7 Days Kilimanjaro Hiking Tour via the Lemosho Route

Day 1: Lemosho Gate to Big Tree Camp

Distance covered: 7km / 4.3mi, Approx. time taken: 4 hours, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

You will be picked up from your hotel around 08:00 and taken to the Lemosho Gate on the west side of Kilimanjaro. After the registration process, we start our trek steadily through the forests of Lemosho Glades to reach Big Tree Camp where you will spend the night.

Day 2: Big Tree Camp to Shira II Camp

Distance covered: 17km / 10.3mi, Approx. time taken: 11 hrs., Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Today you will have many adventures as you hike across a plateau of bog grass and heather dotted with volcanic rock formations. We will trek through Shira I camp, from where there is often a view of Kibo peak in the clouds as we approach our destination, Shira II. On your way to Shira II you will have the opportunity to see the Northern Ice Fields from the west side of Kilimanjaro with some unusual views of Kibo Peak. Our steady trek through the Shira Plateau wasteland will help with acclimatization and we will enjoy great panoramic views.

Day 3: Shira II Camp to Barranco Camp

Distance covered: 10km / 6.2mi, Approx. time taken: 6HRS. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Your trek begins with a climb with sweeping panoramic views, a trek into the highland desert climate zone and across the lava ridges below the glaciers of the Western Gap. You will reach the striking top of the lava tower. In the afternoon we make a steep descent to our Barranco camp for the night, situated at the foot of the Gran Valle de Barranco, sheltered by towering cliffs but with sweeping views of the plains.

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Distance covered: 5km / 3.4mi, Approx. time taken: 4 hours, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Include

Our 4-day journey begins with the descent to the beginning of the Gran Barranco, a huge gorge. Then we come out steeply, up the Great Wall of the Ravine, which separates us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It's a walk on rocks, not technical but long and tiring. We drive under the Heim and Kersten glaciers towards the Karanga Valley. From here we have a steep climb up the Karanga Valley to our overnight camp at Karanga Camp. If you are feeling strong, we can do an acclimatization hike to around 4200m in the afternoon before descending back to camp for the night.

Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Distance covered: 4km / 1.9mi, Approx. time taken: 4 hours, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After a good rest at Karanga Camp and breakfast, we start our trek to Barafu Camp. The hike takes us through lonely screes without any vegetation around us. It's a tough and steep hike, made difficult by the altitude. Arriving at Barafu Camp, we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day. It's important to stay hydrated and warm. We will have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will get up between 11pm and 12pm to start the trek to the top of Uhuru Peak.

Day 6: Barafu Camp to UHURU PEAK & down to Millennium Camp

Distance covered: 14km / 8.3mi, Approx. time taken: 16 hours, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

We start around midnight and hike steeply up to the summit glaciers. We will hike 4-5 hours on a screen, but we will gain incredible height at a short distance. The view is spectacular. We will be at the rim of the crater at Stella Point when the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs in the crater surround us and the views of the craggy peak of Mawenzi and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour's walk brings us to the summit, Uhuru Peak. We begin our descent by descending to Stella Point and then down a scree slope, returning to Barafu Camp for breakfast before finally making our way to Millennium Camp for a well-deserved rest.

Day 7: Descend Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate

Distance covered: 13km / 7.5mi, Approx. time taken: 7 hours, Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included

A gentle descent takes us through the rainforest to Mweka Gate where we do the park paperwork and receive Kilimanjaro trekking certificates to hang proudly! We then meet up with our vehicles and return to the hotel in Arusha/Moshi.