8-Day Kilimanjaro Climb via Lemosho Route with Summit Certificate

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Day 01

Arusha/Moshi to Londorossi Gate and Mti Mkubwa Camp

• After breakfast, have a briefing at your hotel, meet your lead guide, and drive to Londorossi Gate, a journey of about 2.5 hours. Following park rules and regulations, continue by 4x4 vehicle through the forest toward Lemosho Glades, covering 11 km in about 45 minutes. From there, trek along the forest trails to Mti Mkubwa Camp, where you will have dinner and spend the night.

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Day 02

Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira Camp One

• Early in the morning after breakfast, continue as the trail gradually becomes steeper and enters the vast moorland area. Several creeks are crossed before the route reaches the Shira Ridge and then gently descends to Shira Camp One, situated by the creeks on the Shira Plateau.
• The trail becomes steeper as it enters the bog area, then traverses the Shira Ridge and descends gently to Shira Camp One. Dinner and an overnight stay will be at Shira One Camp.

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Day 03

Shira Camp One to Shira Camp Two

• Today you have a very moderate hike across the Shira Plateau, taking you to Shira Camp Two through moorland meadows along a creek. Various hikes on the Shira Plateau also make this an excellent acclimatization day.

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Day 04

Shira Camp Two to Lava Tower and Barranco Camp

• After breakfast, continue climbing east on a steep path above the vegetation toward the looming mass of Kilimanjaro. After several hours of hiking through a rocky landscape, reach the outstanding landmark known as Lava Tower. This thick remnant of Kilimanjaro's earlier volcanic activity rises several hundred feet high, and the trail passes right underneath it. If you are sure-footed, you can climb to the top of the tower for a surcharge.
• After a lunch break near Lava Tower, descend for about 2 hours below the lower cliffs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall to Barranco Camp. Photo opportunities abound on this climb, especially when the walls are adorned with ice. Barranco Camp is nestled in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Walls, offering an unforgettable sunset as you await dinner. Be sure to watch for symptoms of altitude sickness on this day.

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Day 05

Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley Camp

• After breakfast, continue up a steep hill to the great Muro del Barranco and climb this significant obstacle, which is easier than it appears. Finishing just below Heim Glacier, you can see how beautiful Kilimanjaro is. With the Kibo Glaciers soaring overhead, descend into the lush Karanga Valley and continue to Karanga Valley Camp.
• From the camp, look east to see the craggy peaks of Mawenzi against the African sky. After a hot lunch at camp, the afternoon is free to rest or explore.
• After two long days, remember that this short day is very important for your acclimatization, as your ascent to the summit will begin shortly.

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Day 06

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

• This morning, ascend east across the ridges and valleys to join the Mweka Route, which will be your descent route. Turn left toward Kilimanjaro and hike another hour along the ridge through scattered landscapes to Barafu Hut, where you will have a hot lunch. Karanga Valley is the last watering hole on this route, as there is no water at Barafu Camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for ice cream. The famous snow of Kilimanjaro lies high above Camp Barafu, near the peak of Kilimanjaro.
• Your tent will be pitched on a narrow, rocky, windswept ridge, so familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid accidents. Prepare your gear and warm clothing for your summit ascent, and drink plenty of fluids.
• After an early dinner, head to bed for a few hours of valuable sleep.

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Day 07

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak Summit Day

• This morning, ascend east across the ridges and valleys to join the Mweka Route, which will be your descent route. Turn left toward Kilimanjaro and hike another hour along the ridge through scattered landscapes to Barafu Hut, where you will have a hot lunch. Karanga Valley is the last watering hole on this route, as there is no water at Barafu Camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for ice cream. The famous snow of Kilimanjaro lies high above Camp Barafu, near the peak of Kilimanjaro.
• Your tent will be pitched on a narrow, rocky, windswept ridge, so familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid accidents. Prepare your gear and warm clothing for your summit ascent, and drink plenty of fluids.
• After an early dinner, head to bed for a few hours of valuable sleep.

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Day 08

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and Return to Moshi/Arusha

• After a well-deserved breakfast, enjoy a short 3-hour scenic descent to Mweka Gate. At the gate, you will sign your name and add your details to a register. You will also receive your summit certificate from your guide, who will take a photo. Climbers who reach Stella Point receive green certificates, while those who reach Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates.
• From Mweka Gate, transfer to Mweka Village, 3 km away, where you will be served a delicious hot lunch before returning to Moshi/Arusha.