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Tanzania · Trekking
The journey
Trek Mount Kilimanjaro on the remote and beautiful Lemosho Route, a little-used path that crosses the Shira Plateau before joining the Kibo South Circuit and the Barafu route. This scenic approach offers strong acclimatization opportunities and a varied landscape of forest, moorland, semi-desert, and rocky terrain. It is also one of the few routes where groups are accompanied by an armed ranger, as the forest around the Lemosho glades is teeming with wildlife. Over 10 days, the journey combines wilderness, high-altitude adventure, and a summit push to Uhuru Peak.
At Stella Point (5,685 m), stop for a short rest and, weather permitting, you will be rewarded with one of the most magnificent sunrises you are ever likely to see.
From the itinerary
At a glance
Day by day
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you will be picked up and transferred to Springlands Hotel or similar for the overnight stay.
Overnight at Springlands Hotel (bed and breakfast) or similar.
Altitude: 2,200 m - 2,600 m
Hiking distance: 4 km
Hiking time: 3 hours
After breakfast, drive to the Londorosi Park Gate. The drive takes about 5 hours. The journey through the Shira Plateau is one of the best opportunities to see big game on Kilimanjaro. Walk up to Mti Mkubwa Camp. Arrive at the campsite, set up camp, and enjoy dinner.
Altitude: 2,600 m - 3,600 m
Hiking distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Wake up for breakfast and begin the short hike from Mti Mkubwa to Shira Camp 1. This usually takes no more than 5 hours, but a calm pace is required for adequate acclimatization. The west face of the Kibo volcano looms above the campsite. Have lunch, set up camp, rest, or take a day hike. This hike traverses the lower moorland, where large shrubs and wildflowers dominate the landscape.
Altitude: 3,600 m - 3,840 m
Hiking distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Wake up for breakfast, break camp, and hike briefly to Shira Camp 2. This makes it a perfect acclimatization day.
Altitude: 3,840 m - 3,940 m
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 7-8 hours
The route turns east into a semi-desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4,600 m after about 5 hours of walking. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower. This is the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point that, for the first time, some climbers start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability, and headaches.
After lunch, you descend almost 680 m to the Barranco camping area, and after reaching the high altitude of Lava Tower, the true acclimatization benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco Camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset. While you wait for dinner to be prepared, settle in for your overnight stay at Barranco Camp.
Altitude: 3,940 m - 4,035 m
Hiking distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
After breakfast, leave Barranco Ridge and walk up the Barranco Wall at the foot of the Heim Glacier. After passing the Barranco Wall, continue along the Karanga Valley to Karanga Camp.
Altitude: 4,035 m - 4,670 m
Hiking distance: 4 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Continue to Barafu Hut, which is located at an altitude of 4,670 m. Here, make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and stay overnight. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.
Altitude: 4,670 m - 5,895 m - 3,100 m
Hiking distance: 17 km
Hiking time: 15+ hours
Rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits, shuffle off into the night. Head northwesterly and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walk to Stella Point is, for many climbers, the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5,685 m), stop for a short rest and, weather permitting, you will be rewarded with one of the most magnificent sunrises you are ever likely to see.
From Stella Point, you normally encounter snow on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life. The walk back to Barafu from the summit takes about 3 hours. Here, you will have a short rest and collect the rest of your gear before heading down to Mweka Camp for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, continue down from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, then onward into Mweka village, normally a muddy and long hour's walk. From Mweka village, drive to Springlands Hotel, where you will be served a hot lunch and enjoy a long-overdue shower. Overnight at Springlands Hotel.
Tips can be given to the guide at Springlands Hotel. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reach Stella Point (5,685 m) are issued green certificates, and those who reach Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) receive gold certificates.
Overnight at Springlands Hotel (bed and breakfast) or similar.
After an early breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your departure flight back home.
Where this trip takes you
Shira Plateau, Lava Tower, Barranco Wall, Uhuru Peak
The route
The fine print
Logistics
Your 10 days finish where they began, in Moshi.
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