Lemosho Route

Arrival Day: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).

After all custom formalities, you will appear at the arrival area where you will meet Know-Tanzania Tour drivers holding a signboard with your booking names.  After checking that you have all your luggage and belongings, the driver will take you and transfer you to the lodge/hotel. It is recommended to have one day off after arrival in the hotel that can be used to relief the jetlag as well as acclimatization. The same day will also be used pre-trek briefing and gear testing/verification at your hotel/lodge. This means, a client will spend two nights in the hotel.

Day 1: Arusha – Londorossi Park Gate – Mti Mkubwa Camp

The day begins early with breakfast at the hotel in Arusha/Moshi. After a 2-hour drive from the hotel to Londorossi Park Gate 2389m/7838ft, the trekker will complete entry formalities and register. The team driver will then take the team along a bumpy track through the dense rainforest to the drop-off point where the trek begins. As this region is also home to wild game, the team will be accompanied by an armed ranger during the first 2 days of your trek. Moreover, the trekker will hike a moderately steep, 6km track through an unspoiled natural forest, keeping an eye out for blue monkeys swinging through the trees. This trek, lasting 3-4 hours, leads the team to Mkubwa Camp 2785m/9137ft where the tent and personal belongings will be ready for waiting for the team.

• Distance: 6km | 3-4 hrs | Rainforest
• Elevation: 2389m/7838ft to 2785m/9137ft
• Altitude gained: 396m.

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp – Shira Camp 1

After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, you will leave the rainforest and begin a 7.9km (5mi) trek that takes 4-6 hours. The trail ascends from an elevation of 2785m (9137ft) to 3504m (11,496ft), gaining 719m in altitude. As you climb, the forest thins out, giving way to heath and moorland dominated by plants like Erica and lobelia. The landscape transforms into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock with lichen beards. Crossing several streams, you will reach the Shira Ridge and then descend gently to Shira 1 Camp, where you catch your first glimpse of Kibo. Dinner and overnight stay will be at Shira 1 Camp, located by a stream on the Shira Plateau. Temperatures begin to drop as you reach the rim of the Shira Plateau with wide views.

• Distance: 9km | 4-6hrs | Moorland
• Elevation: 2785m/9137ft to 3504m/11,496ft
• Altitude gained: 719m.

Day 3: Shira Camp 1 – Moir Hut

From Shira Camp 1, the team will trek across the Shira Plateau to Moir Hut, covering a distance of 14 km in 5-7 hours. The Shira Plateau, one of the highest on earth, features exposed moorland meadows, strong winds, and temperatures that can drop below zero in the early hours. This trek transitions from the low-alpine zone to the high-alpine zone, providing an excellent acclimatization opportunity. The trekker will explore the Lent Hills with various walks available, potentially feeling symptoms of altitude sickness due to the high altitude. Upon reaching Moir Camp, surrounded by volcanic rock formations and rocky hills, the tent will be ready with the trekker belongings inside.

• Distance: 14km | 5-7hrs | Alpine Desert
• Elevation: 3504m/11,496ft to 4,200m/ 13,780ft
• Altitude gained: 695m

Day 4: Moir Hut to Lava Tower and then Barranco Camp

On day four, the trek covers 12 km, over 6-7 hours in the high-alpine zone. Starting with a climb up a ridge, you then head southeast towards the 4,600-meter Lava Tower, a 300-foot volcanic rock formation. After lunch at Lava Tower, you join the Southern Circuit trail, descending through the scenic Senecio Forest to Barranco Camp at 3,900 meters (13,000 feet). This “climb high, sleep low” approach helps with acclimatization, as spending time at higher altitudes while ending the day at a lower elevation is beneficial for adjusting to the altitude.

• Distance: 12km | 6-7hrs | Alpine Desert
• Elevation: 4,200m/ 13,780ft – 4,600m/15,091ft – 3,900m/12,795ft
• Altitude gained: 300m

Day 5: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp

On the fifth day, after an early breakfast, the trekker will tackle the Barranco Wall, a challenging 257-meter ascent requiring the use of all four limbs. This climb, taking approximately one hour, offers spectacular views and showcases the agility and strength of your crew. After reaching the top, you will rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano before continuing to Karanga Valley. The trek covers a distance of 5.2 km and takes about 4-5 hours, traversing the alpine desert with an elevation gain from 3986m (13,077ft) to 4034m (13,235ft), a total altitude gain of 48 meters. Upon arrival at Karanga Camp, located at 3,960 meters, you will have lunch and relax before embarking on an acclimatization hike towards Barafu Camp, gaining 200 meters in altitude before returning to Karanga Camp for the night.

