Overview
Our most successful Kilimanjaro itinerary. The extra night at Karanga Camp gives your body one more day above 4,000 m before the summit push — the single biggest factor in reaching Uhuru Peak strong. Recommended for first-time high-altitude trekkers and anyone who wants to truly enjoy the climb rather than endure it.
Quick facts
- Start point
- Londorossi Gate (2,250 m)
- End point
- Mweka Gate (1,640 m)
- Distance
- ≈ 70 km / 42 mi round trip
- Highest point
- Uhuru Peak · 5,895 m
- Group size
- Private, 1–12 climbers
- Best season
- Jan–Mar, Jun–Oct
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Traffic
- Low to moderate
- Scenery
- Exceptional
- Accommodation
- Mountain tents
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1Day 1
Moshi → Londorossi Gate → Mti Mkubwa
Today's StatusHiking Time: 3–4 hoursTotal Distance: 6 kmStarting Altitude: 2,250 m (7,382 ft)Final Altitude: 2,820 m (9,252 ft)Elevation Change: +570 mHabitat: Montane rainforestMorning briefing and gear check in Moshi. Drive 4 hours via Boma Ng'ombe to the Londorossi Gate (2,250 m) for park registration. Picnic lunch, then a gentle 3-hour trek through dense montane rainforest — look out for black-and-white colobus monkeys — to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp.
Meals: Lunch, DinnerMti Mkubwa Camp · 2,820 m - 2Day 2
Mti Mkubwa → Shira 1 Camp
Today's StatusHiking Time: 5–6 hoursTotal Distance: 8 kmStarting Altitude: 2,820 m (9,252 ft)Final Altitude: 3,505 m (11,500 ft)Elevation Change: +685 mHabitat: Heather & moorlandClimb out of the rainforest into the heather and moorland zone. A steep morning is rewarded with sweeping views as you crest onto the western edge of the Shira Plateau — an ancient collapsed caldera. 5–6 hours of trekking.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerShira 1 Camp · 3,505 m - 3Day 3
Shira 1 → Shira 2 Camp
Today's StatusHiking Time: 4–5 hoursTotal Distance: 11 kmStarting Altitude: 3,505 m (11,500 ft)Final Altitude: 3,810 m (12,500 ft)Elevation Change: +305 mHabitat: Shira Plateau moorlandAn easier acclimatisation day traversing the Shira Plateau with Kibo's glaciers ahead and Mt. Meru behind. Afternoon acclimatisation walk toward the Cathedral. 4–5 hours.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerShira 2 Camp · 3,810 m - 4Day 4
Shira 2 → Lava Tower → Barranco Camp
Today's StatusHiking Time: 6–7 hoursTotal Distance: 10 kmStarting Altitude: 3,810 m (12,500 ft)Final Altitude: 3,960 m (12,995 ft)Elevation Change: +820 m / −670 m (via Lava Tower 4,630 m)Habitat: Alpine desertAscend the Southern Circuit to Lava Tower (4,630 m) for lunch — the classic 'climb high, sleep low' day. Drop into the lush, otherworldly Barranco Valley beneath the Western Breach and the hanging Heim Glacier. 6–7 hours.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerBarranco Camp · 3,960 m - 5Day 5
Barranco → Karanga Camp
Today's StatusHiking Time: 4–5 hoursTotal Distance: 5 kmStarting Altitude: 3,960 m (12,995 ft)Final Altitude: 3,995 m (13,106 ft)Elevation Change: +35 m (net)Habitat: Alpine desertA short but spectacular day. Scramble the iconic Barranco Wall (no technical climbing — a fun hands-on rock scramble) for sunrise photos, then descend and re-ascend into Karanga Valley. Afternoon at camp to rest and hydrate. 4–5 hours.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerKaranga Camp · 3,995 m - 6Day 6
Karanga → Barafu Camp
Today's StatusHiking Time: 3–4 hoursTotal Distance: 4 kmStarting Altitude: 3,995 m (13,106 ft)Final Altitude: 4,673 m (15,331 ft)Elevation Change: +678 mHabitat: Alpine desertThe acclimatisation day that makes this itinerary special. An easy 3–4 hour trek up the rocky ridge to Barafu (Swahili for 'ice') — summit base camp. Early dinner at 17:00, then into your sleeping bag by 19:00. The guide wakes you just before midnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerBarafu Camp · 4,673 m - 7Day 7
Summit Day · Barafu → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp
