8 DAYS LEMOSHO ROUTE

Day 01 : Londorossi Gate (2,250m) - Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,780m)

Distance: 3km

Environment: Montane forest

Time: 3 to 4 hours

In the morning you will be taken to Londorossi Gate, a 3 hour’s drive from Moshi. After you’ve gone through all the park entry formalities and driven 15 km on a bumpy road, you’ll reach the starting point of your trekking journey located at the end of the rainforest. Before setting out, you’ll be served with your lunch. The walk on the first day will be brief and short consisting of about 3 or 4 hours. This will let you enjoy the lush scenery to the fullest which, as you’ll see, will change over the course of your trek. You might even catch a glimpse of the thumbless colobus monkeys sitting in the branches above you.

Day 02 : Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,780m) - Shira 1 Camp (3,500m)

Distance: 8km

Environment: Moorland

Time: 4 to 5 hours

As you walk along the thin trail through the rainforest, you will notice the vegetation becoming scarcer and scarcer until you finally reach moorland filled with Lobelia and Eric plants. Ascending through rolling hills, you will reach Shira 1 Camp in about 4 - 5 hours. From your campsite, you’ll witness the snow-capped summit of Kibo looking over the Shira plateau. You’ll end this day with a hearty evening meal and stargazing.

Day 03 : Shira 1 Camp (3,500m) - Shira 2 Camp (3,900m)

Distance: 7km

Environment: Moorland

Time: 4 to 5 hours

Today, you’ll be crossing the Shira Ridge along the rocky ground, low grasses, and shrubs. The terrain will be much flatter compared to the previous day which makes the hiking experience leisurely. You’ll get to enjoy fantastic views of the Great Rift Valley and the nearby Mount Meru. The moor landscape is characterized by beautiful giant Lobelias. Walking on ground where lava used to flow you will reach Shira 2 Camp, where you will have your evening meal and overnight stay.

Day 04 : Shira 2 Camp (3,900m) - Lava Tower (4,640m)-Barranco Camp (3,960m)

Distance: 12km

Environment: Semi desert

Time: 6 to 8 hours

From Shira 2, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we ascend further, our direction will change to the south east and we’ll head towards the Lava Tower which is also known as “Shark’s tooth.” After making it to the tower, we’ll come across a second junction which will lead us further to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000 ft. From here we’ll descend down to 13,000 ft and reach the stunning Barranco camp. Dinner and overnight at this camp. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Day 05 : Barranco Camp (3,960m) - Karanga Camp (4,035m)

Distance: 7km

Environment: Alpine desert

Time: 4 to 5 hours

Today the Barranco Wall stands before you to conquer. Some stages will require you to use your hands for a better grip, but no actual climbing is necessary and your guide will be with you every step of the way to provide a helping hand. The route with its numerous ascents and descents allow you a chance for further acclimatization, before reaching the mountain ridge. Walking along the ridge you can take in the beautiful landscape with its stunning contrasts of desert and vegetation, before finally reaching the cloudy Karanga Camp. Your trek will take between 4 to 5 hours, leaving more than enough time to rest and play a game of rummy.

Day 06 : Karanga Camp (4,035m) to Barafu Camp (4,640m)

Distance: 6 km

Environment: Alpine desert

Time: 3 to 4 hours

Awakening to the sunlight dancing off the Kibo Summit, you will enjoy an energetic breakfast before setting out to today’s destination – the Barafu Camp. Much of the time today will involve walking through the dry deserted terrain of the mountain with Kibo present on your left side. After trekking continuously for 3 to 4 hours, you’ll reach Barafu Camp and have an early dinner and overnight. The main highlight of your trip is just few miles away.

Day 07 : Barafu Camp (4,640m) - Uhuru Peak (5,895m) -Mweka Camp (3,100m)

Distance: 20 km

Environment: Alpine desert/stone scree/ice-capped summit/Montane forest

Time: 14 to 16 hours

After sipping some hot tea with some snacks, you’ll start trekking at around midnight. With aid from torchlight, you’ll climb the heavily screed surface of Kibo. Ascending for 5 to 7 hours in the dark will lead you to Stella Point which is the crater rim of Mt. Kilimanjaro.Another 1 to 2 hours climb along the crater ridge will lead you to Uhuru Peak (the summit) 5,895 meters. From here, you’ll get to experience Kilimanjaro and all its glory and enjoy a 360° view over the landscape. After taking pictures and celebrations, you’ll descend down the same route. Shortly before midday, you’ll arrive at Barafu Camp for your lunch. After a warm meal and a well-deserved break of approximately 1 to 2 hours, you will be on your way down to Mweka Camp 3,100 meter where supper and a well-earned rest await you.

Day 08 : Mweka Camp (3,100m) - Mweka Gate (1,630m) -Moshi

Distance: 8km

Environment: Montane forest

Time: 3 to 4 hours

The final ascend of your amazing Kilimanjaro trekking adventure begins after breakfast with a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain crew. Then a gentle 3 to 4 hours’ descent through the rainforest continues to Mweka Gate, where your transferring driver will be waiting for you. He will take you back to the Hotel in Moshi and after a warm shower, the rest of the day is free to rest, relax at the pool or celebrate your If you want your Kilimanjaro climb to be a unique adventure, then how about planning to sleep on the Roof of Africa. At 5730 meters, Crater Camp on Mount Kilimanjaro is an almost untouched and unvisited wilderness. For climbers who are confident that they acclimatize well and have successfully been to altitude before then climbing Kilimanjaro and sleeping overnight in the Crater is a fantastic option. You know you are on a unique adventure when you can stay tucked in your sleeping bag while everybody else sets off up Kilimanjaro just after midnight. Instead you get a full night’s sleep, have a good breakfast and climb to the summit without all the crowds.

And while everyone else is heading back down with little time to explore, you can enjoy the summit before dropping just 150m down into the crater where your camp will have been set up. You’ll then be left with some time to explore the other remaining glaciers found in the crater. If so, make sure to visit the still-smoking ash pit. After that, ascend further to the Western Ridge to witness the captivating sunset. Next morning, a short hike to the Eastern Ridge will follow.

Be warned though, if you choose the Crater Camp option you do run a real risk of getting altitude sickness and it is therefore only suitable if you know you achievement.