8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Climb to Uhuru Peak

1

Day 01

Londrossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

• After breakfast and a briefing, we drive 80 km to Londrossi Park Gate (about 2.5 hours) for check-in and registration formalities. From here, a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to the Lemosho Glades.
• Our porters prepare and pack our supplies and luggage before we begin the ascent through the forest to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp at 2,895M.
• Elevation: 2,650m/8,700ft - 2,895m/9,500ft
• Distance: 6km/4mi
• Hiking Time: 3 - 4 hours
• Habitat: Montane Forest
• Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
• Accommodation: Budget/Mti Mkubwa Camp

2

Day 02

Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp

• After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After crossing several streams, we continue over the Shira Ridge and then gently descend to Shira 1 Camp, located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.
• By now, we will be able to see the stunning glaciers of the Western Breach. It will be colder tonight than the previous night, with temperatures possibly falling below freezing.
• Elevation: 2,895m/9,500ft - 3,500m/11,500ft
• Distance: 8km/6mi
• Hiking Time: 4 - 5 hours
• Habitat: Moorland
• Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
• Accommodation: Budget/Mti Mkubwa Camp

3

Day 03

Shira 1 Camp to Moir Hut Camp

• After breakfast, we leave the forest behind as the trail gets steeper and enters the moorland zone. A gentle-graded walk takes you across the high-altitude Shira Caldera to Moir Hut Camp, with fabulous views of Arroe Glacier. A variety of hikes are available on the plateau, making this an excellent acclimatization day.
• Elevation: 3,500m/11,500ft - 4,200m/13,790ft
• Distance: 8km/6mi
• Hiking Time: 6 - 7 hours
• Habitat: Moorland
• Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
• Accommodation: Budget/Moir Hut Camp

4

Day 04

Moir Hut Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower

• From Moir Hut, we climb to 4,650m to the base of the Lava Tower, called "Shark's Tooth," for lunch and acclimatization. This will be our toughest day so far, and you may, for the first time, feel the altitude.
• Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction, which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to Barranco Camp. The descent to Barranco Camp, situated in the valley below the Breach and Breach Wall, takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take photos.
• Elevation: 4,200m/13,800ft - 4,600m/15,100ft
• Distance: 8km/6mi
• Hiking Time: 6 - 7 hours
• Habitat: Semi-Desert
• Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
• Accommodation: Budget/Barranco Camp

5

Day 05

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

• Today is a short and fun day. Leaving Barranco Camp, we continue on a steep ridge to the Great Barranco Wall and then to the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. We then traverse over scree to the Karanga Valley (3,930M), beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers. We will overnight at Karanga Campsite.
• Elevation: 4,250m/13,950ft - 4,210m/13,820ft
• Distance: 5km/3mi
• Hiking Time: 3 - 4 hours
• Habitat: Alpine-Desert
• Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
• Accommodation: Budget/Karanga Camp

6

Day 06

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

• After breakfast, we leave Karanga Campsite behind and meet the junction with the Mweka descending trail. From here, we continue up to Barafu Camp to complete the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we camp, rest, have dinner, and prepare for summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be clearly seen from this position.
• Elevation: 4,210m/13,820ft - 4,600m/15,100ft
• Distance: 4km/2mi
• Hiking Time: 3 - 4 hours
• Habitat: Alpine-Desert
• Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
• Accommodation: Budget/Barafu Camp

7

Day 07

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and Mweka Camp

• Very early in the morning, around midnight, we start our trek to the summit between the Rebman and Ratzel glaciers through heavy scree up to Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek.
• At Stella Point (5,732m), we stop for a short rest and hopefully arrive in time to witness the magnificent sunrise, weather permitting. We are now only an hour away from the summit, Uhuru Peak (5,895M), the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
• From the summit, we descend to Mweka Campsite via Barafu Camp for lunch. Trekking poles will be needed for the loose scree going down to Mweka Camp (3,100M). Later in the evening, we will enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and at least a well-earned sleep.
• Elevation: 4,600m/15,100ft - 5,895m/19,340ft
• Distance: 4km/2mi up - 13km/8mi down
• Hiking Time: 5 - 7 hours up / 5 - 6 hours down
• Habitat: Stone Scree and Ice-capped Summit
• Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
• Accommodation: Budget/Mweka Camp

8

Day 08

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

• On our final day of the trek, after breakfast, we descend a further 1,300m to Mweka Park Gate to collect your summit certificates from the Park Headquarters. At lower elevation, it can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be enough to wear, and it is best to keep rain gear and warm clothes handy.
• From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village to meet our vehicle for the drive to the hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Don't forget to tip your guides and porters.
• Elevation: 3,100m/10,200ft - 1,680m/5,500ft
• Distance: 10km/6mi
• Hiking Time: 3 - 4 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest
• Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
• Accommodation: Hotel