Tanzania · Trekking

7-Day Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Climb to Uhuru Peak

7 Days Round trip from W92H+76C Challenging pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Traverse Kilimanjaro's longest, most scenic route, the Lemosho, with a high success rate
  • 02 Journey through diverse landscapes from rainforest to the stunning Shira Plateau
  • 03 Experience the dramatic Barranco Wall and breathtaking views from the Breakfast Wall
  • 04 Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, with spectacular sunrise views
  • 05 Descend via the Mweka route, passing through diverse ecological zones

Embark on a 7-day Kilimanjaro trek via the Lemosho Route, an exhilarating journey through lush rainforests, alpine meadows, and rugged volcanic landscapes. Witness breathtaking vistas across the Shira Plateau, conquer the iconic Barranco Wall, and follow a carefully paced ascent designed for acclimatization. Push your limits on a midnight summit attempt to reach Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa, before descending through changing ecological zones on the Mweka route.

Just a further hour's climb will bring you to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) - congratulations, you have reached the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro, the 'Roof of Africa'.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Challenging
Accommodation Included · Budget
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

Trekking Time: 3 hours | Distance: 7 km | Altitude Gain: 450m

  • A three-hour drive from Moshi will take you to Londorossi Gate (1,800m), where we will complete the National Park registration formalities.
  • After registration, you will be driven to the starting point of your trek at 2,350m.
  • The first day is a shorter walk through stretches of untamed, dense, ever-changing rainforest, trekking to your first camp, Mti Mkubwa Camp.
2
Day 02

Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira Camp 1

Trekking Time: 6-7 hours | Distance: 10 km | Altitude Gain: 800m

  • The trail continues towards Shira Camp 1, bringing you out of the forest into the giant heather moorland zone and up steep ridges leading to the Shira Plateau.
  • From here, you will be able to take in the stunning views Kilimanjaro has to offer, including Mount Meru in the west with its breathtaking sunsets.
  • After crossing several streams, we continue over the Shira Ridge (3,600m) and then gently descend to Shira Camp 1.
3
Day 03

Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2

Trekking Time: 3-4 hours | Distance: 8 km | Altitude Gain: 290m

  • The trail continues to Shira Camp 2, passing across the Shira Plateau through the moorland zone and more open areas, where you will have some of the best scenic views of the mountain landscape.
  • Upon reaching camp, you will have a hot lunch and rest for the day. Short excursions will be done for acclimatization.
4
Day 04

Shira Camp 2 to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower

Trekking Time: 6-7 hours / Distance: 11 km / Altitude Gain: 110m

  • Today, the Lemosho route meets the Machame route before approaching Lava Tower. The trail to Barranco Camp, taking 6-7 hours, is extremely beautiful and starts with a gentle incline towards Kibo.
  • You will reach a ridge marked by a rock named the Shark's Tooth (4,400m) and go south, crossing shallow valleys to Lava Tower (4,600m).
  • We will gradually descend to Barranco Camp, with its great views of the icy Western Breach and the Barranco Wall, better known as the 'Breakfast Wall'. This is an acclimatization day following the 'walking high, sleeping low' rule of mountaineering.
5
Day 05

Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

Trekking Time: 6-7 hours / Distance: 9 km / Altitude Gain: 750m

  • The day starts with a not-too-technical trek up Barranco Wall (200m high), which, although steep, only requires hand-and-feet climbing for a few stretches.
  • The top of the 'Breakfast Wall' has attractive vistas of Kibo and the surrounding landscape.
  • We will then follow the trail with many up-and-down sections across small streams and then cross the Karanga River to the Karanga campsite (3,930m). Continuing our eastward traverse to Barafu Camp, we meet the crossroads with the Mweka route.
  • A further hour's climb up a steep and rocky lava ridge will bring us to Barafu Camp.
  • You have completed the South Circuit of the mountain, and from here you will be able to view the summit from a number of different angles.
  • The terrain at Barafu Camp is inhospitable and has very little vegetation; it often snows at this point and, in the rainy season, can be blanketed.
  • We will set up camp, rest, and enjoy a hearty meal before heading to bed - the summit is just a further 1,188m, which we will start to attempt at midnight.
6
Day 06

