Kilimanjaro Lemosho Hike - 10 Days

Arrive at any time and make your way to your included airport transfer to your hotel. Later today you will meet your guide and other guests who are to trek The Lemosho route. Later, enjoy a welcome dinner and unwind before we set off tomorrow!

Meals: None.

Accommodation: Salinero Hotel (boutique 4 star) or similar.

After breakfast, you’ll begin your journey with a scenic drive from your hotel in Moshi to the Londorossi Gate, which takes approximately 4 hours. Upon arrival, you’ll complete all necessary registration procedures at the gate before continuing the transfer to the Lemosho starting point.

The trek officially begins as you enter the lush rainforest, an enchanting and vibrant environment that marks the first leg of your ascent. You’ll follow the well-maintained trail through this beautiful, dense forest, keeping an eye out for unique flora and the occasional wildlife. The day’s trek culminates at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp, where you’ll enjoy a well-deserved dinner and overnight stay in the camp.

Elevation: 2,346m to 2,878m Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

This relatively short day allows you to acclimatise gradually while experiencing the natural beauty of Kilimanjaro’s lower slopes.

After breakfast at Big Tree Camp, you’ll leave the rainforest behind and enter a strikingly different landscape. The trail leads you into a vast savannah, characterised by tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock formations draped in lichen beards. As you ascend through the lush rolling hills, you’ll cross several streams, adding to the sense of adventure and exploration.

The route continues to the Shira Ridge, where you’ll be treated to expansive views of Kilimanjaro and the surrounding landscape. After reaching the ridge, the trail begins a gradual descent towards Shira 1 Camp, your destination for the day. This is a perfect spot to rest, enjoy dinner, and reflect on the day’s journey.

Elevation: 2,878m to 3,485m Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

This day’s trek offers a wonderful variety of landscapes and is an excellent opportunity for acclimatisation, as you gain elevation in a steady, manageable way.

Today, you’ll spend the entire day exploring the Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus on Earth. The trek begins with a walk east across the moorland meadows, offering expansive views of the surrounding landscapes and the imposing Kilimanjaro peak. The path gradually leads you towards Shira 2 Camp, but rather than following the main trail, you’ll take a detour towards Moir Hut.

This scenic diversion allows you to experience the plateau’s diverse terrain and enjoy the tranquillity of this high-altitude environment. Upon reaching Moir Hut, you’ll settle in for a hearty lunch before taking time to relax and acclimatise. In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner at the hut before spending the night under the stars.

Elevation: 3,485m to 4,182m Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

This day offers stunning views, a chance to immerse yourself in the unique landscape of the Shira Plateau, and provides excellent acclimatisation time as you continue to gain altitude.

Today is dedicated to acclimatisation, allowing your body to adjust to the increasing altitude. After breakfast, you’ll begin your trek by heading east up a ridge before veering southeast towards Lava Tower Camp. At an altitude of 4,785m (15,190ft), Lava Tower is a striking 300ft tall volcanic rock formation, offering dramatic views and a fantastic spot for photos.

After lunch at Lava Tower, you’ll descend to Barranco Camp (3,953m/13,000ft). The descent takes you through the unique and captivating Senecio Forest, where the strange-looking plants add to the otherworldly feel of the landscape. Even though you’ll end the day at a similar altitude to where you started, the time spent at Lava Tower is incredibly beneficial for acclimatisation, helping your body adapt to the higher elevations.

Elevation: 4,182m to 4,785m and back to 4,182m Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

This acclimatisation day plays a crucial role in increasing your chances of summit success, while also providing stunning views of Kilimanjaro’s volcanic landscape.

The day begins with a descent to the base of the Great Barranco Wall, a towering rock face that stands as one of Kilimanjaro’s most iconic features. From the base, you’ll start the climb up the nearly 900ft (270m) cliff. Though non-technical, the ascent is steep and challenging, providing a thrilling start to the day. Once at the top of the Barranco Wall, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views and the opportunity to take in the expansive landscapes around you.

From here, the trail traverses across a series of hills and valleys, offering varying perspectives of the mountain. The path then descends sharply into the Karanga Valley, where you’ll find Karanga River, the final water point before the summit. After replenishing your water supply, you’ll climb up to Karanga Camp, where you’ll enjoy a well-earned lunch.

In the afternoon, you’ll go on a shorter acclimatisation walk to help your body adjust to the altitude. Afterward, enjoy dinner at the camp before settling in for the night.

Elevation: 4,183m to 3,972m Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

This day is a mix of challenging climbs, beautiful valleys, and valuable acclimatisation, all helping prepare you for the next stages of the trek.

From Karanga Camp, the route continues upward, navigating through a rocky section as you make your way towards Barafu Camp. This marks the completion of the Southern Circuit, offering stunning views of Kilimanjaro’s summit from various angles. As you reach Barafu Camp, you’ll be able to enjoy the dramatic scenery, with clear views of the two peaks, Mawenzi and Kibo, when the weather permits.

Once at Barafu, take some time to rest and recover before the final push to the summit. You’ll enjoy an early dinner to fuel up for the challenging day ahead, and then prepare for the night ascent to the summit.

Elevation: 3,972m to 4,646m Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

The day’s trek offers a sense of accomplishment as you complete the Southern Circuit and get closer to your summit goal, with awe-inspiring views to inspire your final preparations.

At midnight, you’ll begin the final and most challenging portion of your trek – the push to the summit. This is both a mentally and physically demanding journey, as you’ll ascend through the cold and windy conditions of the night. The trek will be in darkness for several hours, with short breaks along the way to rest and recharge.

After several hours of steady climbing, you’ll reach Stella Point (5,730m/18,900ft) just in time for sunrise. The first light of the day will offer a breathtaking view of the summit and surrounding landscapes. From Stella Point, you’ll continue for about an hour to reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, standing at 5,895m (19,341ft).

At the summit, take a moment to soak in the incredible achievement and capture some photos of the stunning views. Afterward, it’s time to begin the descent. The journey back to Barafu Camp takes about 3 hours, where you’ll take a short rest (1-2 hours) before continuing your descent to Mweka Camp for the night.

At Mweka Camp, you’ll enjoy a well-deserved dinner and overnight rest after the long and rewarding day.

Elevation: 4,646m to 5,895m to 3,100m Hiking Time: 10-13 hours

This is the most physically demanding day of the trek, but reaching the summit and experiencing the descent through varied terrains makes it an unforgettable journey.

After a hearty breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it's time to bid farewell to the mountain. You’ll begin your descent to Mweka Park Gate, where you’ll be presented with your summit certificates, a well-deserved recognition of your achievement.

The descent takes you through warmer temperatures, with the terrain becoming wet, muddy, and steep. It’s highly recommended to use gaiters and trekking poles to help navigate the conditions safely. Once you reach the gate, a vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka Village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi, approximately 30 minutes away.

Elevation: 3,106m to 1,633m Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

This final stretch offers a chance to reflect on your remarkable journey while returning to the comfort of your hotel to relax and celebrate your summit success.

After breakfast you're free to depart any time. We wish you the very best onwards travels. Your airport transfer is included in the price should you require it today.