9-Day Mt Kilimanjaro Hike via Lemosho Route

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

Pick-up from the Airport

Upon your arrival at either Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, you’ll be met and transferred to Arusha Farm House. After you’ve settled in, your guide will meet you for a detailed briefing on the upcoming hike, walking you through what to expect each day. They will also review your gear to ensure you have everything needed for the trek.

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

Arusha Farm House

• Mid-range lodge located in Arusha (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp

You’ll depart from Arusha or Moshi and drive approximately four hours to reach Londorossi Gate for registration and permits. From there, it’s an additional one-hour drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival, lunch will be served before beginning the hike through pristine rainforest, following a winding path that leads to your first overnight stop Big Tree Camp, also known as Forest Camp.

Elevation: 7,800 ft to 9,500 ft
Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Forest Camp to Shira One Camp

After breakfast, the journey continues as the trail ascends out of the forest and into a savannah landscape filled with tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rocks adorned with hanging lichen. As you climb through the rolling hills and cross multiple streams, you’ll eventually reach the Shira Ridge. From there, the path descends gently to Shira 1 Camp. The panoramic view of Kibo across the plateau is truly spectacular.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Shira Camp 1 to Shira 2 to Moir Hut

Today’s trek is a gentle eastward walk across the stunning Shira Plateau, heading toward Kibo’s glaciated summit. The route leads through moorland terrain to Shira 2 Camp. Depending on your pace and acclimatization plan, you may either stay at Shira 2 or continue onward to Moir Hut a more secluded campsite at the base of the Lent Hills. The area offers several short hiking options, ideal for acclimatization. Notably, the Shira Plateau is among the highest plateaus on the planet.

Elevation: 11,500 ft to 13,800 ft
Distance: 14 km
Hiking Time: 5–7 hours
Habitat: Moorland.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Moir Hut to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp Or Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco

After breakfast, the day’s hike begins as we head southeast toward the impressive Lava Tower, passing a distinctive rock formation known as the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly beyond the tower, we reach a second junction that ascends briefly to the Arrow Glacier at 16,000 ft. From there, the trail descends steadily to Barranco Camp, located at 13,000 ft. Upon arrival at Barranco Hut, you'll have time to rest, enjoy dinner, and settle in for the night.

Elevation: 13,800 ft down to 13,000 ft
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 4–6 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, we’ll depart from Barranco Camp and begin the ascent up the steep Barranco Wall. From the top, the trail follows a ridge before descending into the Karanga Valley and arriving at Karanga Camp. Although this is a relatively short hiking day, it’s designed to aid in acclimatization as you prepare for the higher elevations ahead.

Elevation: 13,000 ft to 13,100 ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert.

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, we’ll depart Karanga Camp and follow the trail to a junction that connects with the Mweka Route. From there, the path ascends steadily to Barafu Hut, our base camp. By this point, you will have completed the Southern Circuit, which provides panoramic views of the summit from multiple vantage points. Once at Barafu, we’ll set up camp, enjoy a hot meal, and rest in preparation for the summit push later that night. From this camp, both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks are clearly visible.

Elevation: 13,100 ft to 15,300 ft
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

At midnight (12:00 AM), the final ascent begins as we make our way toward the summit, navigating between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. The route heads northwest, climbing through steep and loose scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim. This stretch is widely considered the most mentally and physically demanding part of the Kilimanjaro climb.

Upon reaching Stella Point (18,600 ft), you’ll take a brief rest and, weather permitting, witness one of the most breathtaking sunrises of your life. From there, it's about an hour’s hike often through snow along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire African continent. Stronger hikers may reach the summit in time to catch the sunrise from the very top. During the descent, trekking poles and gaiters are recommended for the loose gravel. The trail leads down to Mweka Camp, located in the upper forest zone, where afternoon mist or rain is common.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Mweka Camp to Arusha/Moshi

After breakfast, you'll begin the final leg of your descent, making your way down through lush rainforest to the Mweka Gate. At the gate (5,400 ft), our vehicles will be ready to transfer you back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi, where you can enjoy a well-earned rest and reflect on your incredible achievement.

Elevation: 10,000 ft to 5,400 ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest.

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.