Safari Overview
This 9 days Mt. Kilimanjaro expedition hike will see you attempt to summit the highest mountain in Africa following the Lemosho trail. Considered the most scenic hiking trail on the entire mountain, Lemosho trail is preferred by hikers due to its beauty, remoteness and success rate. In short, this trail maximizes, your chances of reaching the summit, and the overall hiking experience over all other trails. Following this trail, you will begin your hike at Londorossi Gate, which is located in the western base of the mountain, within its lush, fertile rainforest making your way to the Shira Plateau and Lion Gorge before circling along the southern circuit halfway around the mountain, exposing you to great views of this mountain from all angles. Your approach to the summit is made from the east, and the descent follows the Mweka trail.
Hiking Expedition Highlights
Day 1: Arrive at Kilimanjaro airport, meet and greet and transfer to a hotel in Moshi town
Day 2: Start the hike at Lemosho Glades (2200m/7260 ft.) and hike to Big Tree Camp (2670m/8811 ft.)
Day 3: Depart from Big Tree Camp (2670m/8811 ft.) to Shira 2 Camp (3850m/12705 ft.)
Day 4: Make your way to Lava Tower (4600m/15180 ft.) then finally to Barranco Camp (3900m/12870 ft.)
Day 5: Hike further to Karanga Camp (3995m/13184 ft.)
Day 6: Extend from Karanga Camp (3995m/13184 ft.) and ascend to Barafu Camp (4676m/15430 ft.)
Day 7: Summit to the highest point UHURU PEAK (5895m/19454 ft) & then descend down to Millennium Camp (3850m/12705 ft.)
Day 8: Descending from Millennium Camp (3850m/12705 ft.) to Mweka Gate (1630m/5379 ft.) and drive to your hotel in Moshi town.
Day 9: Transfer to Kilimanjaro airport and depart to your next destination.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi 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 before our Lemosho Climbing commences the next day.
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Lemosho Glades (2200m/7260 ft.) to Big Tree Camp (2670m/8811 ft.)
You will be picked up at your hotel at around 08:00am and transferred to the Lemosho gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. Today, you’ll start your climb of Mount Kilimanjaro along the Lemosho Trail, starting at the Lemosho Gate. The trek begins in dense, misty rainforest, where you might spot black and white Colobus monkeys. Keep your eyes peeled for elephants and buffalo as you climb the steep route to Big Tree Camp. On the way make sure you drink enough water at least 3 liters per day. At this day we always say “Hakuna Matata” that means “no worry”
Elevation gain: 470 meters/1551 ft.
Distance covered: 7km / 4.3mi
Approx. time taken: 4 hours
Vegetation zone: Montane Rainforest
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Big Tree Camp (2670m/8811 ft.) to Shira 2 Camp (3850m/12705 ft.)
Today you will cover a lot of ground as you trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. We will trek through Shira 1 Camp from where there are often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds as we head towards our destination which is Shira 2 camp. We gain a reasonable amount of altitude as we head towards Shira 1 and parts of the route are fairly steep. At Shira 1 camp at 3610m we will have a long break for hot lunch and then after we will do a checkup before we start heading to Shira 2 camp. As you proceed towards Shira 2 you will get the chance to view the Northern Ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo cone. Our steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will help with acclimatization and we enjoy great panoramic views.
Elevation gain: 1180 meters/3894 ft.
Distance covered: 16.5km / 10.3mi
Approx. time taken: 9 – 11 hrs.
Vegetation zone: Montane Rainforest and Moorland/Health
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Shira 2 Camp (3850m/12705 ft.) to Lava Tower (4600m/15180 ft.) to Barranco Camp (3900m/12870 ft.)
Your trek starts with an ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking into the climatic zone of the upland desert and on the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. It’s not a tough walk as it will be more of a “Pole pole” slow walk to tackle the altitude of above 4000 meters/ 13200 ft. The air here is dry and we will need to drink more water to keep hydrated. You will reach the distinct pinnacle of the Lava Tower (4600m that is 7 km from the Shira 2 camp), our high point for the day and a great place to enjoy your lunch. We will spend approximately 2-3 hours here to enable our body to do good acclimatization. So, after taking our lunch we make a steep descent to our camp for the night (3 km descending from Lava Tower camp to Barranco Camp), located in the base of the Great Barranco Valley at 3900m, sheltered by towering cliffs but with extensive views of the plains below.
Elevation gain: 50 meters/165 ft.
Distance covered: 10km / 6.2mi
Approx. time taken: 7 hrs.
Vegetation zone: Mooreland and Alpine Desert
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Barranco Camp (3900m/12870 ft.) to Karanga Camp (3995m/13184 ft.)
Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco at 3900/12870ft, which is a huge ravine, we then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall (4200m/13860 ft.), which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rocks, not technical but long and tiring (1 hour Climbing). Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3995m/13184 ft. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.
Elevation gain: 95 meters/314 ft.
Distance covered: 6km / 3.4mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Vegetation zone: Mooreland and Alpine Desert
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Karanga Camp (3995m/13184 ft.) to Barafu Camp (4676m/15430 ft.)
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp located at the altitude of 4676m/15430 ft., a quite shorter distance as compared to other days we have done (4 km) with gradual ascend. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s not a tough walk as it will be more of a “Pole pole” slow walk to tackle the altitude of above 4000m/ 13200 ft. The air here is dry and we will need to drink more water to keep hydrated. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.
Elevation gain: 765 meters/2525ft.
Distance covered: 3km / 1.9mi
Approx. time taken: 3 hours
Vegetation zone: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 7: Barafu Camp (4676m/15430 ft.) to UHURU PEAK (5895m/19454 ft) & down to Millennium Camp (3850m/12705 ft.)
We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will take a slow pace as it is a good way to maintain energy that will make us comfortable and consistent. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5756m/18995 ft) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m/19454 ft.). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Elevation gain: 1219 meters/4023 ft. (from Barafu camp to Uhuru peak)
Elevation lost: 2045 meters/6749 ft. (from Uhuru peak down to Barafu camp then down to Millennium camp)
Distance covered: 13.4km / 8.3mi
Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours
Vegetation zone: Alpine Desert, Arctic/Summit and Moreland
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Descending from Millennium Camp (3850m/12705 ft.) to Mweka Gate (1630m/5379 ft.)
A gentle trek takes us down through the Mooreland zone (down 3 km) and then the rainforest part (10 km) down to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a hot welcome shower.
Elevation lost: 2220m/7326 ft.
Distance covered: 13.5km
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
Vegetation zone: Montane Rainforest and Moorland/Health
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 9: Depart Tanzania
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Safari Inclusions;
Safari exclusions;
