8-Day Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Climb to Uhuru Peak

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 National Park registration formalities will be completed.
• 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 as you trek to your first camp, Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,750m).

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

• The trail continues toward 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, you will continue over the Shira Ridge (3,600m) and then descend gently to Shira Camp 1.

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

• The trail continues to Shira Camp 2 (3,810m), passing across the Shira Plateau through the moorland zone and more open terrain, where you will enjoy some of the mountain's best scenic landscape views.
• Upon reaching camp, you will have a hot lunch and rest for the day. Short excursions will be done for acclimatization.

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 begins with a gentle incline toward Kibo.
• You will reach a ridge marked by a rock named the Shark's Tooth (4,400m) and then head south, crossing shallow valleys to Lava Tower (4,600m).
• You 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.

Trekking Time: 4-5 hours / Distance: 5 km / Altitude Gain: 200m, Altitude loss: 220m

• 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.
• From the top of the 'Breakfast Wall', you will enjoy attractive vistas of Kibo and the surrounding landscape.
• You will then follow the trail with many ups and downs across small streams before crossing the Karanga River to Karanga Camp (3,930m). This is another short day of trekking to assist with acclimatization.

Trekking Time: 2-4 hours / Distance: 4 km / Altitude Gain: 770m

• The sixth day starts by following the path up and across a rocky zone with views of the mountain's southern glaciers. Continuing your eastward traverse to Barafu Camp, you will meet the crossroads with the Mweka Route.
• A further hour's climb up a steep and rocky lava ridge will bring you to Barafu Camp (4,681m).
• 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.
• Camp will be set up so you can rest and enjoy a hearty meal before heading to bed - the summit is just a further 1,188m above, and the ascent will begin at midnight.

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 is also the coldest, with temperatures ranging from -5°C to -10°C.
• You will head northwest, following the trail up an increasingly steep valley on the edge of scree fields, passing the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers toward 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

• You will start your descent to Stella Point and then return to the trail to Barafu Camp, where you will have a short rest before continuing to Mweka Camp (3,100m). On this 9 km trek, 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 down a rocky scree path - remember to go 'Pole pole' - through moorland and then into beautiful forest habitat.
• You will share your last meal on Mount Kilimanjaro and enjoy a very well-deserved sleep.

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

• You will start your day with breakfast, followed by singing and celebrations with your porters before descending 1,300m to Mweka Gate. It is considered an easy day's climb, taking just a few hours to reach 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, dinner, and perhaps even a Kilimanjaro beer.