Lemosho Route Hiking Kilimanjaro 9 Days/8 Nights. Other routes available

Flight to Kilimanjaro – Moshi

Welcome to Kilimanjaro, TANZANIA. Upon arrival at KILIMANJARO International Airport, you’ll meet and greet our friendly Tanzanian representative, who will pick you up and transfer by car/minibus to the city of Moshi on the base of the magnificent Kilimanjaro Mountain. The drive from the airport is in places scenic, if you consider that the highest peak of Africa is on your left side accompanying you for most of the journey to Moshi. Upon arrival in the city, proceed for accommodation and dinner. This evening you will have your first meeting with the mountain chief guide and you will listen to the briefind for this climb. Overnight at MOSHI HOTEL in Moshi. You will only start your climbing the next day.

NOTE 1: Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi is about 1 hour drive.
NOTE 2: If your flight arrives in the morning or noon time (no later than 1pm) we can arrange full day or half day activities in the Moshi area. Possibility for Camel riding, visit and bath at the Chemka Springs, walk tour and visit at Marangu Waterfall, Moshi bicycle tour, Maasai Village Cultural Tour etc. Possibility to go directly to these activities and accommodation and dinner in the evening.
NOTE 3: If your flight arrives in the morning or noon time (no later than 1pm) and you do not take any activities, you have the choice to rest in your hotel before your next day climbing or to walk and do shopping in Moshi City.

Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp

Elevation (ft): 7,800 ft to 9,500 ft/2377 m to 2896 m
Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time:3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at your hotel. Afterwards, early morning, together with your Mountain Chief Guide, proceed in a hiking the mountain Kilimanjaro via Lemosho route. After that, we depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at trailhead, we eat lunch, then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site. Dinner and overnight stay is in Forest Camp.

Forest Camp to Shira Camp 1

Elevation (ft): 9,500 ft to 11,500 ft/2896 m to 3505 m
Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time 5-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland

Start your day very early with the usual breakfast at your camp. After breakfast we continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. We will have lunch in the afternoon then proceed with our schedule as we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams. We reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.

Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2 to Moir Camp

Elevation (ft): 11,500 ft to 13,800 ft/3505 m to 4206 m
Distance: 14 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast at your camp, continue with your hike on Kilimanjaro. We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. After lunch we proceed with our schedule, continuing to Moir Camp. This is a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. But a variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

Moir Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Elevation (ft): 13,800 ft to 13,000 ft/4206 m to 3962 m
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Semi Desert

It’s another day in the mountain. After your breakfast at your camp, we hike from the Shira Plateau and continue also to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. You will take some minutes in the afternoon for lunch, then proceed with your schedule. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp at an altitude of 13,000 ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for the summit day.

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation (ft): 13,000 ft to 13,100 ft/3962 m to 3993 m
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Start your day early with the usual breakfast at your camp. After that, together with your crew, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation (ft): 13,100 ft to 15,300 ft/3993 m to 4664 m
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

It’s your sixth-trek day in the mountain as we continue to see the beauty of the African continent. After breakfast at your camp, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. Stop for some minutes in the afternoon for lunch then we continue up to Barafu Camp. For example, at this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make the camp, rest, enjoy dinner and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and then to Mweka Camp

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (top of Africa)

Elevation: 15,300 ft to 19,341 ft/4673 m to 5895 m
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak (Kilimanjaro Peak) to Mweka Camp

Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft/5895 m to 3068 m
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Arctic

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we start our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep in Mweka Camp.

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft/3068 m to 1640 m
Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

After taking breakfast at your camp, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi. At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.