8-Day Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Hike with Stella Point Sunrise

• Depart Arusha/Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours.

• Drive to the Lemosho Trailhead, which takes another hour.

• Have lunch upon arrival at the trailhead, then commence through the undisturbed forest that winds to the first campsite, Forest Camp (Big Tree Camp).

Elevation (ft): 7,800 ft to 9,500 ft
Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Full board at Forest Camp, known as Big Tree Camp

• Continue after breakfast on the trail leading out of the forest into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As you climb through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, you will reach the Shira Ridge before gently dropping down to Shira 1 Camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.

Dinner and overnight at Shira One Camp.

• Set out on a gentle walk east toward Kibo's glaciered peak, crossing the plateau to Shira 2 Camp on the moorland.

• Stay at Shira 2 Camp or continue to Moir Hut, a little-used site at the base of the Lent Hills. The various walks around the Lent Hills make this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on Earth.

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

Distance: 14 km.

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours.

Habitat: Moorland.

Full board at Shira 2 Camp.

• Start walking soon after breakfast as the route turns southeast toward the Lava Tower. The trail then continues toward a place called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, you will come to the second junction, which leads up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000 ft.

• Continue down to Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000 ft, where you will rest, enjoy dinner, and stay overnight.

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

Distance: 7 km.

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours.

Habitat: Semi Desert.

Full board at Shira 2 or Moir Hut Camp.

• Have breakfast, then leave Barranco.

• Continue on a steep ridge, passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day and is meant to give your body more acclimatization time.

Elevation (ft): 13,000 ft to 13,100 ft.

Distance: 5 km.

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours.

Habitat: Alpine Desert.

Full board at Karanga Camp.

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

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

• 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): 13,100 ft to 15,300 ft.

Distance: 4 km.

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours.

Habitat: Alpine Desert.

Full board at Barafu Hut Camp.

• Continue from midnight (12:00 am) to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. Head northwest and ascend through heavy scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the Kilimanjaro trek.

• Stop at Stella Point (18,600 ft) for a short rest, and you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see, weather permitting. You may encounter snow from Stella Point on your 1-hour ascent to the summit.

• Reach the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa at Uhuru Peak. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.

• Celebrate, take pictures, and make memories before descending to the Mweka Hut campsite.

• Stop at Barafu for lunch. You may need gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel on the way down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.

• Enjoy your last dinner on the mountain later in the evening and a well-earned sleep.

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

Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent.

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

Habitat: Arctic.

Full board at Mweka Hut Camp.

• Continue your descent to the Mweka Park Gate after breakfast.

• Your vehicle will be waiting at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi.

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

Distance: 10 km.

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours.

Habitat: Rain Forest.

Half board.