Kilimanjaro Climb

Climb Kilimanjaro (5,895 m), the highest mountain in Africa, via the Lemosho route, one of its most scenic trails.

  • 10 days
Duration
10 days
Group size
Unlimited
Country
Tanzania

Kilimanjaro Climb Overview

Climb Kilimanjaro (5,895 m), the highest mountain in Africa, via the Lemosho route, one of its most scenic trails.

Climb Kilimanjaro (5,895 m), the highest mountain in Africa, via the Lemosho route, one of its most scenic trails.

There are seven official trekking routes up Kilimanjaro. The Machame route is widely considered the most scenic, and the Lemosho route is now considered equally beautiful. As one of the newer routes, Lemosho offers fine scenery, fewer crowds and a high summit success rate.

The route approaches Kilimanjaro from the west, with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. The climb begins at Lemosho Glades (2,100 m) in the forest zone and continues steeply into the heather and moorland zone. For the first two days, the trek passes through the rainforest to the Shira Ridge. The trail then crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east on a gentle path and joins the Machame route at Lava Tower. From there, the route descends towards the Barranco Valley through the alpine desert zone and crosses the Barranco Wall. The summit attempt starts from Barafu early in the morning and continues to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) for the sunrise view. After the summit, the descent follows the Mweka route.

The climb of Kilimanjaro should not be underestimated. You need to be both physically and mentally prepared to reach the summit safely.

Key highlights of the Kilimanjaro Climb

Itinerary

  1. Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transfer to Moshi. Pre-climb briefing on the trek.

    Altitude
    890 m (2,920 ft)
    On foot
    None, arrival day
    Night in
    Hotel, Moshi
    Meals
    Dinner

  2. Start the climb at Lemosho Glades (2100m) and walk through the forest zone.

    Altitude
    2,780 m (9,120 ft)+1,890 m
    On foot
    7 km, 3–4 hrs
    Night in
    Tented camp, Mti Mkubwa Camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Continue through the forest, climbing steeply into the heather and moorland zone, crossing the Shira Ridge and descending onto the Shira Plateau.

    Altitude
    3,500 m (11,480 ft)+720 m
    On foot
    7–8 km, 4–5 hrs
    Night in
    Tented camp, Shira One Camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. A slow-paced hike across the Shira Plateau through the heather and moorland.

    Altitude
    3,900 m (12,800 ft)+400 m
    On foot
    6 km, 3–5 hrs
    Night in
    Tented camp, Shira Two Camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Continue through the heather and moorland, crossing scree slopes and a river valley.

    Altitude
    3,960 m (12,990 ft)+60 m
    On foot
    10 km, 7–8 hrs
    Night in
    Tented camp, Barranco Camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. This is an additional day for acclimatisation. You enter the alpine desert zone and climb the steep Barranco Wall.

    Altitude
    4,035 m (13,240 ft)+75 m
    On foot
    6 km, 3–5 hrs
    Night in
    Tented camp, Karanga Camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. A short trek over compacted scree and steep sections of rocky slabs through the alpine desert.

    Altitude
    4,650 m (15,260 ft)+615 m
    On foot
    4 km, 3–4 hrs
    Night in
    Tented camp, Barafu Camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Start for the summit at around midnight, climbing to Stella Point (5740m) and then continuing to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Descend via Barafu Campsite and then into the heather and moorland.

    Altitude
    5,895 m (19,340 ft) at Uhuru Peak+1,245 m
    On foot
    19 km, 13–15 hrs
    Night in
    Tented camp, Mweka Camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Continue the descent through the forest zone of the mountain to Mweka Gate (1680m). Transfer to Moshi.

    Altitude
    890 m (2,920 ft)−5,005 m
    On foot
    10 km, 3–4 hrs
    Night in
    Hotel, Moshi
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Check out. Our services end here. Optional: continue on a safari or transfer to the airport.

    Altitude
    890 m (2,920 ft)
    On foot
    None, departure day
    Night in
    No overnight
    Meals
    Breakfast

What's included

  • 2 nights’ accommodation in Moshi on a half-board, shared basis
  • Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA) conservation fees (entry fees)
  • Kilimanjaro National Park compulsory rescue fees
  • Kilimanjaro National Park camping fees
  • KINAPA-trained and certified English-speaking guide(s)
  • KINAPA-trained and certified porters (1 porter per person for personal mountain luggage of 15kg max.)
  • KINAPA-trained and certified cook, with utensils, cutlery, crockery and so on
  • All meals on the mountain on a full-board basis
  • Additional day for acclimatisation
  • Camping chairs, tables and dining tent
  • Three- or four-season light dome tent, shared between two travellers
  • 1 transfer from Moshi to the park gates per group
  • 1 transfer from the park gates to Moshi per group
  • Safe and luggage storage at the lodge in Moshi while you are on the trek
  • Boiled drinking water on the trek, plus 1.5 litres of bottled water per person per day at Mountain Inn
  • Basic first aid kit per group
  • 1 group transfer from JRO to Moshi
  • Personal mountain equipment: sleeping bag, sleeping mattress and duffel bag

