Itinerary

1. Day 1 | Starting point (2,300m) to Mti Mkubwa (2,750m) Trekking Time: 3 hours | Distance: 7 km | Altitude Gain: 450m

   • After enjoying an appetizing meal at the hotel, you will embark on a bumpy three-hour drive from Moshi to the Londorossi Gate.
   • We will travel amid the fascinating town of Boma N’gombe and the native people of Sanya Juu. 
   • Registration will be completed at the gate and then we will drive to the starting point of your trek at 2,350m.
   • The trail journeys through the thick, untamed rainforest for the day. Adorable Bush Babies and curious Black and White Colobus Monkeys may peer down from the high trees. Mti Mkubwa Camp is our final destination for the day, and the hike is fairly short

2. Day 2 | Mti Mkubwa (2,750m) to Shira Camp 1 (3,550m) Trekking Time: 6-7 hours | Distance: 10 km | Altitude Gain: 800m

   • The trail heads towards Shira Camp 1, and there is a shift in scenery to the heather and moorland zone – an arid landscape sprinkled with contrasting silver fauna and floras, such as the enormous lobelias. 
   • Stunning views of Mount Meru engulfing the fiery sunset are present in the west, and the gleaming Kibo Peak makes its presence known.
   • The light clouds will begin to float around you as you cross several calming streams to get to the Shira Ridge (3,600m). 
   • We will proceed to Shira Camp 1, where a delicious meal awaits.

3. Day 3 | Shira Camp 1 (3,550m) to Shira Camp 2 (3,840m) Trekking Time: 3-4hours | Distance: 8km | Altitude Gain: 290m

   • The moorland landscape remains with its dusty, rocky ground and low grasses and shrubs. The bright everlastings erupt from the ground, and the concentric rings of leaves on the celestial lobelias are astonishing. 
   • The scenic views of the towering mountain are best observed from this area, and the path is generally flat.
   • A steaming hot lunch will be served at Shira Camp. 
   • After the short excursions for acclimatization are complete, you will rest for the remainder of the day.
   • In the evening, the stars twinkle from the infinite arch of darkness. 
   • In some areas, they are sapphire balls, shimmering in their heavenly finery, while the ones on the outermost boundary, virtually outside the span of human comprehension, are like glinting pinpricks in a shroud of night.

4. Day 4 | Shira Camp 2 (3,840m) to Barranco camp (3,950m) via Lava Tower Trekking Time: 6-7 hours / Distance: 11km / Altitude Gain: 110m

   • Today, the Lemosho route connects with the Machame route before approaching Lava Tower. The landscapes are magnificent, and the trail begins with a gentle incline toward the beautiful sights of Kibo Peak.
   • The first milestone is a jagged ridge named the Shark’s Tooth (4,400m), and after crossing the mysterious shadow valleys, we will come across the protruding Lava Tower (4,600m). 
   • Thousands of years ago, enormous volcanos erupted and spat the remains of the once-molten rocks.
   • The gradual descent to the Barranco Camp features incredible views of the bleached Western Breach and the striking Barranco or ‘Breakfast’ Wall. This day follows the mountaineering principles of walking high and sleeping low, making it an ideal acclimation day.

5. Day 5 | Barranco Camp (3,950m) to Barafu Camp (4,700) Trekking Time: 6 – 7 hours / Distance: 9km / Altitude Gain: 750m

   • The day begins with a moderate trek up the Barranco Wall. It is steep, but the climbing only requires your hands and feet for a short period of time (200m). 
   • Feelings of satisfaction will emerge once you witness the beautiful landscape, including the smoothed edges of Kibo Peak and a vantage point of the frosted scenery.
   • The trail fluctuates as we cross various small streams and the Karanga River, which excitedly hops over the rocks. 
   • We will stop at the Karanga Campsite for an appetizing lunch (3,930m). An hour’s climb up a steep granite lava ridge will lead us to Barafu Camp.
   • Reaching Barafu signifies conquering the South Circuit of the mountain, and the views of the summit will shift. The infertile grounds at the Barafu Campsite tend to freeze over, and temperatures shift dramatically. 
   • A warm, hearty meal will be prepared, and we suggest resting early, as the midnight climb to the summit (1,188m) is only a few hours away.

6. Day 6 | Barafu Camp (4,700m) to Summit (5895m) (Midnight start), descent to Mweka Camp (3100m) Trekking Time: 6 – 7 hours / Distance: 5km / Altitude Gain: 1195m

   • You will be awoken at 11:00 pm to ensure you have a light snack and a hot beverage before you embark on your 5km trek to the summit. Sixteen hours are needed to complete the trek; this is the most taxing day on the 7-day Lemosho Route. The temperatures will dip to lows of up to -10°C.
   • The trail along the stunning valley on the edge of scree fields will gradually increase. Stella’s Point (5,672m) is the first milestone, and you will pass the glowing Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. Illuminating rays of orange, red, and purple begin to burst from the sky as you reach the southern rim of Kibo (Marks an hour until the summit).
   • Upon reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895m), you will attain an intangible reward: the heaven-touching apex of the mountain drenched in a shroud of clouds and splotches of gleaming snow. 
   • Across the horizon, you will see the glaciers protruding like a row of thorns. Swaddled around them are necklaces of powdery snow, frosty ice fields, and Mawenzi Peak.
   • We will begin descending towards the Barafu Camp, where we will have a short break before proceeding to the Mweka Camp (3,100m). 
   • The 9km trail features stunning views of the magnificent Kilimanjaro plains. The incline traverses down a rocky scree path through barren moorland and then you will enter the magnificent forest (4-5-hour hike)
   • A tantalizing meal will be served at the campsite, and you will be able to snuggle in your sleeping bag.

7. Day 7 | Mweka Camp (3,100m) to Mweka Gate (1,800m) Trekking Time: 4 – 5 hours / Distance: 10km / Altitude Loss: 1300m

   • You will enjoy an appetizing breakfast before your descent to the Mweka Gate (1,300m). The stroll provides you with beautiful scenery. 
   • A Gold Summit Certificate will be awarded upon reaching the gate, a token to symbolize successfully tackling the 7-day Lemosho Route. 
   • From the tranquil Mweka Village, our driver will transport you to the airport from where you will link your flight back home. If you’ve chosen to continue on a safari – well, that’s another adventure and we’ll manage that for you as well!