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Mweka Camp

Trekking Time: 6-7 hours / Distance: 5 km / Altitude Gain: 1195m

  • Waking up at 23.00 hrs, you will have a light snack and hot drink before starting your 5 km trek to the summit. This is the most exhausting day of your climb, with an overall trekking time of approximately 16 hours. This section of your climb is the coldest, with temperatures ranging from -5°C to -10°C.
  • We will head northwest, following the trail up an increasingly steep valley on the edge of scree fields. You will pass the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers towards Stella Point (5,672m).
  • You are now on the southern rim of Kibo, where you will have spectacular views as the sun rises.
  • Just a further hour's climb will bring you to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) - congratulations, you have reached the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro, the 'Roof of Africa'. You will be surrounded by awe-inspiring ice cliffs and magnificent views of Mawenzi Peak and beyond.

Summit (5,895m) to Mweka Camp (3,100m)

Trekking Time: 5-6 hours / Distance: 9 km / Altitude loss: 2795m

  • We will start our descent to Stella Point and then get back on the trail to Barafu Camp, where you will have a short rest before heading to Mweka Camp (3,100m). It is a 9 km trek, and en route you will be able to take in the spectacular views of the plains of Kilimanjaro.
  • This is not a difficult route. Taking just 4-5 hours, the trail leads you down a rocky scree path (remember to go 'Pole pole') through moorland and then into beautiful forest habitat.
  • We will share our last meal on Mount Kilimanjaro, and you will have a very well-deserved sleep.
7
Day 07

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Trekking Time: 4-5 hours / Distance: 10 km / Altitude Loss: 1300m

  • You will start your day with breakfast and then singing and celebrations with your porters before descending 1,300m to Mweka Gate, considered an easy day's climb, with it taking just a few hours to get to the gate.
  • On arrival at Mweka Gate, you will receive your Gold Summit Certificate, a token to take home and remember one of the biggest adventures you can experience.
  • You will continue on a short walk to Mweka Village, where you will be transferred back to your hotel for a refreshing hot shower and well-deserved rest.
Shira Plateau, Barranco Wall, Uhuru Peak

Where this trip takes you

Shira Plateau, Barranco Wall, Uhuru Peak

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from W92H+76C 3 cities · 7 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • All National Park entry fees
  • Park rescue fees
  • Accommodation in Moshi before and after the Kilimanjaro trek - 2 nights
  • Camping accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro, including camping equipment
  • Transport to and from the Kilimanjaro gate
  • All meals on Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Professional driver/guide (fluent in English), assistant guide, cook, and porters
  • All activities as specified in the itinerary
  • Pick-up from and drop-off at your accommodation in Moshi
  • Airport pick-up on the day of arrival and drop-off at Kilimanjaro Airport

What's Not Included

  • Tips
  • Additional beverages/drinks
  • Items of a personal nature, such as toiletries
  • Personal travel insurance and evacuation fees
  • Visas

What to bring

  • Warm sleeping bag
  • Scarf
  • Camera
  • Warm gloves
  • Camel bag/water bottle
  • Thermal underwear
  • Head torch with extra batteries
  • Warm windproof jacket with hood
  • Walking poles
  • Waterproof jacket and over-trousers
  • Sunglasses
  • Warm sweater
  • Sun tan lotion and lip balm
  • Down jacket (for summit)
  • Day bag/rucksack
  • T-shirts for daily wear
  • Wash kit, towel
  • Trekking trousers for daily wear
  • Leggings (2 pairs)
  • Shorts (minimum 2 pairs)
  • Socks (at least 6 pairs)
  • Warm sleeping clothing
  • Comfortable trekking boots
  • Trainers
  • Gaiters

Know before you go

There are two distinct trekking seasons which constitute the best time to climb Kilimanjaro.

  • They are January-March and June-October.
  • January-March is generally colder than June-October, and there is a higher probability of encountering snow on the summit. For some, this might be seen as a negative, but the benefit of a January-March trek is that the slopes are often quieter at this time of year.
  • The June-October trekking season coincides with the summer holidays in Europe and North America, and hence certain routes are often quite busy.
  • March, April, and November are the wettest months on Kilimanjaro and are not ideal for trekking.
  • Snowfall and cold temperatures are common during December-May.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
W92H+76C, Gilmans Point, Tanzania
Tour start
W92H+76C, Gilmans Point, Tanzania
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 7 days finish where they began, in W92H+76C.

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