8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking- Lemosho Route

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

Arusha/Moshi to Londorossi Gate, Hiking to Mti Mkubwa

After breakfast and a full trip briefing in Arusha or Moshi, you’ll drive to Londorossi Gate (approximately 3–4 hours). Upon completing park formalities, continue on a scenic forest drive in a vehicle through dense montane rainforest to Morum Barrier. From Morum Barrier, your trek begins. The trail winds gently through lush forest, rich with towering trees, moss-covered trunks, and the sounds of birds and colobus monkeys. As you gradually gain elevation, the vegetation begins to thin, opening up views toward the edge of the Shira Plateau. After several hours of steady hiking, you’ll arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp (“Big Tree Camp”), set within the forest. Here you can relax, enjoy dinner, and settle in for your first night on the mountain.

Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp

The day begins with a steady ascent as you leave the dense rainforest of Mti Mkubwa Camp behind. The trail gradually climbs through thinning forest, where towering trees give way to smaller vegetation and the air starts to feel cooler and drier. As you gain altitude, the landscape transitions into heath and moorland, offering your first clear views of the surrounding mountains and open terrain.

The hike becomes more gradual as you approach the Shira Plateau, one of Kilimanjaro’s most scenic areas. Upon arrival at Shira 1 Camp, you’ll be rewarded with expansive views across the plateau and, on clear days, your first glimpse of Kibo Peak. This is an important acclimatization day, allowing your body to adjust to the increasing altitude while you rest and prepare for the days ahead.

Elevation: 2,650 m (8,692 ft) → 3,610 m (11,844 ft)
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

The day from Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp begins with a cool morning on the Shira Plateau, where vast moorland stretches beneath a wide sky. As the sun rises, it lights up rolling volcanic terrain dotted with giant lobelias and senecios.

The trek is gentle, with gradual ascents that aid acclimatization, though the thinner air is noticeable. Along the way, expansive views open up, and on clear days, Kibo’s snow-capped summit appears in the distance.

Approaching camp, the landscape grows more rugged. Afternoons bring clouds and chill, while evenings offer rest, preparation, and brilliant starlit skies.

Elevation: 3,610 m (11,844 ft) to ~3,850 m (12,631 ft)
Distance: 7 km (4.3 miles
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp

After breakfast at Shira 2 Camp, you cross the wide Shira Plateau, heading east along a gentle ridge with great views of Kibo. The trail climbs steadily past the junction toward Kibo, entering a stark alpine desert with dramatic volcanic scenery.

You continue to Lava Tower (4,650 m), the day’s highest point and a key acclimatization stop, often used for lunch. Nearby is the junction to Arrow Glacier.

From here, descend into the greener Barranco Valley, filled with giant groundsels and lobelias, before reaching Barranco Camp. Despite ending at a similar altitude, this “climb high, sleep low” day is vital for acclimatization.

Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert.

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 at Barranco Camp, you begin with the ascent of the Barranco Wall. Though steep, it’s a non-technical climb with some light scrambling, rewarding you with stunning views of the valley below and Kibo’s glaciers above.

At the top, the trail continues over rolling ridges and valleys with unique alpine plants like giant groundsels and lobelias. You then descend into Karanga Valley for a short rest or lunch.

After crossing the valley, a steady climb leads to Karanga Camp, passing the junction to the Mweka Trail. This shorter day supports rest and acclimatization.

Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

After breakfast at Karanga Camp, you begin a steady ascent into the high alpine zone. The landscape becomes increasingly barren, with sparse vegetation giving way to volcanic rock and scree as you climb the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. The air thins and the surroundings grow more rugged and exposed.

You join the final section of the South Circuit route, enjoying distant views of the summit from different angles. The trail is slow and demanding, requiring a careful pace to conserve energy for the climb ahead.

You eventually reach Barafu Camp, set on a rocky ridge in a harsh alpine desert. On clear days, both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks are visible. Here you rest, have an early dinner, and prepare for the midnight summit attempt.

Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 4km/2mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Barafu Camp to Summit, Descending from Summit to Mweka Camp

Very early, between midnight and 2 a.m., you start your final ascent from Barafu Camp in cold, dark alpine conditions. The route heads northwest between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, climbing steep volcanic scree. This is the toughest section, requiring slow, steady effort as you near the crater rim.

You reach Stella Point for a short rest and, weather permitting, a sunrise over Mount Kilimanjaro. From there, you continue to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.

After a brief celebration, you descend to Barafu Camp for rest and lunch, then continue to Mweka Camp for your final night.

Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, Drive to Arusha/Moshi

After breakfast at Mweka Camp, you descend through lush rainforest toward Mweka Gate. The trail is mostly downhill and can be slippery, passing dense vegetation, tall trees, and rich birdlife. Trekking poles and gaiters are helpful, while lighter clothing becomes more comfortable as you lose altitude.

At Mweka Gate, you complete park formalities and receive your summit certificates.

Your driver then transfers you to Moshi or Arusha (about 1–2 hours), where you can relax and celebrate your achievement.

Descent level: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Descending Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

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