Safari Itinerary · Tanzania · Northern Circuit Safari
7 Day Kilimanjaro Climb via Lemosho Route
From $5,800 per person
This seven-day trek takes you up Africa’s highest mountain on the Lemosho Route. You start in Arusha. You enter the park at Londorossi Gate and walk through rainforest on a quiet western trail. You cross the Shira Plateau, pass Lava Tower and Barranco Wall, and summit Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters. You descend to Mweka Gate.
Your mountain guides set the pace each day. Slow walking helps your body adjust to altitude. A team of assistant guides, cooks and porters carries your gear and prepares your meals.
Duration: 7 days
Route: Londorossi Gate, Mti Mkubwa Camp, Shira 1 Camp, Shira 2 Camp, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp, Uhuru Peak, Mweka Camp
Your stay: Mountain tents
Airport and hotel transfers: Included
Summit altitude: 5,895 meters
About this itinerary
The Lemosho Route is one of the most scenic trails on Kilimanjaro. It starts on the quiet western side, where few climbers walk. You may see buffalo, elephants and colobus monkeys in the forest. The trail gives you slow, steady height gain across the Shira Plateau. This helps your body adjust before the steep sections.
Seven days is the shortest Lemosho option. An eight-day version adds one more night on the plateau and improves your odds of reaching the summit. Ask your specialist if you want it. Your guides check your health twice a day and adjust the plan when needed. No summit is guaranteed.
Best suited to: hikers, first-time climbers, photographers, couples, friends and private groups.
Itinerary
Each day gives you time to walk, rest and adjust to the altitude.
Arrival in Arusha
Arrive in Arusha, Tanzania’s safari gateway, where your Realm Tanzania Adventures team will welcome you.
Depending on your arrival time, you will have time to rest at your accommodation or enjoy a relaxed introduction to the city.
Your safari guide will meet you for a briefing and go through the journey ahead, including the route, game-drive expectations and practical details.
Overnight:
Arusha
Day 2
Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp
Climb out of the forest into heather and moorland. The trail is steady and the views open across the Shira Plateau. Eat lunch on the trail. Arrive at Shira 1 Camp by mid afternoon. Rest, drink water and watch the sun set over the clouds.
Walking time: 5 to 6 hours
Distance: 8 km
Altitude: 2,750 m to 3,500 m
Overnight: Shira 1 Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3
Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
Walk east across the plateau. The path is gentle and the land is open. Mount Meru stands clear on the horizon in good weather. Reach Shira 2 Camp in time for lunch. Take a short afternoon walk to help your body adjust. Return to camp for dinner.
Walking time: 4 to 5 hours
Distance: 7 km
Altitude: 3,500 m to 3,850 m
Overnight: Shira 2 Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4
Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
Climb to Lava Tower at 4,630 meters. Eat lunch near the tower. Then descend to Barranco Valley. This climb high and sleep low day is key to your acclimatization. Giant groundsels grow in the valley. Barranco Wall rises above your tent.
Walking time: 6 to 7 hours
Distance: 10 km
Altitude: 3,850 m to 4,630 m to 3,950 m
Overnight: Barranco Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5
Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
Climb the Barranco Wall after breakfast. Use your hands in a few steep sections. Your guide leads you through each step. At the top, the trail rolls across valleys to Karanga Camp, where you eat lunch. Continue to Barafu Camp. The land is rock and dust. Eat an early dinner and sleep for a few hours. Your guide wakes you near midnight with hot tea and biscuits.
Walking time: 7 to 8 hours
Distance: 9 km
Altitude: 3,950 m to 4,673 m
Overnight: Barafu Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6
Summit Day, Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Start the summit climb around midnight. Walk slowly in the dark on a steep, zigzag trail. It is cold and the air is thin. Reach Stella Point at about sunrise. Continue 45 to 60 minutes along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak. Take photos and begin the descent. Rest at Barafu for breakfast, then continue down to Mweka Camp.
Walking time: 12 to 15 hours
Distance: 19 km
Altitude: 4,673 m to 5,895 m to 3,100 m
Overnight: Mweka Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and Return to Arusha
Walk down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. The trail is steep and can be slippery. Collect your summit certificate at the gate. Your driver takes you back to your hotel in Arusha. Hot showers and a proper meal wait for you.
Walking time: 3 to 4 hours
Distance: 10 km
Altitude: 3,100 m to 1,640 m
End of climb: Arusha
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
The complete package
Everything included.
STAY
Mountain camps
6 nights in private mountain tents. Full board.
ARUSHA
1 night before the climb in a selected hotel is recommended and is added on request.
Experiences
Rainforest
Walk through moss-covered trees and look for monkeys and birds.
Shira Plateau
Cross open moorland with wide views toward Mount Meru.
Lava Tower and Barranco Wall
Climb to 4,630 meters for acclimatization, then scale a steep rock section.
Uhuru Peak
Reach the highest point in Africa at sunrise.
Travel
Hotel pickup and drop off in Arusha.
Licensed mountain guide and assistant guides.
Cook, porters and camp crew.
Experienced local driver-guide throughout your journey.
Speak to a safari specialist
Let's plan your journey.
From your first enquiry to the day you come home, one named safari specialist looks after every detail. A safari specialist will be in touch within as little as 15 minutes during working hours
Everything included
A clear overview of what your climb package covers. Your final proposal lists the exact accommodation, equipment and transport arrangements.
Transport
Private transfer from Arusha to Londorossi Gate and back from Mweka Gate.
Accommodation
Six nights in mountain tents, as listed in your confirmed itinerary.
Meals
Meals are provided according to the meal plan shown in your confirmed itinerary.
Park Fees
Kilimanjaro National Park entry, camping and rescue fees for the confirmed route.
Usually excluded: international flights, visas, travel insurance, personal purchases, tips and items not listed in your confirmed proposal.