Mt. Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route

DAY 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport - ARUSHA

On arrival you are personally met by one of our representatives and transferred to Moshi or Arusha to a well-appointed hotel. In the afternoon there is a full briefing with the climbs Manager and your guide.

Dinner and Overnight at [ ] 

DAY 2: ARUSHA – Londorossi

Drive to Londorossi Gate, approximately two hours. After completing the necessary registration formalities at Londorossi Gate, we drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho trail head. Here we will meet our local Tanzanian staff, most of whom are Chagga tribe from the area around Kilimanjaro. It is an easy day of walking up a small path through beautiful and lush forest. We camp at Big Tree Camp/Mti Mkumbwa.

Start: Lemosho trailhead 2,100 m/6,750 ft.

End: Big Tree Camp 2,850 m/9,200 ft.

Elevation gain: 750 m/2,440 ft.

Time: 4 hours on average

Distance: About 5 km/3 miles

DAY 3: Shira Camp

Big Tree/Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira I Camp. We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. This is perhaps the most unique of the different ecological zones on Kilimanjaro.

The trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. There is a tangible sense of wilderness, especially if afternoon mists come in. We camp in the center of the large Shira Volcanic Plateau at Shira I.

Start: Big Tree Camp 2,850 m/9,200 ft.

End: Shira I Camp 3,505 m/11,500 ft.

Elevation gain: 700 m/2,300 ft.

Time: 7 hours average

Distance: About 9 km/5.6 miles

DAY 4: Moir Camp

Shira I Camp to Moir Camp, 13,500 ft. (4,114 m). Moir Camp is tucked away at the end of a large gorge, below a giant lava flow. We travel through the upper range of the moorlands zone, crossing the large Shira Plateau, and ascend gradually on easy terrain.

Here we are on the northwest side of the mountain, above Kenya. This spectacular camp is located beneath the northern ice fields of Kilimanjaro.

Start: Shira I Camp 3,505 m/11,500 ft.

End: Moir Camp 4,114 m/13,500 ft.

Elevation gain: 600 m/2,000 ft.

Time: 6 hours average

Distance: About 10 km/6 miles

DAY 5: Lave Camp

We ascend through the upper moorland zone into the alpine desert zone arriving at Lava Tower Camp (15,090 ft.). As noted, this day takes us out of the heath zone and into alpine desert. This is a shorter day, where we are very close to the dramatic western face of the mountain.

We sleep at just over 15,000 ft., critical for acclimatizing to the elevation of our High Camp, which we will reach on climb Day 6. There is time for short acclimatization walks for those that are interested. Very scenic mountain views.

Start: Moir Camp 4,114 m/13,500 ft.

End: Lava Tower Camp 4,600 m/15,090 ft.

Elevation gain: 490 m/1,500 ft.

Time: 3.5 hours average

Distance: About 5 km/3.1 miles

DAY 6: Karanga Camp

We descend 2,000 ft. through dramatic scenery to the Barranco Valley before ascending the famous Barranco wall to Karanga Valley Camp. This is one of our longer days, but excellent for acclimatization.

From camp we can see some wonderful sunsets and have views of the glacier valley and ice fields above.

Start: Lava Tower Camp 4,600 m/15,090 ft.

End: Karanga Camp 4,053 m/13,300 ft.

Elevation gain: 442 m/1,450 ft.

Elevation loss: 762 m/2,500 ft.

Time: 7 hours average

Distance: About 11 km/7 miles

DAY 7: Kosovo Camp

From the Karanga River we climb about five to six hours to our camp at Kosovo (15,600 ft.). As we wind through beautiful and rarely traveled regions, we enter a high desert plateau, littered with volcanic boulders. Looking south we view the desert plains as the pinnacles of Mawenzi Peak tower before us. Another night above 15,000 ft. prepares us for sleeping in the crater. At Kosovo we prepare for the summit attempt.

We spend our time resting and preparing for our departure the next morning. There will be a detailed summit briefing covering the climb and the crater camp with options to sleep lower than the crater if needed.

Start: Karanga Valley 4,055 m/13,300 ft.

End: Kosovo Camp 4,760 m/15,600 ft.

Elevation gain: 700 m/2,300 ft.

Time: 5-6 hours

Distance: About 5 km/3 miles

DAY 8: Summit: Uhuru Peak

Summit day and Crater Camp. Awake early in the morning and prepare for the ascent, leaving at approximately 6 a.m. Following a distinct ridge, we approach the crater’s rim, then traverse northwest along the rim to the main summit, Uhuru Peak (19,344 ft.). From here we view the Bismarck Towers, rock pinnacles along the rim, and the hanging Rebman Glaciers.

After enjoying the view from the top, we descend down to the crater to camp for the day and night. There are options to visit the tiny Furtwangler Glacier in the crater floor, as well as climb up to the ash pit rim to look down into the blow hole of the volcano.

High Camp to Summit Start: Kosovo Camp 4,760 m

Summit: Uhuru Peak 5,896 m/19,344 ft.

Elevation gain: 1,136 m/3,726 ft.

Time: 7-9 hours average

Distance: About 7 km/3.4 miles

Descent Start: Uhuru Peak 5,896 m/19,344 ft.

End: Crater Camp 5,600 m/18,700 ft.

OR

Kosovo Camp 4,760 m/15,600 ft.

Elevation loss: 200 m/1,100 ft.

Time: 1-3 hours

DAY 9: Mweka Camp

The sunrises are exquisite as we awaken in the crater. After breakfast, we descend down from the crater all the way to Mweka Camp at 10,000 ft. on the edge of the forest zone. We enjoy views of the towering mountain above us as we descend through the heather to our last night on the mountain.

Start: Crater Camp 5,600 m/18,700 ft.

End: Mweka Camp 3,000 m/10,000 ft.

Elevation loss: 3,000 m/9,344 ft.

Time: 7-8 hours descent

Distance: About 14.2 km/9 miles

DAY 10: ARUSHA

We descend the lush green landscape of the Mweka route into the thickest jungle we have yet encountered. The environment becomes primordial, with 40-ft. fern trees creating a prehistoric atmosphere. After reaching the Mweka Gate, we have a celebration lunch and drive to Arusha, clean up at the hotel, and enjoy a celebratory dinner. Dinner and Overnight at [ ] 

Start: Mweka Camp 3,100 m/10,200 ft.

End: Mweka Gate 1,800 m/5,580 ft.

Elevation loss: 1,300 m/5,900 ft.

Time: 4 hours average

Distance: About 7 km/4 miles

Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport

It's the final day in Tanzania, take advantage of the relaxed schedule and sleep in before breakfast is served. Enjoy the breathtaking views and Mount Kilimanjaro sun rise one last time and if time allows be sure to grab any last-minute souvenirs you may want and say one last goodbye to the new friends you made in Tanzania before being transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight back home.

Kwa heri ya kuonana - (Good bye and see you again)

Included Services

• Local tourist taxes

• All camping equipment

• Mountain Guide, Porters & Chef allowances

• Mt. Kilimanjaro reserve entry fees - where applicable

• Driver/guide allowances, bottle water and picnic lunch

• Accommodation and meals as mentioned in the itinerary

• Pick up from airport of arrival and drop off to the airport of departure

Excluded Services

• International flights

• Tips for guides, porters and cook

• Airport customs entry visas (currently US$ 50 per person)

Optional Services

• Safari to Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Tarangire

• Gateway to Pristine white sandy beaches of Zanzibar

You can also find additional information on booking and cancelation terms and conditions here.

You can access our Frequently Asked Questions by other travelers here.