8 days · Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro — Lemosho Route, 8 Days
The route we recommend most often. Eight days on Lemosho gives the best acclimatisation profile on the mountain and, with it, the highest chance of standing on Uhuru Peak.
Day by day.
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1
Moshi to Big Tree Camp
A briefing and kit check in Moshi, then the drive to Londorossi Gate and on to the trailhead. Three to four hours of walking through rainforest brings us to Big Tree Camp at 2,780 m. Colobus monkeys are common here.
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2
Big Tree to Shira 1
We climb out of the forest into giant heather and onto the Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus in the world. Six hours of walking to Shira 1 Camp at 3,610 m, with Kibo ahead of you all afternoon.
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3
Shira 1 to Shira 2
A gentler day east across the plateau to Shira 2 at 3,850 m, with an afternoon acclimatisation walk higher before sleeping low. Around five hours.
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4
Shira 2 to Barranco, via the Lava Tower
The classic climb-high-sleep-low day: up to the Lava Tower at 4,630 m for lunch, then down into the Barranco valley at 3,960 m among giant senecio. Seven hours, and the day that does most of the acclimatisation work.
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5
Barranco to Karanga
The morning starts with the Barranco Wall, a steep but non-technical scramble with the best views on the mountain. A short day to Karanga Camp at 3,995 m leaves the afternoon for rest.
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6
Karanga to Barafu
Three to four hours across the alpine desert to Barafu Camp at 4,673 m. We eat early and sleep early, because summit night begins around midnight.
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7
Summit day, then Millennium Camp
We leave at midnight for Stella Point on the crater rim, reaching Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m around sunrise. Descend to Barafu for a rest and a meal, then on to Millennium Camp at 3,820 m. The longest day of your life, and the one you came for.
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8
Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate
A three-hour descent through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where summit certificates are issued, then the drive back to Moshi, a shower and a bed.
What is included
- All park, camping, hut and rescue fees
- Certified mountain guides, assistant guides, cook and porters
- All meals on the mountain, prepared fresh by our cook
- Four-season mountain tents and sleeping mats
- Mess tent, table and chairs, and a private toilet tent
- Twice-daily health checks with a pulse oximeter
- Emergency oxygen and a portable stretcher on every climb
- Transfers between Moshi and the mountain gates
- Two nights' bed and breakfast in Moshi, before and after the climb
Not included
- International flights and Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance including evacuation cover above 5,000 m
- Personal trekking gear and sleeping bag (rental available)
- Tips for your mountain crew
- Drinks other than those served with meals
- Personal items and laundry
On this route
Where you will be.
Compare
Other kilimanjaro journeys.
Kilimanjaro — Lemosho Route, 7 Days
The same scenic western approach as our eight-day Lemosho, compressed by one day. Still one of the strongest routes on the mountain if your dates are tight.
- Scenic western approach
- Shira Plateau crossing
- Lava Tower climb-high day
Pricing on request View itinerary
Kilimanjaro — Machame Route, 7 Days
The Whiskey Route: steeper than Lemosho, busier, and widely considered the most scenic way up the mountain. Seven days gives it the acclimatisation it needs.
- The most scenic standard route
- Shira Plateau and Lava Tower
- Barranco Wall
Pricing on request View itinerary
Kilimanjaro — Machame Route, 6 Days
Machame without the Karanga rest day. It works, but it asks more of you, and we will say so if we think you should take the seven-day version instead.
- The shortest sensible Machame
- Lava Tower acclimatisation day
- Barranco Wall
Pricing on request View itinerary
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Add days, drop a park, change the pace. This is a starting point, not a fixed departure.