One of Lemosho’s highlights is the Cathedral Peak - one of the highest points of the Shira Volcano (3872 m). You’ll have a chance to go on an acclimatization hike to Cathedral Peak and enjoy the best views Kilimanjaro has to offer. Another iconic feature of Lemosho are huge alien-looking plants, Dendrosenecio kilimanjari, that are only found on this mountain.

Day 0: Arrival

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet a Kilimanjaro Joyful Adventures representative, and transfer to the hotel under the rate. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay

Day 1: Hotel to Mti Mkubwa Camp

Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast and briefing, drive to Lemosho Park Gate. From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 16km/10miles
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast at Mti Mkubwa, we continue as the trail slowly steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams cross, we continue over the Shira Ridge past the Shira 1 camp and on to the Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream.

Day 3: Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp

Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 8km/5miles
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. Here, our path changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elevation 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which prolong to the Arrow Glacier and continue further down to the Barranco Camp.

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5km/3miles
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast at Barranco, we begin a day up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 4km/2miles
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast at Karanga Camp, we proceed to Barafu Camp and here you will have completed the South Circuit which offers views of the summit from many different angles. We then have a full relaxation, rest, enjoy dinner under the African sky, and prepare for the summit day.

Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp

Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3miles up / 13km/8miles down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Very early in the morning (Midnight to 2 Am), we linger our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. Here, you will have head in a northwest direction and ascend through a heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most outstanding sunrise you are ever likely to see.
From Stella Point, you may come across snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the rooftop of the African Continent.
From the summit we begin to descent straight down to the Mweka Camp with one stop at Barafu camp for lunch. Here, you may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel walking down to Mweka camp. Arrive at Mweka Camp on time and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.

Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel

Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
Our vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (around 60 minutes) or Arusha.

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