Grasping Kilimanjaro via Lemosho Route

Day 1: Arrival in Kilimanjaro International Airport

You will be greeted at the airport by our local team and transferred to Moshi in the peaceful surrounds of our pre and post trek hotel. You may choose to relax by the pool or go for a walk while we wait for the entire team to arrive. In the evening, we will meet our guides for the Kilimanjaro briefing where they’ll provide essential information about the trek to the roof of Africa. Following the briefing, we will head over to one of the local restaurants for the welcome dinner reception. After we fill our bellies with delicious food and hurt our cheeks with laughter, we head back to our hotel. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep because tomorrow is the day you set out on the adventure of a lifetime!

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Day 2: Moshi – Londorossi Gate (2100m) – Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp (2750m)

Hike Distance: 6 km

Hike Time: 3-4 hrs

After eating breakfast at the hotel, we will take a four hour bus ride from Moshi to Londorossi Park Gate (2100m). In a village near Londorossi, we will complete the entry formalities before continuing to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour in the bus). Upon arrival at the trailhead, we eat lunch, then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.

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Day 3: Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp (2750m) – Shira 1 Camp (3540m)

Hike Distance: 8 km

Hike Time: 5-6 hrs

Early morning, you will be awakened by our team with tea and coffee from the comfort of your tent. After a hefty breakfast, we continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grass, 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.

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Day 4: Shira 1 (3540m) – Shira 2 (3840m)- Moir Hut (4114m)

Hike Distance: 15 km

Hike Time: 5-7 hrs

The spectacular camp that we will be going to today is located beneath the Northern Ice Fields of Kilimanjaro. It is a gentle walk east towards Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. We then continue onwards to Moir Hut, 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.

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Day 5: Moir Hut ( 4114)- Lava Tower ( 4600)-Barranco Camp (3950m)

Hike Distance: 10 km

Hike Time: 4-6 hrs

From Moir hut, 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 4877 m. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3950 m. Here, we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you are ending the day at the same elevation as you started, today is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

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Day 6: Barranco Camp (3950m) – Karanga Camp (4235m) – Barafu Camp (4600m)

Hike Distance: 9 km

Hike Time: 8-10 hrs

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, we 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. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest well before attempting the summit that very same night. Our guide will then brief us in detail on how to prepare for the summit push. Excitement and anxiety are some of the emotions you’ll be feeling as we sit around the mess tent exchanging nervous laughs, it will be one of the most memorable nights of your life.

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Day 7: Summit Push from Barafu Camp (4600m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka (3100m)

Hike Distance: 7 km ascent & 23 km descent

Hike Time: 8 hrs ascent & 8 hours descent

This is it. This is what you’ve been training for, working for and striving for. Our guide will wake us up at around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. We will then begin our summit attempt. The route heads northwest and we will ascend over stone scree. During the ascent, many hikers feel that this is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the climb. In around 6 hours, we will reach Stella Point (5685m), located on the crater rim and you’ll be greeted by one of the most magnificent views in the world. After enjoying a breathtaking sunrise, you will continue ascending for about 2 more hours on a snow-covered trail to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment!

The hike back down to Barafu Camp takes around 3 hours. At camp, we will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, we will continue descending down to Mweka Hut (3100m). The Mweka Trail will lead us through the scree and rocks to the moorland and eventually into the rain forest. Mweka Camp (3100m) is located in the upper rain forest, so fog and rain should be expected. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain
and a well-earned sleep.

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Day 8: Mweka Camp (3100m) – Mweka Gate (1980m)

Hike Distance: 15 km

Hike Time: 4-5 hrs

Following a very well-deserved breakfast, the entire group, including our guides, chefs and porters will have a big celebration full of dancing, singing and perhaps even tears of joy! After celebrating, we will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Stella Point (5685m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving the certificates, we will descend into the Mweka village for 1 hour (3 kilometers). We will be served hot lunch at the village before heading back to our hotel in Moshi. After the most refreshing shower and a short rest, we will meet for farewell dinner and spend the rest of the night recovering and sharing stories.

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Day 9: Free Day & Farewell Dinner

Today is free for you to check out what else Tanzania has to offer! You may choose from a variety of day tours such as a safari trip or a visit to one of the Masai Villages. On the other hand, you may opt for something a little more relaxing like get a massage or relax by the pool. There are two safari options starting in Moshi, speak to our team for pricing and details.

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Day 9: Departure

Depending on your flight departure time, our local team will transport you to the airport with a lifetime worth of memories and new Grasper Family!

You did it, you summited one of the 7 world summits and stood proudly on the Roof of Africa. Now that you caught the summit bug, your only question will be… which mountain are we grasping next?!