Journey Overview & Trip Highlights

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At 19,341 feet, Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak and one of the Seven Summits, standing among Mount Everest and Mont Blanc as one of the tallest mountains in the world. This climb is not for the faint of heart — it takes hard work and determination to push past both physical and mental barriers. You'll hike the scenic Lemosho route to reach the summit, Uhuru Peak — a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The journey is challenging, but this expedition is guaranteed to be one of the most truly fulfilling accomplishments of your life.

Take in extraordinary views from the summit of Kilimanjaro; experience the sunrise from above the clouds of of Africa; taste local Tanzanian cuisine and dine on warm soups, succulent curries, and spiced breads; hike alongside some of the best guides in the country; participate in an unforgettable expedition.

Day 1: Arrive to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

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Arrival Airport: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

Today we’ll land at the base of the world's largest free-standing mountain and one of the Seven Summits: Mount Kilimanjaro. After settling in, you'll enjoy a traditional welcome dinner and experience the flavors of authentic East African cuisine. We’ll spend the night in Moshi at the Kaliwa Lodge — make sure you get to bed early to prepare for the start of our climb the following morning.

Accommodation: Kaliwa Lodge, Moshi, Tanzania

Day 2: Trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp, Kilimanjaro

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After a filling breakfast, our guides will arrive to pick us up at the hotel. An hourlong drive will take us to the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, where we’ll meet up with our chefs and porters, who’ll be joining us on the climb. After a hearty lunch, we’ll begin our journey towards Mti Mkubwa camp (9,498 feet; 2,820 meters), traversing through the Lemosho Glades and lush, untouched forest. Spend the evening taking in the gorgeous views and dining on traditional mountain food to fuel you for the days to come. (3-5 hours walking)

Accommodation: Mti Mkubwa Camp

Day 3: Trek to Shira 1 Camp, Kilimanjaro

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We’ll awaken to sunrays peeking into the hut. A nutrient-rich breakfast is essential for much-needed energy as we begin our climb. The first part of the journey travels up a steep ascent, past the Maundi Crater and through the verdant rainforest. Soon, the path will open into grassy moorland — cross your fingers for clear weather, as it allows for spectacular views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Hiking steadily through this zone, we should reach Horombo Hut (12,205 feet; 3,720 meters) by late afternoon. After freshening up and taking a moment to relax, we’ll once again dine on robust soups, breads, dried meats, and curries at the camp lodge. (4-6 hours walking)

Accommodation: Shira 1 Campsite

Day 4: Trek to Shira 2 Camp

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After fueling up with breakfast, it’s back to the climb. Today we will have a much shorter climb, the objective of today to cross the Shira plateau and spend the day acclimatizing to the altitude. Around midday, we’ll reach Shira 2 Camp and explore the alpine moorlands to get our legs moving and lungs pumping before relaxing in the afternoon. This is a great chance to enjoy the beautiful scenery, capture some amazing photos of the ascent, and document the experience thus far. (4-6 hours walking)

Accommodation: Shira 2 Campsite

Day 5: Trek to Barranco Camp

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Today we will climb through the rocky scree to the lava tower - a rocky terrain covered in a mixture of volcanic rock from centuries long past and finely ground sand. As we climb slowly through the rocky terrain (4,600 meters or 15,092 feet), we will depart Shira 2 Camp and encounter increasingly challenging terrain as we make our way to Barranco camp. We will descend from the Lava tower into the Great Barranco Valley. We’ll hike for about 2 hours to reach the heart of the valley where we’ll take in the stunning views of the Western Breach and the Breach wall. This stunning landscape is our reward for a challenging hike day. The Breach Wall surrounds our campsite on three sides and has an incredible view of the hanging glaciers we’ll encounter on the final ascent. (4-6 hours walking)

Accommodation: Barranco Campsite

Day 6: Trek to Karanga Camp

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Wake up to a hearty breakfast before another challenging hike day. Today we will tackle the great Barranco wall as we break into the alpine desert of the Karanga valley. We will begin our steady climb up the Eastern side of the Great Barranco wall on our way to Karanga camp. We will pass below the rim of the Heim Glacier and through the alpine desert. After a brief stop for lunch, we’ll continue our way up through the alpine desert for another couple hours until we reach Karanga camp situated in the heart of the alpine desert. (4-6 hours walking)

Accommodation: Karanga Campsite

Day 7: Trek to Barafu Camp

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We’ll arise bright and early to enjoy breakfast before preparing to tackle more of the alpine desert! Today we will trek to Barafu camp and prepare to summit. We will familiarize ourselves with the terrain before dark, refresh our headlamp batteries, and prepare our equipment and thermal layers. Sleep will likely be difficult at this altitude, but do try and rest as much as possible! Before retiring for a brief night’s sleep we’ll have one final dinner before attempting to tackle the summit!

