Tour overview

This 10-day expedition climbs Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain, by the Lemosho Route, one of the quieter and more scenic ways up. A tour leader and a licensed chief guide lead a group of four to sixteen, with one guide for every two climbers on summit day. You stay two nights at a lodge near Arusha and seven nights in full-service mountain camps, with nearly every meal included.

From the Lemosho Gate you walk through rainforest onto the wide Shira Plateau, with an extra day there to acclimatise. The route then traverses beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach, descends into the Great Barranco valley and scrambles up the Barranco Wall towards Karanga and Barafu camp.

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Leaving around midnight, you climb to Stella Point on the crater rim for sunrise and on to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres, before descending through forest to Mweka Gate and a hot shower in Arusha.

The physical rating is high. This climb suits fit, determined walkers who want the best chance of reaching the summit.

Trip highlights

  • Rainforest from Lemosho Gate (Day 2)
  • The Shira Plateau (Days 3–4)
  • The Barranco Wall (Day 6)
  • Sunrise at Stella Point (Day 8)
  • Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m (Day 8)

Your route

12 stops from Arusha to Arusha

10-day route: Arusha – Lemosho Gate – Shira – Barranco – Barafu – Uhuru Peak – Mweka – Arusha
  1. Arusha Day 1
  2. Lemosho Forest Camp Day 2
  3. Shira One Camp Day 3
  4. Shira Hut Day 4
  5. Lava Tower Day 5
  6. Barranco Camp Day 5
  7. Karanga Camp Day 6
  8. Barafu Camp Day 7
  9. Uhuru Peak Day 8
  10. Millennium Camp Day 8
  11. Mweka Gate Day 9
  12. Arusha Days 9–10

Why choose this tour

A quieter route with time to acclimatise. One guide for every two climbers on summit day.

Best suited to

  • Fit, experienced walkers
  • Bucket-list climbers
  • Solo travellers
  • Adventure seekers
Hikers on the rocky trails of Kilimanjaro

Day-by-day itinerary

10 days from Arusha, Tanzania to Arusha, Tanzania

  1. Day 1 · Arusha Arusha

    Welcome to Tanzania.

    Hotel
    Lodge
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Lemosho Gate, Lemosho Forest Lemosho Forest

    Into the rainforest.

    Hotel
    Mountain camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  3. Day 3 · Shira Plateau Shira One

    Onto the plateau.

    Hotel
    Mountain camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  4. Day 4 · Shira Cathedral, Shira Hut Shira Hut

    An acclimatisation day.

    Hotel
    Mountain camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Lava Tower, Great Barranco Valley Barranco

    Beneath the glaciers.

    Hotel
    Mountain camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  6. Day 6 · Barranco Wall, Karanga Karanga

    The Barranco Wall.

    Hotel
    Mountain camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  7. Day 7 · Barafu Ridge Barafu

    To high camp.

    Hotel
    Mountain camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  8. Day 8 · Stella Point, Uhuru Peak, Millennium Camp Uhuru Peak

    Summit day.

    Hotel
    Mountain camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  9. Day 9 · Mweka Gate, Arusha Arusha

    Down through the forest.

    Hotel
    Lodge
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  10. Day 10 · Arusha Arusha

    The trip ends.

    Meals
    Breakfast
A trekking path across the slopes of Kilimanjaro

Where you stay

  • Arusha (1 night) Lodge
  • Kilimanjaro (7 nights) Full-service mountain camp
  • Arusha (1 night) Lodge

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 2 lodge nights and 7 nights camping
  • Meals 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 9 dinners
  • Kilimanjaro National Park fees
  • Chief guide, assistant guides, porters and cook
  • Group arrival and departure transfers
  • Tour leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights
  • Tanzania visa
  • Tips for the mountain crew
  • Travel insurance covering trekking to 6,000 m
The ice cap on the summit of Kilimanjaro

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You have never trekked before
  • You dislike camping
  • You have heart or breathing problems at altitude
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–10 · Lunch: Days 2–9 · Dinner: Days 1–9
Two climbers picking their way down a rocky section on Kilimanjaro

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £3,812 per person, twin share, tour only. 21 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Do I need a visa for Tanzania?

Yes, UK citizens need a visa; apply for an e-visa well before travel.

How hard is the climb?

Very demanding: long days at high altitude and a night-time summit push. Good fitness and training beforehand are essential.

Where do I sleep on the mountain?

In tents at the mountain campsites, with a mess tent for meals and a toilet tent; porters carry the camping kit.

Which meals are included?

All meals on the mountain, plus breakfasts and most dinners in Arusha.

How many people travel together?

Between four and sixteen, with a tour leader and mountain crew.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary
From £3,812
See dates & prices