Mount Kilimanjaro's Routes

Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro

Moshi, a tranquil town in northern Tanzania, lies in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. Renowned for its lush coffee plantations and vibrant street markets, Moshi offers a serene environment and a glimpse into the life at the foot of this majestic mountain. It serves as the starting point for most Kilimanjaro expeditions, drawing climbers from around the globe. Beyond its role as a gateway to adventure, Moshi is celebrated for its rich cultural heritage, with the Chagga and Maasai peoples contributing to the town's diverse community. Visitors can explore local markets, engage in cultural tours, or relax in cafes that boast views of Kilimanjaro's snow-capped summit. The surrounding area offers opportunities for day trips, including visits to waterfalls, hot springs, and coffee plantations, making Moshi a compelling blend of natural beauty and cultural richness.

Moshi is considered safe for visitors, with precautions advised for health and safety. Vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Yellow Fever, along with malaria prophylaxis, are recommended for travelers to Tanzania.

Safety & Vaccinations

Located near Kilimanjaro International Airport and connected by road to major cities, Moshi is easily accessible for climbers and tourists alike.

Getting There

Local taxis, motorbike taxis (boda-bodas), and daladalas (minibuses) are available for transportation within Moshi and to nearby attractions.

Getting Around

Visitors to Tanzania can obtain a visa on arrival or an eVisa online, making travel to Moshi straightforward for many nationalities.

Visas

Moshi

Hot Water Showers

Wifi

The rooms all have individual lock boxes to store personal items.

In-Room Lockable Box

This property has a gift shop on the premises.

Gift Shop

Laundry Service

Swimming Pool

By land, the hotel is roughly a 1 hour drive from Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Local flights can be arranged to Moshi, though most commonly, visitors arrive by vehicle, primarily from Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha.

Springlands Hotel Moshi

We had a nice and relaxing stay before and after we climbed Kilimanjaro.
Food was great, staff were pleasant and helpful.

We also enjoyed a nice massage after one week of hiking, so good.
and you can store our belongings during our hiking trip. they also offer lockers for your valuables during hiking.

Great hotel for a few days before/after climbing or a safari. Really friendly staff, great relaxed atmospere. Big pool and all facilities you need: 24hr reception, pool, restaurant & (coffee)bar, laundry services, massages, wifi, airco in all rooms.

private hotel by zara tours, located in the industrial area of Moshi town. love the atmosphere and surrounding. book with with for your mountain climbing & safaris.

Best Hotel at a convenient location in Moshi. Very well organised and great team, excellent food, they've mailed it. Perfect place for a night before and after the climb.

We stayed at springlands hotel in moshi, this hotel was fantastic! The staff were all friendly and helpful, and the rooms were clean and spacious. The location was great, with easy access to mountain kilimanjaro where we wanted to go. The hotel also had a great pool and restaurant and we really enjoyed some delicious meals there.

Base for Kilimanjaro trips and Northern Parks safaris

Expansive pool amidst lush gardens for relaxation

Enjoy a breakfast buffet and delectable dining experiences

Springlands Hotel

The accommodations at Springlands Hotel boast spacious en-suite facilities complete with showers, mosquito netting, and fans, ensuring a comfortable stay for guests.

Picturesque town at Kilimanjaro's base, blending culture and adventure.

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative, who will then provide transportation to the Kibo Palace Hotel in Moshi. Here, you will spend the night resting after a long day of travel.

Kibo Palace Hotel - Executive Room

Kibo Palace Dinner Night 1

Arrival, Karibu Tanzania!

Today is a free day to prepare for tomorrow's marathon and explore the vibrant town Moshi. You will have an opportunity to walk or run the tomorrow's route.

Kibo Palace Dinner Night 2

Relax and Prepare for the Marathon

The day of the marathon! After finishing your race in the morning, you will be heading back to your hotel and having the rest of the day to celebrate the event in town. There will be many events, parties, and music that day to enjoy!

