8 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking - Lemosho Route

You will be picked up from your accommodation in Moshi around 8:00am and drive 3-4hrs to Lodorosi gate (2200meters).

Sign up at the gate (please ensure you have your passport number at hand). It will take approximately 1 hour at the gate to weigh luggage and food, organizing the crew, park fees payment and signing in. After that we will drive back to the starting point (2380meters) for one hour.

You will have lunch before you start your climb (lunch boxes and water will be provided). After lunch, you will start your trekking to mti mkubwa (big tree)campsite (2800meters).

•Elevation 2380meters to 2800meters

•Distance: 6 km

•Hiking Time:3-4 hours

•Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast around 8am the trekking will continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather and moorland. You will trek through the hills and crossing several streams and reach the Shira ridge before dropping down to Shira 1 camp.

The view of Kibo across the plateau is spectacular.

•Elevation 2800meters to 3500meters

•Distance: 8 km

•Hiking Time 5-6 hours

•Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast you will begin your trek to Shira 2 campsite.

You will explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is an easy walk toward Kibo’s peak from the east across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 campsite. You will have hot lunch at the camp. Later in the afternoon you will have acclimatization walk which will help you to get used to the altitude.

•Elevation 3500meters to 3900meters

•Distance: 7 km

•Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

•Habitat: Moorland

After Breakfast you will begin your trek to Barranco campsite via Lava Tower (4600meters) also called the Shark’s tooth.

You will have lunch at the Lover tower and spend time at this altitude so that you can get used to the altitude. You will continue down to Barranco campsite at altitude of 3950meters where you will have dinner and overnight-

Although you will end the day at the same elevation as where you started, this day it is very important for acclimatization and it will keep your body ready for summit day.

•Elevation 3900meters to 4600meters to 3950meters

•Distance: 12 km

•Hiking Time: 8-9 hours

•Habitat: Semi Desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. You will have a hot lunch at the camp. Later in the afternoon you will go for acclimatization walk.

Dinner and overnight at Karanga Valley.

•Elevation 3950metters to 4002meters

•Distance: 5 km

•Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

•Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast you will continue the trekking to Barafu hut. At Barafu hut you will have a good view of the summit from different angles.

Rest and prepare for the summit and dinner will be served early. Also you will have a good view of two peaks - Kibo and Mawenzi.

•Elevation 4002meters to 4600meters

•Distance: 4 km

•Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

•Habitat: Alpine Desert

You will begin your trekking to the summit very early in the morning (midnight - 12:30am) the trail zigzags up through heavy scree towards Stella Point at the crater rim.

This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella point you will have a rest for a hot drink (tea) to warm up your body while enjoying the magnificent sunrise. From Stella Point you may encounter snow but this depends on the season. It is 1 hour ascent to the summit, Uhuru peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and in Africa.

After the summit you will start trekking down to Mweka campsite but you will stop at Barafu to have lunch and a short rest. After resting you will continue trekking down to Mweka campsite which is situated at the forest.

Last dinner and overnight at the campsite.

•Elevation 4600meters to 5895meters (and down to 3100meters)

•Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent

•Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent

•Habitat: Arctic

After breakfast, you will start to trek down to Mweka Gate to receive your summit certificates.

At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help.

A vehicle will be waiting at the gate to take you to your accommodation in Moshi.

•Elevation 3100meters to 1800meters

•Distance: 10 km

•Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

•Habitat: Rain Forest