8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Trek via Lemosho Route to Uhuru Peak

• Depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, a drive of about 4 hours, where you will complete the entry formalities.
• Drive on to the Lemosho trailhead, which takes about another hour.
• Upon arrival at the trailhead, enjoy lunch, then commence your trek through the undisturbed forest as the trail winds to the first campsite.

Elevation (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft

Distance: 6 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

• 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 you ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.

Elevation (ft): 9,500ft to 11,500ft

Distance: 8 km

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Moorland

• 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.

• Continue to Moir Hut, a little-used site at the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills, making this an excellent acclimatisation opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

Elevation (ft): 11,500ft to 13,800ft

Distance: 14 km

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Moorland

• From the Shira Plateau, continue east up a ridge, passing the junction toward the peak of Kibo. As you continue, the direction changes to the southeast toward the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth."

• Shortly after the tower, come to the second junction, which brings you up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft.

• Continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here, rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight.

• Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatisation and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Elevation (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft

Distance: 7 km

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Semi-Desert

• After breakfast, leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge, passing the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley campsite.

• Leave Karanga and head to the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail.

• Continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.

• Here, make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.

Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft

Distance: 9 km

Hiking Time: 8-10 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Very early in the morning, between midnight and 2am, continue your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers.

• Head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

• At Stella Point (18,600 ft), stop for a short rest and 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, make your 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, enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)

Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent

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

Habitat: Arctic

• After breakfast, 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, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.

• From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka Village to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi.

Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

• Depart from Moshi for your onward destination.