9-Day Budget Kilimanjaro Trekking Lemosho Route

• A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Lemosho Gate (2, 100 meters) – start point 2, 360 meters to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2, 820 meters)

We will pick you up from your hotel and transport you to Londorossi Gate, located at 2,100 meters. This gate serves as the starting point, which is the same as the Lemosho Route.
Travel to Lemosho Gate, taking approximately 3 hours from Moshi and longer from Arusha. Here, you’ll register with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities.
Enjoy lunch at Lemosho Gate, a common practice among tour operators, before embarking on the first day’s trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp at 2,820 meters.
During the trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp, you may have the opportunity to spot large wildlife such as elephants and buffalo that occasionally emerge from the rainforest onto the trail. Dinner will be served upon reaching Mti Mkubwa Camp.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Mti Mkubwa Camp (2, 820 meters) to Shira Camp 1 (3, 610 meters)

Begin day two with a one-hour trek through the final stretch of the rainforest path.
After exiting the rainforest, you’ll enter the low alpine moorland zone as you ascend towards the Shira Plateau.
The day’s trek, although relatively short and gradual, culminates at Shira Camp 1, situated at an elevation of 3,610 meters.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Shira Camp 1 (3, 610 meters) to Shira Camp 2 (3, 850 meters)

On day three, the trek takes you across the Shira Plateau, leading from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2.
Nine-day trekkers usually spend the night at Shira Camp 2 and have the opportunity to meet up with trekkers from the Machame Route.
While at Shira Camp 2, consider hiking a bit higher up the plateau to take in the breathtaking view across the valley below and the Western Breach of Kilimanjaro above.
Be aware that the plateau is exposed, so prepare for a cold night with temperatures dropping below freezing. Note that trekkers on an eight-day hike will follow an alternative route, ascending the Shira Plateau ridge, passing Lava Tower at 4,600 meters, and then descending via the Northern Circuit to Moir Camp at 4,200 meters.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Shira Camp 2 (3, 850 meters) to Lava Tower (4, 600 meters) and then north to Moir Camp

Day four entails a lengthy eastward trek that takes you through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ and into the high alpine desert zone.
Spend the morning ascending to Lava Tower, reaching an elevation of 4,600 meters, and pass by the iconic Shark’s Tooth rock formation. Lunch will be at this point.
After lunch, you’ll join the northern circuit and head down to Moir Camp at 4,200 meters. This part of the trek is significant as it allows you to experience high altitude and then sleep at a lower elevation, which is beneficial for acclimatization.
This day’s itinerary plays a vital role in your acclimatization process, with the principle of “climb high, sleep low” being applied to help you adapt to higher altitudes more effectively.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Moir Camp (4, 200 meters) to Buffalo Camp (4, 020 meters)

Day five begins with a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. Trekkers have the option to take a short detour to ascend the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375 meters before rejoining the Northern Circuit trail.
The route continues with a series of inclines and declines, following the northern slopes of Kibo, and leads you to Buffalo Camp at 4,020 meters.
Enjoy stunning vistas across the plains north of Kilimanjaro, extending to the Kenyan/Tanzanian border, as you trek towards Buffalo Camp.
Arrive at Buffalo Camp shortly after midday, where you’ll have lunch and ample time to rest and recover after a challenging day of hiking.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Buffalo Camp (4, 020 meters) to Rongai Third Cave (3, 800 meters)

Day six begins with a climb up Buffalo Ridge, followed by a descent into Porfu Camp, where you’ll typically have lunch.
Continue eastward, encircling the northern slopes, until you reach the Rongai Third Cave at 3,800 meters.
This day’s trek is shorter than the previous one, and your body should be well acclimatized to the altitude at this stage.
Arrive at the Third Cave around mid-afternoon, giving you some time to rest and recharge.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

3rd Cave (3, 800 meters) to School Hut (4, 800 meters)

Day seven features a steady incline as you ascend up and over the Saddle, which lies between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi.
Continue your trek in a south-west direction until you reach School Hut at 4,800 meters in elevation.
Upon arrival at School Hut, enjoy an early dinner. It’s essential to prepare for your summit attempt, so make sure all your gear is ready, including warm clothing, insulated water bottles, snacks, a headlamp, and your camera before you go to bed.
Get some rest, but be ready to be awakened before midnight for the start of your summit attempt. This preparation is crucial for a successful ascent.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

School Hut (4, 800 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5, 895 meters) and then onto Millennium Camp

Begin your summit day at 11:30 PM with tea and biscuits, setting off on a steep nighttime climb up Kibo.
Reach Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters) after 5-6 hours for a stunning sunrise and panoramic views.
Continue to Uhuru Peak, arriving at sunrise. Capture the amazing scenery before retracing your steps to Stella Point (5,739 meters). Descend to Barafu Camp (4,680 meters) and then to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) after a brief break.
Pace yourself during this 14-16 hour trek. Stay hydrated and energized. Note that some operators return via Gilman’s Point to Horombo Hut on the Marangu Route.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Millennium Camp (3, 950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1, 640 meters)

On the final day, enjoy a short hike through the dense montane rainforest, starting from Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) and ending at Mweka Gate (1,640 meters).
At Mweka Gate, you’ll sign out with the authorities, and they will provide you with your official certificate: a green certificate for those reaching Gilman’s Point and a gold certificate for those making it to Uhuru Peak.
It’s customary to tip your guides and porters at this point. Following this, you’ll be driven back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.