8 Days Kilimanjaro Hiking Tour Via Lemosho Route- Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Safari In Tanzania

8 Days Kilimanjaro Hiking Tour– SAFARI OVERVIEW

Our 8 days Kilimanjaro Hiking Tour via Lemosho Route is a short 8 days Mount Kilimanjaro climbing safari in Tanzania, offering a safe and enjoyable way to trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m), Africa’s tallest mountain and the biggest free-standing mountain on the planet. 8 Days Kilimanjaro Hiking Tour Via Lemosho Route- Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Safari In Tanzania

Kilimanjaro is a dormant snow-capped volcano that last erupted about 360,000 years ago. And in the time since the mountain was first summited in 1889, it has become a bucket-list destination for both experienced and inexperienced hikers worldwide. It’s now your turn. On this 8 days Kilimanjaro hiking tour , we trek the lesser-used and scenic Lemosho route on the quieter western side of Kili.

It’s our favored route due to its great combination of low traffic, fantastic scenery, and a high summit success rate. The trail is one of the longest which allows trekkers more time to acclimatize to reduced oxygen levels. You hike through the mountain’s varied climatic regions, admiring the changing plant and animal life.

We make the ascent slowly, maximizing your chances of standing on the Roof of Africa. We also employ local porters and skilled mountain guides to assist you along the way, which benefits the local economy and communities.

You can book or customize this 8 days Mount Kilimanjaro hiking safari in Tanzania tour to your interests and have a lifetime trek to the top of Africa’s tallest mountain.

8 Days Kilimanjaro Hiking Tour – PRIME SAFARI ACTIVITIES

Embark on an 8-day hike up and down Mount Kilimanjaro
Spot exotic wildlife as you hike through different ecosystems
See the spectacular Shira Plateau & Kibo ice fields
Enjoy wild camping in magnificent, scenic locations
Snap photos at incredible viewpoints throughout the trek
Revel in the views of impenetrable Mawenzi peak
Watch the sunrise from Uhuru Peak

8 Days Kilimanjaro Hiking Tour – SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

Day 1: Trek from Londorossi Gate (2,200 m) via the rainforest zone to Big Tree Forest Camp at 2,780 m.

Day 2: Trek across the moorland zone to Shira 1 Camp at 3,505 m.

Day 3: Hike across the Shira Plateau to Shira 2 Camp at 3,900 m.

Day 4: Trek through the Afro-Alpine Desert to Lava Tower (4,640 m). Descend to Barranco at 3,960 m.

Day 5: Trek Karanga Camp (4,035 m) via the Barranco Wall

Day 6: Trek across compacted scree to Barafu Camp at 4,640 m.

Day 7: Ascend Uhuru Peak (5,895 m); Descend to Millennium Camp at 3,820 m

Day 8: Descend through the rainforest to Mweka Gate at 1,630 m.

8 Days Kilimanjaro Hiking Tour – DETAILED SAFARI ITINERARY

Day 1: Trek From Londorossi Gate (2,200m) Via The Rainforest Zone To Big Tree Forest Camp (2,780m).

Your guide and mountain support crew will meet you at your Arusha hotel in the morning and give you a quick briefing. You will then be driven to the western side of Kilimanjaro National Park. This two and half hour trip is a scenic excursion in its own right, as it passes alongside charming mountain villages.

Once in the park, you’ll get your trekking permit and register with the search and rescue service. Eventually, with permits in hand, you’ll be ready to hit the trail. The starting point is the Londorossi Gate at about 2,200 meters (7,218 feet).

The first day of hiking, however, is a breeze. Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery as you hike up winding trails. As you do, your guide will reveal insight into the unique flora and fauna you pass. Common animals include aardvarks, mongooses, and mesmerizing black-and-white colobus monkeys. Note that the path can be muddy and quite slippery at these lower elevations.

When you arrive at Big Tree Forest Camp, our expert mountain crew will have prepared everything you need, set up the tent, and cooked lunch for you. After lunch, go on an acclimatization hike towards Shira 1 Camp, which includes a 300m altitude gain. Then, descend back to the camp for a delicious dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: – Mti Mkubwa Camp

Meal Plan: – Lunch & Dinner

Duration: – 4-6 hours

Distance: – 1.2 miles (2 kilometers)

Climb: – 2887 feet (880 meters)

Descend: – 984 feet (300 meters)

Habitat: – Rainforest

Difficulty: – Low

Day 2: Trek across the Moorland Zone to Shira 1 Camp (3,505m).

