Kilimanjaro joining group 8 days Lemosho route

Your journey on the Lemosho Route begins at the Londorossi Gate, where you will complete park formalities and meet your guides and porters. From there, you will drive to the Lemosho Glades trailhead and start your trek through the lush rainforest. The first day’s hike is relatively easy and serves as a good warm-up for the days ahead. You will gradually ascend through the forest, spotting various flora and fauna along the way. The trail can be muddy at times, so proper footwear is essential. After a few hours of hiking, you will reach Big Tree Camp, your campsite for the night.

Today’s trek takes you through the rainforest and then into the heath zone as you gain altitude. The trail steepens as you approach the Shira Plateau, offering stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance. You will notice a change in vegetation as you leave the forest behind and enter into more open terrain. Keep an eye out for unique plant species adapted to these higher altitudes. By mid-afternoon, you will arrive at Shira 1 Camp, located on a grassy knoll with expansive views of the surrounding landscape.

Leaving Shira 1 Camp behind, you will ascend towards Moir Hut today. The trail leads you across the Shira Plateau, a vast expanse with sparse vegetation and rocky outcrops. As you hike further, you may start to feel the effects of altitude, so it’s important to maintain a steady pace and stay hydrated. The landscape becomes increasingly rugged as you approach Moir Hut, situated in a desolate but beautiful setting near a series of lava towers.

Today involves a challenging ascent to Lava Tower at 4,600 meters before descending to Barranco Camp at 3,950 meters for acclimatization purposes. The hike up to Lava Tower provides excellent acclimatization opportunities as you reach higher elevations before descending to sleep at a lower altitude. The scenery changes dramatically from barren alpine desert to lush moorland as you descend towards Barranco Camp nestled in a valley beneath the imposing Barranco Wall.

The day starts with a scramble up the iconic Barranco Wall which is not technical but requires some handwork in sections. Once atop this obstacle, enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape before continuing on towards Karanga Valley. The trail undulates through valleys and ridges offering glimpses of Kibo Peak in the distance. Karanga Camp is situated on a rocky ridge with breathtaking views of the valley below.

Today’s trek takes you closer to your ultimate goal as you ascend towards Barafu Camp - your base camp for summit night. The trail is steep and rocky in sections as it winds its way up through alpine desert terrain. As you gain elevation, take it slow and steady to conserve energy for the summit push ahead. Barafu Camp offers little shelter from the elements but provides stunning sunset views over Mawenzi Peak.

Today is the big day – summit day. You'll rise before dawn, don layers of warm clothing, and set out into the darkness with headlamps ablaze. The trail ascends steeply up the rocky slope, switchbacking its way towards Stella Point, the crater rim of Kilimanjaro. As you climb, the air grows thinner, and the temperature drops, but your determination propels you forward. By sunrise, you'll reach Stella Point, where you'll be rewarded with a breathtaking sunrise over the vast expanse of Africa below. From here, it's a final push to Uhuru Peak, the highest point on the continent at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet). With tears of joy and exhaustion, you'll celebrate your achievement before beginning the long descent back to Barafu Camp. After a brief rest and some hot soup, you'll continue down to Millennium Camp, where you'll spend the night under the stars, reliving the memories of your epic journey

On the final day of your trek, you'll wake up to the familiar sounds of camp life and the smell of breakfast cooking over an open fire. After a leisurely meal and some final farewells to your guides and porters, you'll begin the descent through the lush rainforest towards Mweka Gate. The trail winds its way down the mountainside, passing through dense vegetation and moss-covered trees. With each step, you'll feel the air grow warmer and more humid, signaling your return to civilization. By midday, you'll reach Mweka Gate, where you'll sign out and receive certificates of achievement commemorating your ascent of Kilimanjaro. From here, you'll board your waiting vehicle and transfer back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha, where hot showers and comfortable beds await. As you bid farewell to the mountain that has captured your heart, you'll carry with you memories that will last a lifetime