The Lemosho Route

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be greeted by Kijani Tours representative and transported to your hotel in either Moshi or Arusha. There, you will meet your guide, who will provide an overview of your forthcoming trek and conduct an equipment check to ensure you possess all the essential mountain gear. Any missing items can be rented from a store in town.

Trekking Highlights:

• Transfer Time: 3 hour
• Trekking Time: 2-3 hours
• Distance: 5 km /3.1 mi
• Altitude Change: +1,299 ft
• Overnight: Big Tree Camp
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The adventure kicks off with a three-hour journey from Moshi to the Londorosi Park Gate for registration. After taking care of the necessary formalities, you'll hop back into the vehicle, driving through charming village communities until you reach the trailhead at Lemosho Glades, where your hiking experience begins. This day will immerse you in some of the mountain's most stunning forests, with opportunities to spot wildlife along the way. After a leisurely 2-3 hours of hiking, you'll arrive at the Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) campsite. As with every day, you will enjoy a tasty afternoon snack followed by a delightful hot dinner.

Route Highlights:

• Trekking Time: 2-3 hours
• Distance: 5 km /3.1 mi
• Altitude Change: +1,299 ft
• Overnight: Big Tree Camp
• Transfer Time: 3 hour
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and  Dinner

Leaving the forest early in the day, the trail becomes steeper as it ascends into the grasses and wildflowers of the heath and moorland zone towards the valley. A gentle grade walk takes you across the high-altitude Shira Caldera, passing Shira Cave with its stunning views of Arrow Glacier. The trail then gently descends to Shira Hut 1, which is located near a stream on the expansive Shira Plateau. This section of the trek offers breathtaking landscapes and diverse flora, making it a memorable part of the journey.

Route Highlights

• Trekking Time: 3 hours
• Distance: 7 km / 4.3 mi
• Altitude Change: +2,359 ft
• Overnight: Shira Hut 1
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east towards the peak of Kibo and pass that junction. Here our path goes east, towards the Lava Tower, also called the Shark’s Tooth. Shortly after passing the Lava Tower, we meet the second junction that brings us to the Arrow Glacier. From here we continue down to the Barranco Hut, where we will rest, have dinner, and overnight. Despite the fact that we did not change elevation from the point where we started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for the summit.

Route highlights:

• Trekking Time: 3 hours
• Distance: 7 km / 4.3 mi
• Altitude Change: +1,283 ft
• Overnight: Shira Hut 2
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

As you stroll across the elevated moorland, the scenery transforms the essence of your journey. Make your way along the southwest flank of Kilimanjaro, moving beneath the Lava Tower and the concluding part of the Western Breach until you arrive at Barranco camp. Although you've spent the day at a higher elevation, you've adhered to the mountaineering principle of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to help your body acclimatize and prevent altitude sickness. Like every day, you will enjoy a tasty afternoon snack followed by a warm and satisfying dinner.

Route Highlights:

• Trekking Time: 6-7 hours
• Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi
• Altitude Change:  +2,401 ft; -641 m / -2,103 ft
• Overnight: Barranco Camp
• Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner will be provided.

An early start for the ascent to the rim of the Kibo Crater between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers. The last section before the rim can sometimes be snow-covered and an ice-axe or ski stick is useful for balance we highly recommend wearing gaiters as well.  At the rim, we will reach Stella point (5739m), from where we have a further hour to Uhuru Peak (5895m). After a short stop for taking photos, celebrations, and maybe a few tears of joy we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment achievement. Later on, we descend to the Barafu Hut for a short rest and lunch before continuing on past the Millennium camp for a long well-earned rest.

Route Highlights:

• Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
• Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
• Habitat: Arctic
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner is available
• Overnight: Karanga Valley

The day features a brief trek across rocky scree terrain. You'll stroll through a dry, moon-like landscape until you reach Barafu Camp, where you can relax for the entire afternoon before your summit push starts at midnight.

Route Highlights:

• Trekking Time: 2-4 hours
• Distance: 3.5 km / 2.2 mi
• Altitude Change: +628 m / +2,060 ft
• Overnight: Barafu Camp
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We start our ascent around midnight to avoid the heat of the sun. The trail steeply climbs towards the summit glaciers, and you'll be navigating scree for 5 to 6 hours, gaining incredible height over a short distance. The views are nothing short of spectacular. As the first rays of the sun emerge, you should reach the crater rim at Stella Point. Here, you'll be surrounded by stunning ice cliffs within the crater, with breathtaking views of Mawenzi Peak and beyond. Another hour's walk will take you to your ultimate goal, the summit of Uhuru, the highest point in Africa. Congratulations, you've made it!

Route highlights:

• Trekking Time: 6-8 hours
• Distance: 5 km / 3.1 mi
• Altitude Change: +4,046 ft

A pleasant hike will lead you through the rainforest to the Mweka Gate, where you'll take care of the necessary park formalities. Our vehicles will be waiting to take you back to the Kijani Tours office. There, you'll receive your ascent certificate from the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority, take part in the tipping ceremony for your mountain crew, and pick up any luggage you had stored. After that, you'll be driven back to your hotel, where you can indulge in a refreshing shower and enjoy a restful night's sleep.

Routes Highlights:

Trekking Time: 2-4 hours

Distance: 9 km / 5.6 mi

Altitude Change: -1473 m / -4,832 ft

Overnight:

Transfer Time: 45 minutes

Meals: Breakfast

Following breakfast, you will embark on the next phase of your adventure, whether that be a wildlife safari in the Serengeti, a relaxing beach holiday in Zanzibar, or a transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home.