10 Days (8 Days) Mount Kilimanjaro trekking – Lemosho Route (Group Tour)

You are welcome to arrive at any time in your pre-booked Arusha accommodation to meet the group for tour briefing and leisure. Alternatively, join our complimentary shared transfer as advised during the booking stage on the arrival time of other passengers at Kilimanjaro Airport.

Your tour guide will inspect your equipment to make sure you have all you need for a smooth trip.

Accommodation: Mount Meru Hotel

Begin the journey with a comfortable transfer to Londrosi gate for registration before trekking to the Mti Mkubwa camp.

Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

Register at the gate office and begin the trip with a gentle ascent and dip into the Lemosho Glades. Enter the beautiful rainforest and hear the sounds of several exotic birds. Observe monkeys like the black and white colobus, which are black with a long ‘cape’ of white hair and a flowing white tail. Spend the day exploring Mt Kilimanjaro’s beautiful and fascinating forested slopes, the majority of which are considered rainforest zones. End the day at the Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Campsite, located in the upper reaches of the montane forest zone.

Accommodation: Mti Mkubwa Camp

Rise early and tackle a tough climb to exit the montane forest zone and enter the moorland zone. Admire trees like Giant Heather and Erica. Embark on a hard trekking day with a walk over the Shira ridge at 3,500m (11,483 ft), where on a clear day, you can see Kibo, the adventure’s peak and ultimate destination. From there, descend to the Shira plateau and camp at Shira 1 Camp, which is located close to a creek.

Accommodation: Shira 1 Camp

Travel across the Shira plateau, including stops for brief acclimatization walks.

Because today’s hike would only last about 3 hours, take a few brief acclimatization walks around and above the Shira 2 Camp. This camp is more vulnerable than the previous night’s camp. It may be windier and colder, with temperatures falling below freezing.

Accommodation: Shira 2 Camp

Climb the rocky scree to the Lava Tower. Descend into the Great Barranco Valley to acclimate and camp.

Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower

From Shira 2 Camp, steadily climb across the rocky terrain to the Lava Tower (4600m/15,092 ft). The route becomes more difficult and steeper. Some hikers may begin to feel weak or short of breath from the altitude, so move slowly—”pole pole” as they say in Swahili—to prevent exacerbating the symptoms.

Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

From the Lava Tower, descend 650 metres (2133 feet) to the Great Barranco Valley. Hike for around two hours to reach the valley, adjust to the elevation, and enjoy the views of the Western Breach and Breach Wall along the route. As a reward for the long walk of the day, arrive in Barranco Camp and take in the gorgeous scenery. The Breach Wall surrounds the Camp on three sides, and the region offers stunning views of hanging glaciers and the Kibo massif.

Accommodation: Barranco Camp

Ascend the Great Barranco Wall into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley.

Begin the slow ascent up the eastern side of the Great Barranco Wall. On the approach to Karanga Camp (4100m, 13,451 ft), travel beneath the Heim Glacier and across the Karanga Valley’s alpine desert. Depending on the weather, get a spectacular view of Mt. Kilimanjaro from the Heim Glacier.

Accommodation: Karanga Camp

Trek through the alpine desert to Barafu Camp. Prepare for a midnight start to the summit attempt.

You will familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark, and arrange your kit and thermal apparel for the summit attempt. Sleep may be tough, so lie down after dinner to attempt to rest for the 1295-meter last ascent.

Trek via the Karanga Valley to the Barafu Camp, located at 4600m (15,092ft). The trail through the alpine desert is dry and bleak, and the temperatures will drop after leaving the valley camp. The Barafu Camp is located on a narrow ridge with no windbreaks, but offers a stunning view of the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. To minimize future incidents, spend some time before dark familiarizing yourself with the camp location.

Accommodation: Barafu Camp

At midnight, begin the summit trek. Conquer the rim of the main crater, then cross the scree and snow to Uhuru Peak. Descend to Mweka Camp.

This stretch is the longest, and the most mentally and physically challenging of the trek. But the feeling of conquering Kilimanjaro will stay with you forever.

Barafu Camp to Stella Point

Barafu Camp, Stella Point 6h4km

Today’s wake-up call is at 11 p.m. to be at Stella Point (5756m, 18,885 ft) in time for the stunning dawn (weather permitting). Enjoy a bite and a warm drink as you prepare for the dark journey up the northwest scree. Proceed slowly as the terrain is rocky and difficult, passing between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers before arriving at Stella Point.

Stella Point to Summit

Stella Point – Uhuru1h-1h30m1km

Begin the 1-hour, slow hike to Uhuru Peak (5895m, 19341 ft) over the snow-covered route. Temperatures near the peak can vary from -23°C (-9°F) in the morning to just below freezing overnight. Finally, we arrive at the summit! Take a deep breath and enjoy your successful climb.

Summit to Mweka Camp

Uhuru-Mweka Camp4h-6h12km

Begin the descent from the peak to the Barafu camp, where the group will pack up and have a short rest. The journey down will follow the same rock and scree path as the ascent, passing through moorland and wooded landscapes. Arrive at Mweka Hut in the late afternoon.

Accommodation: Mweka Hut

Hike downhill to Mweka Gate. Enjoy the lower altitude and views of Mt Kilimanjaro’s forested slopes. Take caution because the route may be muddy. From the Mweka Gate, you will descend into the Mweka settlement for lunch, which is typically a muddy one-hour hike. When you arrive in Arusha in the late afternoon, rest or take a well-deserved shower and congratulations beverage.

Accommodation: Mount Meru Hotel

After checking out of your accommodation at 10:00 a.m., travel on your own to the airport for your departing flight. Alternatively, you can join our shared departure based on the departure times of several clients in the group.

If you have booked a safari extension with us, your guide will meet you at the hotel for safari briefing.

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