Accommodation: Barafu Campsite

Day 8: Summit to Uhuru Peak, Kilimanjaro

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Accompanied by our expert guides, we’ll set out by torchlight around 12 a.m. and start our ascent to Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit, Uhuru Peak (19,341 feet; 5,895 meters). This allows us to enjoy a glorious sunrise, watching the fiery sun rise above a sea of clouds. We will navigate our way up the steep rim of the mountain, traverse the rim of the crater, and trek through the snow and ice to the summit. This is the longest, most strenuous challenging portion of the trek, but don’t give up - the feeling of conquering Kilimanjaro will stay with you for your lifetime. Despite your exhaustion, you'll celebrate this incredible moment and take pride in this special accomplishment.

After returning to camp victorious from our climb, get a little bit of rest and a hearty lunch before packing up and beginning your descent down the mountain. We will descend much more rapidly than we climbed and will find ourselves at Mweka camp by the end of the day. (11-15 hours walking)

Accommodation: Mweka Campsite

Day 9: Descend Kilimanjaro Mountain

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Today we say goodbye to the mountain. Our descent will be rapid and our objective will be to exit the park and finish our climb. In the early afternoon we will arrive victorious at the gates of Mount Kilimanjaro park. Congratulations! You’ve made it! You’ve successfully climbed one of the Seven Summits. We will return to our hotel accommodation at Kaliwa lodge to shower, relax and unwind from our incredible journey up the mountain. (5-6 hours walking)

Accommodation: Kaliwa Lodge

Day 10: Depart from Kilimanjaro Airport

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Enjoy your last meal in Tanzania as you pack up your belongings and depart for the airport. Take with you the incredible memories of the climb and the deepeneded friendships you gained during your trek. Your driver will arrive at your hotel to transfer you to the airport for your return flight home.

If you’re ready for even more adventure, you have the option to extend your trip with a safari in the Serengeti.

Departure Airport: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

+ 4 Day Tanzania Safari Extension

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Join us on a safari experience in the Serengeti! We’ll adventure to the city of Arusha, home to beautiful hand-crafted goods, mouthwatering cuisine, and the entrance point to the Serengeti National Park. You’ll get to meet villagers, immerse yourself in their culture, and ride beside agile cheetahs, bounding gazelles, and peaceful elephants, in one of the world's most famous wildlife parks.

Departure Airport: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

+ How much should I tip?

It is customary to tip $15-$20/day for the main guide; $10-$15/day for the assistant guides; $10-$15/day for the chef, and $5-$10 per day for each porter. Note that this amount is per group, and not per person.

+ How should I pack?

Please bring a duffel bag or backpack instead of a suitcase, as this is easier to move around the country.

+ What is the success rate of Kilimanjaro?

There are seven routes up Kilimanjaro, with Lemosho offering tents and campsites along the way. This route is a great option for experienced campers who are used to roughing it. Read more about the different routes and their success rates on our blog: Kilimanjaro Success Rates by Route.

+ How do I prevent AMS (altitude sickness), and how should I train?

Prepare to hike Kilimanjaro by walking several miles each day, hiking on the weekends, and eating healthy foods. Being prepared before you climb will help you stay focused and healthy while on the route. We recommend that our travelers take alitude medication (Diamox) while climbing the mountain. Our guides will do their best to help you aclimatize, ensuring that you take your time while climbing (going slow means a higher chance of summiting), eat well, and rest well. Learn more about how to prepare for your mountain climb on our blog: "How Should I Train Before Climbing Kilimanjaro?"

+ What is the elevation of Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro has an altitude (elevation) of 19,341 feet, or 5,895 meters.

+ Which Kilimanjaro route is the best?

That depends on your fitness level and your personal preferences, although we find that the Marangu Route is a great option for most climbers. Here are a few of the differences between the routes:

• Marangu Route: the only Kilimanjaro climb route with hut accommodation (also known as the Coca-Cola route and the most popular options).
• Machame Route: the second most popular climbing route up Kilimanjaro
• Rongai Route: the easiest route on Kilimanjaro
• Shira Route: one of the hardest routes, with a lot of altitude gain on the first day.
• Lemosho Route: the most beautiful Kilimanjaro climb route, but also the most expensive. It offers campsites along the way and is a great choice for experienced campers.
• Umbwe Route: the most difficult and demanding route on Kilimanjaro.