8-Day Kilimanjaro Lemosho Trek to Uhuru Peak via Shira Plateau

Day 1: Londorossi Gate (2,100m) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650m)

Distance covered: 6 km
Time taken: 3-4 hours
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Habitat: Rain Forest
Accommodation: Camping style

After breakfast at your hotel, your guide will brief you on the day ahead. You will drive from Moshi town to Londorossi Park Gate (2,100m), where you will complete the entry formalities in the nearby village. Then continue driving to the Lemosho trailhead, which takes about another hour. Upon arrival at the trailhead, you will have lunch and then begin trekking through undisturbed forest that winds to the first campsite.

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650m) - Shira 1 Camp (3,610m)

Hiking time: 5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Distance: 7 km
Accommodation: Camping style
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

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. 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.

Day 3: Shira 1 Camp (3,610m) - Shira 2 Camp (3,850m)

Hiking time: 3-5 hours
Distance: Approximately 7 km
Habitat: Moorland
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

The trek continues across the stunning Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus in the world. The route offers wide-open views of Kibo Peak, Mount Meru, and the surrounding moorland landscape. As you steadily gain altitude, the walk provides an excellent opportunity for acclimatization while enjoying the scenery. The trail is gradual and scenic, leading to Shira 2 Camp, where climbers can rest, relax, and take in the breathtaking views while preparing for higher elevations ahead.

Day 4: Shira 2 Camp (3,850m) - Lava Tower (4,600m) - Barranco Camp (3,900m)

Hiking time: 6-8 hours

Distance: Approximately 10 km

Habitat: Semi-Desert

Accommodation: Camping

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

From Shira 2 Camp, the trail ascends gradually through the alpine desert toward Lava Tower (4,600m), a striking volcanic formation known as the "Shark's Tooth." After spending time at high altitude for acclimatization, the route descends to Barranco Camp (3,900m). This climb-high, sleep-low approach is essential for proper acclimatization and increases summit success. Barranco Camp offers stunning views of the Barranco Wall and surrounding valleys.

Day 5: Barranco Camp (3,900m) - Karanga Camp (4,000m)

Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Distance: Approximately 6 kilometers
Habitat: Alpine desert
Accommodation: Camping style
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This is a short hiking day meant for acclimatization. After an early morning breakfast, it is time to conquer the Great Barranco Wall. Although it may look intimidating at first glance, hikers say that this Class 2 hike is usually much easier than they anticipated. At the top of the wall, you will have a view of Heim Glacier and be above the clouds. The trail then winds up and down in the Karanga Valley. You will spend the night at Karanga Camp (3,950m) and enjoy dinner and washing at the site.

Day 6: Karanga Camp (4,000m) - Barafu Hut (4,670m)

Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Distance: Approximately 4 kilometers
Habitat: Alpine desert
Accommodation: Camping style
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, you will begin your ascent. The trail 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 (4,550m). The word "barafu" in Swahili means "ice," and this camp is located on a rocky, exposed ridge. 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.

Day 7: Summit attempt Barafu Camp (4,670m) - Uhuru Peak (5,895m) - Mweka (3,100m)

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
Accommodation: Camping style
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & 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. During the ascent, many hikers feel that this is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the climb. In about 6 hours, you will reach Stella Point (5,685m), located on the crater rim. After enjoying the magnificent sunrise, you will continue ascending for about 2 hours on a snow-covered trail to Uhuru Peak (5,895m). 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 the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Barafu Camp takes about 3 hours.

At camp, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Mweka Hut (3,100m). The Mweka Trail will lead you through the scree and rocks to the moorland and eventually into the rain forest. Mweka Camp (3,100m) is located in the upper rain forest, so fog and rain should be expected. You will have dinner, wash, and rest soundly at camp.

Day 8: Mweka Camp (3,100m) - Mweka Gate (1,640m)

Meals: Breakfast
Hiking time: 3 hours
Distance: Approximately 10 kilometers
Habitat: Forest
Accommodation: Hotel

Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Stella Point (5,685m) receive green certificates, and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5,895m) receive gold certificates.

After receiving certificates, hikers will descend into Mweka village for 1 hour (3 kilometers). You will be served a hot lunch, then drive back to Moshi for long-overdue showers and more celebrations and excitement at your hotel in Moshi.