Itinerary Highlights
- Duration in days: 7
- Itinerary Category: Kilimanjaro Trekking, Londorossi Route
- Destinations: Mt Kilimanjaro via Londorossi Route
- About the Route: The Londorossi Route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the western side and provides spectacular scenery as it crosses the rainforest and Shira Plateau before joining the southern circuit toward the summit.
- Major Attractions: Mt Kilimanjaro, Shira Plateau, Lava Tower, Barranco Wall, Karanga Valley, Barafu Camp, Stella Point, and Uhuru Peak.
- Guiding Language: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian
- Start Point: Moshi
- End Point: Moshi
- Essential Items: Digital camera with enough memory space and extra batteries, hiking boots, warm clothes, waterproof jacket, walking poles, sunhat, sunglasses with ultraviolet radiation filtering, sunscreen, water bottles, mosquito repellent, personal toiletries, and personal medication.
- Additional Information: Professional mountain guides and porters will accompany you throughout the climb. Porters will carry camping equipment, food, and other essential supplies while you trek with a daypack.
Itinerary Description by Day
Day 1: Moshi to Londorossi Gate (2,100m) then to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,780m)
Trekking Time: 3–4 hours
Distance: 6 km
Zone: Rainforest
After breakfast at your hotel in Moshi, you will drive to Londorossi Gate on the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro. Upon arrival, you will complete registration and other park entry formalities before beginning your trek.
The trail enters the beautiful montane rainforest, where you will enjoy the lush vegetation and peaceful surroundings. You may have an opportunity to see different species of birds and monkeys along the way.
Continue hiking gradually uphill until you reach Mti Mkubwa Camp, where you will have dinner and spend the night.
Day 2: Trek from Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,780m) to Shira Camp (3,500m)
Trekking Time: 5–7 hours
Distance: 8 km
Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine
After breakfast, you will continue trekking through the rainforest before gradually entering the heath and moorland vegetation zone.
As you gain altitude, the forest becomes thinner and the landscape opens up, providing beautiful views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Continue toward the spectacular Shira Plateau before reaching Shira Camp.
You will have lunch, rest, and enjoy the surrounding scenery. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the camp.
Day 3: Trek from Shira Camp (3,500m) to Lava Tower (4,630m) then to Barranco Camp (3,960m)
Trekking Time: 6–8 hours
Distance: 10 km
Zone: Low Alpine / High Alpine Desert
After breakfast, you will leave Shira Camp and gradually ascend toward Lava Tower. The landscape becomes increasingly rocky and barren as you approach the high-altitude desert zone.
Lava Tower, at approximately 4,630 meters, provides an excellent opportunity for acclimatization. You will spend some time here for lunch and rest before beginning the descent toward Barranco Camp.
The descent from Lava Tower to Barranco Camp is important for acclimatization because you climb high and sleep lower.
As you approach Barranco Camp, you will have impressive views of the Barranco Wall and the southern glaciers of Kibo. Dinner and overnight stay will be at Barranco Camp.
Day 4: Trek from Barranco Camp (3,960m) to Karanga Camp (4,035m)
Trekking Time: 4–5 hours
Distance: 6 km
Zone: High Alpine Desert
After breakfast, you will begin the day by climbing the famous Barranco Wall. The ascent requires some scrambling, but your experienced mountain guides will assist you throughout the climb.
After reaching the top of the wall, continue across a series of ridges and valleys with spectacular views of Kibo and the surrounding mountain landscape.
The trail eventually reaches Karanga Camp. You will have lunch and spend the afternoon resting and acclimatizing.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at Karanga Camp.
Day 5: Trek from Karanga Camp (4,035m) to Barafu Camp (4,640m)
Trekking Time: 3–5 hours
Distance: 4 km
Zone: High Alpine Desert
After breakfast, you will leave Karanga Camp and continue toward Barafu Camp. The trail passes through an increasingly rocky and barren landscape as you approach the summit zone.
The hike is relatively short but involves a steady ascent. Upon arrival at Barafu Camp, you will have lunch and rest.
Your mountain guides will conduct a summit briefing and check your equipment to make sure everything is ready for the following day’s summit attempt.
You will have an early dinner and go to bed early because you will wake up around midnight for the summit climb.
Day 6: Barafu Camp (4,640m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) then to Mweka Camp (3,080m)
Trekking Time: 12–15 hours
Distance: 13 km
Zone: Glacial / High Alpine / Rainforest
You will wake up around midnight and have some tea, coffee, and light snacks before beginning the challenging ascent toward Uhuru Peak.
The climb starts with a steep ascent over volcanic scree toward Stella Point at approximately 5,739 meters. You will hike slowly and steadily, taking short breaks when necessary.
After reaching Stella Point, continue along the crater rim toward Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa. If weather conditions permit, you will reach the summit around sunrise and enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
Take photographs and celebrate your achievement before beginning the descent.
You will descend to Barafu Camp for a short rest before continuing toward Mweka Camp. The descent to the lower elevation provides some relief after the demanding summit climb.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at Mweka Camp.
Day 7: Trek from Mweka Camp (3,080m) to Mweka Gate (1,640m) then Transfer to Moshi
Trekking Time: 3–4 hours
Distance: 10 km
Zone: Rainforest
After breakfast, you will begin your final descent through the beautiful montane rainforest.
The trail becomes increasingly green and lush as you lose altitude. After approximately 3–4 hours of hiking, you will arrive at Mweka Gate.
At the gate, you will complete the park exit procedures and receive your official Kilimanjaro summit certificate for successfully reaching Uhuru Peak.
You will then meet your vehicle and transfer back to Moshi for a hot shower, relaxation, and a well-deserved celebration of your successful Mount Kilimanjaro trekking adventure.
