9-Day Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Trek with Summit Sunrise

• Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you will be met by a tour representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi. A briefing will be conducted in the evening at the hotel to prepare you for the climb ahead, followed by a group dinner - an opportunity for the group to get to know each other before the climb.

• We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then, drive to the Lemosho trailhead, which takes another hour. Upon arrival at the trailhead, we eat lunch and then commence through the undisturbed forest, which winds to the first campsite.

Elevation (ft): 6,825 ft to 9,100 ft

Distance: 7 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

• We 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.

Elevation (ft): 9,100 ft to 11,500 ft

Distance: 8 km

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Moorland

• We explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo's glaciered peak, across the plateau, which leads to Shira 2 Camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little-used site at the base of Lent Hills. Various walks are available on Lent Hills, making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on Earth.

Elevation (ft): 11,500 ft to 13,800 ft

Distance: 14 km

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Moorland

• From the Shira Plateau, we continue east 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 16,000 ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000 ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and stay overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is significant for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Elevation (ft): 13,800 ft to 13,000 ft

Distance: 7 km

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Semi Desert

• After breakfast, we 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.

Elevation (ft): 13,000 ft to 13,100 ft

Distance: 5 km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many 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.

Elevation (ft): 13,100 ft to 15,300 ft

Distance: 4 km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Very early in the morning, between midnight and 2 am, we continue to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head northwesterly and ascend through heavy scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
• At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see, weather permitting. You may encounter snow from Stella Point on 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.
• From the summit, we now descend, continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going 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.

Elevation (ft): 15,300 ft to 19,345 ft (and down to 10,000 ft)

Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent

Habitat: Arctic

• After breakfast, we will descend to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be plenty to wear, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.
• From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka Village to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi.

Elevation (ft): 10,000 ft to 5,400 ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

End of trek.