9-Day 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 landing at either Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, you'll be warmly greeted and transferred to the Arusha Farm House. After checking in and getting settled, you’ll meet your guide for an in-depth briefing on your upcoming hike. Your guide will walk you through the daily itinerary, outlining what to expect each day, and will go over your gear to ensure you're fully prepared for the trek ahead.

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 for a scenic drive of about four hours, heading toward Londorossi Gate for registration and permit processing. From there, it’s another hour-long drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Once you arrive, a delicious lunch will be served before you set off on your hike through the untouched rainforest. The trail meanders through the lush landscape, leading you to your first overnight stop at 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 adventure continues as the trail climbs out of the forest and opens up to a vast savannah landscape. You'll pass through stretches of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rocks draped with hanging lichen. As you ascend through the rolling hills and cross several streams, you’ll make your way toward the Shira Ridge. From this vantage point, the path begins to gently descend toward Shira 1 Camp. The views of Kibo looming across the plateau are simply awe-inspiring.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Shira 1 camp to Shira 2 to Moir Hut

Today’s trek is a relaxed, eastward walk across the breathtaking Shira Plateau, with Kibo’s glaciated summit looming in the distance. The path takes you through moorland terrain, leading you to Shira 2 Camp. Depending on your pace and acclimatization strategy, you may opt to stay at Shira 2 or push on to Moir Hut, a more secluded campsite located at the base of the Lent Hills. Moir Hut offers several short hikes perfect for acclimatization. The Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on Earth, adding to the awe of this day’s journey.

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, we begin our hike heading southeast toward the striking Lava Tower, passing by a unique rock formation known as the “Shark’s Tooth.” Just beyond the tower, we’ll reach a second junction that leads to a short ascent up to Arrow Glacier at 16,000 ft. From here, the trail descends gradually to Barranco Camp, situated at 13,000 ft. Upon reaching Barranco Hut, you’ll have time to relax, enjoy a well-earned 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)

Baranco Camp to Karanga Camp

After breakfast, we’ll depart from Barranco Camp and begin the challenging ascent up the steep Barranco Wall. Once at the top, the trail follows a narrow ridge before descending into the Karanga Valley, where we’ll reach Karanga Camp. While this is a relatively short day of hiking, the goal is to help with acclimatization as we prepare for the higher altitudes in the days to come

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 from Karanga Camp and follow the trail to a junction that connects with the Mweka Route. From here, the path ascends gradually to Barafu Hut, our base camp. By the time we arrive, you will have completed the Southern Circuit, offering panoramic views of the summit from various viewpoints. Once at Barafu, we’ll set up camp, enjoy a warm meal, and rest to prepare for the summit push later that night. From this camp, both the towering 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.