9-Day Lemosho Barafu
Our 9-Day Lemosho Barafu Route can include both our Standard and All-Inclusive Packages. Any climber (even if part of a group) can choose their own package if they prefer one over the other. All our Kilimanjaro climbs include:
- 2 nights accommodation at a high-end hotel before the climb
- 1-night accommodation at a high-end hotel after the climb
This exciting journey with us takes 12 days (excluding flights).
Click here to go to our Packages page where you can find what we include in our packages, as well as the pricing for each of our packages / routes.
DAY 1: FOREST CAMP – RAINFOREST ZONE
Kick off your morning with a smooth hotel checkout, and start your drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park’s Lemosho Entrance Gate (3 hrs away).
As we enter the park’s western gate where we begin our 9-Day Lemosho Barafu Route (Lemosho Gate, 7,700ft or 2,100m), we’ll ascend to the Forest Camp (9,255ft or 2,821m), your home for the night in the Rainforest Zone.
Expect a 2-3 hrs trek through the lush rainforest, with potential sightings of black and white Colobus Monkeys and Blue Monkeys!
DAY 2: SHIRA 1 CAMP – HEATHER / MOORLAND ZONE
Starting from the Forest Camp (9,255ft or 2,821m), we’ll hike to Shira 1 Camp (11,300ft or 3,444m) nestled within the Heather Zone.
With a mid-day break for lunch, this journey takes about 5-7 hrs, including lunch break, culminating in a cozy night at Shira 1 Camp.
Along the way, delight in the rich vegetation of the Heather and Moorland Zones.
DAY 3: MOIR CAMP – HEATHER / MOORLAND ZONE
Today, we climb from Shira 1 Camp (11,300ft or 3,444m) to the Moir Camp (13,779ft or 4,200m), moving further into the Heather and Moorland Zone.
Expect a trek of 5-7 hrs, including lunch break, and notice the shift to a more desert-like landscape as you go higher.
DAY 4: BARRANCO CAMP – ALPINE DESERT ZONE
We start our climb from Moir Camp (13,779ft or 4,200m) to Lava Tower Camp (15,091ft or 4,600m) within the Alpine Desert Zone.
After a refreshing lunch break at Lava Tower Camp, we begin our descent to Barranco Camp (13,066ft or 3,983m).
Stunning views of the Barranco Wall await us before we settle in for an overnight stay at Barranco Camp.
DAY 5: KARANGA CAMP – ALPINE DESERT ZONE
We wake up at Barranco Camp (13,066ft or 3,983m) before heading to Karanga Camp (13,255ft or 4,040m).
Our experienced guides will guide us over the Barranco Wall, ensuring a safe journey.
This 4-5 hour trek concludes with a well-deserved rest and overnight stay at Karanga Camp.
DAY 6: BARAFU CAMP – ALPINE DESERT ZONE
Our expedition continues as we ascend from Karanga Camp (13,255ft or 4,040m) to Barafu Camp (15,239ft or 4,644m).
After approximately 4-5 hours of trekking, we settle in at Barafu Camp for the rest of the day.
DAY 7: UHURU PEAK – SUMMIT DAY – ARCTIC ZONE
From Barafu Camp (15,239ft or 4,644m), we begin our trek to the summit, Uhuru Peak (19,341ft or 5,895m). The head guides and climbing group will collaboratively decide between two options:
Option #1: We start the trek at 6:00 AM, taking advantage of the daylight and stopping for lunch near the summit. Congratulations are in order as we reach Uhuru Peak (19,341ft or 5,895m), the Roof of Africa. Take a few moments to capture this achievement before descending to Crater Camp (18,800ft or 5,730m), near the stunning Furtwangler Glacier.
Option #2: We start the trek at 11:00 PM, reaching Uhuru Peak around sunrise. A quick snack at the peak is followed by a descent back to Barafu Camp.
DAY 8: DESCENT TO MWEKA CAMP – HEATHER / MOORLAND ZONE
Regardless of the chosen option, day 8 involves descending to Mweka Camp (10,204ft or 3,110m) in the Moorland/Heather Zone.
This trek takes approximately 6-8 hours (Option #1) or 4-5 hours (Option #2). We spend the night at Mweka Camp.
DAY 9: MWEKA GATE & OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE
Post-breakfast, we continue our descent to Mweka Gate (5,423ft or 1,653m), where we sign the official Kilimanjaro National Park Register and receive our official Kilimanjaro Certificates from our Head Guide.
Expect a 3-4 hr descent to the gate, then a refreshing 3-hr drive back to our premium hotel in Arusha, aiming to arrive by mid-afternoon.
Congratulations on completing our 9-Day Lemosho Barafu Route!
