Mountain Kilimanjaro
8 days—Climbing Africa’s Crown: Kilimanjaro in 8 Days
$1750-1900 USD
pp
Safari summary
Travel through five diverse climate zones, from lush rainforest and moorlands to alpine desert and icy summit landscapes. Led by experienced guides and supported by a professional mountain crew, you’ll take in breathtaking views, sleep in mountain camps under the stars, and challenge yourself both physically and mentally.
This 8-day route via Lemosho is ideal for adventurers seeking a well-balanced mix of scenic beauty, physical challenge, and summit success. Whether you're an experienced hiker or a determined first-timer, this climb is more than a trek—it's a personal achievement and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
About this tour
| Tour type | Custom, tailor-made, private | |
| Main focus | None | |
| Activity level | Moderate activity | |
| Best months | All months | |
| Countries | ||
| Parks |
Fine details
Safari highlights
- Walking safari—with armed guard
What’s included?
- Accommodation
- Airport transfers
- All drinks
- Meals
- Park fees
- Private vehicle and driver
What’s not included?
- Alcoholic beverages
- Hot air balloons
- Internal flights
- International flights
- Laundry
- Premium alcoholic beverages
- Spa treatments
- Tips and gratuities
- Visas
Itinerary
Londrossi Gate to Mti mkubwa Camp
After an early breakfast, your guide will meet you for a briefing before proceeding to a roughly 2-hour drive from Moshi/Arusha to Londorossi Park Gate. From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades (45 minutes). You will have a lunch stop about half way and will reach the Machame camping area in the late afternoon. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa campsite. Night temperatures can already drop to freezing point at this campsite. HABITAT: Montane Forest
Mti mkubwa Camp
Mti mkubwa Camp to Shira 2 Camp
You rise early at Mti Mkubwa camp and, after breakfast, you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. Several streams are crossed. A gentle walk across the plateau leads to Shira 2-camp on moorland meadows next to a stream. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing. Enjoy dinner and overnight. HABITAT: Moorlands
Shira Camp
Shira to Lava Tower
The route now turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m after about a 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower (4630m). This is definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability and headaches. HABITAT: Semi desert
Barranco Camp
Barranco camp to Barafu camp
After spending a night at the Great Barranco Wall, you make your way up this awesome looking obstacle. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. HABITAT: Alpine desert
Barafu Camp
Summit Day
You will rise around 23h30, and after breakfast you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. For many climbers the 6-hour walk to Stella point is mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. HABITAT: Stone scree and ice capped summit
Mweka camp
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 3-hour and scenic hike back to the Park gate. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, which is normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village you will be served a delicious hot lunch!! You now drive back to Moshi/Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations! HABITAT: Forest
Barafu Camp
Barafu Camp to Uhuru peak
The summit trek begins around midnight and is the most challenging part of the climb. You ascend in the cold and dark, stopping briefly as you push toward Stella Point. At sunrise you’ll witness breathtaking views near Mawenzi before reaching Uhuru Peak —Africa’s highest point. After celebrating at the summit, you descend to Barafu Camp for lunch, then continue down to Mweka Camp. You'll end the day with dinner and a well-earned rest in the forest zone. HABITAT: Rain forest
Mweka Camp
Mweka camp Mweka Gate
We continue the descent to Mweka Gate on our final day, where we will pick up the summit certificates. It might be muddy and wet at lower altitudes. We travel another hour to Mweka Village from the gate. We’ll be picked up by a car at Mweka Village and taken back to our Moshi hotel. HABITAT: Rain forest
no accommodation
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