On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our local team and transferred to your hotel in Arusha (1,400m), the bustling gateway town to Mount Kilimanjaro. Nestled at the foot of Mount Meru, Arusha is surrounded by rolling coffee plantations and framed by distant views of Africa’s highest peak.

After checking into your lodge, take the rest of the day to relax and recover from your flight. In the evening, meet your mountain guide for a comprehensive briefing on the Lemosho Route. This session will cover the climb itinerary, altitude acclimatisation, packing tips, and a final gear check to ensure you are fully prepared for the adventure ahead.

The Lemosho Route is considered one of the most scenic and well-paced trails on Kilimanjaro. Over the coming days, it will take you from lush rainforest and wild moorland to the glaciers and snow-capped summit of Uhuru Peak (5,895m).

After an early breakfast, you’ll leave Arusha for a scenic drive of about 4–5 hours (≈108 km) to the Lemosho Gate on the western slopes of Kilimanjaro. The route passes coffee estates, rolling farmland, and skirts the volcanic slopes of Mount Meru. The final stretch of track is often rough and bumpy, especially after rain—adding a touch of African adventure before your climb officially begins.

On arrival at the park gate, permits are checked and equipment weighed before porters load up for the trek. A picnic lunch is usually enjoyed here before setting off on foot. This afternoon’s walk is a gentle introduction to the mountain: a winding trail leads steadily upwards through dense montane rainforest. Expect to see exotic plants, hear birdsong, and perhaps spot blue monkeys or even buffalo in the undergrowth.

By late afternoon you reach Forest Camp (Mti Mkubwa, 2,650m), where your tents will already be pitched. After a warm drink and hearty meal prepared by the cook team, settle in for your first night under canvas on Kilimanjaro.

Your morning begins with a warm drink at your tent door, followed by breakfast prepared by the cook team. Today’s trail steadily climbs out of the rainforest and into open moorland, where giant heathers and volcanic boulders dominate the scenery. The changing vegetation signals your entry into a higher, cooler zone of Kilimanjaro.

As the ascent continues, wide views of the surrounding plains unfold behind you. Soon you step onto the expansive Shira Plateau, an ancient volcanic caldera that feels wild and remote. On clear days, Kibo’s glaciers rise ahead, while afternoon mists often swirl across the plateau, adding to its mystery.

Camp is set at Shira 1 (3,550m / 11,645ft), in the middle of the plateau. Here your crew has already pitched the tents and prepared a hot meal. As night falls, enjoy your first evening in Kilimanjaro’s high country beneath a dazzling canopy of stars.

Today is designed to aid acclimatisation while showcasing some of the most dramatic features of the Shira Plateau. After breakfast, set off across open moorland where volcanic rock formations rise from the grassy plain. The highlight of the day is a hike to the summit of Shira Cathedral, a towering buttress ringed with jagged pinnacles. From the top, the panoramic views of the plateau and distant Mount Meru are simply unforgettable.

After a picnic lunch on the trail, continue towards Shira Hut (3,840m / 12,600ft), your campsite for the night. Here, clouds often drift below the plateau rim, creating the sensation that Mount Meru is floating on a sea of white. The afternoon is free to rest, enjoy the scenery, or spend time with your trekking companions as the sun sets over the African plains.

The morning begins with a gradual ascent along broad lava ridges beneath the hanging glaciers of Kilimanjaro’s Western Breach. The views are expansive, with the rugged slopes of Kibo looming closer as you gain height.

By midday you reach the junction near the Lava Tower (4,550m / 14,930ft), a dramatic volcanic outcrop where lunch is served. This high point helps your body adjust to thinner air, following the “climb high, sleep low” principle that improves summit success rates. After a rest, the trail descends steadily into the sheltered Barranco Valley, a spectacular gorge flanked by towering cliffs and the sheer face of the famous Barranco Wall, which you will climb tomorrow.

Your campsite lies at the valley floor (3,900m / 12,795ft), with sweeping views back across the plains and up to the glaciers overhead. As the sun sets, the valley fills with golden light, offering one of the most beautiful campsites on Kilimanjaro.

