8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro via Lemosho Route

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival in Arusha

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be warmly welcomed by a Life Journey Experience representative and transferred to your hotel in Arusha.

Your hotel offers all the essentials for a comfortable stay, including cozy rooms, hot showers, friendly staff, a swimming pool, and reliable internet access—providing the perfect environment to relax after your journey.

Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to enjoy an optional guided city tour around Arusha. This can include visits to local markets, cultural centers, and key landmarks, giving you a glimpse into the vibrant local life and culture.

In the evening, you will attend a comprehensive briefing with our manager or guide, who will go over the trek details and ensure that you are fully prepared and equipped for the climb.

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

Summit Safari Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Arusha (City)

+36 Photos

+35 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa

Elevation: 2,389m – 2,785m
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest

In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel in Arusha by our driver and transferred to the Londorossi Gate, located on the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro. Upon arrival, you will complete park registration and necessary formalities.

After registration, you will continue by vehicle along a rugged track through dense rainforest to the trailhead, where your trek officially begins. The hike follows a moderately steep path through pristine, untouched forest, rich in flora and fauna, leading to Mkubwa Camp.

As this area is home to wildlife, you will be accompanied by an armed ranger during the first two days of the trek, ensuring your safety while enhancing the wilderness experience.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Mti Mkubwa to Shira 2 Camp

Elevation: 2,785m – 3,895m
Distance: 17 km
Hiking Time: ~7 hours
Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, your trek begins along a narrow trail that gradually ascends through the remaining rainforest. As you gain altitude, the dense forest gives way to open heath and moorland, where unique vegetation such as giant heather (Erica) and lobelia becomes more prominent.

You will cross the scenic Shira Ridge, offering expansive views of the surrounding landscape, before arriving at Shira Camp 1 for a well-deserved lunch break. From here, you can enjoy spectacular views of Mount Meru and the distant Great Rift Valley.

After some rest, the trek continues with a steady ascent of approximately 400 meters in altitude across the Shira Plateau. The terrain becomes more open and rugged as you approach Shira Camp 2, your final destination for the day, where you will spend the evening and overnight.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Elevation: 3,895m – 3,986m
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert

This is a key acclimatization day on Mount Kilimanjaro. Although you will climb to a higher altitude during the day, you will sleep at only a slightly higher elevation than the previous night, helping your body adjust to the thinner air.

The trek begins with a steady ascent across the Shira Plateau toward the Lava Tower, allowing you to gain altitude before descending again—following the “climb high, sleep low” principle for better acclimatization.

Along the way, you pass through the scenic Barranco Valley, known for its dramatic landscapes and unique vegetation such as giant lobelias and Senecio plants. The terrain becomes more rugged, marking your transition into the semi-desert zone.

You will arrive at camp in the afternoon to rest and prepare for the next stage.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

After breakfast, you’ll face the famous Barranco Wall—often considered the steepest section of the route. While it’s not a technical climb, there are a few spots where you’ll need to use your hands for balance and support. Your guide will be nearby to assist if needed.

Once you navigate around the iconic Kissing Rock, the trail continues along a scenic ridge before descending into the Karanga Valley. Along the way, you’ll pass the last reliable water point before arriving at Karanga Camp. After a well-deserved meal, you can rest and prepare for the next day’s trek.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Today, you’ll make your way to Barafu Camp. The landscape becomes increasingly dry, with the ground brittle beneath your boots as you cross the stark alpine desert. As you trek through this rugged terrain toward the rocky camp, a growing sense of anticipation builds—your final ascent is now only hours away.

Perched high on the mountain, Barafu Camp offers dramatic views of Mawenzi Peak and a clear glimpse of the summit route ahead. After an early dinner and final preparations for the climb, you’ll turn in for a few hours of rest before the push to the summit.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

At around midnight, you will be awakened with hot tea and biscuits to prepare you for the day’s ascent. You will begin climbing in a north-westerly direction through heavy scree toward Stella Point, arriving after approximately 5 to 7 hours. At Stella Point (5,730m), you may rest if needed before continuing for another 1 to 2 hours along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak—the highlight of your journey. A breathtaking view awaits as you stand atop the highest mountain in Africa.

After taking as many photos as you wish, you will leave behind the glistening glaciers and snow-capped peaks and descend back to Barafu Camp. Here, you will have time to rest and regain your strength before continuing down to Mweka Camp, an approximate 3-hour walk. A delicious dinner and a restful night’s sleep await you.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Arusha

After a hearty breakfast and a traditional farewell ceremony with your mountain crew, you will begin your final descent to Mweka Gate. A leisurely 2 to 3-hour walk will take you once again through the lush rainforest, home to the endemic Impatiens kilimanjari flower.

Upon reaching Mweka Gate, you will be met by our transfer driver and taken back to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure—take a long shower, relax by the pool, or unwind at the bar.

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.