Experience the once-in-a-lifetime achievement of climbing to the top of Africa's highest mountain - Mount Kilimanjaro.
This guided Kilimanjaro Hike takes you to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route. This is widely considered the best hiking trail on Mt Kilimanjaro. One of the main advantages of climbing Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route is the higher success rate in reaching the summit. It is also one of the most beautiful and remote routes which means you'll encounter less foot traffic along much of your Kilimanjaro hike.
Climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in a small group with a professional guide and mountain crew. A safe and affordable Kilimanjaro Hiking Tour to the Roof of Africa, including meals, camping equipment, transfers, park fees, and more.
Arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport in northern Tanzania, you will be greeted by our driver and transferred to the town of Usa River, just outside of Arusha. We spend the night before our trek at the Meru View Lodge (or similar) in Usa River. Located 23km from Arusha city, Usa River is the capital of the Meru District.
The rest of the day is free for you to do as you please - rest after your travels, prepare for your Mount Kilimanjaro climb, and enjoy the peaceful setting at the lodge with its tropical 10-acre gardens and pool. Alternatively, you can take a taxi to nearby Arusha, to explore the bustling town on the lower slopes of Mount Meru.
In the evening we meet for a preliminary talk at the lodge and do an equipment check, in preparation for our unforgettable Climb Kilimanjaro Hike.
In the morning, you will be collected from the lodge after breakfast and taken to the Lemosho Gate. The starting point of the Lesmoho Route, the Lemosho Gate sits at 2385m (7825 ft) above sea level. Arriving at the gate we register with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities. Then we begin our trek up Kilimanjaro, heading into the dense rainforests. The first part of our Kilimanjaro climb takes us up a moderately steep track through an amazing, unspoiled forest.
We walk for about two and a half hours before reaching the first overnight stop on our Kilimanjaro hike, the Big Tree Camp at 2780m (9121ft). Birds and wild animals, such as colobus monkeys, are often spotted here, so keep your eyes open.
We overnight in twin-share tents with sleeping mats, at the lovely Big Tree Camp. Single travelers are usually paired up with another group member of the same gender, sharing a tent for the duration of this guided Kilimanjaro climb.
Please note: Single tent occupancy can be arranged at extra cost if you prefer not to share a tent on your hiking tour.
Our first full day of hiking in Tanzania awaits! Today’s long hike starts on a small trail that passes through the rainforest. As we climb Kilimanjaro steadily, the forest gradually thins out, giving way to heath (scrub) and moorland vegetation where Erica and Lobelia plants start to dominate.
Then we cross Shira Ridge and continue hiking for another 4 to 5 hours before reaching Shira Camp 1. This is where we stop for lunch and a rest. Sit back and enjoy the fantastic views of Mount Meru and the Great Rift Valley of Tanzania.
After lunch, we hike for about another three hours, climbing 250m (164ft) in altitude. Trekking over ground that was once a molten lava flow, the landscape continues to change as we climb Kilimanjaro.
Shortly before we reach our next overnight camp we pass some giant succulents (senecios). These perennial succulents grow up to 9 meters (30 feet) tall! Then we reach Shira Camp 2, at 3900m (12795ft), where we spend the next night of our Climb Kilimanjaro Hike. If the weather permits, you can enjoy the beautiful views of the snow-capped Kibo summit as the sun sets at camp. Settle in at camp, put your feet up after a long day's walk and enjoy a hearty meal in nature.
On day four of our small-group Kilimanjaro Hike, we climb 700 meters closer to the summit and our goal! Our next camp is however only slightly higher than Shira Camp 2, giving your body time to acclimatize. After breakfast we climb to Lava Tower, hiking through dramatic boulder-strewn landscapes. Keep your eye on Kibo, the highest of Kilimanjaro's three volcanic cones marking the summit of the mountain.
When we reach Lava Tower, we take a break to rest and acclimatize to the higher altitude of over 4500m (14764ft). Then we hike back down to Barranco Camp. This method of climbing to a higher altitude and descending back down to a lower altitude to sleep helps your body to adjust to the changes in altitude. Sleeping on the lower ground after hiking up also gives you a sense of how your body reacts to altitudinal changes.
Today our Kilimanjaro hike takes us through changing scenery, starting with a long climb above Shira Plateau to Lava Tower. As we climb Kilimanjaro ever higher the vegetation thins out and changes to an alpine desert landscape. En route to Lava Tower, we hike through Barranco Valley with more giant senecia and lobelia plants to be seen. We hike for a total of about 6 to 7 hours to reach our next camp, Barranco Camp. This scenic, green camp offers beautiful views over the surrounding mountain peaks and is one of the most scenic camps on Kilimanjaro.
Today, many climbs and dips lie ahead on our Kilimanjaro hike. We gradually climb higher, doing plenty of ascents and descents along the way.
Shortly after we set out, we reach the famous Barranco Wall, the steepest part of the Lemsoho Route. Although no technical climbing experience is necessary, some spots do require you to use your hands to get a better grip and pull yourself up. Your guide will be close by to help keep you safe, using a safety line to secure you whenever needed.
Once we've reached the top of Barranco Wall, our Kilimanjaro climb follows the ridge of the mountain. As we walk along the ridge we take in sweeping views of the southern glacier and Kibo summit.
Then we hike through Karanga Valley and pause at the last water pitstop before reaching our next camp. We arrive at Karanga Camp at about lunchtime and enjoy a well-deserved meal and a good rest.
