MOUNT KILIMANJARO - LEMOSHO ROUTE

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Moshi, located in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Time to relax after travel, unwind by the pool, and take in views of Africa’s highest mountain. Later, meet the Wild Axis team for a full expedition briefing and kit check ahead of the climb.

🏠 Overnight: Expedition Lodge in Moshi

A gentle but purposeful acclimatisation day on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro. After breakfast, drive to Materuni Village for a guided walk through local farmland and forest before hiking to the impressive Materuni Waterfall. This light activity helps stimulate acclimatisation while offering cultural insight before heading higher.

🥾Trekking: 2–3 hrs  📈Ascent: +200 m  📉Descent: –200 m  

🏠 Overnight: Expedition Lodge in Moshi

After breakfast, transfer to Lemosho Gate for registration before beginning the trek through dense rainforest. The trail is shaded and gradual, allowing your body to adapt naturally as you gain your first altitude on the mountain. Look out for monkeys and birdlife along the way.

🥾 Trekking: 3–4 hrs  📈 Ascent: +550 m  📉 Descent: 0 m  

⛺ Overnight: Big Tree Camp (2,650 m)

The forest begins to thin as you climb steadily into heath and moorland. The landscape opens dramatically, revealing wide views across the Shira Plateau and, on clear days, Mount Meru in the distance. A longer but well-paced day that continues strong acclimatisation.

🥾 Trekking: 5–6 hrs  📈 Ascent: +850 m  📉  Descent: 0 m  

⛺ Overnight: Shira 1 Camp (3,500 m)

A shorter and more relaxed day crossing the vast Shira Plateau, one of Kilimanjaro’s most scenic sections. The afternoon is free for rest, hydration, and short acclimatisation walks, helping prepare your body for the higher alpine terrain ahead.

🥾Trekking: 3–4 hrs  📈 Ascent: +350 m  📉 Descent: 0 m  

⛺ Overnight: Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m)

A key acclimatisation day following the “climb high, sleep low” principle. The trail ascends into the alpine desert to Lava Tower, where lunch is taken at altitude, before descending into the dramatic Barranco Valley beneath towering cliffs and glaciers.

🥾 Trekking: 6–7 hrs  📈 Ascent: +750 m  📉  Descent: –640 m 

⛺ Overnight: Barranco Camp (3,960 m)

Begin the day with the famous Barranco Wall — a fun, hands-on scramble offering incredible views back across the valley. After the wall, the route undulates across ridges and valleys toward Karanga Camp, keeping altitude gain steady and controlled.

🥾 Trekking: 4–5 hrs  📈 Ascent: +75 m  📉 Descent: 0 m  

⛺Overnight: Karanga Camp (4,035 m)

A short but important ascent to Barafu Camp, the final camp before the summit. Arrive by early afternoon to rest, hydrate, and prepare your kit. After an early dinner, you’ll rest ahead of the midnight summit attempt.

🥾Trekking: 3–4 hrs  📈 Ascent: +640 m  📉  Descent: 0 m  

⛺ Overnight: Barafu Camp (4,673 m)

Begin the summit push shortly after midnight, climbing steadily under starlight toward Stella Point before the final traverse along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak the highest point in Africa. After photos and celebration, descend to Barafu Camp for a short rest, then continue down to Mweka Camp.

🥾 Trekking: 10–14 hrs  📈  Ascent: +1,222 m  📉 Descent: –2,795 m  

⛺ Overnight: Mweka Camp (3,100 m)

A final descent through lush rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you’ll receive your Kilimanjaro summit certificates. Transfer back to Moshi or directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport for departure.

🥾Trekking: 3–4 hrs  📈 Ascent: 0 m  📉 Descent: –1,460 m 

🏠 Overnight: Expedition Lodge in Moshi

After a buffet breakfast, relax in the hotel grounds before your transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for onward travel.

☀️ Activity: Free time in Moshi

🚙 Overland: 1hr

✈️ Depart: Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO)