Climbing Kilimanjaro: 7 - 9 Days Lemosho Route Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro Tour Package

After an early breakfast, you will drive from Moshi to the Lemosho Gate on the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro, passing through scenic villages and farmland. Upon arrival, registration formalities are completed before the trek officially begins. The hike starts through dense and pristine montane rainforest, rich in birdlife and occasionally inhabited by colobus monkeys and other wildlife. The trail is gentle and shaded, making it a pleasant introduction to the trek. After several hours of walking, you will arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp, also known as Big Tree Camp, where you will enjoy your first mountain dinner and overnight stay surrounded by the sounds of the forest.

On this day, the trail gradually climbs out of the rainforest and into the heath and moorland zone, offering your first expansive views of the Shira Plateau. As vegetation becomes sparser, the landscape opens up dramatically, revealing rolling hills and volcanic rock formations. The ascent is steady but manageable, allowing your body to begin adapting to the increasing altitude. Weather conditions may change noticeably as you gain elevation, with cooler temperatures and stronger winds. After a full day of trekking, you will reach Shira 1 Camp, situated on the edge of the plateau, where you will enjoy dinner and overnight beneath wide open skies.

Today involves a relatively gentle hike across the Shira Plateau, one of the largest high-altitude plateaus in the world. The route is less steep, making it an excellent acclimatization day, while still providing breathtaking panoramic views of Mount Meru in the distance and Kilimanjaro’s imposing peaks ahead. The terrain is mostly rocky and open, with occasional ascents and descents that help the body adjust naturally to altitude changes. Wildlife sightings, including eland and other antelope, are sometimes possible in this area. You will arrive at Shira 2 Camp in the afternoon, where you can rest, acclimatize, and enjoy a warm meal before overnight.

This is a key acclimatization day on the Lemosho Route, designed to help your body adjust to higher elevations. The trail climbs steadily toward Lava Tower, reaching an altitude of about 4,600 meters, where lunch is taken. Although this is the highest point reached so far, the day follows the “climb high, sleep low” principle, which significantly improves acclimatization. After lunch, the route descends into the beautiful Barranco Valley, passing through dramatic scenery and giant senecio plants. The descent helps relieve altitude stress before arriving at Barranco Camp, set beneath the iconic Barranco Wall, where you will have dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, you begin the day by climbing the famous Barranco Wall, a fun and challenging scramble that requires no technical climbing but rewards you with stunning views. Once at the top, the trail traverses ridges and valleys toward Karanga Camp, where you take a short rest and lunch. From Karanga, the hike continues upward to Barafu Camp, the final base camp before the summit attempt. The landscape here is stark and alpine, with thin air and colder temperatures. Upon arrival at Barafu Camp, you will have an early dinner and rest, preparing mentally and physically for the midnight summit push.

Summit day begins around midnight, as you start the challenging ascent under the stars toward Stella Point. The climb is steep and demanding, testing both endurance and determination, but your guides will maintain a steady pace with regular encouragement. At Stella Point, you will witness a breathtaking sunrise before continuing along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 5,895 meters. After celebrating your achievement and taking photos, you begin a long descent back to Barafu Camp for a short rest, then continue down to Mweka Camp. This day is physically intense but incredibly rewarding, ending with a well-deserved rest and overnight at lower altitude.

After breakfast, you descend through the lush rainforest toward Mweka Gate, enjoying warmer air and rich vegetation as oxygen levels increase. The trail can be slippery, especially after rain, so careful footing is required. Upon arrival at the gate, you will complete park formalities and receive your Kilimanjaro climbing certificates. A vehicle will then transfer you back to your hotel in Moshi, where a hot shower, comfortable bed, and celebratory meal await. This afternoon is reserved for relaxation and reflection on the incredible achievement of summiting Mount Kilimanjaro.

Depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred from your hotel in Moshi to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your onward journey. If time allows, you may enjoy a leisurely breakfast or explore Moshi town for last-minute souvenirs. As your Kilimanjaro adventure comes to an end, you depart with unforgettable memories, a sense of accomplishment, and stories to last a lifetime.