Arusha Tanzania
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Lemosho Route- Has recently become a popular route to take; it approaches the mountain from the west, and one of the best routes for acclimatization. It is remote route which allow acclimatization at the high altitude, most scenic and quiet for the first two days.
Both Lemosho and Shira routes starts on the west side of the mountain and use Mweka route to descend. It takes 7-8 days for using this route. This route provides climbers with extra time to acclimatize before attempting the summit hence increase their success rate.
You will be met on arrival and transfer to a standard hotel in Arusha/Moshi, on Bed & Breakfast. This day a pre-trek briefing will be given by your lead mountain guide.
Your trekking equipment will also be checked; you have an option to rent any other needed equipment for your trek.
After breakfast from your hotel, we will drive to Londorossi Park Gate (approximately a 3-hour drive). After registration process we will drive to Lemosho Glades. From there you will start your hike along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.
Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams are crossed we continue over the Shira Ridge to the Shira 1 camp
Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 16km/10mi
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today we will continue our hike while exploring the Shira plateau, you will walk to the east through moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. Then we deviate from the main trail to Moir Hut, a little visited location at the base of Lent Hills. Lent Hills offers a variety of walks, giving it a good acclimatization opportunity. Shira Plateau is one of the world's highest plateaus.
Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4200m/13,800 ft
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Distance: 14 km / 9mi
Habitat: Health
Hikers and crew will proceed east up a ridge from the Shira Plateau, passing the junction towards Kibo's peak. As we proceed, our direction shifts to the south-east, towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). We reach the second junction shortly after the tower, which leads to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue heading down to the Barranco Camp. Although you finish the day at roughly the same elevation as you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Elevation: 4200m/13,800 ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 7km / 4mi
Walking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast we continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. From this position you can view the two beautiful peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi.
Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 9km / 6mi
Climbing Time: 8-9 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
From midnight to 2 am, we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You ascend via steep scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim, heading northwest. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and be rewarded with the most spectacular sunrise you have are ever seen. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
You may encounter snow on your 1-hour ascent to the summit from Stella Point. When you reach Uhuru Peak, you have achieved the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the African continent.
We begin our descent from the summit by heading straight down to Mweka Camp, stopping for lunch at Barafu.
Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, we'll continue down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates plus taking pictures. When you are done your transfer driver will take you back to the hotel.
Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast
Today after breakfast your transfer driver will pick you up and drive to Kilimanjaro airport for your return flight, Breakfast.
The inclusions and exclusions vary by tour. Each tour has its specific set of inclusions and exclusions. Please refer to the individual tour page to see what is specifically included in that tour.
Many texts state that Kilimanjaro is “easily accessible”. However, you should not underestimate this mountain. There are no technical mountaineering skills required, but general fitness is necessary. However, the biggest problem for climbers is the effects of high altitude, which seem to be unrelated to fitness, age, or gender.
It is a good idea to start some physical training prior to the trek, which might include aerobic cross training and hiking to familiarise your body with the rigors of the trek. The fitter you are, the easier the climb will be for you. Determination and will power is another important factor.
Please use the main menu on the left to browse through our section “Resources>Health information for Kilimanjaro climbers”.
On camping trips, all equipment will be provided except for a 4-season sleeping bag. You do not need to provide any other camping gear; only personal belongings. See our Kilimanjaro packing list and Safari packing list.
It should be noted that the luggage limit per person on domestic flights is 15-20 kg per person (checked-in and hand luggage).
On your inbound flight, don’t check in items that you absolutely need (such as medicines), as it is not uncommon that checked-in luggage gets misdirected and arrives in Tanzania a couple of days after you. It is better to have such items in your hand luggage.
preference, let us know, and we will offer alternatives from our vast network of company-owned and partner accommodations. Booking with us allows you to enjoy discounted rates as we have special agreements with our partners.
Around 80% of climbers choose the Marangu Route (5 or 6 days), which is commonly referred to as the “Tourist” or “Coca Cola” Route. The rest usually goes for the Umbwe, Rongai, or Machame Route (6 or 7 days). The other two routes (Shira and Lemosho) are far less frequented and therefore allow for a more remote and natural experience.
Please note that many of the routes meet on a mid-way point and there are only three routes to the summit.
Please see our route comparison table, read the descriptions of the routes, and ask us if you have any questions.
Kilimanjaro can be climbed throughout the year.
January to March is a very good month with mild temperatures and almost no clouds in the morning and late afternoon. During the day, however, there might be few short rain showers or little snow on the summit. The main rainy season starts end of March and lasts until the end of May. For Kilimanjaro climbers, this means that clouds may block visibility and there might be heavy rains on the lower altitudes and snow on the summit. June, July, and August can be cold, but visibility is usually very good. Temperatures rise in September and October, however, during this time of the year, there is often a belt of mist on the middle altitudes, leaving the summit’s peak through the clouds. November and December usually have perfect visibility in the nights and morning, but short rains during the day and thunderstorms in the late afternoon are common.
For Kilimanjaro climbers, a factor to take into account is the full moon – it is a unique experience to climb the roof of Africa lit under the shining moonlight only without having to use headlights.
Where can I get a visa for Tanzania?
Where in Tanzania is Moshi/Kilimanjaro and how do I get there?
Who will be my guide?
Will I be able to speak to people in English in Tanzania?
The official and spoken languages of the country are Swahili and English. Many people have English as their second language as they were taught this at school. All Tanzanian working in the tourism field can communicate in English.
In the countryside, or when communicating with children, local women, or individuals of lower school education, it might, however, be difficult to speak in English.
It is appreciated by locals if travelers can speak some words in Swahili. A few words are surprisingly easy to master. It is a good idea to spend a few dollars to purchase a Swahili phrasebook.
Arisi Safaris is a tour operation company registered in Tanzania. We do our tours in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and other countries in Africa.
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