7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Christmas Climb to Uhuru Peak

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Trek through undisturbed forest on the scenic Lemosho Route
• 02 Catch panoramic views of Kibo from the Shira Plateau
• 03 Conquer the Barranco Wall and admire breathtaking mountain vistas
• 04 Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro, on Christmas Day

Embark on a 7-day Christmas climb up Mount Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route. Trek through undisturbed forests, cross the Shira Plateau, conquer the Barranco Wall, and make your summit push to Uhuru Peak on Christmas Day. Along the way, enjoy breathtaking views of Kibo, dramatic alpine landscapes, and a traditional farewell ceremony before receiving your certificate of achievement.

Just an hour or two more, and you will be standing on the highest point of the crater: Uhuru Peak.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Arusha, Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

(20 December) Moshi/Arusha to Londorossi Gate and Big Tree Camp

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

2

Day 02

(21 December) Big Tree Camp to Shira Camp 2

• We continue on the trail leading out of the rainforest 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. Here, we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.

3

Day 03

(22 December) Shira Camp 2 via Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

• 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 acclimatisation, as you will go up to 4600 m before descending again. Today begins with a long uphill trek toward the Lava Tower Hut (4640 m), and you will notice how the landscape changes to 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 the most beautiful camp on the mountain - Barranco.

4

Day 04

(23 December) Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

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

5

Day 05

(24 December) 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. The goal for today is the Barafu campsite on a narrow ridge in full view of Mawenzi Peak. You will walk along a trail that passes through the afro-alpine desert until you reach your destination for today - 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 up around midnight to start your walk to the summit.

6

Day 06

(25 December) Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and Mweka Camp

• It is dark and cold as you set off just after midnight. For about six hours, you will climb the frozen volcanic dust by headlamp toward Stella Point on the crater rim. The sun should be rising when you arrive here. Just an hour or two 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 you tackle 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). This is your overnight stop. Refuel by drinking lots of fluids and have a good helping at supper time.

7

Day 07

(26 December) Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and Arusha

• A traditional farewell ceremony from the porters begins today. After about three hours of comfortably descending through the greenness of the 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!

The route

Where you'll travel

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
• Environmental fees
• During the climb, you will sleep in huts
• 5 breakfasts
• 6 lunches
• 6 dinners
• Drinking water
• Porters
• Cook

What's Not Included

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

Know before you go

• Hiking starts from 20th December to 26th December, so you will be on top of Mount Kilimanjaro on 25th December, Christmas Day.
• If you are still wondering what to do over the festive season, why not spend your Christmas on Mount Kilimanjaro? Mountain climbing can be an exhilarating experience and is a perfect adventure for you and your best friend or spouse.
• Kilimanjaro, especially, is one of a kind. It is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Also known as the Roof of Africa, the mountain is quite 'walkable', so reaching the summit is not particularly challenging. Essentially, most people can do it if they are fit and healthy.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Moshi, Tanzania

Tour start

Moshi, Tanzania

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.