Tanzania · Trekking

7-Day Kilimanjaro Trek via Lemosho Route to Uhuru Peak Sunrise

7 Days Round trip from Shira Evacuation Rd Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Trek the scenic Lemosho Route through forest, moorland, and alpine desert
  • 02 Cross the Shira Plateau with panoramic views of Kibo Peak and the Northern Ice Fields
  • 03 Reach the distinct Lava Tower and descend into the Great Barranco Valley
  • 04 Climb the Great Barranco Wall beneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers
  • 05 Witness a spectacular sunrise from Uhuru Peak at 5895 m

Embark on a 7-day Kilimanjaro trek via the Lemosho Route, crossing forest trails, moorland, and high-altitude alpine terrain on one of the mountain's most scenic approaches. Hike across the Shira Plateau with panoramic views of Kibo Peak, reach the distinct Lava Tower, and conquer the Great Barranco Wall as you acclimatize for the summit push. The journey culminates in a midnight ascent to Uhuru Peak, where breathtaking views and a spectacular sunrise reward your effort before the descent to Mweka Gate.

The journey culminates in a midnight ascent to Uhuru Peak, where breathtaking views and a spectacular sunrise reward your effort before the descent to Mweka Gate.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Yes
City Mount Kilimanjaro
Languages Croatian, English, French, German, Italian, Korean, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

After breakfast and a briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate for park registration and a bag check, a journey of about 4 hours. Once everything is completed at Londorossi Gate, drive back to the starting point.

From here, a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho's starting point. After lunch, begin walking along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Campsite.

2
Day 02

Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Today you will cover a lot of ground as you trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. We will trek through Shira 1 Camp, where there are often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds as we head towards our destination, Shira 2.

We gain a reasonable altitude as we head towards Shira 1, and parts of the route are fairly steep. As you proceed towards Shira 2, you will view the Northern Ice Fields from the mountain's western side, with some unusual views of Kibo. Our steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will help with acclimatization, and we enjoy great panoramic views.

3
Day 03

Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower

Your trek starts with an ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking into the climatic zone of the upland desert and on the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. You will reach the distinct pinnacle of the Lava Tower (4640 m), our high point for the day and a great place to enjoy your lunch.

In the afternoon, we make a steep descent to our camp for the night, located at the base of the Great Barranco Valley (3960 m), sheltered by towering cliffs but with extensive views of the plains below.

4
Day 04

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It's a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring.

We head towards the Karanga Valley, passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers. We then have a steep climb from Karanga Valley to our night's camp at Karanga Camp, set at 3963 m. For those feeling strong, we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200 m before returning to camp for the night.

5
Day 05

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

After a good night's rest and breakfast, we walk to Barafu Camp at 4640 m. The climb takes us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It's a tough, steep walk made more difficult by the altitude.

On arriving at camp, we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep, as we will be getting up between 11 pm and 12 am to start the climb to the summit.

6
Day 06

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and Down to Millennium Camp

We start off at around midnight and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will climb the scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular.

We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739 m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us, and the views to the jagged Mawenzi Peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour's walking takes us to Uhuru Peak's summit (5895 m).

We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on a scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long, well-earned rest.

7
Day 07

Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate

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.

Your team will be waiting for you at the gate, where they will receive the Kilimanjaro songs plus traditional songs while you receive your certificate from Kilimanjaro National Park.

Shira Plateau, Lava Tower, Great Barranco Wall, Uhuru Peak sunrise

Where this trip takes you

Shira Plateau, Lava Tower, Great Barranco Wall, Uhuru Peak sunrise

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Shira Evacuation Rd 1 city · 7 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Private transport to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
  • Two nights of accommodation in Moshi.
  • Transportation to and from the Kilimanjaro gate.
  • Park entry fees.
  • Camping fees.
  • Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees.
  • 18% VAT on tour fees and services.
  • 4-season mountain tents.
  • Double-layered sleeping mats.
  • Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook, and porters.
  • 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain.
  • Enough treated and filtered drinking water throughout the trek.
  • Hot water for washing.
  • Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA) and Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO).
  • Government taxes.
  • Portable oxygen tanks and an ox meter.
  • Emergency first-aid kit.

What's Not Included

  • Lunches, dinners, and drinks at your hotel before and after the climb.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Flights.
  • Laundry (available at the hotel).
  • Personal items and toiletries.
  • Tips for guides, porters, and cooks.

What to bring

  • Technical Clothing
    • 1 waterproof jacket, breathable, with hood
    • 1 insulated jacket, synthetic or down
    • 1 soft jacket, fleece or soft-shell
    • 2 long-sleeve shirts, lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric
    • 1 short-sleeve shirt, lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric
    • 1 pair of waterproof pants, breathable (side zipper recommended)
    • 2 pairs of hiking pants
    • 1 pair of fleece pants
    • 1 pair of shorts (optional)
    • 1 set of long underwear, moisture-wicking fabric
    • 3 pairs of underwear, moisture-wicking fabric recommended
    • 2 sports bras (women)

Know before you go

  • You can expect severe variations in temperature. Be prepared for hot and humid conditions in the forests and below-freezing conditions, ice rain, and wind at higher altitudes. You should wear thermal underwear, hiking boots, warm thick gloves, and good-quality thermal socks.
  • Can beginners climb Kilimanjaro?
    To have the best Mt. Kilimanjaro climbing experience as a beginner, you should be fully aware of the conditions, seasonal climates, costs, and requirements to prepare for this challenge.
  • Is Kilimanjaro a difficult hike?
    Climbing Kilimanjaro on most days is not very hard because the trails are not steep; it is mostly about dealing with the altitude. However, summit night is extremely difficult, as this is the coldest and windiest section of your adventure - an ascent of 4,084 ft with 49% less oxygen and a descent of nearly 6,870 ft.
  • What do I wish I knew before climbing Kilimanjaro?
    • Six things I wish I had known before climbing Kilimanjaro:
      • Every single camp is cold.
      • You may find it hard to sleep.
      • Your skin and lips take a beating.
      • You need to pee all the time.
      • The water in your hydration pack freezes on summit day.
      • You feel "off" when high up the mountain.
  • Do you need oxygen to climb Kilimanjaro?
    Kilimanjaro's altitude is a significant challenge, but climbers do not need supplemental oxygen to climb Kilimanjaro or reach the summit. To reach the summit, you use the acclimatization method of walking slowly, "pole pole," climb high, and sleep low.
  • The average cost to climb Kilimanjaro is $2000 to $3500; the price varies from cheap, budget operators to large Western travel agents selling outsourced climbs at an inflated price. There are various unavoidable fixed costs to any tour operator, and if a climb seems too cheap, you have got to ask yourself why.
  • Can an unfit person climb Kilimanjaro?
    You only have to be in good physical shape to climb Kilimanjaro, but there is no need to be super fit. There are many people who are not really fit but still trek Mount Kilimanjaro. This is a trek, not a technical climb after all, and if you can run for 30 minutes two to three times a week and enjoy an all-day hike at weekends, you should be fine.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Shira Evacuation Rd, Tanzania
Tour start
Shira Evacuation Rd, Tanzania
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 7 days finish where they began, in Shira Evacuation Rd.

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Estimated room rates

Single Room $1,600.00 — $2,000.00
Double Sharing $1,600.00 — $1,750.00

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