Lemosho / Shira Route – 7 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing

You’ll be picked up from your Moshi hotel for the drive to Londrossi Park Gate. This little wooden village is where you’ll begin your trek. Columbus monkeys are common along with the beginning of your trail through the rainforest. There are sometimes larger wildlife residents in the area, so you may be accompanied by an armed ranger in case there are buffalo or elephants nearby. Your first camp Mti Mkubwa is on the edge of the forest, so there could be wildlife sightings here as well.

Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (2,650m / 8,694’)
Distance: 2 to 3 hours, 6 km, 820m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

As the rainforest fades into moorland you’ll experience sweeping views, especially as you climb up the dramatic Shira Ridge. You’ll trek through the heather and across some streams before arriving at Shira 1 Camp in the meadow.

Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,500m / 11,482’)
Distance: 4 to 5 hours, 8 km, 850m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

You’ll have plenty of time today to cross the plateau to Shira 2 camp. From here you’ll be able to explore the area or take in the views and relax at camp. This rest day will help you acclimate to the altitude before you continue higher.

Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,810m / 12,500’)
Distance: 4 to 5 hours, 8 km, 310m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

You will be hiking out of the valley and up to the Lava Tower today. This volcanic rock outcropping is shaped like a shark’s tooth, and you have the choice to scramble up it. Today you’ll be climbing to a higher altitude before descending again to camp for the night at Barranco Camp.

Overnight Location: Camping in Mount Kilimanjaro (3,900m / 12,795’)
Distance: 5 to 6 hours, 8 km, 90m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Today you’ll be hiking up the imposing Barranco Wall. This will be good practice for the challenging ascent to the summit. From the top, you’ll have views clear into the Karanga Valley, which you’ll be trekking across before camping for the night.

Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,995m / 13,160’)
Distance: 3 to 4 hours, 5 km, 95m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

As you hike through the alpine desert this morning, you’ll have completed the South Circuit of the peak and seen it from many different angles. You won’t have a lot of ground to cover before you arrive at Barafu Camp for an early dinner. Head to bed early in preparation for tomorrow’s long day.

Overnight Location: Camping in Mount Kilimanjaro (4,673m / 15,331’)
Distance: 3 to 4 hours, 4 km, 650m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

It will still be dark out when your trek begins around midnight. You’ll have to dig deep through this challenging section of heavy scree and steep ascent. After you cross between Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers you’ll begin climbing up to Stella Pont. Here you’ll have a break to take in a magnificent sunrise before you attempt the summit. It’s about another hour through the snow to reach the peak.

Congratulations! You’ve reached the highest point in Africa, and the views will be incredible. Take a moment to celebrate your success before beginning the trek back down. You still have a long day ahead of you, as you’ll have to hike down to a safer altitude before you can camp for the night at Mweka Camp.

Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3100m / 10,170’)
Distance: 10 to 13 hours, 16 km, 1195m of ascent, and 2795m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

You’ll appreciate the warmer temperature and how much easier it is to breathe as you descend back into the rainforest. Upon your arrival at Mweka Gate, you’ll receive your summit certificate, and your driver will meet you to take you back to Moshi.

Overnight Location: Hotel in Moshi
Distance: 3 to 4 hours, 10 km, 1410m of descent
Meals: Breakfast

Today, after a good night’s sleep, you’ll head to the airport for your departure flight. Goodbye, Kilimanjaro!

Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast