Lemosho – 8 days

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be greeted by a Peak Safari representative and transferred to your hotel, which is included in the rate. The hotel offers all the essentials for a comfortable stay, including cozy rooms, hot water, courteous staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening, there will be a briefing with our managers to ensure you are prepared to begin your climb.

In the morning, a guide and the mountain support crew will arrive at your hotel for a quick briefing. Afterward, you will travel by vehicle for roughly 3-4 hours to Londorossi Gate, the western entrance of Kilimanjaro National Park (2,250 m / 7,380 ft). After acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will begin the trek to the first camp: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650 m / 8,692 ft). Raincoats are essential on this day, as you will be walking through a rainforest. By the time you reach the camp, our professional mountain crew will have set up the tents and started preparing lunch. After lunch, the group will go on an acclimatization hike towards Shira 1 Camp, gaining 300 meters (984 feet) in altitude, before returning to Mti Mkubwa Camp, where a hot dinner will be served.

On this day, you will wake up early and enjoy a hearty breakfast before starting your trek. Your group will ascend to an altitude of 3,500 meters (11,483 feet), where you will be treated to stunning views of the Shira Plateau and Kibo Volcano for the first time. The trek from Mti Mkubwa Camp to the second high-altitude camp, Shira 1 Camp (3,610 meters / 11,841 feet), is relatively easy and takes about 5-6 hours. This gradual ascent helps initiate the acclimatization process, which is crucial for a successful trek. Upon reaching the camp, your team of specialists will prepare lunch, and you will have the opportunity to rest in your tent or explore the nearby area.

On this day, you will depart from Shira 1 Camp (3,610 meters / 11,843 feet) and trek towards the second high-altitude camp: Shira 2 Camp (3,850 meters / 12,628 feet). This trek is not difficult, allowing you to enjoy spectacular views of the African savannah, the unique flora of Kilimanjaro, and the surrounding area. Shira 2 Camp is the best place on the trip to see Mount Meru, the fifth highest summit in Africa and the second highest in Tanzania, weather permitting. During the trek between camps, our guides will offer the opportunity to ascend Cathedral Peak (3,872 meters / 12,703 feet), one of the highest points of the extinct Shira volcano. This hike is straightforward with no technical challenges. Besides the captivating hiking experience, reaching the summit of Cathedral Peak on a clear day offers breathtaking views down into the valley, which resembles a lost world. This view is one of our favorites in over a decade of experience on the mountain. Although the peak may be shrouded in clouds at times, there's a stellar spot for a memorable photograph. If you prefer to skip this ascent or encounter unfavorable weather, you can head directly to Shira 2 Camp. This choice doesn't impact acclimatization, as Shira 2 and Cathedral Peak are at similar elevations. Nevertheless, we wholeheartedly recommend the hike to Cathedral Peak as it is worth it. Upon arriving at Shira 2 Camp, you will have lunch and a two-hour rest. Afterward, everyone will go on an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp, featuring a 300-meter (984-foot) gain in altitude.

After breakfast, you will depart from Shira 2 Camp (3,850 meters / 12,628 feet) and make your way to the key point of the route: Lava Tower (4,600 meters / 15,088 feet). This section includes numerous ascents and descents, ultimately reaching a camp at 4,600 meters. While some parts of the trek may be challenging and cause discomfort, spending at least 1-2 hours here is crucial for successful acclimatization, so you will have lunch at Lava Tower. Following lunch, you will descend to Barranco Camp (3,900 meters / 12,795 feet), where you will encounter the famous Barranco Wall, notable for its massive size and steepness. The next day, you will climb it, but don't worry—it has a straightforward hiking trail that is not intimidating at all.

You will start the day early with a filling breakfast before beginning the hike up Barranco Wall. We recommend leaving camp as early as possible to avoid crowds from other groups that could slow you down. The hike up the wall is not difficult and takes around an hour. After the climb, you can rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano. Next, you will embark on a more challenging hike to Karanga Camp, which involves numerous ascents and descents along the way. Don't worry—our guides are experts at setting an optimal pace for the group. Upon reaching the camp, you will be offered a warm lunch. After a couple of hours of rest, you will go on an acclimatization hike towards Barafu Camp, gaining 200 meters (656 feet) in altitude before descending back to Karanga Camp.

In the morning, after a nourishing and satisfying breakfast, you will start your trek to Barafu Summit Camp. This camp serves as the launch point for the final night climb to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters / 19,336 feet) – the pinnacle of your journey. Our team will have the camp set up in advance, so upon arrival, your tents and sleeping bags will be ready, allowing you to unwind and rest. It's advisable to spend the rest of the day resting and sleeping in preparation for the night ascent.

Your group will leave Barafu Camp (4,673 meters / 15,327 feet) at night to begin the final ascent to Kilimanjaro's highest point, Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters / 19,336 feet). Although the climb is technically straightforward, the high altitude makes even normal physical activities feel strenuous. To ensure safety, each pair of climbers will be accompanied by a personal guide who will closely monitor their physical and mental well-being throughout the ascent. After reaching Uhuru Peak, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and the final destination of the Lemosho Route, you may choose to descend to the nearest glacier. You will then return to Barafu Camp for a 2-hour rest before continuing your descent to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters / 12,956 feet).

Millennium Camp is situated in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up, you'll feel the relief of being at a lower altitude and the satisfaction of having reached the summit. After a warm breakfast, you will head for the park's exit at Mweka Gate (1,640 meters / 5,379 feet). After your descent, the whole group will gather to congratulate you, and you'll have the opportunity to share your thoughts on the climb in the guestbook. Finally, you will receive your commemorative certificates in our office and be provided with a transfer back to your hotel.

Relax at the hotel before being transferred to the airport.