Kilimanjaro, 8 day Lemosho trek

Day 1: Rivertrees Country Inn, Mount. Kilimanjaro & Arusha, Tanzania

On arrival into Kilimanjaro airport you will be met by a rep who will guide you through customs and immigration, your transfer guide will then take you to the Rivertrees Country Inn situated just outside of Arusha where you can relax in your garden facing rooms and will be briefed and given your climbing kit and enjoy an evening meal.

Accommodation Type: garden room
Travel time: 50 minute transfer from Kilimanjaro airport
Number of nights: 1

Day 2: Rivertrees Country Inn – Forest Camp (2,860m)

After breakfast you will take a private 4×4 transfer to Londorossi Gate (2,100m), you will then be driven to the head of the trail (2,250m) for your first day of trekking through the rainforest zone with wonderful wildlife spotting opportunities to arrive mid-afternoon at the Forest Camp.

Travel time: 2 hours to Londorossi gate, plus trekking time

Day 3: Forest Camp (2,860m) – Shira 1 Camp (3,560m)

Setting off through the forests of Kilimanjaro, you ascend and wind your way through the Juniper forest before reaching the Heath zone and Shira plateau. The hike starts off gently which steepens as you reach the low alpine zone. Lunch is taken on the trail and you will arrive into Shira 1 Camp at around mid-afternoon after approximately eight kilometres of hiking.

Day 4: Shira 1 Camp (3,560m) – Moir Camp (4,100m)

One of the most beautiful days on Kilimanjaro, day 3 of the Kilimanjaro trek crosses the Shira plateau affording wonderful vistas. After approximately 3-4 hours hiking there is a lunch stop, from which you ascend to Moir Camp for mid-afternoon. An afternoon hike is an optional extra for those feeling sprightly, alternatively enjoy some R&R and the serenity of Kilimanjaro. A longer day of approximately 14 kilometres hiking with some being into the high alpine zone, this is a vital day for altitude acclimatisation.

Day 5: Moir Camp (4,100m) – Barranco Camp (3,910m)

Now firmly into the realms of alpine zones of Kilimanjaro, the day begins with traversing the slopes of Kibo and adheres to the typical adage of climb high, sleep low. Hiking to the heights of 4,600m at Lava Tower, you finish the day descending to Barranco Camp. The day is typically around 10 kilometres in length.

Day 6: Barranco Camp (3,910m) – Karanga Camp (4,100m)

Typically an early start ensues as you hike the steep, but not technically demanding Barranco Wall, taking approximately two hours, before crossing the hills and glacial valleys, displaying spectacular scenery and views of glacial fields and towers. Sunset is magical from Karanga Camp.

Day 7: Karanga Camp (4,100m) – Barafu Camp (4,600m)

The final day before the attempt on Uhuru Peak, this is relatively light in preparation for the next day. The day involves approximately 4 – 5 hours of hiking, with lunch served at the camp and the afternoon for relaxation as an early start ensues the next morning to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro.

Day 8: Barafu Camp (4,600m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Mweka Camp (3,100m)

Today is the day in which you attempt the goal of your journey, reaching the highest point in Africa. Departing just before midnight means that you will hopefully reach the Uhuru Peak summit for dawn and watch as the sun breathes light across Africa. Wrapping up warm is very important as temperatures plummet as you gain in altitude, but the sense of achievement and views are like nothing else. Descending relatively quickly to 3,100m and the Mweka Camp often means that you will feel energised despite the long day (around 16 hours) as oxygen levels increase significantly.

Day 9: Mweka Camp (3,100m) – Mweka Gate (1,640m)

The final day on the mountain, after breakfast descend through the rainforest, finishing up at around midday where you will bid your team goodbye and drive back to Rivertrees Country Inn for a well-deserved shower and night’s sleep before your next adventure begins.

Travel time: approx. 3 – 4 hours descending plus 3 hours transfer time

Optional additions:

We would recommend a day’s recovery post-trek to ensure that you feel revitalised and ready to either head home, or onwards with your holiday. Contact us to discuss tailoring the trip to your requirements further. We would highly recommend either the excitement of the Ngorongoro Crater or Serengeti afterwards for safari enthusiasts, or for those seeking relaxation, head to the white sands of Zanzibar, flying out of Kilimanjaro airport.