• Distance: 5.2km | 4-5hrs | Alpine Desert
• Elevation: 3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft
• Altitude gained: 48m.

 Day 6: Karanga Camp (3950m) – Barafu Hut (4600m)

After breakfast at 8:30 am, you’ll hike for 3-4 hours through heath and moorland to reach Barafu Camp at 4,034m, covering a distance of 3.3km and gaining 600m in altitude. Following a hot lunch, rest, and an early dinner, you’ll briefly sleep before waking at 11:00 pm to prepare for the summit.

• Distance: 3km | 4-5hrs | Alpine Desert
  Elevation: 4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft
  Altitude gained: 628m.

Day 7: Barafu Hut (4600m) – Uhuru Peak

At midnight, you’ll begin the ascent to Uhuru Peak (5895m/19,340ft), the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa which takes approximately 6-7 hours, covering 4.86km and gaining 1295m in altitude. The trail is challenging and steep moreover, the ascent is might be made more difficult by the cold and thin air at high altitudes if not well dressed, as dawn approaches, climbers are rewarded with stunning views of the sunrise near Stella Point (weather permitting) as they also stop for a short rest. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Also, climbers are rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding glaciers and the Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. Finally, the team will arrive at Uhuru Peak.  Congratulations, you are now standing on the Roof of Africa! The views from Uhuru Peak are breathtaking. Have your picture taken at the summit to share with friends and family. The weather will dictate how long you can stay at the summit, generally around 5-15 minutes

• | Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit
• Distance: 86km |6-7hrs | Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit
• Elevation: 4,662m (15,295ft) to 5895m/19,340ft
• Altitude gained: 1295m

Day 7: Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp

After reaching the summit, trekkers will descend for about 3 hours to Barafu Camp, where they will enjoy a hearty breakfast and rest for a few hours. Following this break, they will have a hot lunch before continuing their descent. The trek takes them from the stark beauty of the alpine desert through the heath and moorland zones, and finally into the lush edge of the rainforest at Mweka Camp, which sits at around 3,080m. Covering a total distance of 11.5km and losing 2795m in altitude, trekkers will experience diverse habitats, from the barren, rocky summit to the vibrant greenery of the rainforest. Along the way, they will be able to take in stunning views, observe unique flora and fauna, and enjoy the sense of accomplishment and relief that comes with completing this challenging journey.

• Distance: 5km |6-7hrs | Rainforest
• Elevation: 5895m/19,340ft to 3,080m / 10,105ft
• Altitude Lost: 2,815m

Day 8: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate

After breakfast, the team and trekker will embark on a 3-4 hour scenic hike through the rainforest, descending 1400 meters over 9.1 kilometers to Mweka Gate (1,640m). Along the way, it is possible to encounter wet and muddy conditions, so gaiters and trekking poles can be helpful, while rain gear and warmer clothing should be kept handy. Upon arrival at the gate, the trekker will register for clearance and receive your summit certificates: green for Stella Point and gold for Uhuru Peak. Following a hot lunch at the gate and a general goodbye to the crew, a vehicle will transport the trekkers back to Moshi for a a cup of hot coffee. Later,  continue to Arusha, where they can relax and spend the rest of the evening.

• Distance: 10km |3-4hrs | Rainforest
• Elevation: 3,080m / 10,105ft to 1,640m/5,380ft
• Altitude lost: 1,460m.
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Departure/Safari DayArusha to Kilimanjaro Airport

This can either be the last day in Tanzania or the first day if a client opt to do Safari to our beautiful National Parks. If the last day, our client will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport after breakfast. However, if you decided to go back home but have ample time before your flight you will have an opportunity to visit the Maasai market to buy gifts for your family and friends back home.

Trip Inclusions/Exclusions

These prices include:

• Airport pick-up and drop
• 2 nights hotel accommodation in Arusha (before & after climb)
• Group transport to and from Arusha to the trail head
• Kilimanjaro National Park permits, camping/hut fees, and Value Added Tax (VAT)
• Expert guide, assistant guides, cook and porters
• Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
• Sleeping pad, foam
• Mess tents, tables, chairs, lanterns
• Fresh, nutritious meals on the mountain
• Kilimanjaro summit certificate
• Breakfast at hotel

Not included in the budget:

• Dinner while in the hotel
• Alcohol
• Extra personal mountain gears if needed
• rescue fees
• Insurance
• Private toilet
• Tips for the crew
• Any other thing that not included in the budget