7 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing – Lemosho Route

Day 1: Arrival in Moshi – Pre-Climb Preparation

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your mountain team and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town, the gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro.

After check-in, you will rest and recover from your journey. In the evening, you will meet your professional mountain guide for a detailed pre-climb briefing. During this session, your gear will be checked carefully to ensure you have all necessary equipment for the climb. Your guide will explain the route, safety procedures, weather expectations, and what to expect on each stage of the mountain.

Dinner will be served at the hotel, followed by an overnight stay as you prepare mentally and physically for the adventure ahead.

Day 2: Lemosho Gate – Mti Mkubwa Camp (Rainforest Zone)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Lemosho Gate (2,100m), located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. After registration and final preparations, your trek begins through dense rainforest.

The trail is lush, green, and full of life. You may encounter colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and exotic birds along the way. The air is fresh and humid as you walk under tall trees and thick vegetation.

The hike is steady and enjoyable, allowing your body to gradually adjust to altitude. After approximately 6–7 hours of trekking, you will arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,750m), meaning “Big Tree Camp.”

At camp, your crew will prepare warm meals while you relax, enjoy your surroundings, and reflect on your first day on the mountain. Overnight at camp.

Day 3: Mti Mkubwa Camp – Shira 1 / Barranco Camp (Transition Zone)

Today you leave the rainforest behind and enter the heath and moorland zone. The landscape changes dramatically into open views, volcanic rock formations, and wide valleys.

The trek leads you towards the Shira Plateau, one of the most beautiful sections of Kilimanjaro. You will pass scenic ridges and volcanic terrain while enjoying stunning views of Kibo Peak in the distance.

This is an important acclimatization day as you gradually gain altitude while your body adjusts. After about 5–7 hours of hiking, you arrive at your next campsite (commonly Shira 1 or Barranco depending on route variation).

At camp, you will enjoy dinner and rest while taking in incredible sunset views over the plateau.

Day 4: Shira Camp – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp (Acclimatization Day)

Today is one of the most important acclimatization days of your climb.

You will hike steadily towards Lava Tower (4,600m), a dramatic volcanic rock formation. Although you reach high altitude today, you will not stay long here—this “climb high, sleep low” strategy helps your body adapt.

After lunch at Lava Tower, you descend into the beautiful Barranco Valley, one of the most scenic camps on Kilimanjaro. The trail passes giant senecio plants and unique alpine vegetation.

Upon arrival at Barranco Camp (3,950m), you will see the famous Barranco Wall, which you will climb the next day. Dinner and overnight at camp surrounded by stunning mountain scenery.

Day 5: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp (Barranco Wall Challenge)

After breakfast, you begin the exciting ascent of the Barranco Wall, a steep but non-technical climb that is both thrilling and rewarding.

From the top, you are rewarded with breathtaking views of Kibo Peak and surrounding valleys. The trail then continues with ups and downs across ridges and valleys as you move closer to the summit zone.

After several hours of trekking, you arrive at Karanga Camp (4,000m). This is an important rest point before the final push to higher altitude.

You will relax, hydrate, and enjoy dinner early as your body prepares for summit preparation. Overnight at Karanga Camp.

Day 6: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp (Base for Summit Attempt)

Today you continue your ascent towards Barafu Camp (4,600m), the final base before your summit attempt.

The landscape becomes more rugged and dry, marking the transition into alpine desert conditions. The air becomes thinner, and trekking is slower but steady.

After approximately 4–5 hours, you arrive at Barafu Camp. Here, you will rest, eat an early dinner, and prepare your gear for the midnight summit attempt.

You will sleep early, as you will be woken around midnight for the final ascent to Uhuru Peak.

Day 7: Summit Day – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Gate

Around midnight, your summit journey begins under a sky full of stars.

You will climb slowly and steadily towards Stella Point (5,735m), where you will witness a breathtaking sunrise over Mount Mawenzi. From here, you continue to Uhuru Peak (5,895m)—the highest point in Africa.

After celebrating your achievement and taking photos, you begin your descent back to Barafu Camp for rest and refreshments. You then continue down through changing landscapes to Mweka Camp (3,100m).

After dinner and rest, you complete your final descent the next morning to Mweka Gate, where you receive your summit certificate:

• Green Certificate: Stella Point climbers
• Gold Certificate: Uhuru Peak climbers

From here, you are transferred back to Moshi for a hot shower, rest, and celebration of your incredible achievement.