Early Bird: 9-Day Climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route

Your expert guide will pick you up from the Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania. You’ll then be taken to your hotel in Moshi city, the second-largest tourism hub of Tanzania and the capital of Kilimanjaro region. Your guide will brief you on what to expect on this tour and make sure you’re prepared.
Accommodation: Panama Garden Resort

The day begins with a long drive to Londorossi Park Gate for registration and other park formalities. Pass through village communities to the trailhead and start hiking the Lemosho Route. Make your way through the forest path to reach Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) campsite at 9,186 ft (2800 m). You might encounter Colobus monkeys or exotic birds along the way. Located in the heart of the Kilimanjaro rainforest, Big Tree is your first accommodation site on the route.
Accommodation: Camping at Big Tree
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 2-3 hours, 3 miles/ 5 km
Altitude gain: 1,349 ft/ 411 m

Leaving behind lush montane rainforest, keep moving along the trail. Soon it will get steeper and you’ll be entering the moorland zone towards the valley. A gentle walk takes you to the Shira Caldera at 13,130 ft (4,005 m) past the Shira Caves, from which you’ll get a good look at the Arrow Glacier. Today’s camping spot is Shira Hut 1, located near a stream on the Shira Plateau.
Accommodation: Camping at Shira Hut 1
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 3 hours, 5 miles/ 8 km
Altitude gain: 2359 ft/ 719 m

Today’s the day to get some serious altitude exercise! Start off by walking on high moorland on the southwest side of the mountain. Standing firmly in the desert portion of Kilimanjaro, let the monumental Lava Tower remind you of the mountain’s former volcanic activity. You’ll spend your day at higher altitudes of 15,092 ft (4600 m), but you’ll rest overnight at 12,795 ft (3,900 m) at the Barranco campsite. Going by the “walk high, sleep low” mountaineering code allows your body to comfortably acclimatize to higher altitudes.
Accommodation: Camping at Barranco Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 6-8 hours, 9 miles/ 15 km
Altitude gain: 1253 ft/ 382 m

Start the day by descending into the Great Barranco, a huge ravine from which you’ll exit steeply, up what has been termed the Breakfast Wall. The Wall divides you from the slopes of Kibo—it is a climb over rocks, but no prior climbing experience is necessary. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, head towards the Karanga Valley at 13,123 ft (4,000 m) for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Camping at Karanga Valley
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 4-6 hours, 3 miles/ 5 km
Altitude gain: 328 ft/ 100 m

The day prior to the great ascent is characterized by a short hike on terrain formed by scree. Hike arid land towards Barafu Camp at 15,092 ft (4,600 m) where you’ll have the entire afternoon to rest before ascending to the summit. The terrain here is tough—strong winds often rip over this campsite in the desolate alpine desert. However, the far-reaching views of the Mawenzi peak make the struggle worth it. Take your time to rest and save your energy for tomorrow. Spend the night at Barafu Camp.
Accommodation: Camping at Barafu Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 2-4 hours, 2.5 miles/ 4 km
Altitude gain: 1969 ft/ 600 m

Today’s the day! In order to avoid walking too long in the sun, you’ll depart around midnight. This challenging hike will take you steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. You’ll be climbing scree for 5 to 6 hours, but also gain incredible height over a short distance. Arrive to the crater rim at Stella Point as the first rays of sunshine emerge. You’ll be surrounded by ice cliffs within the crater and views of the Mawenzi peak. All that’s left to do is to conquer an hour’s walk to your goal—the summit of Uhuru, meaning freedom, at 19,341 ft (5,895 m). Having climbed the celebratory 4,252 ft (1,296 m), take some photos and begin your descent. Continue going down scree slopes back to Barafu Camp for breakfast before finally heading down to Millennium Camp. Spend the night there and rejoice at your victorious climb!
Accommodation: Camping at Millennium Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 6-8 hours, 7.5 miles/ 12 km
Altitude loss: 9,501 ft/ 2,896 m

A gentle trek takes you down through the rainforest to the Mweka gate at 5,381 ft (1,640 m) where park formalities will be completed. You’ll receive your certificate of ascent, courtesy of the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority. Drive back to Moshi for a well-deserved shower and a cold beer!
Accommodation: Panama Garden Resort
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Hiking: 4-5 hours, 6 miles/ 10 km
Altitude loss: 4,462 ft/ 1,360 m

Your guides will transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport. If you’re planning on staying in Tanzania for a bit longer, you can extend your tour to wildlife safari in the northern circuit to Serengeti and Ngorongoro of Zanzibar, but at an additional cost.
Meals: Breakfast

• Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure any time in case the dates don’t suit you.
• Once the dates are set, you can confirm your booking by the end of this year by paying another 20% of the total amount.
• The final balance is due 3 months (90 days) prior to departure.