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

• Depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, a drive of about 4 hours.
• Complete the entry formalities at Londorossi Gate.
• Drive for about 1 hour to the Lemosho trailhead.
• Enjoy lunch upon arrival at the trailhead.
• Commence the trek through the undisturbed forest, winding to the first campsite, Forest Camp, also known as Big Tree Camp.

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

Distance: 6 km

Hiking time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rainforest

Full board at Forest Camp, also known as Big Tree 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 and cross several streams.
• Reach the Shira Ridge.
• Drop gently down to Shira 1 Camp.
• Enjoy the amazing view of Kibo from across the plateau.

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

Distance: 8 km

Hiking time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Moorland

Full board at Shira One Camp.

• Explore the Shira Plateau for a full day.
• Take a gentle walk east toward Kibo's glaciered peak across the plateau.
• Reach Shira 2 Camp on moorland meadows by a stream.
• Continue to Moir Hut, a little-used site at the base of Lent Hills.
  • Lent Hills offers various walks, making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity.
  • Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

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

Distance: 14 km

Hiking time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Moorland

Full board at Shira 2 Camp.

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

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

Distance: 7 km

Hiking time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Semi-desert

Full board at Shira 2 or Moir Hut Camp.

• After breakfast, leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge, passing the Barranco Wall.
• Head toward the Karanga Valley campsite.
  • This is a short day meant for acclimatization.

Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft

Distance: 5 km

Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Full board at Karanga Camp.

• Leave Karanga and reach the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail.
• Continue up to Barafu Hut.
  • At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many angles.
• Make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for summit day.
  • The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are visible from this position.

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

Distance: 4 km

Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine desert

Full board at Barafu Hut Camp.

• Set out for the summit very early, between midnight and 2 a.m., continuing 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.
• Stop for a short rest and enjoy the magnificent sunrise, weather permitting, at Stella Point (18,600 ft).
• Encounter snow from Stella Point on the 1-hour ascent to the summit.
• Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
  • Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
• Descend straight down from the summit to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch.
  • Gaiters and trekking poles are recommended for the loose gravel during the descent.
  • Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.
• Enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep in the evening.

Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)

Distance: 5 km ascent/12 km descent

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

Habitat: Arctic

Full board at Mweka Hut Camp.

• After breakfast, descend 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.
• Continue another hour from the gate to Mweka Village.
• Drive back to the hotel in Moshi from Mweka Village.

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

Distance: 10 km

Hiking time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rainforest

Half board