7-Day Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Hike to Uhuru Peak

Hiker(s) depart Arusha / Moshi for Londorossi Gate, a drive of about 3 to 4 hours, where you will complete entry registration and formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead, which takes another hour. Upon arrival at the trailhead, hiker(s) eat lunch and then commence the trek through undisturbed forest, winding to the first campsite.

Hiker(s) continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is phenomenal, extraordinary, and amazing.

Hiker(s) and the team explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo's glaciered summit across the plateau, leading to Shira 2 Camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Camp, a little-used site at the base of Lent Hills. Various walks are available on Lent Hills, making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on Earth.

From the Shira Plateau, hiker(s) and the team continue east up a ridge, passing the junction toward the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the southeast toward the Lava Tower called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction, which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000 ft.

We now continue down to Barranco Camp at an altitude of 13,000 ft. Here, we rest, enjoy dinner, and stay overnight, although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started. This day is crucial for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

After breakfast, hiker(s) and the rest of the team leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge, passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley camping ground. Then we leave Karanga and hit the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to Barafu Camp.

At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for summit day. The two beautiful peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi can be seen from this position.

Very early in the morning, from midnight to 2 a.m., hiker(s) and the team continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. Hiker(s) on the Lemosho hiking route 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 (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and be rewarded with the most magnificent and beautiful sunrise you are ever likely to see, weather permitting. 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.

From the summit, we now make our descent, continuing straight down to the Mweka campsite and stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want 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, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned and fulfilling sleep.

After breakfast, hiker(s) continue the descent down to Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help, while shorts and T-shirts will probably be plenty to wear, though you should keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.

From the gate, hiker(s) continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet hiker(s) at Mweka Village to drive them back to the hotel in Arusha / Moshi.