Kilimanjaro Summit, 5,895m/19,340ft - Lemosho Route
Trekking Peak
Tanzania, Kilimanjaro | Trekking Peaks
- Grade:
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Strenuous
Suitable for fit individuals who have regular experience of mountain walking.
Find out more...
Strenuous
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- Duration: 12 days from the UK
- On trek: 8 days
Flight inclusive from £4160, Land only from £2895
Reach the summit of Kilimanjaro with extended acclimatisation on the mountain.
Highlights
- Trek Kilimanjaro via the longer and more scenic Lemosho Route providing excellent acclimatisation
- All park fees and meals are included in the trip price.
- Led by highly experienced local guides and we use top quality camping equipment
- First rate equipment on trek and a comfortable, characterful hotel before and after
When you stand on top of Kilimanjaro, you stand on the highest point on the African Continent. It is an extraordinary feeling to be walking on snow and ice, surrounded by huge glaciers, knowing that nearly 20,000 feet below are the hot, dusty plains of Tanzania.
Kilimanjaro is a mountain with relatively easy access – it even has its own international airport; therefore the temptation for many people is to try to fit the ascent into a one week holiday which can lead to inadequate acclimatisation. We have carefully researched the best way to increase your chances of succeeding on Kilimanjaro and offer two distinctive trips. Our Summits of Kilimanjaro & Meru trek (see separate itinerary) combines an initial trek up Tanzania’s second highest peak, Mount Meru, 4,562m/15,054ft, with a trek following the Lemosho Route to the summit of Kilimanjaro itself. The ascent of Meru provides invaluable acclimatisation prior to tackling Kilimanjaro.
This shorter Kilimanjaro Ascent trip, actually spends more time on the slopes of Kilimanjaro and still offers very good acclimatisation, giving the best chance of making it to the highest point on the African Continent. Whereas many operators expect to reach the summit on the fifth day on the mountain, we take a fairly leisurely ascent via the unspoilt, less trekked and scenic Lemosho Route which gives us a full six nights on the mountain before the final summit push on the seventh day. This longer climbing time gives a greater chance of reaching the top with fewer problems.
The Lemosho Route climbs through beautiful, peaceful forest to reach the Shira Plateau, before walking around and gradually up the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro to the high camp at Barafu. From here your final ascent will start in the early hours of the morning, and it is a long, steady climb to the crater rim at Stella Point at 5,752m/18,871ft. Once you have reached Stella Point, the gradient becomes easier for the walk up to the summit, Uhuru Peak. Standing at 5,895m/19,340ft, watching the sun rise over the African plains, as the icy glaciers and peaks of Kilimanjaro gradually come into view, is a tremendous thrill and one that will stay with you for a long time.
You may have heard that there are national park fees to pay for climbing Kilimanjaro. Please note that these are included in your trek price and there are no extras to pay on entering the national park. You will also receive a certificate to prove your summit success.
At a glance
Strenuous
Duration: 12 days from the UK
On trek: 8 days
Max. Altitude: 5,895m/19,340ft, Mt Kililmanjaro, Day 9
Guaranteed to run for a minimum of 4 clients
Maximum group size: 12
Accommodation types: Hotels, Camping
Meal arrangements: 9 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches and 9 Dinners. (Depending on flight arrival time, lunch may also be included on day 2).
Itinerary overview
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1-2 | Fly to Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer to hotel. |
| 3 | Drive to Londrossi gate, Kilimanjaro’s Lemosho Route starting point. Trek to Mukuba/Big Tree Camp. |
| 4-5 | Trek to Shira 1 Plateau and on to Shira 2 Camp. |
| 6-8 | Trek to Great Barranco Valley, Karanga Camp and on to Barafu Camp. |
| 9 | Climb via Stella Point to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro, 5,895m/19,340ft. Descend to Millenium Camp. |
| 10 | Trek to Mweka Park Gate. Drive to hotel. |
| 11-12 | At leisure. Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport and fly to London. |
Leader: Local leader, Tanzania
Our Tanzania trips are led by experienced, English-speaking local guides. In addition, whilst on Mount Meru you will also be accompanied by an armed national park ranger.
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1 - Fly London to Kilimanjaro
Today you will depart the UK for your flight to Kilimanjaro Airport.
Overnight: Overnight flight to Kilimanjaro
Day 2 - Arrive Kilimanjaro Airport. Group transfer to hotel.
