Tanzania · Trekking

7-Day Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

7 Days Round trip from Moshi Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Mount Kilimanjaro via the scenic Lemosho Route
02 Trek through forests, moorland, highland desert, and alpine scree
03 Take in panoramic views of Kibo Peak, the Northern Ice Fields, and Mawenzi
04 Reach Uhuru Peak at sunrise and stand on Africa's highest summit
05 Descend through rainforest to Mweka Gate and receive your trekking certificate

Embark on a 7-day trek to Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route and fulfil your desire to reach the majestic peak. This is one of the best-known routes for its low traffic, beautiful scenery, and strong summit success rate. The trail descends via Mweka Gate, giving you a varied and fulfilling trekking experience. Sign up for this adventure and earn a certificate for this lifetime achievement.

We reach the crater rim at Stella Point just as the first rays of the sun hit us.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Arusha, Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Lemosho Gate to Big Tree Camp Through Forest Trails

Distance covered: 7 km / 4.3 mi, Approx. time taken: 4 hours, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included
You will be picked up from your hotel around 08:00 and taken to Lemosho Gate on the western side of Kilimanjaro. After registration, we begin our trek steadily through the forests of Lemosho Glades to reach Big Tree Camp, where you will spend the night.

Day 02

Big Tree Camp to Shira II Camp Across the Plateau

Distance covered: 17 km / 10.3 mi, Approx. time taken: 11 hours, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included
Today brings many adventures as you hike across a plateau of bog grass and heather dotted with volcanic rock formations. We will trek through Shira I Camp, from where there is often a view of Kibo Peak in the clouds as we approach our destination, Shira II. On the way to Shira II, you can see the Northern Ice Fields from the western side of Kilimanjaro, along with unusual views of Kibo Peak. Our steady trek through the Shira Plateau wasteland will help with acclimatization, and we will enjoy great panoramic views.

Day 03

Shira II Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower

Distance covered: 10 km / 6.2 mi, Approx. time taken: 6 hours, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included
Your trek begins with a climb offering sweeping panoramic views, followed by a trek into the highland desert climate zone and across the lava ridges below the glaciers of the Western Gap. You will reach the striking top of the Lava Tower. In the afternoon, we make a steep descent to Barranco Camp for the night, situated at the foot of the Gran Valle de Barranco, sheltered by towering cliffs and offering sweeping views of the plains.

Day 04

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp via the Great Wall

Distance covered: 5 km / 3.4 mi, Approx. time taken: 4 hours, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included
Our journey begins with a descent to the start of the Gran Barranco, a vast gorge. We then climb steeply up the Great Wall of the ravine, which separates us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. This is a rocky walk - not technical, but long and tiring. We pass beneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers toward the Karanga Valley. From here, we make a steep climb up the Karanga Valley to our overnight stay at Karanga Camp. If you are feeling strong, we can do an acclimatization hike to around 4200 m in the afternoon before descending back to camp for the night.

Day 05

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp for Summit Preparation

Distance covered: 4 km / 1.9 mi, Approx. time taken: 4 hours, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After a good rest at Karanga Camp and breakfast, we trek to Barafu Camp. The hike takes us through lonely scree with no vegetation around us. It is a challenging and steep hike, made more difficult by the altitude. On arrival at Barafu Camp, we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is essential to stay hydrated and warm. We will have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep, as we will get up between 11 pm and 12 am to begin the trek to the top of Uhuru Peak.

Day 06

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and Down to Millennium Camp

Distance covered: 14 km / 8.3 mi, Approx. time taken: 16 hours, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included
We start around midnight and hike steeply up toward the summit glaciers. We will hike for 4-5 hours on scree, gaining incredible height over a short distance. The view is spectacular. We reach the crater rim at Stella Point just as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs surround the crater, and the views of the craggy peak of Mawenzi and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour's walk brings us to the summit, Uhuru Peak. We then descend to Stella Point and continue down a scree slope, returning to Barafu Camp for breakfast before finally making our way to Millennium Camp for a well-deserved rest.

Day 07

Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate Descent

Distance covered: 13 km / 7.5 mi, Approx. time taken: 7 hours, Meals: Breakfast & Lunch included
A gentle descent takes us through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete the park paperwork and receive Kilimanjaro trekking certificates to hang proudly. We then meet our vehicles and return to the hotel in Arusha or Moshi.

Where this trip takes you

Lemosho Gate forest trails, Shira Plateau and Kibo Peak, Lava Tower and Barranco Camp cliffs

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Moshi 3 cities · 7 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Transportation to and from your selected route
Transfer from the airport or bus station in Moshi/Arusha on arrival, and return to the airport or bus station after the climb
Certified, experienced, English-speaking mountain guides
Kilimanjaro National Park fees
Government climbing taxes
Climbing permits
All hot meals prepared by our cook while on the mountain
Guides', porters', and cook salaries
Enough porters to carry your luggage
Safety equipment
Emergency oxygen
Hot drinks at every meal
Water provided on the climb: mineral water for the first day and boiled water every day
Personal summit certificate signed by the National Park and your guide