9-Day Kilimanjaro via Lemosho Route

On this day you will be picked up from the airport either Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport and be driven to Tulia Spa & Boutique Hotel. Once you have arrived and settled in, your guide will arrive to brief you on the hike and what to expect day by day. They will also be checking if you have all the necessary gear for the hike.

Depart Arusha/Moshi for the Londorossi Gate, which will take about 4 hours. Then we will drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at the trailhead, we will have lunch and then commence through the undisturbed forest which winds to the first campsite, the forest camp known as Big Tree Camp. Elevation (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft Distance: 6km Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Rainforest Full board at the forest camp known as Big Tree Camp.

After your breakfast, we will continue on the trail leading out of the forest up into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we climb up through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we will reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing. Dinner and your overnight stay are at Shira One Camp.

Today is the gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciated peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 Camp on moorland. Stay at Shira 2 Camp or 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. Elevation (ft): 11,500ft to 13,800 ft. Distance: 14km. Hiking Time: 5-7 hours. Habitat: Moorland. Have full board basis at Shira 2 Camp.

Soon after our breakfast, we will start a walk. Our direction will change to the South East towards the Lava Tower to a place called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we'll come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We'll now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. You will have a rest, enjoy dinner, and an overnight stay. Elevation (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft. Distance: 7km. Hiking Time: 4-6 hours. Habitat: Semi-desert. You'll be on full board basis at Shira 2 or Moir Hut Camp.

After your breakfast, we will leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley Campsite. This is a short day and it is meant for giving your body more acclimatization time. Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft. Distance: 5km. Hiking Time: 4-5 hours. Habitat: Alpine desert. You'll be on full board basis at Karanga Camp.

After breakfast, we'll leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We'll continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you'll have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we'll make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position. Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft Distance: 4km Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert You'll be on full board basis at Barafu Hut Camp.

At midnight, 12:00 am, we'll continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You'll head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the Kilimanjaro trekking. At Stella Point (18,600ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (if the weather permits). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. You may need gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. You'll be on a full board basis at Mweka Hut Camp.

After breakfast, we will continue with our descent down to the Mweka Park Gate. Our vehicles will be waiting for you at the Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi. Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft. Distance: 10km. Hiking Time: 3-4 hours. Habitat: Rainforest. You'll be on half board basis today.