You will be met on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your comfortable hotel which is situated just 30 minutes from the airport in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. You will have time for a dip in the hotel's pool or just to relax and enjoy the views of the mountain you will soon be climbing.
Overnight: Aishi Machame Hotel Or Similar
Day 3 - Drive to Londrossi gate, Kilimanjaro's Lemosho Route starting point. Trek to Mukuba/Big Tree Camp, 2,650m/8,694ft - 3-4 hours.
You will be picked up this morning for the 3 hour drive to the Londorossi Gate. The gate is set right on the edge of beautiful forest and it is here that you will meet your trek crew and porters. After signing the book it is a short drive up a muddy track, past fields of potatoes and carrots, to the start of the trek. The path sets off climbing gradually through thick forest, full of birds and black and white Colobus monkey and the more common blue monkeys. It is a 3-4 hour walk to tonight's campsite at Big Tree Camp (aka Mti Mkubwa).
Overnight: Camp
Day 4 - Trek to Shira 1 Plateau, 3,480m/11,417ft - 5 hours.
Today you set off through thick forest on a narrow trail, with the trail undulating and eventually reaching the bottom of a ridge. The vegetation gradually changes as you ascend up the shoulder of a hill, the big trees are left behind and the vegetation becomes like moorland as you reach the Shira Plateau, a vast rock strewn area. Ahead will be the first views of the snow covered peak of Kibo.
Overnight: Camp
Day 5 - Trek to Shira 2 Camp, 3,840m/12,598ft - 4 hours. Acclimatisation trek towards Lava Tower Camp.
There are a variety of routes that you can take today to reach the next campsite. All are designed to maximise your acclimatisation. The route chosen will be at the discretion of your guide. After around 3 to 4 hours of trekking you will reach the campsite at Shira 2 - one of the best places for views of Mount Meru if the weather is clear.
After lunch at camp and a couple of hours of rest, you will complete an acclimatisation hike towards Lava Tower camp giving an additional 200m of ascent today.
Overnight: Camp
Day 6 - Trek to Great Barranco Valley, 3,985m/13,074ft - 5 hours.
The route to the Great Barranco Valley is via the Lava Tower. It is a steady walk uphill, around massive lava blocks and through sparse vegetation to reach the Lava Tower 4,640m/15,223ft, a huge block on the end of a cliff. There is a cold and windswept campsite here, but you will just have a lunch stop before descending to the Great Barranco Valley. The valley is a lovely spot, with giant lobelia and senecio and the magnificent views of the Heim Glacier, Kili's southern face and the Western breach. You will also be able to view your route up the Great Barranco Wall tomorrow.
Overnight: Camp
Day 7 - Trek to Karanga Camp, 4,040m/13,254ft - 4-5 hours. Acclimatisation walk.
The start of today's trek is one of the most exciting, as you ascend the Barranco wall. This is an easy scramble, and at the top you are rewarded with views of your route ahead and the Southern Ice-fields. You descend from the wall and then climb once more, on the south-eastern flank of Kibo to reach Karanga Camp in time for lunch. This afternoon you will take a short hike out and back from the camp in order to aid acclimatisation.
Overnight: Camp
Day 8 - Trek to Barafu Camp, 4,681m/15,357ft - 4-5 hours. Acclimatisation hike.
From Karanga, the path leads upwards across volcanic scree which you follow to reach the Barafu campsite by mid-afternoon. After some time to rest and recuperate there is a further acclimatisation hike towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp, 4,800m/15/748ft, before returning to Barafu.
Overnight: Camp
Day 9 - Ascend Kilimanjaro via Stella Point, 5,895m/19,340ft - 7-8 hours. Descend to Millennium Camp, 3,820m/12,533ft - 2-4 hours.
You will set off at about midnight in order to hopefully reach the crater rim for sunrise.
The path climbs gradually before reaching a steeper section and then well-graded and seemingly unending zigzags up the main face. Your guide will advise you to walk very slowly and, if you do so, you greatly increase your chances of reaching your goal. Reaching the crater rim at Stella Point is a huge achievement and it is a great relief to know that the hardest part of the climb is now over. The final gradual trek from Stella Point to the Uhuru Summit takes about 45 minutes. The effort for this final push is well rewarded with superb 360º views of the Southern Ice-field, the Ice Cathedral, the Northern Ice-field and down into the crater and ash pit. It is well worth staying on the summit for as long as you can, before starting the descent. The walk back down the scree to the campsite is relatively quick, and you can marvel at what you have climbed a few hours previously. After a rest and lunch at Barafu, you descend for a further two hours to reach Millennium Camp at 3,820m/12,533ft.
