7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

• Pick up from your hotel at around 08:00 am and transfer to Lemosho Gate, located on the western side of Kilimanjaro.

• After the registration process, begin your climb steadily through the forests of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree Camp, where you will spend the night.

• Today you will cover a lot of ground as you trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations.

• Trek through Shira 1 Camp, from where there are often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds as you head towards your destination, Shira 2. Gain a reasonable amount of altitude as you head towards Shira 1, and note that parts of the route are fairly steep. As you proceed towards Shira 2, you will have the chance to view the Northern Ice Fields from the western side of the mountain, along with some unusual views of Kibo. The steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will help with acclimatization and offers great panoramic views.

• Start your trek with an ascent offering far-reaching panoramic views, walking into the climatic zone of the upland desert and along the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach.

• Reach the distinct pinnacle of Lava Tower (4640 m), the high point for the day and a great place to enjoy your lunch.

• In the afternoon, make a steep descent to your camp for the night, located at the base of the Great Barranco Valley (3960 m), sheltered by towering cliffs but with extensive views of the plains below.

• Start the day by descending into the beginning of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine, with your Tanzanian guide.

• Climb steeply up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It is a climb over rock - not technical, but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, continue towards the Karanga Valley. From here, you have a steep climb up from Karanga Valley to the night's camp at Karanga Camp, set at 3963 m.

• For those feeling strong, there will be a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200 m before descending back to camp for the night.

• After a good night's rest and breakfast, set off on a walk to Barafu Camp at 4640 m. The climb takes you across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation at all. It is a tough, steep walk made more difficult by the altitude.

• On arriving at camp, eat and spend the afternoon resting as you prepare for the long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. You will have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep, as you will be getting up between 11 pm and 12 am to start the climb to the summit.

• Start off at around midnight and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. You will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours while gaining incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. You should reach the crater rim at Stella Point (5739 m) as the first rays of the sun hit you. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround you, and the views to jagged Mawenzi Peak and beyond are breathtaking.

• Another hour's walk takes you to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895 m).

• Begin your descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Mweka Camp for a long, well-earned rest.

• A gentle trek takes you down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride.

• Meet your vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower and then celebrate with cold drinks.

Overnight at your arranged hotel.