You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Arusha Town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.

You’ll depart Arusha for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then, you’ll drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at the trailhead, you will begin hiking through an undisturbed forest, which winds to the first campsite.

• Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft
• Distance: 6 km/4 miles
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rainforest
• Accommodation: Mti Mkubwa.

You’ll continue on the trail leading out of the rainforest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As you ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, you’ll reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. Here, you’ll catch your first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.

• Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft
• Distance: 8 km/5miles
• Hiking Time 5-6 hours
• Habitat: Health
• Accommodation: Shira 1 Camp

You’ll explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. Then, you’ll divert from the main trail to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

• Elevation: 11,500 ft to 13,800 ft
• Distance: 11 km/ 7 miles
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Habitat: Heath
• Accommodation: Shira Camp 2.

You’ll begin the day climbing up a ridge. Then, you’ll head southeast towards the Lava Tower —a 300-foot tall volcanic rock formation. You’ll descend to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at a higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.

• Elevation: 13,800 ft to 15,190 ft
• Distance: 7 km/4 miles
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
• Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
• Distance: 3 km/2 miles
• Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Accommodation: Lava Tower.

You’ll begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then, you’ll climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall, you’ll cross a series of hills and valleys until you descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads you to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.

• Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
• Distance: 5 km/3 miles
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Accommodation: Karanga Camp.

You’ll leave Karanga and hit the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. You’ll continue up to the rocky section of Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here, you’ll make camp, rest, and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.

• Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
• Distance: 4 km/2 miles
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Accommodation: Barafu Camp.

Very early in the morning (around midnight), you’ll begin your push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. You’ll ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent but short breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, you’ll arrive at Uhuru Peak —the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. From the summit, you’ll now make your descent, continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Later in the evening, you’ll enjoy your last dinner on the mountain.

• Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
• Distance: 17 km/10 miles
• Hiking Time: 10-12 hours
• Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
• Accommodation: Mweka Camp.

On your last day, you’ll continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, you’ll continue for another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka Village to drive you back to the hotel in Arusha or your ongoing schedule for departure. We are happy for this opportunity to organize your Mt. Kilimanjaro Trekking via the Lemosho route.