8-Day Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Climb with Extra Acclimatization

Your journey begins with a drive from Moshi to Lemosho Gate for registration before entering the lush rainforest of Mount Kilimanjaro. The trek starts gently through dense forest rich with wildlife and birdlife until you reach Mti Mkubwa Camp (Big Tree Camp) for dinner and an overnight stay.

Today you will trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. Our destination for today is Shira 1 Camp, from where there are often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds. We gain a reasonable amount of altitude today, and parts of the route are fairly steep.

Today you will get the chance to view the Northern Ice Fields from the western side of the mountain, with some unusual views of Kibo. Our steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will help with acclimatization, and we enjoy great panoramic views. Our destination today is Shira 2 Camp. In the afternoon, you will take an acclimatization walk, then head back to camp for dinner and an overnight stay.

Your trek starts with an ascent offering far-reaching panoramic views, walking into the climatic zone of the upland desert and onto the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. You will reach the distinct pinnacle of the Lava Tower (4,640 m), our high point for the day and a great place to enjoy your lunch. In the afternoon, we make a steep descent to our camp for the night, located at the base of the Great Barranco Valley (3,960 m), sheltered by towering cliffs but with extensive views of the plains below.

Start the day by climbing the famous Barranco Wall, a thrilling but non-technical scramble with rewarding views. Continue through rolling valleys and ridges to Karanga Camp, where you rest and prepare for the summit push.

After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue 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 campsite, 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.

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to 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, but 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 your hotel in Moshi.