We always recommend you have at least 1 day in town before starting your trek. This gives you time to rest, relax and prepare. On this day we make sure you meet your guide(s) so that they are able to check all your gear, we can rent anything else that you require and you have the opportunity to ask them any questions you may have!
Londorossi Gate (2385m) To Big Tree Camp (2708m)
Total Distance:
4.8km
Hiking Time (approx.):
2 hours
The starting point of the Lemosho climb is located some distance from Moshi town (approximately 2 hours’ drive). We’ll get you straight into African life with a preliminary African massage (a term of endearment we have for the not-so-great road) on the way out to your start point. You will have fantastic views out of the window driving through rural Tanzanian scenery. Upon arrival at the gate you will don your day pack and start walking. Today is by no means a strenuous hike hours but gives you time to adjust into your walking pace… and plenty of opportunities to look up hoping to spot some black and white colobus monkeys in the forest. A lucky few may even spot buffalo or even elephant! Today you will overnight at Mti Mkubwa (literal translation= big tree) camp, so called because of the large conifer trees, providing shade over the camp, one of the most picturesque on the mountain.
Big Tree (2708) To Shira 1 Camp (3500m)
This day is always among the favourites from our trekkers as you leave the forested glades to emerge out into moorland with fantastic views to the Shira plateau, but more importantly the magnificent peak of Kibo. This day is when the climbing starts, with a 700m elevation gain. Your guide will make sure you are going at a slow pace, to ward off any altitude sickness. The day starts with lots of small ups and downs, before climbing to the top of a ridge. You will head eastwards along this ridge with views over to Ngare Nairobi River and the emergency 4 x 4 track. Following your lunch stop you will be able to see your trekking path laid out ahead for the next couple of days across the Shira plateau. There is a nice slow descent down to Shira 1 campsite where your chef will be cooking up a storm to reward your hard efforts.
Total Distance:
7.9km
Hiking Time (approx.):
5-6 hours
Shira 1 Camp (3500m) To Shira Huts (3895m), via Shira Cathedral (3862m)
Total Distance:
10.5km
Hiking Time (approx.):
6-8 hours
Not long after setting off across the plateau you will already be able to see your camp for that night – at Shira Huts. We’ve added the excursion to the Shira Cathedral (although this is optional) as it can be done in the same day, and provides that extra bit of acclimatization opportunity. On your trek over to the cathedral you can admire the lobelias and the naturalist in you can spot animal tracks as evidence the trail was originally used by small antelope in search of salt and fresh grazing. From the summit of the ‘cathedral’ you can again have clear views to Kibo and you can check out the Machame route, with which you will join up a little later on. From here it is a shorter walk to Shira Huts, passing along the crater rim and the helipad used for emergency evacuations, or (thankfully!) more commonly film crews.
Shira Huts (3895m) To Barranco Camp (3960m)
Your final morning on the quieter Lemosho route before joining up with the Machame trekkers later on. You will emerge from the valleys peppered with lobelia and heather covering the ground to find yourself in the alpine desert ecosystem, with lichen covering every rock. The first few hours are steady uphill walking. This is best taken slowly as today is often the first day some may feel the symptoms of altitude sickness. Although after joining up with Machame route there is a shorter route to camp (which you will see porters and chefs running along) we take you on a diversion to Lava Tower Rock (alt. 4600m) to give you extra acclimatisation. From Lava Tower it’s all downhill to Barranco camp- feeling the chill where that cup of warm soup to start your dinner will be all the more welcome.
