8 Days Kilimanjaro Summit Climbing Lemosho Route

Meet and greet you transfer guide at Kilimanjaro Aiport there after you will be driven to your Hotel in Arusha. In the evening you will meet your Mountain Guide for a short briefing of the climb the next day. Kits and the necessary equipment will be checked as well.

Upon booking confirmation, you will be provided a more detailed guideline regarding climate, clothing, footwear, baggage, and equipment among others so that participants can fully prepare prior to this activity.

Meals: B&B

After breakfast, we will depart for Lemosho Gate, which takes about 2 hours. Here you would have to fill out entry formalities. Afterwards, we will drive to the Lemosho trail-head (approximately one hour). Upon arrival at the trail-head, we will have our lunch and commence our walk-through undisturbed forest which winds all the way to the first camp site.

Elevation (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft
Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest.
Accommodation: Budget camping
Meals: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner

We will continue walking through the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rocks draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. From here, you will witness an exhilarating view of Kibo from across the plateau.

Elevation (ft): 9,500ft to 11,500ft
Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time 5-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland.
Accommodation: Budget camping
Meals & drinks: All meals included

From the Shira Plateau, we will continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we will come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and spend the night. 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.

Elevation (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Semi Desert.
Main destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation: Budget camping
In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & drinks: All meals included

After breakfast, we will leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall all the way to the Karanga Valley campsite. This will be a short day of walking intended for acclimatization.

Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
Distance: 5km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Accommodation: Budget camping
Meals & drinks: All meals included

After breakfast, we will leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail and then continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you would have completed the South Circuit, which offers stunning views of the summit from various angles. This is also where we will camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.

The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Accommodation: Budget camping
Meals & drinks: All meals included

At around 2 am, we will continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. We will head northwest and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim, the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point, we stop for a short rest and take in the magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. You may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you would have reached the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro and the whole continent of Africa.

From the summit, we descend straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site and stop at Barafu for lunch. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we will have our last dinner claim our well-deserved sleep.

Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
Habitat: Arctic.
Accommodation: Budget camping
Meals & drinks: All meals included

Day 8 Mweka Hut to Arusha

After breakfast, we will continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy but gaiters and trekking poles will help. It is also best to keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy. From the gate, you will continue for another hour to Mweka Village.

From there, a vehicle will meet you at mweka to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha where dinner and accommodation awaits. Now is the best time to celebrate!
Meals: In Bed and Breakfast {BB}