8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Trek with Uhuru Peak Summit

• After breakfast and a briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate, about a 3-hour journey.

• From here, a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades.

• Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) campsite.

Elevation: 2400m/7838ft to 2700m/9137ft

Distance: 5 km

Hiking Time: 2-3 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest

• After breakfast, continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone.

• After crossing several streams, continue over the Shira Ridge and then gently descend to Shira 1 Camp, located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.

Elevation: 2700m/9137ft to 3504m/11,496ft

Distance: 8 km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Moorland

• After breakfast, a gentle hike across the plateau leads to Shira 2 Camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of hikes are available on the plateau, making this an excellent acclimatisation day.

Elevation: 3504m/11,496ft to 3895m/12,779ft

Distance: 7 km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Moorland

• From the Shira Plateau, continue east up a ridge, passing the junction toward the peak of Kibo.

• As you continue, your direction changes to the southeast toward the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth" (elevation 4650m/15,250ft).

• Shortly after the tower, come to the second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier.

• Now continue down to Barranco Camp. Although you end the day at nearly the same elevation as when you began, this day is crucial for acclimatisation and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Elevation: 3895m/12,779ft to 3986m/13,077ft

Distance: 10 km

Walking Time: 6-7 hours

Habitat: Semi-desert

• After breakfast, leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail.

Elevation: 3986m/13,077ft to 4050m/13,250ft

Distance: 5 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Continue up to Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.

• Here, make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for summit day.

Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4600m/15,350ft

Distance: 4 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Very early in the morning, between midnight and 2 am, continue your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers.

• Head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

• At Stella Point, stop for a short rest and be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit.

• Once at Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

• From the summit, begin your descent by continuing straight down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel on the way down.

• Arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy your last evening on the mountain.

Elevation: 4600m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft

Down to 3100m/10,190ft

Distance: 5 km up / 12 km down

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

• After breakfast, continue the descent to Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be plenty to wear, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.

• The vehicle will meet you at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha, about 1 hour and 30 minutes away.

Elevation: 3100m/10,150ft to 1633m/5358ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Forest