7-Day Kilimanjaro Trek via Lemosho Route to Uhuru Peak

• After breakfast and a briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate, about a 3-hour drive.
• From here, a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades.
• Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) campsite.

Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest

Meals: LD

• After breakfast, continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone.
• After crossing several streams, continue over the Shira Ridge, past Shira 1 Camp, and on to Shira 2 Camp on moorland meadows by a stream.

Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 16km/10mi
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: BLD

• From the Shira Plateau, continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As you continue, the direction changes to the southeast towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth" (elevation 4650m/15,250ft).
• Shortly after the tower, come to the second junction, which goes to the Arrow Glacier.
• Continue down to Barranco Camp. Although you end the day at about the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatisation and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: BLD

• After breakfast, leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail.

Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Hiking Time: 34 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: BLD

• Continue up to Barafu Camp. 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.

Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 4km/2mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: BLD

• Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), continue your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. 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, stop for a short rest and be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
• From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
• From the summit, begin the descent by continuing straight down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down.
• Arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy your last evening on the mountain.

Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals: BLD

• After breakfast, 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, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka Village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi, about 30 minutes away. Don't forget to tip your guides and porters.

Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: B