Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route

• At Londorossi Park Gate you're entered into Kilimanjaro National Park’s records. You're then driven for another hour to Lemosho Gate (2,100 m) and the trailhead. From here it’s a three-hour hike up to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,895 m), also known as Big Tree Camp. This is your first night sleeping under the stars in tents!

After an early breakfast, you climb out of the rainforest and into the heather and moorland zone. You cross many streams en route to Shira 1 Camp (3,505 m). Today and tomorrow offer some of the best scenery of the trek. You walk for five to six hours today

• Today you continue along the Shira Plateau, which offers a fantastic view of the Western Breach, a gap in the Kibo crater that was formed by lava flow, and glaciers. You can look forward to seeing giant lobelias, senecios and giant groundsels. You overnight at Moir Hut (4,206 m). All in all, you hike for six to seven hours today.

After breakfast you climb up to Lava Tower (4,630 m), an impressive rock formation. This is where you enjoy lunch. Next, everyone descends a little to Barranco Camp (3,967 m), which sits at the base of the famous Barranco Wall. This means you 'climb high, sleep low' today, which is great for acclimatisation. Hiking time today is six to nine hours.

After an early breakfast, it’s time to conquer Barranco Wall, a steep wall of rock. Although it looks intimidating, trekkers usually say it turns out to be easier than they expected. At the top of the wall you're above the clouds and enjoy superb views of the southern ice fields summit. The trail winds up and down until Karanga Camp (3,995 m). Today's hike lasts four to five hours.

It’s getting real! You’re now very close to the summit and have some amazing views of the mountain during your ascent of three hours to Barafu Camp (4,600 m). You go to bed early tonight as tomorrow’s summit hike starts in at midnight. This is partly to enjoy the sunrise from up high, and partly because of the long hours of trekking required

It's the big push! Today’s trek consists of two parts: a pre-dawn climb to Uhuru Peak of six to eight hours, followed by another six to eight hours of hiking for the descent to Mweka Camp (3,068 m). This is the moment to dig deep mentally and physically. Picture yourself standing at the tippy-top of Africa next to the Uhuru Peak sign (5,895 m), all that hard work rewarded!

Today you do the last bit of hiking (three hours) down through the beautiful rainforest to the foot of the mountain and Mweka Gate (1,640 m), where your driver is waiting for you. Achievement of a lifetime: check! Time to celebrate with the tipping ceremony, then enjoy cold beers and laughs, and finally take a well-earned sleep in a soft, comfy bed!

It's time to say say goodbye to Kilimanjaro. If you're leaving Tanzania or heading to Zanzibar, we drive you to the airport. Or if you're joining us for a Kenyan safari we head North together to see the Big Five and more.