8-Day Private Trek to Kilimanjaro Summit – Lemosho Route

After breakfast, you will continue your trek as the trail gradually leaves the rainforest and enters a new landscape of open savannah. Here, you will walk through tall grasses, heather-covered hills, and volcanic rocks decorated with unique lichen formations. The route gently climbs through rolling terrain, crossing small streams along the way, offering both a peaceful and scenic hiking experience. As you ascend, you will reach the Shira Ridge, where the views begin to open up dramatically. From this point, you will descend slightly across the vast Shira Plateau to arrive at Shira 1 Camp.

From the camp, you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of Kibo Peak standing proudly across the plateau, especially beautiful in the late afternoon light. Dinner will be served at camp, followed by an overnight stay at Shira 1 Camp, allowing you to rest and prepare for the next stage of your Kilimanjaro adventure.

Overnight: Shira 1 Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Today’s trek is a gentle and scenic walk heading east toward the glaciated peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, crossing the vast Shira Plateau. The trail leads you through open moorland landscapes with unique vegetation and wide views of the mountain. You will arrive at Shira 2 Camp, where you will spend the night, or continue a short distance to Moir Hut, a quieter and less-visited campsite located at the base of the Lent Hills.

In the afternoon, you may enjoy optional short walks around the Lent Hills, which provide an excellent opportunity for acclimatization and help your body adjust to higher altitude. The Shira Plateau is one of the highest in the world, offering breathtaking scenery and a true sense of wilderness.

Dinner will be served at camp, followed by an overnight stay on a full-board basis at Shira 2 Camp.

Elevation: 11,500 ft to 13,800 ft
Distance: 14 km
Hiking Time: 5–7 hours
Habitat: Moorland

Overnight: Shira 2 Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Soon after breakfast, you will begin today’s hike heading southeast toward the impressive Lava Tower area, also known as the “Shark’s Tooth.” The trail gradually ascends through a changing landscape of rocky terrain and alpine desert, offering stunning views of the surrounding peaks. After reaching the Lava Tower region, you will continue to a junction that leads toward Arrow Glacier at an altitude of about 16,000 ft, before beginning a steady descent. This “climb high, sleep low” approach is important for acclimatization and helps your body adjust to higher altitude.

You will then descend to Barranco Camp, located at about 13,000 ft, where you will enjoy a well earned rest. Upon arrival, you will have dinner and spend the night surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery.

Elevation: 13,800 ft to 13,000 ft
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 4–6 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert

Overnight: Full board at Barranco Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

After breakfast, you will leave Barranco Camp and begin today’s trek along a steep ridge, making your way up and around the famous Barranco Wall. This section is one of the most exciting parts of the climb, offering both a challenge and incredible views of the surrounding valleys and mountain peaks. After successfully crossing the wall, the trail continues with gentle ups and downs as you head toward Karanga Valley Campsite.

Today’s hike is intentionally shorter, allowing your body more time to rest and adjust to the high altitude, which is very important for a successful summit attempt. The scenery becomes more open and dramatic, with wide views of the alpine desert landscape.

Upon arrival at Karanga Camp, you will enjoy a well deserved rest, followed by dinner and an overnight stay on a full board basis.

Elevation: 13,000 ft to 13,100 ft
Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert

Overnight: Karanga Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

After breakfast, you will leave Karanga Camp and continue your trek toward a junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. From here, the path gradually climbs into the alpine desert as you make your way to Barafu Camp. Along this route, you will complete the South Circuit, a scenic section of the mountain that offers breathtaking views of the summit from different angles.

Upon arrival at Barafu Camp, you will settle in and rest as you prepare for the most important part of your journey, the summit attempt. From this high camp, you can clearly see both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks, creating a powerful and unforgettable mountain atmosphere.

In the evening, you will enjoy dinner and an early rest to prepare your body for the midnight ascent to Uhuru Peak.

Elevation: 13,100 ft to 15,300 ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Overnight: Barafu Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

At midnight (around 12:00 am), you will begin your final ascent to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. The climb continues between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, heading in a northwesterly direction. The trail is steep and covered with loose scree, making this the most physically and mentally demanding section of the entire trek. You will steadily push upward toward Stella Point on the crater rim.

At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will take a short rest and, weather permitting, witness a breathtaking sunrise over Africa an unforgettable reward for your effort. From here, you continue for about one more hour, possibly walking through snow, until you reach Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft), the highest point in Africa and on Mount Kilimanjaro. Reaching the summit is a powerful and emotional achievement, offering incredible views above the clouds.

After celebrating, you will begin your descent, where trekking poles and gaiters are helpful on the loose volcanic ground. You will continue down to Mweka Camp, located in the upper forest zone, where mist or light rain is often expected in the afternoon.

Dinner and overnight stay will be at Mweka Camp on a full board basis.

Overnight: Mweka Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

After breakfast, you will begin your final descent from the mountain, leaving Mweka Camp and heading down through the lush rainforest toward Mweka Park Gate. The trail is a steady and pleasant walk, surrounded by dense vegetation, fresh mountain air, and occasional birdlife, offering a peaceful end to your Kilimanjaro adventure.

Upon arrival at Mweka Gate, you will complete park formalities and receive your summit certificates, marking the successful completion of your climb. Your vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi, where you can relax and celebrate your achievement.

This final section of the trek is a great opportunity to reflect on your journey from rainforest to summit and back again, creating lifelong memories of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Elevation: 10,000 ft to 5,400 ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Meal Plan: Half board basis for today