Tanzania · Trekking

7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Hike with Sunrise Summit

7 Days Round trip from Moshi Hard pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Take the scenic Lemosho route to climb Mount Kilimanjaro
  • 02 Reach Uhuru Peak at 5895 m after a midnight summit push
  • 03 Watch the sunrise from Stella Point near the summit crater rim
  • 04 Admire views of Kibo Peak, the Northern Ice Fields, and Mawenzi
  • 05 Trek through rainforest, Shira Plateau moorland, and alpine desert

Take the scenic Lemosho route to climb up Mount Kilimanjaro on this 7-day hiking tour. It is a preferred trekking route due to its ideal balance of low crowds, beautiful scenery, and a high summit success rate. Trek through rainforest, moorland, and alpine desert, with acclimatisation built into the journey before your summit push to Uhuru Peak at sunrise.

Trek through rainforest, moorland, and alpine desert, with acclimatisation built into the journey before your summit push to Uhuru Peak at sunrise.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Hard
Accommodation Not included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Moshi to Lemosho Gate and Big Tree Camp

  • Meet your tour guide and begin the tour.
  • Get picked up from your hotel around 08:00 am and transfer to Lemosho Gate, located on the western side of Kilimanjaro.
  • Start your climb after registering at the gate. Walk steadily through the forests of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree Camp, where you will spend the night.

Overnight accommodation at Big Tree Camp. Meals: Lunch and Dinner.

The distance covered will be 7 km, and the hiking time will be around 4 hours.

2
Day 02

Big Tree Camp to Shira Camp across the Plateau

  • 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 and admire the views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds as you head towards your destination at Shira 2. Gain a reasonable amount of altitude on the way, as parts of the route are fairly steep.
  • Get the chance to view the Northern Ice Fields from the western side of the mountain, along with unusual views of Kibo. The steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will also help with acclimatisation.

Overnight accommodation at Shira Campsite. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

The distance covered will be 16.5 km, and the hiking time will be around 9 - 11 hours.

3
Day 03

Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower

  • Start your ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking into the climatic zone of the upland desert and onto the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach.
  • Reach the distinct pinnacle of Lava Tower (4640 m), a high point for the day and a great place to enjoy your lunch.
  • 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.

Overnight accommodation at Barranco Camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

The distance covered will be 10 km, and the hiking time will be around 7 hours.

4
Day 04

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp via Barranco Wall

  • Start by descending into the beginning of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine.
  • Climb steeply up the Great Barranco Wall. It is a climb over rock - not technical, but long and tiring.
  • Pass underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers as you head towards the Karanga Valley. From here, climb a steep slope from Karanga Valley to the night's camp at Karanga Camp, set at 3963 m. For those feeling strong, there is the option of a mid-afternoon acclimatisation trek up to around 4200 m before descending back to camp for the night.

Overnight accommodation at Karanga Camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

The distance covered will be 5.5 km, and the hiking time will be around 5 hours.

5
Day 05

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

  • After a good night's rest and breakfast, set off on the walk to Barafu Camp at 4640 m.
  • Climb across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation. It is a tough, steep walk made more difficult by the altitude.
  • Arrive at camp, eat, and spend the afternoon resting. Prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm.
  • Have an early dinner, then try to get some sleep, as you will be getting up between 11 pm and 12 pm to start the climb to the summit.

Overnight accommodation at Barafu Camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

The distance covered will be 3 km, and the hiking time will be around 3 hours.

6
Day 06

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and Millennium Camp

  • Start around midnight and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers.
  • Climb steeply for 4 to 5 hours and gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular.
  • Reach the crater rim at Stella Point (5739 m) as the first rays of the sun hit. Admire the spectacular ice cliffs and the views of the jagged Mawenzi Peak.
  • Walk another hour to reach 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, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long, well-earned rest.

Overnight accommodation at Millenium Campsite. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

The distance covered will be 13.5 km, and the hiking time will be around 12 - 15 hours.

7
Day 07

Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate and Moshi

  • Enjoy a gentle trek down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate.
  • Receive your certificates and board your vehicle for the return to Moshi.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.

The distance covered will be 12.5 km, and the hiking time will be around 6.5 hours.

Shira Plateau moorland, Lava Tower, Stella Point, Uhuru Peak

Where this trip takes you

Shira Plateau moorland, Lava Tower, Stella Point, Uhuru Peak

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Moshi 2 cities · 7 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • English-speaking Tanzanian tour guide
  • Park fees
  • Tax
  • Gate transfer
  • Crew wages
  • Environment fees
  • 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 6 dinners
  • Drinking water
  • Porters & cook

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Personal expenses
  • Visas

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Moshi, Tanzania
Tour start
Moshi, Tanzania
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 7 days finish where they began, in Moshi.

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