8-Day Climb Kilimanjaro Private Tour Lemosho Route

Elevation: 2389m/7838ft to 2785m/9137ft Altitude gained: 396m At 8.00 am, you'll depart from Moshi. A 2-hour drive will take you through welcoming mountain-side villages to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. You will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead. You'll enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.

After a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast, you'll emerge from the rain forest and continue on an ascending path. You'll leave the forest behind now. The trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. Temperatures begin to drop.

You'll explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then, you'll continue to Moir Hut, a little-used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills, making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

Although you'll end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau, you'll continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo Peak, before you'll then continue southeast towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev. 4650m/15,250ft). You hike on western Kilimanjaro and cross a glacier valley, arrive to picnic site for lunch, and acclimatize. You'll then continue to descend overnight at Barranco Camp.

After breakfast, you'll continue on a steep ridge up to the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction, which connects with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see the power, agility, and strength of your crew zip over this wall with what appears to be such ease. Your overnight stay will be at Karanga Camp.

You will continue up toward Barafu Camp. Once reached, you have now completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. You'll get an early dinner and rest as you prepare for summit night. Your overnight stay will be at Barafu Camp.

Excitement is building as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. You'll continue on your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, trying to stay warm and focused on the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. You hike and arise to Stella point. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here on, your remaining 1 hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way. After photos, celebrations, and maybe a few tears of joy, you'll take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. You'll begin your steep descent down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles. Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Your overnight stay will be at Mweka Camp.

You'll continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. From the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). You will enjoy a long-overdue hot shower, dinner, and celebrations.