9-Day Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Climb with Crater Camp Summit

Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp.
Elevation (ft): 7,800 ft to 9,500 ft.
Distance: 6 km.
Hiking time: 3-4 hours.
Habitat: Rain Forest.
Full board at Forest Camp, known as Big Tree Camp.

After completing the necessary registration formalities at the Londorossi National Park Gate, we drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho Road Head. We often have lunch in the glades before starting to walk. It is an easy day of walking up a small path through beautiful, lush forest. This area has a variety of game, including buffalo. We camp at Lemosho Forest Camp, known as Big Tree Camp, at 7,800 ft.

Forest Camp to Shira One Camp.
Elevation (ft): 9,500 ft to 11,500 ft.
Distance: 8 km.
Hiking time: 5-6 hours.
Habitat: Moorland.
Full board at Shira One Camp.

We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. There is a tangible sense of wilderness, especially if afternoon mists come in. We camp in the center of the plateau at Shira One, at 11,500 ft.

Shira Camp 1 to Shira 2 to Moir Hut.
Elevation (ft): 11,500 ft to 13,800 ft.
Distance: 14 km.
Hiking time: 5-7 hours.
Habitat: Moorland.
Full board at Shira 2 Camp.

We explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo's glaciered peak, across the plateau that leads to Shira 2. Shira 2 Camp sits on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we stay at Shira 2 Camp or continue to Moir Hut, a little-used site at the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills, making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity.

Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth. You might have the option of spending the night at Shira 2 Camp or Moir Hut, with a relatively long hike and significant altitude gain. Today is a short day, and you arrive at Shira 2 Camp in time for lunch. It is a good day for acclimatization, with the option of afternoon walks with your guides.

Moir Hut to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp, or Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco.
Elevation (ft): 13,800 ft to 13,000 ft.
Distance: 7 km.
Hiking time: 4-6 hours.
Habitat: Semi Desert.
Full board at Shira 2 or Moir Hut Camp.

A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views leaves the moorland plateau behind as we walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near the Lava Tower at 14,900 ft, we descend to the bottom of the Barranco Valley to camp at Barranco Camp, at 12,790 ft, sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below.

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp.
Elevation (ft): 13,000 ft to 13,100 ft.
Distance: 5 km.
Hiking time: 4-5 hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Full board at Karanga Camp.

A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Ice Fields. The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to Karanga Camp at 13,100 ft, the last water point on the way to the summit.

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp.
Elevation (ft): 13,100 ft to 15,300 ft.
Distance: 4 km.
Hiking time: 4-5 hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Full board at Barafu Hut Camp.

We follow an easy path on compacted scree with wide views that gains altitude unrelentingly to reach Barafu Hut at 14,800 ft for lunch. There is a short acclimatization walk to the plateau at the bottom of the southeast valley. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the early morning final ascent.

Barafu Camp to Crater Camp.
Elevation (ft): 15,300 ft to 19,345 ft.
Distance: 6 km ascent / 12 km descent.
Hiking time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent.
Habitat: Arctic.
Full board at Mweka Hut Camp.

Unlike other routes with a nighttime ascent, your hike selection affords you a daytime ascent to Kibo Crater. The going is slow, but with constant encouragement from your climb team, the rim of Kibo is reached before descending a little way into the caldera to Crater Camp. The afternoon is spent relaxing, and short walks can be taken with one of your guides.

After a night in the crater, you now have the shortest final summit bid of any route. With such a short distance to the summit from the crater, around 1 hour, the timing of your arrival with the sunrise is much easier and quite spectacular. The summit of Kilimanjaro is the top of the highest freestanding mountain in the world.

After your summit bid, you then descend for a final night on the mountain at Mweka Camp, passing back through the heath zone. Endemic proteas, pollinated by Malachite Sunbirds, are plentiful.

Overnight at Mweka Camp (breakfast - lunch - dinner).

Mweka Camp to Arusha or Moshi.
Elevation (ft): 10,000 ft to 5,400 ft.
Distance: 10 km.
Hiking time: 3-4 hours.
Habitat: Rain Forest.
Half board.

After breakfast, we continue the descent down 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.

A vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi.