Day 1. Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa

After breakfast at your hotel in Moshi town, the guide will drive you to Londorossi gate, which takes around 4 hours and then proceed to Lemosho trail starting point. The guides and porters will be there already, you will be briefed by the guides about the hike and then start the hike. You will hike through the tropical forest covering a distance of about 6km moving through an altitude between 7,742 ft. to 9,498 ft. you will reach Mti Mkubwa camp where you will have dinner and spend the night.

Day 2. Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp

After breakfast at the camp, you will hike out of the rain forest, through the heather and volcanic rocks covered with lichen beards. You will hike through several hills and crossing various rivers and streams. On this day you will cover around 8km between altitudes of 9,498 ft. to 11,500 ft. you will reach Shira camp 1 where you will spend the night. At this point, you will have a view of Kibo peak.

Day 3. Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

After breakfast, you will continue with the hike to the Shira plateau where you will take a gentle walk through the moorland zone. Along this zone you will be able to spot various wild flowers and unique senecio trees. You will move between altitudes of 11,500 ft. to 12,500 ft. covering a distance of 7km. you will reach Shira 2 camp where you will spend the night.

Day 4. Shira 2 Camp -Lava Tower to Moir Hut

After breakfast at the camp and then continue to hike east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft. tall volcanic rock formation. Then we divert from the main trail to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth. On this day you will move altitudes between 12,500 ft. to 13,580 ft. spend the night at Moir hut.

Day 5. Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp

After breakfast at the lodge, you will move out of Moir Valley with a moderately steep climb, then hike to the summit of Lent Hills before returning to the main trail. You will move through a distance of about 12km through altitudes between 13,580 ft. to 13,200 ft. The path crosses a rock field and gently undulates before reaching Buffalo Camp. This section of the trail offers great views across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro.

Day 6. Buffalo Camp to Third Cave

After breakfast at the camp, you will head up Buffalo Ridge. This route is rarely travelled and we will enjoy its mountain wilderness feel. We trek through remote valleys on to the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro until you arrive at Third Cave. You will cover a distance of 8km moving between 13,200 ft. to 12,700 ft. elevations.

Day 7. Third Cave to School Hut

After breakfast at the camp, you will climb steadily up and over the “Saddle,” which sits between Kibo and Mawenzi. Then continue on to School Hut. You will cover a distance of 5km between an Elevation 12,700 ft. to 15,600 ft. at this point, you will rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day.

Day 8. School Hut – Uhuru Peak to Mweka camp

At around 2am, you will begin hiking through the rocky area to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek and is a full day hike. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. At Gilman’s point (18,600 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep. Dinner and overnight at Mweka Camp.

Day 9. Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

After breakfast at the camp, you will continue to descend to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy and from Mweka gate, you will proceed to Mweka village where the driver guide will be waiting for you. You will cover a distance of about 10km. You will then drive back to Moshi town.