This morning begins with an exciting challenge—an ascent of the Barranco Wall. The climb is more of a steady scramble than a technical climb, and your guides will lead you carefully up the rock face. At the top, you are rewarded with one of the most dramatic viewpoints on the mountain, gazing across the glaciers of Kibo’s southern icefields and the vast plains far below.

From here, the trail continues on a series of undulating ridges along the southeastern flank of Kilimanjaro. The terrain shifts to volcanic scree interspersed with hardy alpine plants and sheltered pockets of green vegetation, giving a powerful sense of wilderness at high altitude. With each step, the summit feels closer, its glaciers gleaming in the equatorial sun.

By early afternoon you descend slightly into the Karanga Valley, the last natural water source before the upper slopes. Tonight’s camp is set on the higher terraces of the valley at Karanga (4,000m / 13,125ft), with striking views towards the southern icefields. This strategic stop allows your body to acclimatise before the final push to higher camps.

Today’s stage takes you to your final high camp before the summit attempt. The trail climbs steadily on a path of compacted volcanic scree, with ever-expanding views of the summit cone looming ahead. The ascent is steep but gradual, passing through a stark and windswept landscape where vegetation is scarce, replaced by scattered rocks and dusted ridges.

By midday you arrive at Barafu Camp (4,680m / 15,350ft), perched on a narrow ridge with dramatic views of Mawenzi Peak to the east and the plains stretching endlessly to the south. After lunch, your guide may lead a short acclimatisation walk up to around 4,800m before returning to camp, following the “climb high, sleep low” principle to prepare you for the summit night ahead.

The rest of the afternoon is devoted to rest and preparation. Eat well, hydrate, and organise your gear for the night climb. An early dinner is served, followed by a very early night—your summit bid begins just after midnight.

Your summit bid begins in the dark of night. Around midnight, you set out with headlamps glowing, following a zigzagging path up steep volcanic scree. The climb is slow, steady, and demanding, with every step taken at a deliberate pole pole pace. After 5–6 hours, you reach Stella Point (5,735m / 18,815ft), just as the first light of dawn paints the sky over Mawenzi in hues of pink and gold.

For those with energy left, the journey continues for a further 1–2 hours along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895m / 19,340ft), the highest point in Africa and one of the legendary Seven Summits. Here, you stand beside the iconic summit sign, gazing across the glaciers and the vast African plains far below. This is the ultimate moment of triumph on Kilimanjaro—one you will never forget.

After photos and celebrations, descend carefully back to Barafu for refreshments. The descent continues down to Millennium Camp (3,800m / 12,470ft), where thicker air, warmer temperatures, and a hot meal welcome you after the most demanding day of the trek.

Your last morning on Kilimanjaro begins with a steady descent from Millennium Camp along a well-laid trail. The path winds down through lush montane forest, alive with the calls of tropical birds and shaded by giant ferns and fig trees. It’s a beautiful finale, with the cool, damp air a welcome contrast to the dry alpine desert of previous days. Take time to notice the rich plant life and enjoy the gradual return to civilisation.

By late morning, you arrive at Mweka Gate (1,650m / 5,415ft), where you officially sign out of the national park and receive your summit certificate—a proud reminder of your achievement. Here you reunite with your vehicle and transfer by road through rolling farmland, coffee plantations, and banana groves towards Mweka village.

From the gate, it’s a 100 km (62 mi) drive back to Arusha. On arrival, check into your lodge, where the promise of a hot shower, a cold drink, and a comfortable bed mark the perfect end to your Kilimanjaro climb.

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Arusha after the exertions of your Kilimanjaro climb. Relax in the lodge gardens, unwind by the pool, or take a short stroll into town to browse for last-minute souvenirs such as Tanzanian coffee, crafts, or colourful kitenge fabrics.

Later, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your homeward flight. As you board, reflect on the incredible achievement of standing on Uhuru Peak and conquering Africa’s highest mountain.

If you’d prefer to extend your adventure, options include a restful escape to the white-sand beaches of Zanzibar or a Tanzania safari through world-famous parks such as Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire. Your sales representative can arrange these seamlessly for you.