8 Days Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Hiking Safari

Day-by-Day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival

   Touch down at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where your own personal driver will be waiting to greet you. Let your driver whisk you away to your chosen hotel in the bright and bustling city of Moshi, gateway to Tanzania. In the evening you will enjoy a quick briefing, conducted by a professional mountain guide, about your trek, and to confirm that you are ready for climbing

2. Day 2: Londorossi Gate and Starting Point to Mti Mkubwa Camp

   A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning to meet you and hold a pre-trekking briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle (roughly 3 to 4 hours) to Kilimanjaro National Park’s western entrance: Londorossi Gate (2,200 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking towards the first camp of the route: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,780 m). Raincoats are necessary on this day in particular, as you will be walking through rainforest. By the time you reach the camp, our professional mountain crew will have prepared everything necessary, pitched the tents, and cooked lunch for you. After lunch the group will depart on an acclimatization hike towards Shira 1 Camp that features a 300 meter gain in altitude, after which you will hike back down to Mti Mkubwa Camp, where a hot dinner will be waiting This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on • Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine • Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently) • Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatizing to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your breathing pattern while sleeping, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. You may start feeling unwell and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness • Change in elevation: Londorossi Gate (2,200 m) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,780 m) • Hiking distance: 6 km • Hiking time: 3–4 hours • Acclimatization hike: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,780 m) to a point en route to Shira 1 Camp (3,095 m); 2 km; about 1 hour • Accommodation: Mti Mkubwa Camp, Mt. Kilimanjaro

3. Day 3: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp

   An early wakeup, breakfast, and a gradual trek upwards to 3,500 meters, where for the first time you will be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau and Kibo Volcano. The passage from Mti Mkubwa Camp to the second high-altitude camp, Shira 1 Camp (3,505 m), is rather easy and takes about 5 to 6 hours. This allows you to start the acclimatization process gradually, which is a mainstay of good trekking. When you reach the camp, your team of specialists will cook you lunch and you will have the chance to rest in your tent or walk around the nearby area • Change in elevation: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,780 m) to Shira 1 Camp (3,505 m) • Hiking distance: 5 km • Hiking time: 5–6 hours • Accommodation: Shira 1 Camp, Mt. Kilimanjaro

4. Day 4: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

   Departing from Shira 1 Camp (3,505 m), a light trek takes you towards the next high-altitude camp: Shira 2 Camp (3,900 m). This trek is not difficult, and you will be able to enjoy spectacular views of Africa and the unique flora of Kilimanjaro and the surrounding area. Shira 2 Camp is the best place on the trip to see Mount Meru (the fifth-highest summit in Africa), weather permitting. When you arrive at camp you will have lunch, and after a two-hour rest everyone will complete an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower that features a 300 meter gain in altitude • Change in elevation: Shira 1 Camp (3,505 m) to Shira 2 Camp (3,900 m) • Hiking distance: 7 km • Hiking time: 3–4 hours • Acclimatization hike: Shira 2 Camp (3,900 m) to a point en route to Lava Tower (4,270 m); 2 km; 1–2 hours • Accommodation: Shira 2 Camp, Mt. Kilimanjaro

5. Day 5: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

   After breakfast you will leave Shira 2 Camp (3,900 m) and start your way to a key point of the route: Lava Tower (4,630 m). This section has many ascents and descents that end at a camp over 4,600 meters. It can be difficult, and you may feel some discomfort, but in order to successfully acclimate you should spend at least 1 to 2 hours here, so this is where lunch will be. You will then descend to Barranco Camp (3,960 m). Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its size and steepness. The next day you will climb it, but don’t worry: it features a very manageable hiking trail • Change in elevation: Shira 2 Camp (3,900 m) to Lava Tower (4,630 m) to Barranco Camp (3,960 m) • Hiking distance: 12 km • Hiking time: 6–8 hours • Accommodation: Barranco Camp, Mt. Kilimanjaro

6. Day 6: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

   Early wakeup, breakfast, and the start of summiting the Barranco Wall (we recommend you leave camp as early as possible to avoid the crowds from other groups). After the climb you can rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano. Then you start a more demanding hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents, but don’t worry: our guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the group. After reaching the camp you will be offered a hot lunch. A couple of hours later you will complete an acclimatization hike in the direction of Barafu Camp with a 300 meter gain in altitude, then descend back to camp • Change in elevation: Barranco Camp (3,960 m) to Karanga Camp (4,035 m) • Hiking distance: 5 km • Hiking time: 4–5 hours • Acclimatization hike: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) to a point en route to Barafu Camp (4,270 m); 2.5 km; 1–2 hours • Accommodation: Karanga Camp, Mt. Kilimanjaro

7. Day 7: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

   In the morning after breakfast you begin your way to Barafu Summit Camp (4,640 m), the starting point for a night summit of Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Our team will set up camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax. After regaining your strength, you will complete an acclimatization hike towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp (4,800 m) and then return to Barafu Camp, where you will be served a hot dinner. It is best to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before the night summit • Change in elevation: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) to Barafu Camp (4,640 m) • Hiking distance: 6 km • Hiking time: 4–5 hours • Acclimatization hike: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) to Kosovo Camp (4,800 m); 2 km; 1–2 hours • Accommodation: Barafu Camp, Mt. Kilimanjaro

8. Day 8: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (Summit) to Millennium Camp

   At night you will depart from Barafu Camp (4,640 m) and start summiting Kilimanjaro to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). The climb itself is relatively straightforward; the most challenging part is the high altitude, which is why each pair of climbers gets a personal guide for the entire ascent to monitor your physical and mental condition. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if you wish. You will then return to Barafu Camp and, after a two-hour rest, continue your descent to Millennium Camp (3,820 m) • Change in elevation: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) to Millennium Camp (3,820 m) • Hiking distance: 15 km • Hiking time: 8–12 hours • Accommodation: Millennium Camp, Mt. Kilimanjaro

9. Day 9: Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate

   When you wake at camp you will feel relief from the lower altitude and the satisfaction of having reached the summit. After breakfast, you will start descending to the park’s exit at Mweka Gate (1,650 m). Here the whole group gathers to congratulate you, and you will have the chance to share your thoughts on the climb in the guestbook. Finally, you will be presented with your commemorative certificates at our office before your transfer back to the hotel • Change in elevation: Millennium Camp (3,820 m) to Mweka Gate (1,650 m) • Hiking distance: 12 km • Hiking time: 4–5 hours • Accommodation: Planet Lodge, Arusha

10. Day 10: Departure

    After some rest and refreshment at the hotel, your driver-guide will take you to the airport, ready for your flight back home Days Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Hiking Safari