8 DAYS 7 NIGHTS MT. KILIMANJARO - ROUTE LEMOSHO

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport; greeted by our expert driver guide, after greetings and double-checking your luggage, transfer to the town of Moshi (45-minute drive). A briefing will be provided by your professional and experienced Kilimanjaro guide. Your Kilimanjaro guide will also check your climbing equipment. Any missing equipment can be rented for you.

Accommodation: Panama Garden Resort or similar

A guide and mountain assistance team will arrive at the hotel in the morning to welcome you and give you another briefing, after which you'll drive (approx. 3-4 hours) to the western entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park: Londorossi Gate (2,200 m). After the quick formalities of obtaining climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group continues its ascent to its drop-off point in all-terrain vehicles (up to 3,500 m). It's here that you'll discover for the first time a breathtaking view of the Shira plateau.

The route from your drop-off point to your first high-altitude camp, Shira 2, features moderate elevation gain and is not too physically demanding. As a result, you'll be able to make a good start on the acclimatization process. When you reach the camp, our professional mountain team will prepare everything necessary, set up the tents and prepare dinner for you.

Elevation change: Clairière Lemosho (3,500 m) - Camp Shira 2 (3,900 m)
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 5-6 hours

Lodging: Camp Shira 2

After breakfast, you'll leave Shira Camp 2 (3,900 m) and start your journey towards the key point of the route: Lava Tower (4,630 m). This section of the itinerary involves many ascents and descents, ending with a camp at an altitude of over 4,600 meters. It can be tough, and you may feel some discomfort, but to successfully acclimatize to the altitude, you need to spend at least 1-2 hours here, so this is where you'll have lunch.

You then descend to the Barranco camp (3,960 m). Here you'll see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive both for its massive size and its steepness! The next day, you'll climb it, but don't worry: it's a very simple hiking trail.

Note: If one or more participants are feeling ill, the group may refrain from going through the lava tower and modify the itinerary, following the porters' route instead. In this case, you will not reach the altitude of 4,630 metres, but only a maximum of 4,400 metres.

Change of altitude: Camp Shira 2 (3,900 m) - Lava Tower (4,630 m) - Barranco Camp (3,960 m)

Hiking distance: 12 km

Hiking time: 6-8 hours

Lodging: Camp Barranco

Early wake-up call, breakfast and start your ascent of the Barranco wall (we recommend leaving camp as early as possible to avoid the crowds of other groups). The ascent of the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes about an hour. After the climb, you can rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano.

You'll then embark on a more challenging hike to Karanga camp, which involves a number of ascents and descents, but don't worry: our guides are experts at choosing the optimum pace for the group. After reaching the camp, you'll be offered a hot lunch.

After a few hours, you'll have to do an acclimatization hike towards Barafu Camp with an altitude gain of 300 meters, then back down to camp.

Trek from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp:

• Change of altitude: Barranco Camp (3,960 m) - Karanga Camp (4,035 m)
• Trekking distance: 5 km
• Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Acclimatization hike:

• Change of altitude: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) - Destination points en route to Barafu Camp (4,270 m)
• Hiking distance: 2.5 km
• Hiking time: 1 to 2 hours

Accommodation: Karanga Camp

In the morning, after breakfast, you'll start your journey to Barafu Summit Camp (4,640 m), the starting point for an overnight stay at the summit of Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Our team will set up a camp for you in advance, complete with tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax. Once you've regained your strength, you'll need to do an acclimatization hike to the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp (4,800 m), then return to Barafu Camp, where you'll be served a hot dinner. The rest of the day is best spent resting and sleeping before the night summit.

Trek from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp:

• Change of altitude: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) - Barafu Camp (4,640 m)
• Trekking distance: 6 km
• Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Acclimatization hike:

• Change of altitude: Camp Barafu (4,640 m) - Camp Kosovo (4,800 m)
• Hiking distance: 2 km
• Hiking time: 1-2 hours

Accommodation: Barafu Camp

Departure from Barafu camp (4,640 m) during the night and start of the Kilimanjaro ascent: Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Technically, the climb is relatively straightforward, but the most difficult part is the high altitude. Each pair of climbers will have a personal guide for the duration of the ascent, who will monitor your physical and mental condition. Once you've successfully climbed Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if you wish. You'll then return to Barafu Camp and, after a 2-hour rest, continue your descent to Millennium Camp (3,820 m).

Note: Don't forget that 90% of accidents occur during the descent, including all arm and leg fractures. Take care with your feet, as there's a high risk of damaging your toenails.

• Change of altitude: Camp Barafu (4,640 m) - Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) - Camp Millennium (3,820 m)
• Hiking distance: 15 km
• Hiking time: 8-12 hours

Lodging: Millennium Camp

The camp is located in a tropical forest. When you wake up, you'll feel the relief of the reduced altitude and the satisfaction of having reached the summit. After a hot breakfast, you'll head for the park exit: Mweka Gate (1,640 m). After your descent, the whole group will gather to congratulate you, then offer you the chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Finally, we'll hand you your commemorative certificates in our office and transfer you back to your hotel.

• Change of altitude: Millennium Camp (3,820 m) - Mweka Gate (1,640 m)
• Hiking distance: 12 km
• Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Lodging: Panama Garden Resort or similar

After breakfast at the hotel, we'll take a short stroll through the town of Moshi, then make our way to Kilimanjaro International Airport to catch your flight home. Alternatively, you can take a local flight to Zanzibar.

Note: most hotels have a 10 a.m. check-out policy, but they also offer late check-outs for those with evening or night flights. Costs are moderate.

End of the tour!