8-Day Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Trek with Uhuru Peak Summit

• Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO), where you will meet your tour representative for transfer to your hotel. There, you will have bed and breakfast, a briefing, a gear check, and assistance arranging the hire of any equipment you may need.

• Your driver will pick you up from the hotel and take you to Londorossi Gate, a journey of about 4 hours, where you will complete the entry formalities. You will then continue driving through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the start point, where lunch will be served before the hike begins.
• This is an easy day of walking through the beautiful rainforest, where you may spot large wildlife such as elephants and buffalo, or see their footprints along the trail.

Dinner will be served on arrival at Mti Mkubwa Camp.

Elevation: 2,100m/6930ft - start point 2,360m/7788ft to 2,820m/9306ft

Distance: 6 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Vegetation Zone: Rain forest

• After an early breakfast, continue as the rainforest is left behind and the trail passes through moorland, heather, and several streams. Reach Shira Ridge while enjoying views of the Shira Plateau and Mt Meru, then descend to Shira 1 Camp for the overnight stay.

Elevation: 2,820m/9,306ft to 3,600m/11,880ft

Distance: 8 km

Hiking Time: 6-7 hours

Vegetation Zone: Heath/Moorland

• This is a short day. After breakfast, begin walking through the moorland to explore the volcanic rock formations of the Shira Plateau. Ascend to the summit of Shira Cathedral (3962 m) for acclimatization and, on a clear day, enjoy views of Mt Meru before continuing to Shira 2 for lunch.

Dinner and overnight at camp.

Elevation: 3600m/11880ft to 3840m/12672ft

Distance: 8 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Vegetation Zone: Heather/Moorland

• This is another long day. After breakfast, continue east up a ridge, passing the junction toward Kibo Peak before changing direction to the southeast toward Lava Tower (4600m/15180ft). Packed lunches or hot lunches are served at the tower, which is a very important area for acclimatization and helps your body prepare for summit day.
• After that, continue down to Barranco Camp, a descent of about 2 hours, where you can rest, enjoy dinner, and stay overnight.

Elevation: 3840m/38403ft to 3900m/12870ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 6-7 hours

Vegetation Zone: Moorland

• The day starts by descending to the beginning of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine, and then climbing steeply up the Great Barranco Wall to the top. From here, enjoy views of Heim Glacier, spectacular views of Kilimanjaro, and a position above the clouds.
• The trail then winds up and down through the Karanga Valley to your camp for the night.

Elevation: 3900m/12870ft to 3930m/12969ft

Distance: 6 km

Hiking Time: 4 hours

Vegetation Zone: Moorland

• After a good breakfast, set off on the walk to Barafu Camp across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around, followed by a steep climb to camp.
• The remainder of the day is spent resting and preparing for the final ascent before an early night ahead of the summit walk. The camp usually offers stunning views of the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.

Elevation: 3930m/12969ft to 4670m/15411ft

Distance: 4 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert

• This is your special day when your dream comes true. Your guide will wake you around 23:00 for tea and biscuits.
• The summit climb begins on steep, loose volcanic scree with some well-graded switchbacks, and a slow but steady pace will take you toward Stella Point on the crater rim (5696m/18800ft) in about 5 to 6 hours.
• After a rest, hot water, and the magnificent sunrise, continue ascending for about 1 hour to Uhuru Peak (5895m).
• At the summit, you will have a short time for photographs and for drinking tea or water. Those still feeling strong may have a chance to pass nearby glaciers. The descent to Barafu Camp is surprisingly fast, and after lunch, refreshments, and collecting your trekking poles, continue descending through moorland to reach your final campsite at Mweka. Most people will be too tired to notice the beauty of the forest surrounding the area.

Elevation: 4670m/15411ft- 5895m/19453ft to 3100m/10230ft

Distance: 19 km

Hiking Time: 15 hours

Vegetation: Alpine Desert/Arctic to Moorland

• This is another big day, and your staff will sing and dance for you. After that, descend on a well-maintained trail through the lovely rainforest, with many birds, tall trees, flowers, and many other interesting sights.
• The route ends at Mweka Gate, where all hikers are required to sign out and receive their certificates of completion.
• Your driver will then take you back to the hotel.
• On the way back, you will pass through coffee and banana farms around Mweka village.

Elevation: 3100m/10230ft to 1700m/5610ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 3 hours

Vegetation Zone: Rain forest

• Rest at the hotel and transfer to the airport.

Trip ends.