8-Day Kilimanjaro Trek via Lemosho Route to Uhuru Peak from Moshi

• With full board at Forest Camp, also known as Big Tree Camp, hikers depart from Moshi for Londorossi Gate, a drive of about 4 hours, where entry formalities and registration are completed.
• 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, a forest camp known as Big Tree Camp.

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

• With full board at Shira 1 Camp, hikers 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 amazing and refreshing.

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

• With full board at Shira 2 Camp, hikers and the team 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 we stay at Shira 2 Camp or continue to Moir Camp, 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

• With full board at Shira 2 or Moir Hut Camp, hikers continue east from the Shira Plateau 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 16,000ft.
• We then continue down to Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here, hikers rest, enjoy dinner, and stay overnight. Although you end the day at nearly the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important 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

• With full board at Karanga Camp, after breakfast hikers leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge, passing the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley campsite. This 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

• With full board at Barafu Hut Camp, after breakfast hikers leave Karanga and reach 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 elegant views of the summit from many different angles.
• Here, we 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

• With full board at Mweka Hut Camp, very early in the morning, between midnight and 2 a.m., we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You 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 stop for a short rest and, weather permitting, will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see in a lifetime.
• From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way during 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, we begin the descent, continuing straight down to Mweka Camp and stopping at Barafu for lunch.
• You will need gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel on the way 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 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

• With half board after breakfast, hikers and the guide continue the descent to Mweka Park Gate to receive hikers' 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 enough to wear, though rain gear and warmer clothing should be kept handy. A vehicle will be waiting at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi.

Descend (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
Stretch: 10 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Climatic habitat: Rainforest