Tanzania · Trekking

8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Trek via the Lemosho Route to Uhuru Peak

8 Days Round trip from Arusha Challenging pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Trek Mount Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route, known for avoiding the crowds
  • 02 Cross the Shira Plateau with spectacular views of Shira Cathedral
  • 03 Follow the Southern Circuit with summit views from different angles
  • 04 Watch a magnificent sunrise from Stella Point before reaching Uhuru Peak
  • 05 Spot local flora and fauna as you hike through rainforest and alpine zones

Go on an 8-day trek to Mount Kilimanjaro from Arusha, Tanzania, via the Lemosho Route. This route avoids the crowds and offers magnificent views along the way to Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Spot the local flora and fauna of the rainforest, camp on the mountain, and enjoy local meals throughout the hike. Along the way, cross the Shira Plateau, follow the Southern Circuit, and watch a magnificent sunrise from Stella Point, weather permitting.

At Stella Point (5732m), stop for a short rest and watch the magnificent sunrise, weather permitting.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Challenging
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Arusha, Mount Kilimanjaro
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

  • Have breakfast and attend a briefing at your hotel in Arusha, then drive to the Londorossi Park Gate, register, and commence the climb.
  • Start the ascent along the forest trail to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) campsite.
  • Arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp for dinner and an overnight stay.

Elevation: 2389m/7838ft to 2785m/9137ft

Distance: 6 km

Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours

Accommodation: Mti Mkubwa Camp

Meals Plan: Lunch & Dinner

2
Day 02

Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp

  • Continue eastwards across the Shira Plateau with spectacular views of Shira Cathedral.
  • Cross the moorland meadow to reach Shira 1 Camp for dinner and overnight camping at 3500m.
  • View the stunning glaciers of the Western Breach. It will be colder tonight than the previous night, with temperatures possibly falling below freezing.

Elevation: 2785m/9137ft to 3504m/11,496ft

Distance: 8 km

Hiking Time: 4 to 6 hours

Accommodation: Shira 1 Camp

Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

3
Day 03

Shira 1 Camp to Moir Hut

  • Hike on, leaving the forest behind, and notice the trail getting steeper as it enters the moorland zone.
  • Walk across the high-altitude Shira Caldera to Moir Hut with fabulous views of Arrow Glacier.
  • Arrive at Moir Hut for dinner and an overnight stay.

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

Distance: 14 km

Hiking Time: 5 to 7 hours

Accommodation: Mori Hut

Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

4
Day 04

Moir Hut to Barranco Camp

  • Climb up to 4600m to the base of Lava Tower for lunch and acclimatization. This will be the toughest day so far, and you may feel the altitude for the first time.
  • After lunch, descend by almost 650m to Barranco Camp, following the "walk high, sleep low" golden rule of acclimatisation.
  • Enjoy the view along the way and take photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall.
  • Arrive at Barranco Camp for dinner and an overnight stay.

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

Distance: 7 km

Hiking Time: 4 to 6 hours

Accommodation: Barranco Hut

Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

5
Day 05

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

  • Start with a scramble to the top of the Great Barranco Wall.
  • Traverse over scree to the Karanga Valley (3930m) beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers.
  • Arrive at Karanga campsite for dinner and an overnight stay.

Elevation: 3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft

Distance: 5 km

Hiking Time: 4 to 5 hours

Accommodation: Karanga Valley campsite

Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

6
Day 06

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

  • Depart from the Karanga campsite to meet the junction connecting with the Mweka descent trail.
  • Continue up to Barafu Camp. You have now completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.
  • Spot the different flora and fauna on the way.
  • Arrive at the camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be clearly seen from this position.

Elevation: 4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft

Distance: 4 km

Hiking Time: 4 - 5 hours

Accommodation: Barafu Hut

Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

7
Day 07

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and Mweka Camp

  • Wake up early in the morning and have tea and biscuits.
  • Start the trek to the summit between the Rebman and Ratzel glaciers through heavy scree up to Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek.
  • At Stella Point (5732m), stop for a short rest and watch the magnificent sunrise, weather permitting. You are now only an hour away from the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
  • From the summit, descend to the Mweka campsite via Barafu for lunch. Trekking poles will be needed for the loose scree going down to Mweka Camp (3100m).
  • Later in the evening, enjoy the last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Elevation: 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft

Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent

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

Accommodation: Mweka Camp

Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

8
Day 08

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

  • Have breakfast, then depart from the campsite.
  • Descend around 1300m to the Mweka Park Gate to collect your summit certificates from the Park Headquarters.
  • Transfer to a hotel in Arusha.

Elevation: 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

Shira Plateau, Stella Point sunrise, Uhuru Peak summit

Where this trip takes you

Shira Plateau, Stella Point sunrise, Uhuru Peak summit

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Arusha 2 cities · 8 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Pick-up and drop-off from the airport
  • Meet and greet service
  • All park fees
  • 2 nights in the hotel
  • All meals during the hike
  • Hiking and safety equipment
  • Mountain porters
  • Local Tanzanian tour guide
  • Transportation

What's Not Included

  • Airline tickets
  • Visa fee
  • Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the ascent)
  • Tips for the mountain crew
  • Mountaineering insurance
  • Medical (medications, vaccines, tests)

What to bring

  • Warm clothes

Know before you go

  • Private tour booking prices start from USD 3620 per person.

Logistics

Meeting & route

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

Your 8 days finish where they began, in Arusha.

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