7-day Kilimanjaro trek: Lemosho route with summit push

Seven days through rainforest, moorland and alpine desert to stand at Uhuru Peak

A 7-day guided trek up Mount Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho route, starting from Moshi with professional mountain guides, all accommodation on the mountain, meals, water and rescue fees included. The route crosses the Shira Plateau (one of the highest plateaus on earth) before the final summit push from Barafu Camp at midnight, reaching Uhuru Peak at 4,673 meters with sunrise views across the crater rim. Children from age 14 are welcome. Pickup from Moshi is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp

• Depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate
• Complete entry formalities
• Drive to Lemosho trailhead
• Eat lunch at trailhead
• Hike through forest to Forest Camp

Day 2: Forest Camp to Shira Camp 1

• Hike out of forest to Shira Ridge
• Descend to Shira 1 camp

Day 3: Shira Camp 1 to Shira 2 to Moir Hut

• Walk east across Shira plateau
• Reach Shira 2 camp
• Continue to Moir Hut
• Explore Lent Hills for acclimatization

Day 4: Moir Hut via Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

• Hike east up ridge towards Kibo peak
• Head southeast to Lava Tower
• Stop for lunch and acclimatization
• Descend to Barranco camp

Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

• Leave Barranco and pass Barranco Wall
• Reach Karanga Valley campsite
• Continue to junction with Mweka Trail
• Ascend to Barafu Hut and camp

Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

• Wake up at 11pm for tea and snacks
• Start summit climb at midnight
• Climb steep rocks for 2-3 hours
• Cross zigzag area to crater rim
• Reach Stella Point around 6am
• Continue to Uhuru Peak for sunrise
• Rest and take photos at summit
• Descend to Barafu Camp for rest and brunch
• Descend further to Mweka Hut

Day 7: Mweka Camp to Moshi

• Descend to Mweka Park Gate
• Receive summit certificates
• Meet vehicle and drive to Moshi hotel
• Enjoy hot shower and Kilimanjaro beer

The experience

The trek starts with a 4-hour drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate, where entry formalities are completed, then another hour to the Lemosho trailhead. Day one takes you through undisturbed rainforest for 3 to 4 hours, climbing to Forest Camp at 2,650 meters. The next two days cross the Shira Plateau (a landscape of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock) as you ascend from 2,650 meters to 4,200 meters. This plateau section is one of the highest on earth and provides crucial acclimatization time before the steeper push ahead.

Days four and five move you south and east toward the summit. You'll pass the Lava Tower (the "Shark's Tooth"), descend to Barranco Camp, then climb the steep Barranco Wall and traverse the Karanga Valley before reaching Barafu Camp at 3,995 meters. The South Circuit route you follow offers views of both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks from different angles. Day six is the summit day: you wake around 11 p.m., start climbing at midnight, spend 7 to 8 hours ascending steep rocky terrain and zigzag sections to Stella Point at 5,657 meters around 6 a.m., then continue to Uhuru Peak at 4,673 meters. The sunrise from the crater rim (weather permitting) marks the highest point on the continent. After 10 to 15 minutes at the summit, you descend 3 hours back to Barafu Camp, rest and eat, then continue down to Mweka Hut. The final day is a 3 to 4 hour descent through rainforest to Mweka Park Gate, where you receive your summit certificate and a vehicle returns you to Moshi.

All accommodation is in mountain camps; professional, experienced guides lead the trek; all meals and purified water are provided; porters are treated fairly and ethically. The itinerary includes rescue fees and all guide and porter salaries. Kilimanjaro National Park fees can be added at checkout. Personal expenses, tips, and optional activities like a post-climb safari are not included.

What’s included

• All accommodation on the mountain in camps.
• professional, experienced mountain guides leading the entire trek.
• all meals while on the mountain.
• clean, purified drinking water.
• tent.
• rescue fees.
• fair and ethical treatment of porters.
• guide, porter and cook salaries.

Information

Lasts 7d, runs every day at 08:30, from US$ 1,000 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30Another time? ›

GroupUp to 1005 private ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (17 to 34 years) · Senior (35 to 80 years) · Youth (14 to 16 years) · Under 14: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Kilinge Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this trek if you're climbing with a small guided group and want the Lemosho route's gentler early days and high-altitude acclimatization: the plateau crossing and the South Circuit views make the summit push itself more achievable than steeper, faster routes.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 16 years). Children under 14 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How much elevation gain happens each day on the Lemosho route?

Day one climbs 273 meters through rainforest. Day two ascends 960 meters into moorland. Day three gains 590 meters across the Shira Plateau. Day four descends slightly to 3,940 meters for acclimatization. Day five climbs 55 meters to Barafu Camp. Day six is the summit push: ascending 678 meters to Uhuru Peak, then descending 1,573 meters to Mweka Hut. Day seven descends 1,460 meters back to the gate.

What happens on summit night, and when do you reach the top?

You wake around 11 p.m. at Barafu Camp for tea and snacks, then start climbing at midnight. The ascent takes 7 to 8 hours: steep rocky terrain for the first 2 to 3 hours, then zigzag sections to Stella Point at 5,657 meters, which you reach around 6 a.m. From there you continue to Uhuru Peak at 4,673 meters. You stay at the summit for 10 to 15 minutes for photos and views, then descend 3 hours back to Barafu Camp.

What meals and water are provided during the trek?

All meals are included on the mountain: breakfast, lunch and dinner each day. The operator provides clean, purified drinking water throughout the trek. Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food are served at each camp.

What is the Shira Plateau, and why does the route spend time there?

The Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth, reached on days two and three of the trek. It is a moorland landscape of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock, with views of Kibo's glaciered peak across the plateau. The route spends a full day exploring it and includes a variety of walks on the nearby Lent Hills, making it an excellent acclimatization opportunity before the final summit push.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the trailhead?

No. Pickup from Moshi is included. A vehicle takes you on the 4-hour drive to Londorossi Gate, then another hour to the Lemosho trailhead. On the final day, after you receive your summit certificate at Mweka Park Gate, a vehicle meets you and drives you back to your hotel in Moshi.