Africa Prime Experiences | Luxury Safaris

Duration 10 Days

Difficulty Challenging

Style Private

Location Tanzania

Overview

The Experience

What this journey is about and what you can expect.

Experience the ultimate Kilimanjaro adventure with this comprehensive 10-day trek on the scenic Lemosho Route, widely regarded as the most beautiful path to the Roof of Africa. Your journey begins with a relaxed arrival in Moshi, allowing time to explore the town or unwind by the pool before a detailed pre-trek briefing. Over the following eight days, you'll traverse an incredible range of ecosystems, from lush rainforests and sprawling moorlands to the stark alpine desert of the Shira Plateau. The itinerary masterfully incorporates ample acclimatization time, including a traverse via the iconic Lava Tower and the thrilling climb up the Great Barranco Wall. The expedition culminates in a midnight ascent to Uhuru Peak, where you'll witness a sunrise over the legendary glaciers, followed by a celebratory descent through the rainforest. After a final night of celebration in Moshi, you'll depart with your well-earned summit certificate, having conquered Africa's highest peak, with opportunities to extend your journey to Tanzania's world-class safari destinations or the spice island of Zanzibar.

Route Map

See the route at a glance before diving into each day.

Journey

Day by Day Itinerary

A clear day-by-day breakdown so you know what to expect from start to finish.

Day 1

Arrive in Kilimanjaro

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. The rest of your day will be free; you might want to explore the small and pretty town of Moshi, or you can just relax by the pool. Later on, our operations team and your mountain guide will meet with you and give you a thorough briefing in preparation for your trek. There will be an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear.

Stay: Kibo Palace Hotel

Day 2

Lemosho Gate (2,385m) → Big Tree Camp (2,780m)

You will be picked up at your hotel at around 08:00am and transferred to the Lemosho gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. After the registration process you will start your climb steadily through the forests of the Lemosho Glades to reach Big Tree Camp where you will be spending the night.
Distance covered: 7 km / 4.3 mi
Approx. Time taken: 4 hours

Stay: Mti Mkubwa camp

Day 3

Big Tree Camp (2,780m) → Shira 1 Camp (3,500m)

Today you will trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. Our destination for today is the Shira 1 Camp, from where there are often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds. We gain a reasonable amount of altitude today and parts of the route are fairly steep.
Distance covered: 8.5 km / 5.3 mi
Approx. Time taken: 7 hours

Stay: Shira Camp

Day 4

Shira 1 Camp (3,500m) → Shira 2 Camp (3,900m)

Today you will get the chance to view the Northern Ice Fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. Our steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will help with acclimatization and we enjoy great panoramic views. In the afternoon you will take an acclimatization walk then head back to camp for dinner and overnight.
Distance covered: 8 km / 5 mi
Approx. Time taken: 5 hours

Stay: Shira 2 camp

Day 5

Shira 2 Camp (3,900m) → Barranco Camp (3,960m)

Your trek starts with an ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking into the climatic zone of the upland desert and on the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. You will reach the distinct pinnacle of the Lava Tower (4,640m), our high point for the day and a great place to enjoy your lunch. In the afternoon we make a steep descent to our camp for the night, located at the base of the Great Barranco Valley (3,960m), sheltered by towering cliffs but with extensive views of the plains below.
Distance covered: 10 km / 6.2 mi
Approx. Time taken: 7 hours

Stay: Barranco camp

Day 6

Barranco Camp (3,960m) → Karanga Camp (3,963m)

Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the south-eastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga Valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga Valley to our night’s camp at Karanga Camp, set at 3,963m. For those feeling strong, we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4,200m before descending back to camp for the night.
Distance covered: 5.5 km / 3.4 mi
Approx. Time taken: 5 hours

Stay: Karanga Camp

Day 7

Karanga Camp (3,963m) → Barafu Camp (4,640m)

After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu Camp at 4,640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arrival at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up between 11pm and 12am to start the climb to the summit.
Distance covered: 3 km
Approx. Time taken: 3 hours

Stay: Barafu Camp

Day 8

Barafu Camp (4,640m) → Uhuru Peak (5,895m) → Millennium Camp (3,790m)

