Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via Lemosho Route (6 days)

Upon arrival, we’ll pick you up from the airport and transfer you to your beautiful Park View Inn Hotel in Moshi.

You’ll spend the day relaxing by the pool.

After breakfast, your guide will brief you. We will drive two hours from Arusha (1400m) to Londorossi Park Gate (2100m). In the village near Londorossi Gate, you will receive a packed lunch and can buy mineral water for the hike. Then, the final 45 minutes of the drive leading up to the gate will be on a bumpy forest track requiring 4WD vehicles. After registration, you’ll begin a 3-hour hike through the rain forest. Be on the lookout for Colobus monkeys! Along the way, you will stop for an afternoon lunch break and arrive at Mti Mkubwa (“Big Tree”) Campsite (2750m) by evening. At nighttime, mountain temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared!

Hiking time: 3 hours

Habitat: Mountain forest

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, you will begin ascending into the heather moorland zone. Crossing many streams you’ll head towards a plateau that leads to Shira 2 Camp (3840m). At the campsite, you will be next to a stream and have a spectacular view of the Western Breach and its glaciers in the East.

Hiking time: 6.5 hours

Habitat: Moorland

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Following an early morning breakfast, you will head from moorland to semi-desert and rocky landscape. After 5 hours of walking east, you will come face to face with the Lava Tower (4630m). Packed lunches will be served here and hikers also have an option of climbing the massive Lava Tower if weather permits. At this point of the hike, it is normal for hikers to start feeling the effects from the altitude including headaches and shortness of breath.

Next, we’ll move towards the Barranco Campsite (3950m). The descent takes around 2 hours. It is located in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall (“Breakfast Wall”). Drinking and washing water and dinner will be served as hikers view the sun setting.

Hiking time: 7 hours

Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers

Habitat: Semi Desert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After early breakfast, it is now time to conquer the Great Barranco Wall! From the top of the Wall, you will have a view of Heim Glacier. The trail then winds up and down in the Karanga Valley and intersects with the Mweka Route, which is the trail used to descend on the final two days. As you continue hiking for an hour, you will reach Barafu Hut. This is the last water stop for the porters because there is no accessible water at Barafu Camp (4550m). Tents will be exposed to wind and rocks so it is important for hikers to familiarize themselves with the campsite before dark. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!

Hiking time: 7 hours

Distance: Approximately 13 kilometers

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Your guide will wake you around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The route heads northwest and you will ascend over stone scree. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the climb. In about 6 hours, you will reach Stella Point (5685m), located on the crater rim. After enjoying a magnificent sunrise, you will continue ascending for about 2 hours on a snow-covered trail to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before descending to Barafu. The hike down to Barafu Camp takes about 3 hours.

After lunch, you’ll continue towards Mweka Hut (3100m).  Mweka Camp (3100m) is located in the upper rain forest, so fog and rain should be expected. here, you’ll have a warm dinner and take rest.

Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 7-8 hours to descend to Mweka

Distance: Approximately 7 kilometers ascent and 23 kilometers descent

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration of dancing and singing. Thereafter, you will descend for three hours to get to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Stella Point (5685m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. Next, you’ll descend to the Mweka village for 1 hour (3 kilometers). You will be served a hot lunch then we will drive you back to Moshi at Hotel for long overdue showers and more celebrations.

Hiking time: 3 hours

Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers

Habitat: Forest

Meals: Breakfast