Day 1: Lush Rainforests and Big Tree Camp Awaits (2100m) to (2650m)
Distance covered: 7km / 4.3mi
Approx. time taken: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Get ready to kick off your Lemosho Route adventure! After enjoying a delicious breakfast at your Moshi hotel, you’ll be picked up around 8:00 AM and head to Lemosho Gate, the starting point for trekkers on the western side of Kilimanjaro.
Our Nafika Tours team will be there to handle all the park entrance formalities, so you can relax and focus on the exciting climb ahead. Once everything is squared away, it’s time to lace up your boots and start your Kilimanjaro trek!
Your first day will be a rewarding hike through the lush rainforest. The trail eventually leads you to Big Tree Camp, a beautiful campsite named after the giant trees towering around it. Here, you’ll settle in for your first night at 2,780 meters (9,120 feet) above sea level.
Day 2: Big tree camp (2650m) to Shira 1 Camp (3610m)
Distance covered: 8.5km / 5.3mi
Approx. time taken: 7 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 2 on the Lemosho Route is a big change! You’ll leave Big Tree Camp and its giant trees behind. The hike takes you across a grassy plateau with interesting volcanic rocks. It’s no longer rainforest, but don’t worry, it’s still beautiful! You’ll climb higher today to reach Shira 1 Camp (3,650m).
The trail gets steeper in some areas, but our Nafika Tours guides will help you have a safe and fun climb. The best part? Amazing views of Kibo Peak peeking through the clouds! You’ll get this incredible view from your new home at Shira 1 Camp.
Day 3: Shira 1 Camp (3610m) to Shira 2 Camp (3850m)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 3 on the Lemosho Route treats you to amazing sights! Hike across the vast Shira Plateau with a chance to see the rare Northern Ice Fields. The climb gradually gets higher as you head to Shira 2 Camp (3,900m), helping your body adjust to the altitude for your Kilimanjaro summit push. Our Nafika Tours guides will even take you on a short acclimatization walk before you enjoy dinner under a sky full of stars at camp.
Day 4: Shira 2 camp (3850m) via Lava Tower (4600m) to Barranco Camp (3900m)
Distance covered: 10km / 6.2mi
Approx. time taken: 7 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 4 on the Lemosho Route is a tough but super cool day! Get ready for amazing views as you climb into a high-altitude desert. Imagine hiking on rocky paths with giant glaciers nearby. You’ll conquer the impressive Lava Tower (4,600m), the highest point of the day, for a yummy lunch break with breathtaking scenery. Later, you’ll trek down to Barranco Camp (3,900m) tucked away between giant cliffs in a big valley called the Great Barranco Valley
Day 5: Barranco Camp (3900m) to Karanga Camp (3995m)
Distance covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 5 on the Lemosho Route has you climbing the famous Barranco Wall. It might look scary, but it’s actually doable, and the views are incredible! You’ll hike under giant glaciers called Heim and Kersten before reaching a beautiful valley named Karanga. Get ready for amazing sights – tall glaciers on Kibo peak and awesome Mawenzi mountains all around you. After a delicious lunch at camp, chill out and get prepped for your climb to the top. If you’re feeling energetic, there’s an optional extra hike in the afternoon to help your body get used to the high altitude.
Day 6: Karanga (3995m) to Barafu Camp (4673m)
Approx. hiking time: 3 hours
Distance covered: 4 km
Habitat: Alpine desert
Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Day 6 propels you towards Barafu Camp (4,673m). Witness captivating panoramas of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks along the way. Upon arrival, savor a delicious lunch and embrace a restful afternoon in your tent. An early dinner precedes a well-deserved sleep. Gear up for summit night – alarms will sound around midnight, beckoning you towards the momentous Kilimanjaro climb you’ve been training for!
Day 7: Conquering Uhuru Peak & Descent to Millennium Camp
Approx. hiking time: 12-15 hours
Distance covered: 15 km
Barafu Camp (4673 m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) then down to Millennium Camp (3950 m)
Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included
It’s summit day! Get ready for an early wake-up (around midnight) and a light breakfast to power your climb before dawn. Hike for 4-5 hours under a magical starry sky, reaching incredible heights. See an unforgettable sunrise from Stella Point (5,756m) before conquering the highest point – Uhuru Peak (5,895m)!
Celebrate reaching the roof of Africa and take photos to remember forever. Descend to Barafu Camp for lunch and a well-deserved rest. Later, trek down to a lower camp called Millennium Camp (3,950m). Enjoy dinner, reflect on your amazing accomplishment, and get a good night’s sleep before your next adventure.
Day 8: Triumphant Descent & Farewell to Kilimanjaro
Millennium Camp (3950m) to Mweka Gate (1640m)
Approx. hiking time: 5 hours
Distance covered: 14 km
Habitat: Montane Forest
Day 8 is all about celebrating your win! Enjoy breakfast after a restful night, then conquer the final downhill trek from Millennium Camp (3,950m) all the way down to Mweka Gate (1,630m).
At the gate, you’ll receive certificates for your incredible accomplishment, and you can finally grab a refreshing drink – you climbed Kilimanjaro! Say goodbye to your awesome guides and hop in a private car that will take you back to your comfy hotel. A relaxing shower and celebrating your victory await – you did it!