Not included

  • Tips and gratuities
  • Additional transfers from the park gates to Moshi
  • Extra nights’ accommodation at Mountain Inn
  • Personal mountain equipment such as sleeping bags, walking poles, mattresses, duffel bags and so on (please ask for prices)
  • Specialised trekking equipment such as oxygen cylinders (please ask for prices)
  • Flying Doctors emergency evacuation membership
  • Drinks such as soft drinks and alcohol
  • Metal water bottles, water bladders and so on (please note: soft plastics are not permitted on the mountain)
  • Personal expenses

Photos

A look at the trail, the villages and the mountains.

Reviews

Exceptional5.0 out of 5Reviews from Tripadvisor
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Showing 10 reviews from 901 on Tripadvisor

Spiritual-Adventure

August 2024, Tripadvisor

If you are seeking an adventurous trek combined with a spiritual experience, look no further than EarthBound Expeditions. This incredible team offers not just an adventure but a journey filled with personal care, daily health checkups, safe travels, and freshly cooked meals that cater to your needs. Their passion, positivity, and genuine love for what they do shine through every aspect of your journey, making it truly unforgettable. With EarthBound Expeditions, you are not just booking a trip; you are immersing yourself in an experience that blends adventure, spirituality, and heartfelt hospitality in a way that only they can provide.

Reena TRead on Tripadvisor

Spiritual-Adventure

August 2024, Tripadvisor

If you are seeking an adventurous trek combined with a spiritual experience, look no further than EarthBound Expeditions. This incredible team offers not just an adventure but a journey filled with personal care, daily health checkups, safe travels, and freshly cooked meals that cater to your needs. Their passion, positivity, and genuine love for what they do shine through every aspect of your journey, making it truly unforgettable. With EarthBound Expeditions, you are not just booking a trip; you are immersing yourself in an experience that blends adventure, spirituality, and heartfelt hospitality in a way that only they can provide.

Reena TRead on Tripadvisor

A unique experience of spiritual combined with adventure.

August 2024, Tripadvisor

Rajan Ji, I'm writing to personally thank you & your wonderful team for the once in a lifetime spiritual & adventure experience during Kailash Manasarowar parikrama. Your leadership and management style, good humour & positive spirits in difficult situations, your knowledge, passion and pride in your work and your country is inspiring. All the very best for the future. I look forward to other trips with you in the coming years. All the best. Amit

AmitNamjoshiRead on Tripadvisor

A unique experience of spiritual combined with adventure.

August 2024, Tripadvisor

Rajan Ji, I'm writing to personally thank you & your wonderful team for the once in a lifetime spiritual & adventure experience during Kailash Manasarowar parikrama. Your leadership and management style, good humour & positive spirits in difficult situations, your knowledge, passion and pride in your work and your country is inspiring. All the very best for the future. I look forward to other trips with you in the coming years. All the best. Amit

AmitNamjoshiRead on Tripadvisor

Excellent service| Hassle free journey

July 2024, Tripadvisor

My Manasarovar and Mt.Kailash trip with Earthbound was a great experience overall. I was very pleased with the hospitality and flexibility and care the team took towards accommodating all the guests and making sure all of us maintained good health throughout the journey. It was very important in such a trip to eat well and take care of health at high altitudes and Earthbound team is experienced and took very good care of all the essentials. They were patient in addressing all our concerns and always had a smile. Overall, they serviced us with all heart and would love to go back on another expedition with them!

V.DuggiColoradoRead on Tripadvisor

Excellent service| Hassle free journey

July 2024, Tripadvisor

My Manasarovar and Mt.Kailash trip with Earthbound was a great experience overall. I was very pleased with the hospitality and flexibility and care the team took towards accommodating all the guests and making sure all of us maintained good health throughout the journey. It was very important in such a trip to eat well and take care of health at high altitudes and Earthbound team is experienced and took very good care of all the essentials. They were patient in addressing all our concerns and always had a smile. Overall, they serviced us with all heart and would love to go back on another expedition with them!

V.DuggiColoradoRead on Tripadvisor

Best travel agency

July 2024, Tripadvisor

Rajan ji and his team are excellent in taking care of yatris. The room service during the parikrama was exceptional. The way they took care of team by not getting wet and made sure that everyone wore cap and jacket all the time. I highly recommend this travel agency as the best customer centric one. Rajan ji is very flexible and made a custom travel/ itinerary according to the individual requirements.

Rani PRead on Tripadvisor

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