After early breakfast on day two of your 8 days Kilimanjaro hiking tour, set out from Big Tree Camp 9121 feet (2,780 meters) and hike out of the rainforest zone.

Continue onto the heath (scrub) and moorland zone, where Erica and Lobelia plants start to take over the landscape. There are stunning views as you trek across the Shira ridge, where on a clear day, you can see the snow-capped top of the Kibo volcano, seemingly floating on the clouds. Descend to the Shira plateau and proceed to Shira One Camp, which is located close to a stream.

Your expert crew will serve you lunch and you’ll have to rest in your tent or walk around the nearby area. This will enable you to start the acclimatization process gradually, which is necessary for successful mountain climbing.

Accommodation: – Shira 1 Camp

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

Duration: – 5-6 hours

Distance: – 3 miles (5 kilometers)

Climb: – 2379 feet (725 meters)

Habitat: – Moorland

Difficulty: – Low

Day 3: Hike across the Shira Plateau to Shira 2 Camp (3,900m).

After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast on day three of the 8 days Kilimanjaro hiking tour, you will depart from Shira 1 Camp at 11,499 feet (3,505 meters) and continue the ascent towards Shira 2 Camp at 12,795 feet (3,900 meters).

You will cross the Shira plateau, which stretches 8 miles (13 kilometers to the west of Kibo, and sits at an altitude of around 12,500 feet (3,810 meters). You ascend gradually into the lower alpine moorland, which is known for its gorgeous wild alpine flowers as well as the rare gigantic lobelia and giant groundsel plants.

You will reach Shira 2 Camp in time for lunch. After lunch, have some time to relax and take time to acclimatize to the reduced oxygen levels by trekking towards Lava Tower Camp, which includes 1214 feet (370 meters) gain in altitude. Return to Shira 2 Camp for dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: – Shira 2 Camp

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

Duration: – 5-7 hours

Distance: – 6 miles (9 kilometers)

Climb: – 2509 feet (725 meters)

Descend: – 1214 feet (370 meters)

Habitat: – Moorland

Difficulty: – Low

Day 4: Trek through the Afro-Alpine Desert to Lava Tower (4,640 m). Descend To Barranco (3,960 m)

After breakfast on day four of your 8 days Kilimanjaro hike, depart Shira 2 Camp and head up along the trail into the Afro-Alpine Desert. This eco-zone gets its name because it’s generally rocky and devoid of plant life. Head the head to the Lava Tower 15190 feet (4,630 meters), trekking through dramatic boulder-strewn landscapes. There are several ascents and descents over this stretch of the route.

It might be challenging, and you may feel uncomfortable, but to effectively acclimate to the altitude you have to spend at least one to two hours here, so this is where lunch will be. Then hike down to Barranco Camp 12,992 feet (3,960 meters) for relaxation, dinner, and overnight. Here, you’ll have impressive views of the steep Great Barranco Wall, which you will climb tomorrow.

Accommodation: – Barranco Camp

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

Duration: – 6-8 hours

Distance: – 7.4 miles (12 kilometers)

Climb: – 2395 feet (730 meters)

Descend: – 2198 feet (670 meters)

Habitat: – Afro-alpine desert

Difficulty: – Medium

Day 5: Trek Karanga Camp (4,035m) Via the Barranco Wall.

Your day five of the 8 days Kilimanjaro hiking tour begins with crossing the Barranco Valley’s floor before climbing the Great Barranco Wall. This sheer rock formation rises from the side of Mount Kilimanjaro 843 feet (257 meters), and you must scramble over it. Although it doesn’t require technical rock-climbing skills, it does demand a fair amount of agility and strength.

After ascending the wall, you may have some time to relax and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano. Then, embark on a more challenging hike through the Karanga Valley to Karanga Camp. This trail has many ascents and descents and superb views of the southern ice fields. The scenery turn to volcanic scree, with pockets of the lush flora in sheltered hollows, and a powerful sense of mountain wilderness

Upon arrival at the camp, have a warm lunch. After lunch, have some time to relax and then complete an acclimatization hike towards the Barafu Camp with a 656 feet (200 meters) gain in altitude. Descend back down to Karanga Camp for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: – Karanga Camp

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

Duration: – 5-7 hours

Distance: – 4.6 miles (7.5 kilometers)

Climb: – 2231 feet (680 meters)

Descend: – 656 feet (200 meters)

Habitat: – Alpine desert

Difficulty: – Medium

Day 6: Trek across Compacted Scree to Barafu Camp (4,640m)

After breakfast on day six of your 8 days Kilimanjaro hiking tour, you will trek up to Barafu Camp 15223 feet (4,640 meters), the starting point for a night summiting Uhuru Peak 19341 feet (5,895 meters).