We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5,739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi Peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5,895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Distance covered: 13.4 km / 8.3 mi
Approx. Time taken: 12–15 hours

Stay: Millenium Camp

Day 9

Millennium Camp (3,790m) → Mweka Gate (1,630m)

A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower (and a cold beer or two!) before our big celebration.
Distance covered: 12.1 km / 7.5 mi
Approx. Time taken: 6 hours

Stay: Kibo Palace Hotel

Day 10

Depart Kilimanjaro

The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
We also welcome you to spare an hour of your day to plant a tree, as part of our environmental conservation efforts in the Kilimanjaro region. Safari and Zanzibar add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania.

End of Itinerary

What's covered

Included & Excluded

Know exactly what's part of your package so you can plan and budget with confidence.

Included

Airport transfers
Professional mountain guides, cooks & porters
All park fees & permits
Accommodation as listed
All meals on the mountain
Rescue & safety equipment
Pre-trek briefing
Summit certificate
Fair porter treatment policy
Tipping ceremony organization

Excluded

International flights
Visa fees
Travel insurance
Personal trekking gear
Tips for mountain crew
Alcoholic drinks
Optional activities
Safari/Zanzibar extensions

Investment

2025/2026 Rates

Prices are quoted in USD per person sharing, based on group size. No hidden fees.

Group Size	Mid-Range
2 Travelers	$3,258
4 Travelers	$3,095
6 Travelers	$2,932
8 Travelers	$2,867
10 Travelers	$2,769

FAQs

Quick answers to common questions about this trip.

What is the Lemosho Route?

The Lemosho Route is one of the most beautiful and less-traveled paths on Mount Kilimanjaro. Known for its breathtaking scenery and quieter trails, it takes climbers through lush rainforest, heath, moorland, and alpine desert before reaching the summit. Its longer itinerary makes it one of the best options for acclimatization.

How long does it take?

Typically 7–8 days, covering about 70 km (43 miles) from start to finish. The extra days give climbers more time to adjust to the altitude, greatly improving summit success.

How difficult is the Lemosho Route?

It is rated moderate to challenging. The route's gradual ascent and extended duration make it more manageable than some shorter, steeper routes—but trekkers still need good physical fitness and preparation.

Why choose the Lemosho Route?

For better acclimatization, breathtaking scenery, and a quieter, less crowded trek.

Where is Mount Kilimanjaro located?

Mount Kilimanjaro is situated in northern Tanzania, near the Kenyan border, within Kilimanjaro National Park.

Do I need technical climbing skills to summit Kilimanjaro?

No. Kilimanjaro is a non-technical climb, meaning no ropes or specialized climbing gear are required. However, good physical fitness and proper acclimatization are crucial to reach the summit successfully.

What happens if some members need to turn back before the summit?

No one is forced to go on. There is always enough staff to split the group accordingly to needs and regroup later at the camp. Most people have no trouble reaching the highest campsite. If some members decide not to climb the final distance to the peak or cannot proceed at any point in time, they can wait for the other group climbers to come back, or can go down with a guide following the same way, or take a lateral path to the descent route.

Can I hike Mount Kilimanjaro without a tour company?

No, you need a tour company when hiking Mt Kilimanjaro, because the minimum number of days to hike Mt Kilimanjaro is 5 days. During this time you need food, water, and someone to guide you and carry some of your needs (items/materials). All these services are provided by a tour company. The regulation was established to guide this activity and therefore TANAPA deals with Tanzania-registered tour companies when doing all climbing arrangements and not natural individuals.

Is airport transfer included?

Yes, we provide complimentary pick-up and drop-off from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK) for all our package bookings.

Do I need a Visa for Tanzania?

Most travelers need a visa. You can obtain an E-Visa online beforehand or a Visa on Arrival ($50 USD or $100 USD for US citizens). Please check your specific country requirements.

What about dietary requirements?

We cater to all dietary needs including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and halal. Please inform us at the time of booking so our chefs can prepare accordingly.

Preparation

Free Guide

Kilimanjaro Gear Guide

Summit success depends on the right gear. Download our comprehensive trekking equipment list.

Download Gear List

10 Days Lemosho Route Climb