8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Trek with Stella Point Sunrise

• Attend a briefing after breakfast at your hotel, given by your chief guide.

• Drive to Londorossi Park Gate (2,250 m / 7,380 ft, 2.5 hours).

• Learn the park rules and regulations, then continue by 4WD vehicle through the forest toward Lemosho Glades (2,390 m / 7,830 ft, 11 km, 45 minutes). From there, walk along the forest trails to Mti Mkubwa Campsite for dinner and an overnight stay.

• Wake up early in the morning, and after breakfast, follow a trail that gradually steepens as it enters the giant heather moorland zone. Cross several streams, then gain the Shira Ridge at about 3,600 m / 11,810 ft before descending gently to Shira One Campsite near the streams on the Shira Plateau.

Dinner and overnight at Shira One Campsite.

• A very moderate walk across the plateau leads you to Shira Camp Two on moorland meadows by a stream. Various walks are also available on the plateau, making this an excellent acclimatization day.

• Have breakfast and proceed hiking east up a steepening path above the vegetation toward Kilimanjaro's looming mass. After several hours of walking, continue through a rocky landscape to reach the prominent landmark called Lava Tower at 4,630 m / 15,190 ft. This chunky remnant of Kilimanjaro's earlier volcanic activity is several hundred feet high, and the trail passes right below it. For extra credit, the sure-footed can scramble to the top of the tower.

• Make a lunch stop near Lava Tower, then descend for 2 hours below the lower cliffs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall to Barranco Camp at 3,950 m / 12,960 ft. This hike has plentiful photo opportunities, especially if the walls are adorned with ice. Barranco Camp lies in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Walls, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for dinner. On this day, be aware of any signs of altitude sickness.

• After breakfast, continue up a steep ridge to the Great Barranco Wall, then climb this magnificent obstacle, which is more accessible than it appears. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you can now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. With Kibo glaciers soaring overhead, descend into the lush Karanga Valley to the Karanga Valley Campsite. From the camp, you can look east and see the jagged peaks of Mawenzi against the African sky.

• Unwind with a hot lunch at the camp.

• Spend your afternoon at leisure, resting or exploring. After two long days, please note that this short day is very important for your acclimatization, since your summit push is about to begin before long.

• Hike east over intervening ridges and valleys this morning to join the Mweka Route, which will be your descent route.

• Turn left toward the mountain and hike up the ridge through a sparse landscape for another hour to Barafu Hut, where you will receive a hot lunch. Karanga Valley is the last water point on this route, as there is no water at Barafu Camp. Even though Barafu is the Swahili word for ice, the famous snows of Kilimanjaro are far above Barafu Camp, near the summit of the mountain. Your tent will be pitched on a narrow, stony, wind-swept ridge, so make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents.

• Prepare your equipment and warm clothing for your summit climb, and drink lots of fluids.

• After an early dinner, go to bed for a few hours of valuable sleep.

• Wake up around 11:30 PM, and after some hot tea and biscuits, drag your feet off into the night. The 6-hour climb northwest through heavy scree between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers to Stella Point on the crater rim is the most challenging part of the route for most climbers.

• Stop at Stella Point, 5,685 m / 18,650 ft, for a short rest and a chance to see a supremely sanguine sunrise. At Stella Point, you join the top part of the Marangu Route, but do not stop here too long, as it will be tough to start again due to cold and exhaustion. Depending on the time of year and current storms, you may encounter snow on your remaining hike along the rim to Uhuru Peak.

• Enjoy your accomplishment on the summit, and know you are creating a day you will remember for the rest of your life.

• Finish your 3-hour descent from the summit back to Barafu Camp, where you will have a well-deserved but short rest. Collect your gear, then hike down a rock and scree path into the moorland and, sooner or later, into the forest to Mweka Camp, 3,100 m / 10,170 ft. This camp is in the upper forest, so you can anticipate mist or rain in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be prepared, and the camp office will sell drinking water, soft drinks, chocolates, and beers.

• Receive a well-deserved breakfast.

• Embark on a short scenic 3-hour hike back to the park gate. Please note that no tips are given on the way until all your gear and the rest of the crew have reached the gate safely, but do remember to tip your staff at the gate.

• Sign your name and add your details in a register at Mweka Gate. This is also where successful climbers typically receive their summit certificates, after which a bottle of champs can follow. Climbers who reach Stella Point are issued green certificates, and those who reach Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates.

• From Mweka Gate down to Mweka Village, 3 km, you will be served a delicious hot lunch.

• Be driven back to your hotel for a long past-due hot shower and a comfortable night in a nice hotel in Moshi.