As always, be aware of the daily altitude changes. Our crew will prepare a camp for you in advance, complete tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax.

After regaining strength, you take a short acclimatization hike towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp 15748 feet (4,800 meters) and then back to Barafu Camp, from where you can enjoy breathtaking views of Mawenzi peak. Return to Barafu Camp, where hot dinner will be served. Try to get as much rest as possible, as you’ll need to wake around midnight for the final ascent to the summit.

Accommodation: – Barafu Camp

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

Duration: – 5-7 hours

Distance: – 5 miles (8 kilometers)

Climb: – 2509.84 feet (765 meters)

Descend: – 525 feet (160 meters)

Habitat: – Alpine desert

Difficulty: – Medium

Day 7: Ascend Uhuru Peak (5,895m); Descend To Millennium Camp (3,820m)

On day seven of the 8 days Kilimanjaro hiking tour, be prepared for a very early start between midnight and 2 am. This final push to the summit is the most physically and mentally challenging section of the trek.

You will ascend through heavy scree up to Stella Point, on the crater rim. This is one of the three summits of Kilimanjaro and sits at 18,885 feet (5,756 m) between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. Once here, you’ll take a break to enjoy the most glorious sunrise views of the trip.

From Stella Point, it takes a further hour hike through constant snow to Uhuru Peak. It will be a hard trail, but once you arrive, you can content yourself with the knowledge you’re standing on the ‘roof of Africa’ 19,340 feet (5,895 meters). It’s the highest viewpoint in all of Africa; hopefully, you did not forget your camera.

After taking in the breathtaking panoramic views, you’ll return to Barafu Camp for a 2 hours rest and lunch. As the oxygen levels increase, you will likely feel intense euphoria and a sense of enormous wellbeing.

Continue to the Millennium Camp (3,820 m) for a delicious dinner and your final night on Kilimanjaro – the biggest free-standing mountain in the world!

Accommodation: – Millennium Camp

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

Duration: – 8-12 hours

Distance: – 9.3 miles (15 kilometers)

Climb: – 13509 feet (1255 meters)

Descend: – 6808 feet (2075 meters)

Habitat: – Arctic

Difficulty: – High

Day 8: Descend Through Rainforest to Mweka Gate (1,630m)

After breakfast, today, embark on a 4-hour hike down from Millennium Camp through the lush rainforest to the Mweka Gate, at the exit point of Kilimanjaro National Park. This concludes your great Kilimanjaro adventure!

There will be a bit of fanfare to commemorate the experience, as once you arrive, you will be rewarded a certificate of completion. Then you’ll transfer back to Arusha (Kilimanjaro International Airport), where you will catch your flight home at the end of this 8 days Kilimanjaro hiking tour. Safe travels!

Please note: We can easily extend your 8 days Kilimanjaro hike with an affordable wildlife safari in Tanzania’s top game parks and/or a holiday on the beautiful sandy beaches of Zanzibar. We can also arrange extensions to Uganda or Rwanda for gorilla trekking or a safari in Kenya. For more details, don’t hesitate to contact us.

End of the 8 Days Kilimanjaro Hiking Tour

8 Days Kilimanjaro Hiking Tour − SAFARI INCLUSIONS

Tented accommodation on Kilimanjaro – modern comfortable 4-season tents.
Transportation during your safari in 4×4 Safari Vans or 4×4 Safari Landcruisers
All Kilimanjaro National Park fees.
All meals on the hike.
All drinks on the hike – coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and water.
4-inch thick and comfortable sleeping mats.
All group equipment – dining tent, table, chairs, crockery, and cutlery.
Oxygen cylinders and oximeters.
GPS-tracking service.
Complete medical kits including Diamox.
Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park.
Dedicated support crew – assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.
Taxes: 18% VAT, 1% TDL and 0.3% Service Levy.

8 Days Kilimanjaro Hiking Tour − SAFARI EXCLUSIONS

General tips for the driver guide, site guides, and service staff,
Laundry Services
Visa fee
Optional Activity fees
International flights
Airport transfers – can be arranged on request.
Accommodation in Arusha – can be arranged on request.
Personal gear rentals
Lunch and dinner at the hotel – before and after the climb.
Portable toilets – if required.
Mountaineering insurance. You’ll need special insurance for climbing Kilimanjaro that covers high-altitude trekking up to 6000m.