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

• Meet your tour guide and depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, a drive of about 4 hours, where you will complete the entry formalities.
• Continue by vehicle to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival, begin hiking through the undisturbed forest as the trail winds to the first campsite at Mti Mkubwa.

Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft

Distance: 6 km/4 miles

Hiking time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rainforest

• Continue on the trail as it leads out of the rainforest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards.
• As you ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. Here, catch your first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.

Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft

Distance: 8 km/5 miles

Hiking time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Heath

• Explore the Shira Plateau for a full day with a gentle walk east across moorland meadow toward Shira 2 Camp.
• Divert from the main trail to Moir Hut, 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 Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

Elevation: 11,500 ft to 13,800 ft

Distance: 11 km/7 miles

Hiking time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Heath

• Begin the day by climbing up a ridge, then head southeast toward Lava Tower, a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation.
• Descend to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at nearly the same elevation, the time spent at a higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.

Elevation: 13,800 ft to 15,200 ft down to 13,000 ft

Distance: 7 km/4 miles

Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine desert

• Climb up and off the Great Barranco Wall.
• Continue around the southern circuit trail until reaching the scenic location of Karanga Camp.

Elevation: 13,000 ft

Distance: 5 km

Hiking time: 4 hours

Habitat: Alpine desert

• Leave Karanga and head to 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 different angles. Here, make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.

Elevation: 15,000 ft to 15,331 ft

Distance: 4 km

Hiking time: 3 hours

Habitat: Alpine desert

• Begin the push to the summit early in the morning at midnight. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme.
• Ascend in the darkness for several hours, taking frequent but short breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak.
• Arrive at Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
• Begin the descent, continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite and stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees, so trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Elevation (ft): 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft

Distance: 19 km

Hiking time: 9-10 hours

Habitat: Arctic

• Continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect your summit certificates. At lower elevations, the trail can be wet and muddy.
• From the gate, continue for another hour to Mweka Village, where a vehicle will meet you for the drive back to your hotel in Moshi.

Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft

Distance: 10 km/6 miles

Hiking time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rainforest