Trek Overview

As a newer route, it is more remote and arguably more beautiful, but a bit longer and slightly more expensive. It starts on the Western side of the mountain at the Londorossi Gate, which is a further drive from town, and was introduced as an alternative to the Shira route.

After beautiful forests and moorlands it crosses the Shira Plateau on day 3 to connect with the Machame Route at Lava Tower and down towards Barranco Valley via the Southern Circuit. You may be lucky enough to see buffalo, elephant and other game. Because this route can be done over a longer period of time for acclimatization, it has a higher success rate of summit.

Lemosho Glades to Big Tree Camp

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 still start our climb steadily through the forests of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree camp where you will be spending the night.

  • Elevation 2380meters to 2780meters
  • Distance: 6 km
  • Hiking Time:3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Rain Forest

Big Tree Camp to Shira 1 Camp

Our trekking continues after breakfast, following the trail leading out of the forest and into the heather zone. The land here looks like a savanna grassland with amazing view of heather bushes growing  next to each other to resist the cold weather, making the perfect spot for picnic lunch. The trek gets steeper as we approach the Shira ridge before descend to Shira 1 camp. Magnificent view of Kibo across the Shira plateau will blow your mind.

  • Elevation 2800meters to 3500meters
  • Distance: 8 km
  • Hiking Time 5-6 hours
  • Habitat: Moorland

Shira 1 to Shira 2 Campsite

Our route continues toward Shira 2 campsite after breakfast. We will use this day to explore the Shira plateau, a great exercise to help your acclimatization, as we take easy walk facing Kibo from the east across the plateau, toward Shira 2 campsite . Hot lunch will be served once we reach the camp. You will have another acclimatization walk later in the afternoon to prepare you for the summit attempt.

  • Elevation 3500meters to 3900meters
  • Distance: 7 km
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Moorland

Shira 2 to Lava Tower to Barranco Campsite

Today’s trek to Barranco campsite starts after breakfast, and our path will be towered by  Lava Tower (4600meters), which is also called the Shark’s tooth. Your lunch will be served at the Lava Tower, as you’ll spend some time at this altitude to get used to it. Then we’ll head to Barranco camp, nested at 3950m, and here you will have dinner and spend the night. Despite the fact that this day will end at the same elevation at which it begins, it is very important for acclimatization of your body for summit day.

  • Elevation 3900meters to 4600meters to 3950meters
  • Distance: 12 km
  • Hiking Time: 8-9 hours
  • Habitat: Semi-Desert

Barranco to Karanga Valley Campsite

Breakfast will be served before you head out from Barranco towards a steep ridge that follows the base of Barranco Wall toward Karanga Valley campsite. Once you get to Karanga, you will have a hot lunch, and later on acclimatization walk. Dinner will be served at the Karanga campsite before your rest for the night.

  • Elevation 3950metters to 4002meters
  • Distance: 5 km
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

You will continue trekking to Barafu, from which the view of the summit tends to be different as you shift angles. Once we reach the campsite, you can get the excellent view of the summit, but also enjoy the sight of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Dinner will be served early, and you should rest and prepare for the final ascend.

  • Elevation 4002meters to 4600meters
  • Distance: 4 km
  • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

Barafu Camp to Uhuru peak to Mweka campsite

Hiking to the summit will begin short after midnight, at around 12:30 A.M., as our path twists through heavy scree towards Stella Point at the crater rim. This part of the hike is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the ascend. Once we reach Stella Point, you will rest and refresh with warm cup of tea or coffee, accompanied by the views of the magnificent sunrise coming above Mawenzi. Going further up, you might encounter snow storm, although it is dictated by the season you are taking for the hike. The summit, Uhuru Peak – the highest point on Kilimanjaro and all of Africa, is just an hour ascend from Stella Point.

From the summit, you will start trekking down to Mweka campsite. Lunch stop will be at Barafu camp, where you can take some rest, before we continue our descend towards Mweka Campsite, which is located in the forest. Here, you will have your last dinner and overnight on the Kilimanjaro.

  • Elevation 4600meters to 5895meters (and down to 3100meters)
  • Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
  • Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
  • Habitat: Arctic

Mweka Campsite to Mweka Gate

Breakfast will be served before we begin hiking down to Mweka Gate, where you’ll receive summit certificates. Path on the lower elevations can be rather wet and muddy, so the gaiters and trekking poles might come handy. There will be a vehicle waiting at the gate to take you back to your accommodation in Moshi.

  • Elevation 3100meters to 1800meters
  • Distance: 10 km
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Rain Forest

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Cost Includes & Excludes

NOTE : If you would like to climb another route or you wish to go on safari, or have issues about variations of this itinerary, and/or select a custom date, contact us so we can arrange a private climb or safari based on your specific desire.

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