7-Day Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Hike to Uhuru Peak

We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, a drive of about 4 hours, where you will complete the entry formalities. Then continue by road to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival, begin hiking through undisturbed forest as the trail winds to the first campsite.

Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft

Distance: 6 km/4 miles

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rainforest

Accommodation: Mti Mkubwa

You will gain 700 m in altitude but descend to sleep at Barranco - 60 m higher than last night's camp. This will help with acclimatization, as you will go up to 4600 m before descending again. Today begins with a long uphill walk toward Lava Tower Hut (4640 m), and you will notice how the landscape changes into a rocky alpine desert. Later, the path descends again to the Barranco Valley with its giant senecias and lobelias. After six to seven hours, you should arrive at what is described as the most beautiful camp on the mountain - Barranco.

Finish: Barranco Camp (3960 m)

Altitude: ↑740 m ↓680

Walking Time: 6-7h

Accommodation: Shira Camp 2

You will gain 700 m in altitude but descend to sleep at Barranco - 60 m higher than last night's camp. This will help with acclimatization, as you will go up to 4600 m before descending again. Today begins with a long uphill walk toward Lava Tower Hut (4640 m), and you will notice how the landscape changes into a rocky alpine desert. Later, the path descends again to the Barranco Valley with its giant senecias and lobelias. After six to seven hours, you should arrive at what is described as the most beautiful camp on the mountain - Barranco.

Finish: Barranco Camp (3960 m)

Altitude: ↑740 m ↓680

Walking Time: 6-7h

Accommodation: Shira Camp 2

Today starts with the daunting Barranco Wall. You will soon realize it looks worse than it is, although there are tricky sections where you will need to hold on tight. Admire the views from the top. The rest of the route follows the mountain ridge into and out of the Karanga Valley. You reach Karanga Camp after lunch and enjoy fantastic views of Kibo's southern glacier and the Kibo summit.

Finish: Karanga Camp (4035 m)

Altitude: ↑100 m ↓25

Walking Time: 3-4h

Accommodation: Barranco Camp

A few hours of hiking through a desolate, rocky, moon-like landscape lie ahead. It will be a relatively easy day, leading steadily uphill. Today's goal is Barafu Camp, set on a narrow ridge in full view of Mawenzi Peak. You will walk along a trail through the afro-alpine desert until you reach Barafu Camp at 4640 m. Use the rest of the day to relax and pack your daypack for tonight's summit attempt. Supper will be served early; drink and eat enough if you can, and try to sleep. You will be woken around midnight to begin your walk to the summit.

Finish: Barafu Camp (4640 m)

Altitude: ↑605 m

Walking Time: 3-4h

Accommodation: Karanga Camp

It is dark and cold as you set off just after midnight. For about six hours, you will climb frozen volcanic dust by headlamp toward Stella Point on the crater rim. The sun should be rising when you arrive there. Just one or two hours more, and you will be standing on the highest point of the crater: Uhuru Peak. On top of the world! Take a short break for pictures and celebratory hugs before tackling the steep and dusty descent. By now, the volcanic ash will have thawed... You will stop for a short tea break at Barafu and then continue downhill for about three hours to Mweka Camp (3080 m), your overnight stop. Refuel by drinking plenty of fluids and enjoy a good helping at supper time.

Finish: Uhuru Peak (5895 m) - Mweka Camp (3080 m)

Altitude: ↑1255 m ↓2815 m

Walking Time: 10-14 h

Accommodation: Uhuru Peak

A traditional farewell ceremony from the porters begins the day. After about three hours of comfortable descent through the green forest, you should reach Mweka Gate, where the driver will be waiting. Back at the lodge, a hot shower, cold drinks, a debrief, and your certificate of achievement are waiting. Well done!

Finish: Mweka Gate (1630 m)

Altitude: ↓1450 m

Walking Time: 2-3h

Accommodation: Moshi