8-Day Kilimanjaro Climb – Lemosho Route

Day 1

Arrival in Tanzania — Transfer to Arusha

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, your Trust Tours & Safaris representative will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Arusha. After check-in, take time to rest, hydrate and recover from your journey before meeting your mountain guide for a detailed pre-climb briefing covering the itinerary, mountain weather, equipment requirements, altitude awareness, campsite arrangements and the daily walking schedule.

Your guide will review your essential equipment, including suitable hiking boots, waterproof clothing, warm layers, gloves, a headlamp and personal medication, helping you identify anything that needs to be rented or purchased before the trek. This preparation is an important part of ensuring that you understand the physical demands of the expedition and are ready to begin the climb the following morning.

Overnight:

Hotel in Arusha

Meals:

According to your hotel and package arrangement

Day 2

Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

After breakfast, drive to the Lemosho Gate on Kilimanjaro’s western side, where your guide and crew complete the required registration and park entry procedures. Begin your trek through the lush montane rainforest, following a natural trail beneath tall trees, dense vegetation and hanging moss, with opportunities to appreciate the forest environment and listen for birds and other wildlife.

The trail climbs gradually through humid forest, where the ground may become muddy or slippery after rainfall. Your guide will establish a steady pace, encourage regular water breaks and help you settle into the rhythm of mountain trekking. Later in the day, arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp, also known as Big Tree Camp, where your crew will organise the campsite and prepare your evening meal.

Overnight:

Mti Mkubwa Camp (tents)

Meals:

Lunch and dinner

Day 3

Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp

After breakfast, leave the rainforest behind and continue into the heathland and moorland zones, where the vegetation becomes shorter and the landscape opens towards the western slopes of Kilimanjaro. The trail climbs through increasingly exposed terrain, offering changing views and a noticeable difference in temperature and scenery compared with the forest below.

Continue towards Shira 1 Camp at a comfortable pace, taking regular breaks and allowing your body time to adjust to the increasing elevation. Your guide will monitor the group and encourage you to report any headache, nausea, dizziness or unusual fatigue promptly rather than attempting to push through concerning symptoms.

Upon arrival at Shira 1 Camp, settle into your tent, enjoy a freshly prepared meal and rest while taking in the surrounding plateau scenery.

Overnight:

Shira 1 Camp (tents)

Meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4

Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

After breakfast, continue across the spectacular Shira Plateau towards Shira 2 Camp. This itinerary goes from Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp; there is no overnight at Moir Hut.

The trail crosses open high-altitude terrain, offering wide views across the plateau and, when weather conditions are clear, impressive views towards Kibo Peak. Although some sections are less steep than later parts of the climb, the altitude can make walking more strenuous than the distance alone suggests, so maintaining a slow, consistent pace, drinking water regularly and following your guide’s advice are important.

On arrival at Shira 2 Camp, your crew will prepare the campsite and serve your meal. Spend the evening resting and preparing for the following day, when the route moves into more rugged alpine terrain towards the Lava Tower area before descending to Barranco Camp.

Overnight:

Shira 2 Camp (tents)

Meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5

Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp via the Lava Tower area

Today, leave the Shira Plateau and continue towards the higher slopes of Kibo, where the landscape becomes more rugged and volcanic. The trail crosses exposed alpine terrain with sparse vegetation and expansive views, and your guide will set the pace according to the group’s progress, weather conditions and altitude response.

Depending on the precise route variation and conditions, the trek climbs towards the Lava Tower area at approximately 4,600 metres before descending to Barranco Camp. This climb-high-and-sleep-lower approach exposes your body to a higher elevation during the day before you spend the night lower down, which can support acclimatisation but does not eliminate the risk of altitude sickness.

On reaching Barranco Camp, rest, enjoy a warm meal and prepare for the following day’s ascent of the famous Barranco Wall. Your guide will explain what to expect and remind you to communicate any symptoms or concerns before the next stage begins.

Overnight:

Barranco Camp (tents)

Meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Begin the morning with the ascent of the famous Barranco Wall, one of the most memorable sections of the Lemosho Route. The path rises steeply in places and may require careful footing and occasional use of your hands, but your guide will advise you on where to step and how to move steadily through the more exposed sections.

After reaching the top, continue across the mountain slopes towards Karanga Valley. The trail includes rocky terrain and a series of ascents and descents, so maintaining an even pace and taking appropriate breaks are important. Compared with a compressed seven-day itinerary, stopping at Karanga Camp gives you more time to rest before the climb to Barafu Camp and the summit attempt.

Arrive at Karanga Camp, where your crew will prepare your tent and evening meal. Your guide will review the following day’s plan and check that your clothing, equipment and personal supplies are ready for the high-altitude summit stage.

Overnight:

Karanga Camp (tents)

Meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

After breakfast, continue towards Barafu Camp, the high-altitude base camp for the summit attempt. The trail climbs through rocky alpine terrain with increasingly sparse vegetation, and the effects of altitude may make even a relatively short walking day feel physically demanding.

On arrival at Barafu Camp, enjoy a meal and take time to rest. Your guide will deliver the final summit briefing, covering the planned departure time, clothing layers, headlamp, hydration, food for the night climb, weather conditions and descent procedures. Prepare your equipment before trying to sleep, because the summit attempt normally begins around midnight or in the early hours of the morning.

Resting, eating adequately and following your guide’s instructions are especially important before this demanding stage of the expedition.

Overnight:

Barafu Camp (tents)

Meals:

Breakfast, lunch and an early dinner

Day 8

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak — Descend to Mweka Camp

Your summit attempt begins in darkness, with your guide leading the group slowly up the steep trail towards Stella Point on the crater rim. Cold temperatures, high altitude and sustained uphill walking make this the most physically demanding stage of the expedition, so your guide will monitor the group closely and assess whether it is safe for each climber to continue.

If weather conditions and your physical condition allow, continue along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres, the highest point in Africa. Take time to appreciate the achievement and photograph the summit while following your guide’s instructions and respecting the conditions at the top.

After the summit, descend carefully to Barafu Camp for a short rest and refreshments, then continue towards Mweka Camp. This is a long day, and the descent can be exhausting after the summit ascent, so take care on loose ground, use trekking poles where helpful and tell your guide immediately if you feel unwell.

Overnight:

Mweka Camp (tents)

Meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate — Transfer to Arusha

After breakfast, begin your final descent through the montane rainforest towards Mweka Gate. The trail can be slippery, particularly after rain, so allow enough time, wear suitable footwear and take care on uneven ground. At the gate, complete the required park exit procedures and receive a summit certificate if you meet the applicable park criteria.

Your vehicle will meet you for the transfer back to Arusha. After checking into your hotel, enjoy a shower, a comfortable bed and time to recover after your expedition. This is also an opportunity to celebrate your achievement and discuss onward travel arrangements with Trust Tours & Safaris.

Overnight:

Hotel in Arusha

Meals:

Breakfast

Day 10

Departure from Tanzania

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before your scheduled transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport, or continue with a separately arranged safari or Zanzibar holiday. If you wish to extend your stay, Trust Tours & Safaris can help arrange additional experiences according to your interests, available time and budget.

Meals:

Breakfast