9-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Trek with Crater Camp

Full board at Forest Camp, known as Big Tree Camp.

After completing the necessary registration formalities at the Londorossi National Park gate, we drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho road head. We often have lunch in the glades before starting the walk. It is an easy day, following a small path through a beautiful and lush forest. This area has a variety of game, including buffalo. We camp at Lemosho Forest Camp, known as Big Tree Camp, at 7,800 ft.

Elevation (ft): 7,800 ft to 9,500 ft

Distance: 6 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rainforest

Full board at Shira One Camp.

We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily with expansive views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. There is a tangible sense of wilderness, especially if the afternoon mists roll in. We camp in the centre of the plateau at Shira One, at 11,500 ft.

Elevation (ft): 9,500 ft to 11,500 ft

Distance: 8 km

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Moorland

Full board at Shira 2 Camp.

We explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo's glaciered peak, crossing the plateau to reach Shira 2 Camp on moorland meadows by a stream. From here, we either stay at Shira 2 Camp or continue to Moir Hut, 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. You may have the option of spending the night at Shira 2 Camp or Moir Hut, which involves a relatively long hike and significant altitude gain. Today is still considered a short day, and you arrive at Shira 2 Camp in time for lunch. It is a good day for acclimatization, with the option of an afternoon walk with your guides.

Elevation (ft): 11,500 ft to 13,800 ft

Distance: 14 km

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Moorland

Full board at Shira 2 Camp or Moir Hut Camp.

A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views leaves the moorland plateau behind as we walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near Lava Tower at 14,900 ft, we descend to the bottom of the Barranco Valley to camp at Barranco Camp, at 12,790 ft, sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below.

Elevation (ft): 13,800 ft to 13,000 ft

Distance: 7 km

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Semi-Desert

Full board at Karanga Camp.

A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with super vistas of the Southern Ice Fields. The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to Karanga Camp, at 13,100 ft, the last water point on the way to the summit.

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Full board at Barafu Hut Camp.

We follow an easy path on compacted scree with expansive views, gaining altitude unrelentingly to reach Barafu Hut, at 14,800 ft, in time for lunch. There is a short acclimatization walk to the plateau at the bottom of the southeast valley. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the early morning final ascent.

Elevation (ft): 13,100 ft to 15,300 ft

Distance: 4 km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Full board at Mweka Hut Camp.

Unlike other routes with a nighttime ascent, your hike selection affords you a daytime ascent to the Kibo crater. The going is slow, but with constant encouragement from your climb team, the rim of Kibo is reached before descending a little way into the caldera to Crater Camp. The afternoon is spent relaxing, and short walks can be taken with one of your guides.

Elevation (ft): 15,300 ft to 19,345 ft

Distance: 6 km ascent / 12 km descent

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

Habitat: Arctic

After a night in the crater, you have the shortest final summit bid of any route. With such a short distance to the summit from the crater, around 1 hour, timing your arrival with the sunrise is much easier and quite spectacular. The summit of Kilimanjaro is the top of the highest freestanding mountain in the world.

After your summit bid, you descend for a final night on the mountain at Mweka Camp, passing back through the heath zone. Endemic proteas, pollinated by Malachite Sunbirds, are plentiful.

Overnight at Mweka Camp (breakfast, lunch, dinner).

Half board.

After breakfast, we descend to the 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. Tour vehicles will wait at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi.

Elevation (ft): 10,000 ft to 5,400 ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rainforest

Day of departure: transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport.