Scale Kilimanjaro on the Lemosho Route, considered the most beautiful of the seven established trails up Tanzania’s mightiest mountain. It’s no easy task, but this trip has been designed to maximise your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak at the very top – we have one of the best summit success rates of any operator here. Our eight days on the slopes is longer than most (allowing more time to acclimatise), while larger-than-normal tents, full porterage throughout and chef-prepped meals make the journey as comfortable as possible.
Why trek with us?
One of the highest summit success rates of any operator on Kilimanjaro
One guide to every two trekkers on summit day – essential for maximising your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak
Acclimitisation day built into trip to improve success rates
Larger-than-normal tents make the trek that little more comfortable
Exodus is a member of the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project, which aims to improve the working conditions of porters
We'll donate £25 to the Mountain Lioness Project for each person who books this trip
Activity Areas
Point-to-Point
Summits
Walking & Trekking
Walking & Trekking Bestsellers
Region & Country & City
Africa: Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Included in the Price
— All breakfasts, eight lunches and nine dinners
— All accommodation
— All transport and listed activities, including Kilimanjaro Park fee
— Tour leader throughout
— Arrival and departure transfers
— Kitbag to keep
Not Included In The Price
— Travel insurance
— Single accommodation (available on request, includes single tent)
— Visas or vaccinations
— Personal equipment (can be hired in advance)
Accommodation Information
— Accommodation: 2 Classic nights (hotels), 7 Simple nights (full-service camping)
— Eight days of walking, full porterage throughout
— Full moon, new moon and female crew departures available (see Dates & Prices)
— Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
— Zanzibar and safari extensions available
Map
Itinerary
Day 1 Start Arusha
The adventure begins at our much-loved hotel in Arusha, which is our home today and upon our return from Kilimanjaro. Depending on your arrival time, you may have time for a dip in the pool or to relax in the lovely gardens.
This afternoon/evening, we have a welcome briefing with the Kilimanjaro Chief Guide, which covers all aspects of the trip and includes the distribution of any hired equipment you have booked. Please also bring your passport, insurance details and air ticket details.
Accommodation: Moivaro Coffee Plantation Lodge (or similar)
Day 2 To Lemosho Gate; begin ascent to Lemosho Forest
We transfer (67mi/108km) to Lemosho entrance gate (6,890ft/2,100m) in the morning, passing between Kilimanjaro and the horseshoe-shaped volcanic crater of Mount Meru. In the short distance before reaching the Lemosho trail head gate, we drive through farmland and plantations. The last 3mi (5km) of the road to the park gate are poor quality, particularly after rain, and the drive there should be considered part of the adventure.
After completing the necessary registration formalities, we often have lunch in the designated tourist shelter before starting our walk. It is an easy day of walking up a small path through lush forest and an area with a variety of wildlife, including buffalos. We camp at Lemosho Forest camp (8,695ft/2,650m).
Accommodation: Full-service camping
Day 3 Explore Shira Plateau; camp at Shira One
This morning begins, as all do on the trail, with hot tea brought to your tent – a very welcome wake-up. Today’s hike starts in lush montane forest before ascending into a moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily with views across the plains, opening out as we reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. There is a tangible sense of wilderness here, especially if the afternoon mists cloak the landscape. We camp in the centre of the plateau at Shira One (11,645ft/3,550m).
Accommodation: Full-service camping
Day 4 Walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral to camp at Shira Hut
Enjoy a day to help acclimatisation and explore the grassy moorland and volcanic rock formations of the plateau. We walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral, a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles. The views from our camp near Shira Hut (12,600ft/3,840m) of Mount Meru floating on the clouds are unforgettable. The afternoon is free to relax, enjoying those views and getting to know each other even better.
Accommodation: Full-service camping
Day 5 Descend to camp at Great Barranco valley
We have a morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, walking on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near the Lava Tower junction (14,930ft/4,550m), we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (12,795ft/3,900m), sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below, including the Barranco Wall, which we tackle tomorrow.
Accommodation: Full-service camping
Day 6 Over the Barranco Wall to Karanga
A short, steep scramble up the famed Barranco Wall provides us with a different challenge and leads us to an undulating trail on the southeastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the southern icefields. The terrain changes to volcanic scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and a powerful sense of mountain wilderness.
Our next camp is at Karanga (13,125ft/4,000m), a short distance away. The valley floor has the last water point on the approach to Barafu and we camp on the higher sides of the valley with views towards the glaciers of the southern icefields.
Accommodation: Full-service camping
Day 7 Steep ascent to Barafu campsite
The trail follows a path on compacted scree with wide views ahead including the Barafu Ridge, where our camp lies. The trail climbs to reach the Barafu campsite (15,090ft/4,600m) for lunch, after which there is a short acclimatisation walk to the plateau at the bottom of the southeast valley (15,750ft/4,800m). The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent and includes a very early night.
Accommodation: Full-service camping
Day 8 Reach Stella Point for sunrise; to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa; descend to Millennium Camp
We start our ascent around midnight so we can reach the crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zigzags and a slow but steady pace takes us to Stella Point (18,815ft/5,735m) in about five or six hours. We rest there for a short time to enjoy sunrise over Mawenzi.
Those who are still feeling strong can make the two-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (19,340ft/5,895m) – congratulations, you’ve made it! Standing at the highest point in Africa, taking your photo at the Uhuru Peak sign and knowing you have climbed one of the Seven Summits is a moment that will stay with you forever!
The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast; after some refreshments, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite (12,470ft/3,800m) at Millennium Camp.
Accommodation: Full-service camping
Day 9 To Mweka Gate; transfer to Arusha
Today is a sustained descent on a well-constructed path through lovely tropical forest alive with birdsong and lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest. Our route winds down to the national park gate at Mweka (5,415ft/1,650m) where we meet our vehicle and drive through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village. The shower, beer and swimming pool are tantalisingly close! We return by bus (62mi/100km) to Arusha.
Accommodation: Moivaro Coffee Plantation Lodge (or similar)
Day 10 End Arusha
Spend this morning resting in the hotel garden by the pool or exploring Arusha for souvenirs if you have time before your flight home.
Alternatively, if you’d like to recuperate after climbing Kili, speak to your sales representative to book a relaxing break on idyllic Zanzibar or an unforgettable safari adventure encompassing three different national parks.