Today's StatusHiking Time: 12–14 hoursTotal Distance: 17 kmStarting Altitude: 4,673 m (15,331 ft)Final Altitude: 3,068 m (10,065 ft) via Uhuru Peak 5,895 mElevation Change: +1,222 m / −2,827 mHabitat: Arctic → moorlandWake at 23:30 for tea and biscuits. Begin the summit push by headtorch at midnight, climbing the scree slope to Stella Point (5,756 m) for sunrise over Mawenzi. A further 45 minutes along the crater rim brings you to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) — the Roof of Africa. After photos, descend back to Barafu for brunch and a rest, then continue down through the moorland to Mweka Camp. 12–14 hours total — the longest and most rewarding day of your life.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerMweka Camp · 3,068 m - 8Day 8
Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate → Moshi
Today's StatusHiking Time: 3–4 hoursTotal Distance: 10 kmStarting Altitude: 3,068 m (10,065 ft)Final Altitude: 1,640 m (5,380 ft)Elevation Change: −1,428 mHabitat: Montane rainforestA final 3-hour descent through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. Sign out of the park, receive your summit certificate, and enjoy a celebratory lunch with the crew (tipping ceremony here). Transfer back to your hotel in Moshi by mid-afternoon for a hot shower and a cold Kilimanjaro lager.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
What's included & route FAQs
Everything covered on the ground, what's not, and the questions climbers ask most.
What's included
- All park, camping and rescue fees (8 days)
- KPAP-certified lead guide + assistant guides (1:2 ratio above Barranco)
- Cook and full porter team with mountain kit
- 4-season mountain tents, foam mattresses and mess tent with table & chairs
- Three hot meals daily, snacks, filtered water on the mountain
- Round-trip airport transfers and 2 hotel nights in Moshi (B&B)
- Daily pulse oximeter and resting heart-rate health checks
- Portable emergency oxygen and first-aid kit
- Summit certificate
The Trip Cost Excludes
- International flights and Tanzania visa
- Personal climbing gear (rental available on request)
- Tips for the mountain crew (guideline provided at briefing)
- Travel insurance — mandatory, must cover trekking to 6,000 m and helicopter evacuation
- Drinks at the hotel and items of a personal nature
Do I need previous climbing experience?+
No technical climbing is required on any of the standard routes. Good general fitness and prior multi-day hiking experience are strongly recommended — you'll be trekking 5–7 hours per day for a week at high altitude.
How cold does it get on the summit?+
Summit night temperatures typically range from −7 °C to −20 °C with wind chill. Daytime at lower camps is much milder (10–20 °C). We provide a detailed packing list and can rent quality cold-weather gear locally.
What is the summit success rate?+
Our overall summit success across all routes is 96 %. On the 8-day Lemosho itinerary it climbs to 99 %. Success comes down to route length (more acclimatisation days = more oxygen in your blood at 5,895 m) and guide quality.
Is travel insurance required?+
Yes — mandatory. Your policy must cover trekking to 6,000 m and helicopter evacuation. We recommend World Nomads or Global Rescue.
How much should I tip the crew?+
The KPAP guideline is about USD 20–25 per climber per day, pooled and split among guides, cook and porters. We hand out a detailed tipping breakdown at the pre-climb briefing.
What happens if I can't continue?+
Your lead guide monitors your oxygen saturation and heart rate twice daily. If you need to descend, an assistant guide accompanies you down safely while the rest of the group continues. This is why we bring extra guides.
Pricing per person
All-inclusive on the ground. Price per person decreases with group size.
Trail map
A stylised overview of the Lemosho Route — camps, distance and summit approach.
Have a question about Lemosho Route?
Send us your enquiry and a Tanzania-based expert will get back to you within 24 hours with a personalised itinerary, pricing for your group size and answers to any questions you have.
- No deposit required to receive a quote
- Free date & itinerary changes before booking
- Direct reply from a real human — never a chatbot