On day six of our Kilimanjaro climb, the Lemosho hiking trail passes through an afro-alpine desert. We hike through dry terrain where the earth crunches underfoot. Our destination for today is the rocky Barafu Camp. The final camp before our climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Excitement builds as we cover the last stretch to Barafu Camp, and our goal nears within a few hours reach.
Arriving at Barafu Camp in the afternoon we rest and relax. Then we have an early dinner and prepare for the final stretch of our Kilimanjaro climb. Stop to take in the spectacular views of Mawenzi Peak and the summit trail, before going to bed early. It will be a short sleep, waking up after a few hours to set off on the climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!
This is the day you climb to the Roof of Africa! You will be awoken at around midnight and served a hot cup of tea and a snack. Then we set off on the last stretch of our Kilimanjaro hike, to the summit.
Walking on with torchlights we climb northwest up the scree and ash paths of Kibo Peak, the highest volcanic cone of Mount Kilimanjaro. After five to seven hours of walking through the night, we arrive at Stella Point (5730m/18799ft), on the crater rim of the dormant Kibo volcano. This is a good spot to rest before climbing the last stretch. Another one to two hours of climbing along the crater rim leads us to the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5895m (19341ft). The top of Mount Kilimanjaro!
Standing at the summit of the tallest freestanding mountain in the world, you can see out for miles. We should reach the top in time to catch the sunrise from the peak. A moving and exhilarating experience! Bask in the joy of your achievement, soaking up the spectacular scenery in the warm light of dawn.
After taking a short break and numerous photographs at the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro, we begin our descent. We return to Camp Barafu just before midday, where the rest of the climbing crew is waiting for us. Tuck into a warm meal and take a well-deserved break of 1 to 2 hours, before we hike to Camp Mweka (3080m), about a three hours walk. At Camp Mweka, we enjoy a delicious dinner, followed by a very good night’s sleep.
The final leg of your Climb Kilimanjaro Hike begins after breakfast and a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain guides. This morning we take a gentle two to three-hour hike through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. The hike passes through a lush rainforest where you may see the endemic Kilimanjaro Impatiens in flower.
At Mweka Gate your driver awaits to transfer you to the comfortable safari lodge in the foothills of Mount Meru, near Arusha. Spend the rest of the day resting and enjoying the comforts of the lodge. Have a nice hot shower, take a dip in the pool, and relax in the shade. This evening we enjoy a scrumptious dinner and unwind at the bar. Time to celebrate your epic feat of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro!
After a good night's rest, enjoy breakfast at our charming lodge. Then you are transferred to the Kilimanjaro Airport, bringing your extraordinary Climb Kilimanjaro Hike in Tanzania to a close.
This small-group Kilimanjaro Hike is also available as a Private Kilimanjaro Hike for private group bookings.
|
Day |
Start |
Finish |
Altitude m |
Walking time |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Lemosho Starting Point (2385m) |
Big Tree Camp (2780m) |
↑395m |
2-3h |
Beautiful passage through thick mountain forest on a small trail with a moderate climb. |
|
2 |
Big Tree Camp (2780m) |
Shira Camp 2 (3900m) |
↑1120 |
7-8h |
Continuously rising and falling terrain above the rainforest with wonderful views of the Shira Ridge and the Kibo Summit. It's a very long trek. |
|
3 |
Shira Camp 2 (3900m) |
Barranco Camp (3960m) |
↑740m ↓680m |
6-7h |
A long trek through the heath and moorland zone with impressive vegetation on the way to the Lava Tower. |
|
4 |
Barranco Camp (3960m) |
Karanga Camp (4035m) |
↑75m |
3-4h |
A steep climb over the Barranco Wall with a rewarding view of Kibo’s southern glacier, continuously up and down. |
|
5 |
Karanga Camp (4035m) |
Barafu Camp (4640m) |
↑605m |
3-4h |
A small path through rocky alpine desert, not technically demanding. |
|
6 |
Barafu Camp (4640m) |
Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka Camp (3080m) |
↑1255m ↓2815m |
10-14h |
Very steep, long, and possibly cold climb to Stella Point. Fantastic panorama at the crater ridge and at the summit. The descent is relatively steep and long. Altitude might influence the climb. |
|
7 |
Mweka Camp (3080m) |
Mweka Gate (1630m) |
↓1450m |
2-3h |
Easy and relatively short descent with a good path through lush rainforest. |
The Lemosho Route is considered one of the best hiking routes on Kilimanjaro. It offers higher chances of reaching the summit because it is one of the longest routes which allows for more time to acclimatize. In addition to maximizing your chances of standing on the Roof of Africa, the relatively new Lemosho Route is one of the more remote hiking routes. Due to the remoteness of the route you will encounter fewer other hiking parties on this guided Kilimanjaro hike.
The Lemosho Route approaches the majestic peak of Kilimanjaro from the west. On this climb, you pass through changing landscapes and vegetation zones, with the chance of spotting animals lower on the slopes. The scenery along the Lemosho Route is dramatic and the views from different sides of Kilimanjaro are spectacular. You hike across the Shira Plateau below the Kibo ice fields, before joining the Machame Route and making the ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest summit on Kilimanjaro.
Find out more about Mount Kilimanjaro and the hiking routes up Africa's highest mountain in our blog post: Climbing Kilimanjaro.
For more details contact African Budget Safaris.
This tour does not take children.
We advocate a minimum of 14-16 years on the basis that children are more susceptible to altitude sickness.
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