7 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing Tour – Lemosho Route

Upon your arrival at the Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be welcomed by our representative and driver, and you will be taken to the hotel in Moshi Town. In the evening, you will enjoy a quick briefing conducted by our professional Mountain Guide about your trekking and to ensure you are ready for climbing – dinner and overnight at the hotel.

A two-and-a-half-hour drive to Londorossi Gate, where the national park authorities will register you. Then you drive another 15 km into the dense rainforest to where you will start. A moderately steep path leads to the Big Tree Camp (2780 m). Look out for monkeys and exotic birds along the way.

Today’s long trek starts on a small trail that continues through the trees and gradually ascends to reach the Shira plateau. Enjoy the views of the mountain and plains below. The path continues to cross the Shira Ridge (3600 m), and you will stop for lunch at the Shira Camp 1 after another few hours. In the last section (approximately 3 hrs.), you will climb another 250 m in altitude and pass the surreal Senecia-plants growing to over 8 m in height. Reaching the camp after the long day, you will relax with coffee and tea and be nourished with a three-course meal tonight. As the sun sets, you might see the summit glowing in the afternoon sun.

You will gain 700 m in altitude but descend to sleep at Barranco – 60 m higher than last night’s camp. This will help with acclimatisation as you will go up to 4600 m before descending again. Today begins with a long uphill in the direction of the Lava Tower Hut (4640 m), and you will notice how the landscape changes to a rocky alpine desert. Later, the path descends again to the Barranco Valley with its giant Senecio and Lobelias. Finally, you should arrive at the most beautiful camp on the mountain after six to seven hours – the Barranco Camp.

Today will start with the daunting Barranco Wall. Soon you will realise it looks worse than it is, but there are tricky sections where you will need to hold on tight. Admire the views from the top. The rest of the route follows along the mountain ridge into the Karanga valley and out. You reach Karanga Camp after lunch, and you will have fantastic views of Kibo’s southern glacier and the Kibo summit.

A few hours of hiking through a desolate and rocky moon-like landscape lies ahead. It will be a relatively easy day leading steadily uphill. The goal for today is the Barafu campsite on a narrow ridge in full view of Mawenzi peak. You will walk along a trail that passes through the afro-alpine dessert until you reach your destination for today –Barafu Camp at 4640 m. Use the rest of the day to relax and pack your daypack for tonight’s summit attempt. Supper will be served early; drink and eat enough if you can and try to sleep. You will be woken up around midnight to start your walk to the summit.

It is dark and cold as you set off just after midnight. You will climb the frozen volcanic dust by headlamp going towards Stella Point on the crater rim – about six hours. The sun should be rising when you arrive here. Just an hour or two more, and you will be standing on the highest point of the crater Uhuru peak.

On top of the world! Take a short break for pictures and celebratory hugs before you tackle the steep and dusty descent. By now, the volcanic ash will have thawed. You will stop for a short tea break at Barafu and then continue downhill for about three hours to Mweka camp (3080 m). This is your overnight stop. Refuel by drinking lots of fluids and have an excellent helping at supper time.

A traditional farewell ceremony from the porters begins the day. After about three hours, comfortably descending through the greenness of the forest, you should reach Mweka gate, where the driver will be waiting. Back to the hotel for a hot shower, a cold drink, a debrief and your certificate of achievement are waiting.

After getting some rest and refreshment at the hotel, your driver-guide will take you to the Kilimanjaro International Airport, ready for your flight back home. Alternatively, you can extend your trip to Tanzania and go on a wildlife encounter safari or relax at the tropical islands and turquoise water of the Indian Ocean.