Total Distance:
10.1km
Hiking Time (approx.):
6-8 hours
Barranco Camp (3980m) to Karanga Camp (4035m)
Total Distance:
6.6km
Hiking Time:
3-4 hours
A shorter day, giving you a good chance to adjust but still a little challenge as you leave the camp, climbing up what has been nicknamed the ‘breakfast rock’. It’s all worth it though as at the top of this rock you can have a great view to Kibo peak and its magnificent glaciers, whilst at the same time in the other direction you’ll be able to see Mt Meru. Also a very popular obligatory ‘jumping’ photo point. This day also includes a lot of ‘ups’ and ‘downs’ until you reach the valley which marks the last point for water passing along this route. Make sure to keep an eye out for malachite sunbirds (a popular nesting spot for them) and enjoy the last bit of greenery you will see before you are on your way back down. Head back up the other side of the valley to Karanga camp where you can relax for the afternoon before enjoying a hearty dinner and tucking yourselves in.
Karanga Camp (4035m) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
During your trekking this day you will find the trail to get steadily steeper all the way to Barafu camp. On the way you will pass over the volcanic rocks from previous explosions of this volcano and you will be able to view the entire landscape of the mountain. You will arrive at Barafu camp around 1pm for a hot lunch and then rest up and get some sleep in preparation for your summit night! Although during the day it can be a little warm at this time, the Barafu or ‘ice’ camp really lives up to its name once the sun goes down.
Total Distance:
3.9km
Hiking Time:
3-4 hours
Barafu Camp (4640m) to Crater Camp (5715m)
Total Distance:
9.9km
Hiking Time:
6-8 hours
This will undoubtedly be your most challenging day, hiking at high altitude for a relatively long distance. Following breakfast at Barafu Camp (make sure to eat up, even if you don’t have an appetite – you’ll need the energy!) you will start your ascent up the wall of Kibo crater. The camp is located within this crater. You may be able to smell the sulphur at the camp- signs of this once active volcano. Depending on how you feel, some choose to summit this afternoon. Most will head into the tents for a sleep in preparation for the final push to the top the following morning.
Crater Camp (5715m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) to Mweka Camp (3080m)
If you haven’t chosen to summit the day earlier, your guide will give you a friendly wake up call in the early hours of the morning (normally around 5am). Your climb to the peak this morning is just over 200m but can take around 2 hours due to the steep ascent and lack of oxygen. Make sure to listen to your guide’s advice and take it slowly! Upon reaching the top, hopefully to your most memorable sunrise, take your pictures and celebrate with your guide before heading back down. From the peak you will head down via Stella Point to reach Barafu Camp, where you will stop for lunch. From Barafu Camp you will make your way down to Mweka Camp, passing from desert to moorland terrain. You will reach Mweka Camp at approximately 5pm. There’s always a great atmosphere at camp this night – the hard work is over and now you can pat yourself on the back! Celebrations won’t go on for too long as you will no doubt want to head into the tent early.
Total Distance:
11.8km
Hiking Time:
Crater Camp – Uhuru (2 hours)
Uhuru – Mweka Camp (6-8 hours)
Mweka Camp (3080m) to Mweka Gate (1800m)
Total Distance:
8.5km
Hiking Time:
3-4 hours
Passing through the montane forest, similar to your first day trekking, you will make your way down to Mweka Gate, stopping to watch the monkeys and spot turaco birds or hornbills. Upon reaching the gate you will sign out and exit Kilimanjaro National Park. From here you will be picked up by our company transport and transferred back to our office in town where you will be presented with your certificate before returning to your hotel for a well-deserved rest (massages can be arranged)!
What's in the Price?
Inclusive
- Pick-ups and drop offs from the Airport
- Accommodations (One night Before Trekking and One night After Trekking)
- Mountain guide(s)
- Personal chef(s)
- Porters
- All meals and drinking water
- Park entrance fees, all camping fees
- Camping equipment – tent, foam mattress (Not needed for the Marangu route)
- First aid kit
- Pulse oximeter
Exclusive
- Alcoholic beverages or sodas
- Sleeping bag (can arrange hire if necessary)
- Tipping gratuities.
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- International and domestic flights
Available supplements
- Flying Doctor’s Emergency rescue or Kili Made Air
- Portable toilet
- Oxygen cylinder
- Massage after the climb
