8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Hike via Lemosho Route to Uhuru Peak

• After breakfast, you'll be picked up from your hostel or hotel and driven to Londrosi Gate, approximately 3 hours from Moshi.
• Complete registration, then drive a further 12 km along a forest track to the Lemosho starting point. From here, you will enter the beautiful and undisturbed rainforest to begin your ascent up the mountain. This is by no means a challenging trek, but it gives you plenty of time to adjust and witness some of Tanzania's wildlife. Sightings of black and white colobus monkeys and small antelopes are quite common, and you may even be lucky enough to spot buffalos and elephants too.
• After 3 to 4 hours of trekking, you will arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp, also known as Big Tree Camp, named for the large conifer trees that provide shade over the campsite.

Elevation Gain: 800 meters / 2,500 feet

Hiking Time: Approximately 3 to 4 hours

Habitat: Rainforest

• On the second day, you'll rise early for breakfast and begin climbing a slightly steeper gradient through the moorland vegetation zone.
• Start to enjoy fantastic views of Kibo, the summit cone of Mt. Kilimanjaro, while continuing along a rocky ridge to Shira Plateau. Shira is a collapsed volcanic crater and was the first of Kilimanjaro's three volcanic cones to expire. Once on the plateau, the trail becomes a little easier as you make your way to Shira Camp.
• If it's a clear day, you'll also get to enjoy superb panoramic views.

Elevation Gain: 700 metres / 2,400 feet

Hiking Time: Approximately 5 hours

Habitat: Moorland

• After breakfast, continue hiking across the rocky ridge onto Shira Plateau, where you will be able to see the easterly side and the western breach with its dramatic glaciers. You are now on the west of Kibo Peak, and it will take another short walk before reaching Shira 2 Campsite.
• Tea, coffee, and some nuts will be served to help warm up your body before the main dish of the evening and retiring to sleep. Shira 2 Camp is very exposed and will be much colder, with temperatures dropping below freezing point.

Elevation Gain: 340 metres / 1,100 feet

Hiking Time: Approximately 5 hours

Habitat: Moorland

• The route now takes you into semi-desert and rocky landscapes surrounding Lava Tower, a 300 ft high volcanic rock formation. You'll then ascend the rocky scree path to Lava Tower for great panoramic views before a steep descent into the Barranco Valley. You may find this trek a little tougher than the previous days, as some hikers usually start to experience symptoms of altitude sickness.
• Although you will finish today's climb at almost the same elevation as you started, this is perfect acclimatization practice and will help prepare your body for summit day. Barranco Camp lies below the imposing Barranco Wall in a beautiful, sheltered valley.

Elevation Gain: 710 metres / 2,300 feet

Elevation Loss: 700 metres / 2,250 feet

Hiking Time: Approximately 6 to 7 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• This will be a shorter day of hiking to allow for acclimatization. After breakfast, you will begin to ascend the Barranco Wall and hike through glacial valleys - but don't worry, it is easier than it looks.
• You will cross a series of hills and valleys from the top of the wall before descending into Karanga Valley.
• After one steeper climb, you'll reach Karanga Camp, where you will relax for the afternoon before dinner and your overnight rest.

Elevation Gain: 145 meters / 456 feet

Hiking Time: Approximately 4 to 5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• After breakfast, you will leave Karanga and head to the junction that connects to the famous Mweka Trail.
• You will then continue along the rocky ridge for 1 to 2 hours before reaching Barafu Camp, which offers stunning views of Mt. Kilimanjaro's summit from various angles. Your tents will be pitched along a narrow and rocky ridge with high winds. It is therefore worth taking some time to familiarize yourself with your surroundings before it gets dark.

Rest for the night at Barafu Camp and prepare for the upcoming hike to the summit.

Elevation Gain: 605 metres / 1,994 feet

Hiking Time: Approximately 3 to 4 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• This is where the going gets tough. Just before midnight, you will venture into the night and begin your final ascent to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. Head northwest through the heavy stone scree, following multiple switchbacks between Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers until you reach Stella Point (5,685 m). This section is probably the most challenging part of the route and will require great physical and mental effort. Continue to move slowly, always listening to your guide.
• After a short rest at Stella Point, you will hike along the crater rim for another hour before reaching your ultimate goal - Uhuru Peak. Congratulations! You have now made it to the "Roof of Africa".
• Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will spend there, but it is important to start your descent in good time to ensure you get enough rest back at Barafu Camp.
• After your rest, you'll gather the rest of your belongings and descend to Mweka Hut (3,100 m), where you'll enjoy dinner and a well-earned sleep.

Elevation Gain: 1,295 metres / 4,200 feet

Elevation Loss: 2,785 metres / 9,100 feet

Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours to Uhuru Peak; 7 to 8 hours to Mweka Camp

Habitat: Arctic Conditions

• After breakfast, you will begin the easiest part of your adventure on Mount Kilimanjaro via a scenic forest path to Mweka Gate. Successful hikers who made it to Stella Point and Uhuru Peak will be awarded their certificates at the gate.
• It is then time to drive back to your hotel to enjoy a shower, dinner, and celebrations with a Kilimanjaro beer.

Elevation Loss: 1,280 metres / 4,220 feet

Hiking time: Approximately 3 to 4 hours

Habitat: Rainforest