Overnight: Camp
Day 10 - Trek to Mweka Park Gate, 1,640m/5,381ft - 4-5 hours. Drive to hotel.
Your final day on trek is down a well-maintained path, with the vegetation becoming gradually more extensive and big trees appearing for the first time since you approached the Shira Plateau on Day 4. The forest is full of tree ferns, impatiens and monkeys. After a 3-4 hour walk you reach the Mweka Park Gate at 1,640m/5,381ft and say a sad farewell to your trek crew and porters. A vehicle will meet you to drive you to your hotel and a welcome shower.
Overnight: Aishi Machame Hotel Or Similar
Day 11 - At leisure. Group transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport. Fly to London.
The morning is free for you to relax in your hotel before transferring to the airport for your afternoon flight back to London.
Overnight: In flight
Day 12 - Arrive UK.
Today you will arrive back in London.
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Day walk in this area
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From £400.00
For the majority of our holidays, a deposit payment of £400.00 per person is required to secure your place(s), however a small number of holidays require a higher deposit - please refer to the holiday itinerary for more details. If the holiday departs within 60 days, a deposit of £1,000.00 per person is required.
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What’s included
- A Local English-speaking Leader
- Good standard hotel accommodation
- All camping facilities and all meals on trek
- Camp staff to carry out all camp work
- All road transport by private vehicles
- Full board throughout
- All National Park fees
- Costs of all porterage and their insurance
- Economy class return air fares from the UK & UK Departure Tax (flight inclusive only)
- Single, timed group airport transfers on arrival and departure
- Carbon offsetting with the Ecoan Tree Planting Project (for clients taking our flight inclusive option)
- A free high-quality Mountain Kingdoms kit bag
- Opportunity to join one of our pre-trip meets in the Cotswolds
What’s not included
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Tips
Read holiday reviews by Mountain Kingdoms travellers.
Overall score: 4.8333333333333 (Based on 12 reviews)
We were cared for very well by all the guides and porters. The walk was through extraordinary vegetation and different zones as we gained height on Kilimanjaro.
The scenery was fantastic throughout the different stages and with such vast blue skies. The guides and support crew were incredible, the encouragement and help we got from them made sure there was no doubting our abilities. From our morning cups of tea, our morning tea stops in some glorious location, to the delicious food that the cook prepared and the thoughtful hot water bottles at night - this was a well organised trek. The summit morning was so worth it. Thank you so much MK.
I really liked: Impeccable service and support by the trek team, couldnt be faulted. I felt in safe hands at all times and was guided and looked after by a personal guide during the entire trip being by 20-25 years older than the other 4 ladies in my group...This was the hardest adventure ever undertaken. I wasnt sure Id make it but I returned home with just a minor cold. Highly recommended !
This trip had 2 years in the planning due to Covid delays, any concerns and questions were always handled promptly by Harry Gray at Mountain Kingdom, the flights and transfers were all arranged and the company organising the trek up Killi took care of all our requirements. The trek itself was a fabulous experience, the guides , cook and porters were brilliant, nothing was too much trouble. We had medical checks morning and evening. Summit day was a hard but unforgettable experience. A great trip.
I trekked the Lemosho Route up Mount Kilimanjaro on February 2022. It was a great experience. Mountain Kingdoms did an excellent job sorting out the arrangements, which had to be changed several times because of the Covid pandemic. On the ground in in Tanzania everything worked excellently well and the trek team did an outstanding job of looking after us, both in terms of taking very good care to get us properly acclimatised and just generally in the friendly, good-humoured way they looked after us. The trek is not for the faint-hearted and deserves its 'strenuous' rating, but with good preparation and taking account of the first-class advice from the guides we made it to the top, which gave a real sense of achievement and is something I shall remember for a long time - a high point in every sense!
Extend your holiday
- Game drives to spot giraffe, zebra and lions
- Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Manyara
- White sand beach & coral reef on Zanzibar
If the view from the summit of Kilimanjaro was not reward enough for your efforts, combine your trek some relaxation time on a thrilling wildlife safari and then chill out on the spice island of Zanzibar.