimanjaro.

Hiking Time: 6 to 7 hours
Elevation: 3840m / 12600 ft to 3976m /130044 ft
Distance: 8 km (5 miles)

This is a short trekking day designed for acclimatization. After an early breakfast, you will begin the climb up the Great Barranco Wall. Although it may appear challenging at first, hikers often find this Class 2 climb easier than expected.

At the top of the wall, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of Heim Glacier and the experience of trekking above the clouds. The trail then winds through a series of ascents and descents in the Karanga Valley before reaching Karanga Camp at 3,950 meters.

Upon arrival, you will have time to rest, enjoy dinner, and freshen up in preparation for the next day's climb to Barafu Camp.

Distance: 5 km / 3 miles
Time: 4 to 5 hours
Elevation: 3,976 m / 13,044 ft to 3,995 m / 13,106 ft
Zone: High Alpine Zone

After breakfast, you will begin your ascent toward Barafu Camp. The trail merges with the Mweka Route, which will be used for descent after the summit. As you continue hiking, you will reach Barafu Hut, the final camp before the summit attempt.

Barafu Camp, situated at 4,550 meters, marks the last water stop for porters, as there is no accessible water beyond this point. The name "Barafu" means "ice" in Swahili, reflecting the camp’s cold, rocky, and exposed environment. Strong winds and rugged terrain make this site a challenging but essential resting point before the summit push.

An early dinner will be served to allow time for rest before the midnight summit attempt. Your guide will provide a detailed briefing on how to prepare for the climb to Uhuru Peak.

Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Distance: 4 km / 2 miles
Hiking Time: 4 to 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Your guide will wake you around 11:30 PM for a light snack of tea and biscuits before beginning the summit attempt. Moving at a slow and steady pace ("pole-pole"), you will ascend towards Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 5,895 meters.

The trail heads northwest, taking you over rocky terrain and loose scree. Many hikers find this stretch to be the most physically and mentally demanding part of the climb. After about six hours of trekking, you will reach Stella Point at 5,685 meters, situated on the crater rim. Here, you will witness a breathtaking sunrise over the vast landscape.

From Stella Point, the final push to Uhuru Peak takes approximately two more hours along a snow-covered path. Reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement. You will have a short time at the peak to take photographs and soak in the incredible views before beginning the descent.

Descending back to Barafu Camp takes a few hours, where you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, the journey continues down the Mweka Trail, leading through rocky terrain, moorland, and into the rainforest. The day concludes at Mweka Camp (3,100 meters), where you will have dinner and a well-earned rest. Expect mist and occasional rain, as the camp is nestled in the upper rainforest zone.

Summit Ascent: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance: 5 km / 3 miles
Hiking Time: 7 to 8 hours
Habitat: Arctic

Descent: Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
Distance: 12 km / 7 miles
Hiking Time: 4 to 6 hours
Habitat: Rainforest

After a well-earned breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to Mount Kilimanjaro. Before descending, your trekking team will hold a celebratory gathering filled with singing and dancing to mark the completion of your journey. This is also the moment to express your gratitude by presenting tips to your guides, assistant guides, chefs, and porters.

Following the celebration, you will begin your final descent, a three-hour trek down to Mweka Gate. Upon arrival, all hikers are required to sign in with the National Park authorities to receive their certificates of achievement. Those who reached Stella Point (5,685 meters) will receive a green certificate, while those who reached Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) will be awarded a gold certificate.

After receiving your certificate, you will continue descending for another hour (approximately 3 kilometers) through the lush rainforest to Mweka Village. From there, a vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to your hotel in Moshi, where you can relax and celebrate your incredible accomplishment.

Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest

After completing your Kilimanjaro adventure, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight home.

Total Distance Covered: 70 km / 42 miles

End of Climb