10-Day Kilimanjaro Summit Trek via Northern Circuit and Lemosho

Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft
Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

• We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, a drive of about 4 hours, where you will complete the entry formalities. From there, we continue to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest to the first campsite at Mti Mkubwa.

Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft
Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Heath

• 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.

Elevation: 11,500 ft to 13,800 ft
Distance: 11 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Heath

• We explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east across moorland meadows toward Shira 2 Camp, after which we divert from the main trail 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. The Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

Elevation: 13,800 ft to 15,190 ft
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
Distance: 3 km
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

• We begin the day by climbing up a ridge and then head southeast toward the Lava Tower, a 300-foot-tall volcanic rock formation. We then descend to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at nearly the same elevation, the time spent at a higher altitude benefits acclimatization.

Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

• We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall, we cross a series of hills and valleys before descending sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb brings us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.

Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

• We leave Karanga and reach the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. From there, we continue up to the rocky section of Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many angles. Here, we make camp, rest, and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are visible from this position.

Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
Distance: 12 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

• We begin our push to the summit very early in the morning, around midnight. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek, and the wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours, taking frequent but short breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you will ever see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and on the continent of Africa.
• From the summit, we descend and continue straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees, so trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

• On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, the trail can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village, where a vehicle meets us and drives us back to the hotel in Moshi.