8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Hike to Uhuru Peak

• Meet your tour driver and depart from Moshi for Londorossi Gate, a journey of about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities and registration.
• Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead, which takes about another hour.
• Upon arrival at the trailhead, hikers have lunch and then commence the trek through undisturbed forest winding to the first campsite, Forest Camp, also known as Big Tree Camp.

Rise (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft
Stretch: 6 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Climatic Habitat: Rain Forest

Full board at Forest Camp

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

Rise (ft): 9,500ft to 11,500ft
Stretch: 8 km
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Climatic Habitat: Moorland

Full Board at Shira One Camp

• Explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo's glaciered peak across the plateau, leading to Shira 2 Camp on moorland meadows by a stream.
• Then stay at Shira 2 Camp or continue to Moir Hut, a little-used site at the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills, making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

Rise (ft): 11,500ft to 13,800 ft
Stretch: 14 km
Hiking time: 5-7 hours
Climatic Habitat: Moorland

Full Board at Shira 2 Camp

• From the Shira Plateau, continue east up a ridge, passing the junction toward the peak of Kibo. As you continue, the direction changes to the southeast toward the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth."
• Shortly after the tower, you come to the second junction, which leads up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft.
• You will now continue down to Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here, hikers will rest, enjoy dinner, and stay overnight. Although you end the day at nearly the same elevation as when you started, this day is very crucial for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Rise (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft
Stretch: 7 km
Hiking time: 4-6 hours
Climatic Habitat: Semi Desert

Full Board at Shira 2 or Moir Hut Camp

• After breakfast, you will leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge, passing the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley campsite. It is a short day meant for acclimatization.

Rise (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
Stretch: 5km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Climatic Habitat: Alpine Desert

Full Board at Karanga Camp

• After breakfast, leave Karanga and head to the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail.
• Continue up to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers elegant views of the summit from many different angles.
• Here, you make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.

Rise (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
Stretch: 4 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Climatic Habitat: Alpine Desert

Full Board at Barafu Hut Camp

• 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 part of the trek.
• At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and, weather permitting, be rewarded with one of the most magnificent sunrises you are ever likely to see in a lifetime.
• From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit.
• At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
• You will now make your descent from the summit, continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite and stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will need gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.
• Later in the evening, enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Rise (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
Stretch: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
Hiking time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
Climatic Habitat: Arctic

Full Board at Mweka hut Camp

• After breakfast, continue your descent to the Mweka Park Gate to receive hikers' 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.
• Your tour vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi.

Descent (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft Stretch: 10 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Climatic Habitat: Rain Forest

Half Board