Tanzania · Trekking

7-Day Kilimanjaro Climb via Lemosho Route to Uhuru Peak

7 Days Round trip from Kilimanjaro Region Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Journey through welcoming mountainside villages and beautiful rainforest scenery from Lemosho Gate
  • 02 Cross the Shira Plateau with frequent vistas of Kibo Peak floating in the clouds
  • 03 Reach Lava Tower before descending to Barranco Camp beneath towering cliffs
  • 04 Climb the Great Barranco Wall and take an acclimatization trek above Karanga Valley
  • 05 Summit Uhuru Peak at sunrise, surrounded by spectacular ice cliffs and glacier views

Embark on a 7-day Kilimanjaro adventure via the Lemosho Route, crossing diverse landscapes from lush rainforest and moorland to alpine desert and scree slopes. Along the way, enjoy beautiful panoramic views of Kibo Peak, the Northern Ice Fields, Lava Tower, Barranco Valley, and the summit glaciers. The trek is designed to support acclimatization with a gradual ascent across the Shira Plateau and an acclimatization hike from Karanga. Your climb culminates at Uhuru Peak, where sunrise, glacier views, and the sight of jagged Mawenzi Peak make the challenge deeply rewarding.

Your climb culminates at Uhuru Peak, where sunrise, glacier views, and the sight of jagged Mawenzi Peak make the challenge deeply rewarding.

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 Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro
Languages English, French

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Lemosho Gate Through Rainforest to Mti Mkubwa Camp

  • Departing from Moshi, a 2-hour drive will take you through welcoming mountainside villages to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate.
  • Patiently wait for your permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead.
  • Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora, fauna, and natural wildlife.

At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.

2
Day 02

Across Shira Plateau to Shira 2 Camp

  • Trekking across a plateau of green moorland and heather dotted with volcanic rock formations will require you to cover a lot of ground today.
  • Hike via Shira 1 Camp on your way to Shira 2, where there are frequent vistas of Kibo Peak floating in the clouds.
  • As you move closer to Shira 1, you will gain altitude and encounter moderately steep terrain.
  • You will see the Northern Ice Fields from the mountain's western side as you go closer to Shira 2, along with some uncommon views of Kibo. Acclimatization will be aided by your slow ascent across the Shira Plateau's moorland, and you will get to take in some beautiful panoramic views.
3
Day 03

Lava Tower Ascent and Descent to Barranco Camp

  • 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 Lava Tower (4640 m), your highest point for the day and a great place to enjoy your lunch.
  • In the afternoon, you will make a steep descent to Barranco 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

Climb the Great Barranco Wall to Karanga Camp

  • Your day will start by descending into the beginning of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine.
  • You then climb steeply up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides you from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It is a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring.
  • Head towards the Karanga Valley by passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers.
  • From here, you will climb steeply from Karanga Valley to your night's camp at Karanga Camp, set at 3963 m.
  • For those feeling strong, you will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200 m before descending back to camp for the night.
5
Day 05

Steep Ascent to Barafu Camp

  • After a good night's rest and breakfast, you will walk to Barafu Camp at 4640 m. The climb will take you across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around you at all. It is a tough, steep walk made more difficult by the altitude.
  • When you arrive at camp, you will have lunch and spend the afternoon resting as you prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm.
  • You will have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep, as you will be getting up between 11 p.m. and 12 p.m. to start the climb to the summit.
6
Day 06

Midnight Summit Push to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Millennium Camp

  • You will start at around midnight and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers.
  • You will climb scree for 4 to 5 hours, gaining incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular.
  • You should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739 m) as the first rays of the sun hit. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround you, and the views of jagged Mawenzi Peak and beyond are breathtaking.
  • Another hour of walking takes you to the summit of Uhuru Peak (5895 m).
  • Begin your descent by returning to Stella Point, descending on a scree slope, and tracking back to Barafu Camp for breakfast before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long, well-earned rest.
7
Day 07

Rainforest Descent to Mweka Gate

  • A gentle trek will take you down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you will complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride.
  • Our vehicles will take you back to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower (and a cold beer or two) before your big celebration.
Shira Plateau moorland, Lava Tower, Uhuru Peak at sunrise, Kibo Peak

Where this trip takes you

Shira Plateau moorland, Lava Tower, Uhuru Peak at sunrise, Kibo Peak

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Kilimanjaro Region 2 cities · 7 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Accommodation
  • Park fees
  • Meals and drinks
  • Sleeping tents
  • Mess tents
  • Sleeping mattresses
  • English-speaking guide
  • Porters
  • Cook
  • Oxygen cylinder
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off
  • Drop-off and pick-up at Kilimanjaro National Park Gate

What's Not Included

  • Visa fees
  • All items of a personal nature
  • Travel, baggage, or medical insurance
  • Tips for the guide, camp/lodge staff, and porters
  • Flights (international and domestic)
  • Hiking gear

What to bring

  • Passport, itinerary, travel insurance documents, and e-tickets
  • Prescription medications
  • Prescription glasses, sunglasses, hat, and sunblock
  • Camera, video equipment, and binoculars
  • Clothes and toiletries
  • Phone, music player, tablet, or laptop
  • Preventative pharmaceuticals
  • Hand luggage

Know before you go

  • Customers should have camping equipment such as sleeping bags, warm coats, trousers, rain gear, hiking boots, sunglasses, sunscreen, walking poles, and a first aid kit. If customers do not have their hiking gear, we have a rental shop where all the required mountain gear is available.
  • Customers with health issues such as asthma or other respiratory diseases are strongly not recommended to climb the mountain. If an individual falls ill during their Mount Kilimanjaro hike, they will receive prompt medical assistance and necessary rescue measures.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Kilimanjaro International Airport, Kilimanjaro Airport Road, Tanzania
Tour start
Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 7 days finish where they began, in Kilimanjaro Region.

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