A remote western start through undisturbed forest and across the Shira Plateau, with a high success rate.
Lemosho starts on the remote western side of the mountain and winds through undisturbed forest before crossing the Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus on earth. It joins the Machame Route at Barranco on day four. With more days on the mountain and gradual height gain, it offers good acclimatisation and a high summit success rate. Fully catered camping throughout.
We depart Arusha for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at trailhead, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.
We continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.
We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.
After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Arusha.
| Day | Stage | Elevation | Distance | Hiking time | Habitat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa | 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft | 6 km/4 miles | 3-4 hours | Rain Forest |
| 2 | Forest Camp to Shira Camp 1 | 9,500ft to 11,500ft | 8 km | 5-6 hours | Moorland |
| 3 | Shira Camp 1 to Shira 2 to Moir Hut | 11,500ft to 13,800 ft | 14 km | 5-7 hours | Moorland |
| 4 | Moir Hut to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp | 13,800ft to 13,000ft | 7 km | 4-6 hours | Semi Desert |
| 5 | Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp | 13,000ft to 13,100ft | 5km | 4-5 hours | Alpine Desert |
| 6 | Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp | 13,100ft to 15,300ft | 4 km | 4-5 hours | Alpine Desert |
| 7 | Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut | 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft) | 5 km ascent / 12 km descent | 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent | Arctic |
| 8 | Mweka Camp to Arusha | 10,000ft to 5,400ft | 10 km | 3-4 hours | Rain Forest |
The price depends on your group size, dates and whether you add a safari or Zanzibar afterwards. Send us your dates and we will reply with a clear per-person price.
Most climbers rest their legs on a northern circuit safari or on a Zanzibar beach. We plan the whole trip as one.
The safari with Antony was amazing. We trusted him our itinerary and it was worth it. In my opinion, the best thing about it was his knowledge and how respectful he is with wildlife. It is amazing finding people that really love their job and show it.
Cristian PintoUnited Kingdom · Visited October 2024Was an interesting trip, a wonderful place and a perfect experience
Moisés RodríguezPeru · Visited January 2023We went on a 5 days Safari in Tanzania. We visit the Serengeti and Ngororo plains, around the Tarangire and Serengeti National Parks & the Ngororo crater. Big boss Antony designed an amazing programme and our guide Peter gave us a unique experience into the wild Africa. His magic eye was able to catch exotic animals, like cheetahs and rhinos, finding the perfect spot in a middle of a vast plain. My only complaint was that I had to go back to work 🤓 Miss you already, guys! What a wonderful adventure !!!
Marcela Celis AmorteguiColombia · Visited October 2025Tell us your dates, group size and any altitude experience. We will confirm the best route and send a full proposal.
Six things you can count on, whichever safari you choose.
Move your dates free of charge up to 60 days before arrival.
Park fees, taxes, private vehicle, guide and drinking water are in your price.
Airport pickup and drop-off included on every safari.
Every lodge and camp hand-picked by our team in Arusha.
Our Arusha team answers you every day of your trip, day or night.
Private vehicle and guide – no strangers, no fixed schedule.
Rated 5.0 out of 5 on SafariBookings by verified travellers. Planned and run from our base in Arusha.
| If you cancel | Cancellation charge |
|---|---|
| More than 60 days before arrival | Deposit retained, or moved to new dates within 12 months |
| 59 to 30 days before arrival | 50% of the total trip price |
| 29 to 15 days before arrival | 75% of the total trip price |
| Less than 15 days before arrival | 100% of the total trip price |
Park fees and flights already paid to third parties may be non-refundable. We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers cancellation. Full refund policy
Kilimanjaro trekThe classic hut route and the only one with dormitory beds. Includes an extra acclimatisation night at Horombo Hut.
Kilimanjaro trekThe "Whiskey" route: five climate zones, the Lava Tower and the Barranco Wall, with good acclimatisation.
Kilimanjaro trekThe only approach from the north: true wilderness early on and an extra acclimatisation day beneath Mawenzi.