Lemosho Route

Day 0: arrival

After checking in at the airport (JRO) you will meet your driver who will take you to the hotel in Moshi. For the rest of your day, you can do anything you want such as relaxing by the pool or you can explore more of Moshi. Your guide will meet with you in the evening and they will check all of your equipment as well as giving you a briefing about the climb.

Day 1: ascent from Londorossi Gate (2,250m) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,780m)

Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours

After having had breakfast in the hotel, we will take you to the Kilimanjaro National Park and to the Londorossi gate which is 2,250 metres above sea level. The journey will take about 2 hours. After completing the paperwork that is necessary for you to fill in so that you can climb, your ascent can begin. In the first section, you will walk through a rainforest where you may be able to see monkeys and animals in the vegetation. In the higher altitudes, you will be in the moorland which has less plant life. Approximately 3 hours later you will arrive at the first camp, Mti Mkubwa (also known as Big Tree Camp or Forest Camp), where you will spend your first night on Kilimanjaro sleeping in a tent.

Day 2: ascent from Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,780m) to Shira 1 Camp (3,500m)

Distance: 8 km
Hiking time: 5-6 hours

After an early breakfast, you will start climbing and shortly after the environment around you will change to a bushy, leafy forest. It should help you be able to see the majestic mountains in front of you more clearly. It will take about 3-4 hours and in the early afternoon you will arrive at Shira 1 Camp. From the camp, you can see a beautiful view of Kilimanjaro and the surrounding landscape. You can spend the rest of the day resting and relaxing. During the sunset, the rays of sunlight illuminate the mountains as well as the glacier on the volcano Kibo.

Day 3: ascent from Shira 1 Camp (3,500m) to Shira 2 Camp (3,845m)

Distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 6–7 hours

After another early breakfast, you will start your climb. In the case of interest, you can extend your tour with no additional cost by visiting Cathedral Point. The environment around you will be rocky with bushes and low grass. The altitude change on this day is quite small and the walk isn’t too tiring. In the afternoon, you will arrive at Shira 2 Camp. At the end of the path and at the camp, there are beautiful views of Mount Meru and Great Rift Valley. You can spend the rest of your day resting. The sunlight will again illuminate the mountains and the glacier on Kibo.

Day 4: ascent from Shira 2 Camp (3,845m) across Lava Tower (4,640 m) to Barranco Camp (3,960m)

Distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 6-7 hours

On this day, you will firstly climb up about 800 metres across Shira Plateau to Lava Tower, but then you will return down to a camp that is only a little higher in altitude than the last one. This day will allow you to acclimatise well to prepare for what will be coming. The greenery will lessen and the terrain will be an alpine desert. The climb will take around 6-7 hours and then you will arrive at Barranco Camp.

Day 5: ascent from Barranco Camp (3,960m) to Karanga Camp (4,035m)

Distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours

The climb today will be short, but it is more exhausting due to the harsh terrain. You will start by climbing the Great Barranco Wall where in some parts you might even need to use your hands so that you can continue your ascent. Your safety is a priority and the guide will help you wherever needed. Afterwards, you will continue up and there will be small ascents and descents. During this, you can watch the southern glacier on Kibo. At the end, you will arrive in the pretty valley known as Karanga through which you will have to pass in order to get to the camp on the other side. In the afternoon, you will have enough time to rest so that you can collect your strength for the next day and you can enjoy the stunning landscape.

Day 6: ascent from Karanga Camp (4,035m) to Barafu Camp (4,640m)

Distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours

After breakfast in Karanga Valley, you will set out on a 3 hour hike to Barafu Camp which is 4,640m above sea level. The environment will, as on day 4, be an alpine desert. In the afternoon, you can relax before having an early dinner and sleeping lots to be prepared to climb to the peak on day 7. You will need to wake up early, so you’ll need to make sure to rest well.

Day 7: ascent from Barafu camp (4,640m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) and down to Mweka Camp (3,080m)

Distance: 12.5 km
Hiking time: 14–16 hours

Day 7 is the day where you will ascend to Uhuru Peak- the tallest peak on Mt. Kilimanjaro. We will wake you up just before midnight and shortly after you will have a small snack before the summit push. At this hour, the volcanic ash is frozen which means that it is a little bit easier to climb up it. You await a night-time trek in the cold heights, where there is a lack of oxygen. Even though it may be difficult, there is a high chance that you will make it to the peak with us. At sunrise you will reach Stella Point, on the rim of the crater, from where the path isn’t so steep but due to the thin air it is still tiring and requires a slow pace of walking. After sunrise, it will get significantly warmer. After another 1-2 hours you will reach your goal- Uhuru Peak which is 5,895m above sea level. This is the highest point in Africa. Enjoy this moment and don’t forget to take a photo with the iconic sign signifying the peak of Kilimanjaro in the background! Our guides will be more than happy to take your picture.

The first part of the descent is down the same path as earlier. The volcanic ash, which has probably melted by now may be slightly slippery. After returning to Barafu Camp you will be given a hot meal as well as 1-2 hours to rest and then you will continue your descent along the Mweka Trail to Mweka Camp which is 3,080m above sea level. In this height, there is more oxygen so that you can rest better after the long climb. After dinner, you can go to sleep.

Day 8: descent from Mweka Camp (3,080m) to Mweka Gate (1,630m)

Distance: 9 km
Hiking time: 3–4 hours

On this day you face a simple descent through a rainforest to Mweka Gate by the entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park which is 1,630m above sea level. After saying goodbye to your team, you will be driven to the hotel in Moshi where you can collect your things that you left before your journey and you will spend your last night there.

Departure day: It is your final day. You’ll have breakfast in your hotel and then after checking out, we’ll transfer you to the airport.

Board: breakfast