
challenging
8 days
Good cardiovascular base with experience on multi-day hikes; ability to walk 6–10 hours on consecutive days and cope with high altitude.
Cross rain forest, a broad volcanic plateau and a high-altitude arctic ridge on the Lemosho Route—an 8-day guided trek that balances scenic variety with acclimatization to maximize summit success. Expect long summit nights, technical scree, and unforgettable sunrise views at Stella Point.
The climb begins before the first step. A four-hour drive from Moshi deposits you at Londorossi Gate, where rain forest reaches up to the trail and the mountain’s weather begins to feel like a decision you must negotiate. Day one pushes through dense, dripping canopy to Mti Mkubwa Camp—roots and moss underfoot, birds that call the forest to attention. The Lemosho route opens like a map of changing ecosystems: forest gives way to heather and tall grasses, then to the broad Shira Plateau where Kibo looms across a sea of volcanic rock.

Stick to the provided itinerary—Lemosho’s extra acclimatization days materially improve your summit odds; don’t push faster than the group.
Temperatures swing from humid forest to freezing summit; pack lightweight insulating layers and a windproof shell.
Sturdy, broken-in hiking boots and trekking poles reduce blisters and ease steep descents like the run to Mweka.
Tip guides and porters through the company’s recommended system—local crews are essential to logistics and safety on Kilimanjaro.
Kilimanjaro’s slopes are home to the Chagga people who farm the lower terraces; the mountain’s first recorded ascent to the summit occurred in 1889.
Kilimanjaro National Park tightly regulates access—stick to trails, pack out waste, and minimize fuelwood use to protect fragile alpine zones.
Provides traction on scree and support for long days and steep descents.
Summit night temperatures plunge; a lightweight down layer is essential for overnight and summit hours.
winter specific
Reduce impact on knees during steep descents and aid balance on loose scree.
Useful backup if you need to refill at natural sources between camps.