Tanzania · Trekking

7-Day Mt. Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

7 Days Round trip from Moshi Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Admire the views from the top of Uhuru Peak
02 Trek through the rainforest to Mt. Kilimanjaro
03 Cross the Shira Plateau with first glimpses of Kibo
04 Climb the Barranco Wall and camp beneath Kibo's southern glacier
05 Follow the scenic southern circuit before descending via Mweka

Trek to Mt. Kilimanjaro on the scenic 7-day Lemosho Route, passing through undisturbed forest, lush rolling hills, and streams before reaching the Shira Ridge and Shira 1 Camp. Continue across rocky alpine desert and the dramatic southern circuit, with acclimatization built into the climb as you head toward Barranco, Karanga, and Barafu. The journey culminates in a midnight summit push to Uhuru Peak, followed by a descent through the green forest via the Mweka route.

Just one or two more hours, and you will be standing on the highest point of the crater: Uhuru Peak - on top of the world.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

Depart from Moshi for Londorossi Gate, a drive of about 4 hours, where you will complete the entry formalities. Then continue by vehicle to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival, begin hiking through the undisturbed forest as the trail winds its way to the first campsite at Mti Mkubwa.

Day 02

Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp

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, you will reach the Shira Ridge before descending gently to Shira 1 Camp. Here, you will catch your first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.

Day 03

Shira to Barranco via Lava Tower

You will gain 700 m in altitude but descend to sleep at Barranco - 60 m higher than the previous night's camp. This helps with acclimatization, as you will climb to 4600 m before descending again. The day begins with a long uphill trek toward Lava Tower Hut (4640 m), where you will notice the landscape changing into a rocky alpine desert. Later, the path descends into the Barranco Valley with its giant Senecias and Lobelias. After six to seven hours, you should arrive at Barranco, considered the most beautiful camp on the mountain.

Day 04

Barranco Wall to Karanga Camp

Today begins with the daunting Barranco Wall. You will soon realize it looks worse than it is, although there are some 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 will reach Karanga Camp after lunch and enjoy fantastic views of Kibo's southern glacier and the Kibo summit.

Day 05

Karanga Camp to Barafu 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.

Day 06

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka 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 here. Just one or two more hours, 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 beginning 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.

Day 07

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

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 will be waiting. Well done!

Where this trip takes you

Shira Ridge, Lava Tower Hut, Barranco Wall, Uhuru Peak

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Moshi 2 cities · 7 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Guide
Park fees
Tax
Meals according to the itinerary
Gate transfer
Crew wages
Fair and sustainable crew wages
Environment fees
During the climb, you will sleep in tents
5 breakfasts
6 lunches
6 dinners
Drinking water
Guide
Porters
Cook

What's Not Included

Flights
Items of a personal nature
Laundry services
Tips to the mountain crew

Know before you go

The 7-day Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro climb is considered the most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro, granting panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. As one of the newer routes, Lemosho is a superb choice for your climb. It is our preferred route due to its ideal balance of low crowds, beautiful scenery, and a high summit success rate. We specialize in guiding on the Lemosho Route. Most of our clients climb Kilimanjaro using this route, and they consistently report that they love it. Thus, the 7-day Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro trekking and hiking tour is highly recommended. The route traverses underneath Kilimanjaro's Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka Route.

Logistics