2025 Kili Marathon registration

Kibo Palace Dinner Night 3

Competing in the 2025 Kili Marathon

Dive into the heart of Tanzania with a day packed with breathtaking scenery and wildlife at Lake Manyara National Park, followed by a serene stay at Isoitok Camp Manyara. Begin your journey with a comfortable transfer from Arusha, exploring the diverse ecosystems of Lake Manyara. Marvel at the park's famous tree-climbing lions, vast elephant herds, and over 400 bird species. Conclude your day by unwinding at the eco-friendly Isoitok Camp Manyara, where dinner under the stars awaits. Optional activities offer a personalized touch to your adventure.

Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park to Serengeti National Park

Balloon safari over the Serengeti National Park!

Balloon Safari

Day in the Serengeti

Today you'll embark on a game drive in the Serengeti while on route to Ngorongoro Crater toward your overnight accommodation.

Transfer Day from Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater

Exploring Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha

Upgraded accommodation to the following properties.  Manyara Serena Lodge (instead of Isotoki Camp), Serengeti Serena Lodge (instead of Serengeti Kati Kati Camp), and Ngorongoro Serena Lodge (instead of Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge).

Upgraded Safari Accommodation

Park Fees

Vehicle Cost

This transfer is one way from JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) to Arusha (or vice versa from Arusha to JRO) and is for a maximum of 6 travellers. If staying at an accommodation (Mount Meru Game Lodge, Melia, or an equivalent around Arusha) this will be your transportation to the accommodation from JRO (or vice versa from your accommodation to JRO). If you need multiple transfers, please add more units (I.e. a transfer from JRO and a transfer back to JRO at the end of your trip).

(JRO to Arusha) Airport Transfer in a 4x4 Safari Cruiser

This transfer is one way from JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) to Arusha (or vice versa from Arusha to JRO) and is for a maximum of 4 travellers. If staying at an accommodation (Mount Meru Game Lodge, Melia, or an equivalent around Arusha) this will be your transportation to the accommodation from JRO (or vice versa from your accommodation to JRO). If you need multiple transfers, please add more units (I.e. a transfer from JRO and a transfer back to JRO at the end of your trip).

(JRO - Arusha) Transfer in an Alphard Mini Van

Add an extra day to the start of the trip to better acclimatize and prepare for your race.

An extra day to the start of the trip to better acclimatize and prepare for your race.

Kibo Palace Hotel Moshi - Extra Pre-Marathon Prep Day

Kili Marathon and Serengeti Safari

Compete in the 2025 Kili marathon and experience in 6 days, view Tanzania's renowned parks and wildlife like lions, elephants, giraffes, and cheetahs.

Arusha

Savannah Tours

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be transferred to Springlands Hotel for your overnight stay.

Transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Springlands Hotel

Transfer from Arusha to Moshi

Single Room at Springlands Hotel

Transfer to Springlands Hotel

Drive from Moshi to Londorosi Park Gate at 2250m, taking 1.5 hours. Proceed via a 4WD to Lemosho Glades at 2000m, 11Km, 45 minutes away, and then hike to Mti Mkubwa campsite at 2750m over 3 hours.

Mti Mkubwa Campsite

The trail steepens into the giant heather moorland, crosses the Shira ridge at 3600m, and gently descends to Shira 1 camp on the Shira plateau at 3500m, a 5-hour journey.

Big Tree Camp to Shira 1 Camp

A gentle 1.5-hour walk across the plateau to Shira 2 camp at 3850m on moorland meadows by a stream, with additional walks for acclimatization.

Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp

The route leaves moorlands for rocky paths to optionally reach Lava Tower at 4600m over 5 hours, then continues to Barranco hut at 3900m in 2 hours.

Shira 2 to Barranco Camp

From Barranco, climb the Barranco wall, reaching the base of the Heim glacier, and proceed to Karanga valley over 4 hours.

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Hike to Barafu hut at 4600m, preparing for the summit, with views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. Rest, dinner, and overnight stay here.

Karanga Camp to Barafu Hut

Begin the midnight trek to Uhuru Peak at 5895m, an 8-hour ascent. After summiting, descend to Barafu for rest and then down to Mweka hut for dinner and overnight.

Barafu Camp to Mweka Camp

Descend through Mweka Montane forest to Mweka gate, then drive back to Moshi's Springlands Hotel, marking the end of the trek.

Mweka Camp to Springlands Hotel

Today is your departure day from Springlands hotel.

Transfer from Moshi to Kilimanjaro International Airport

Transfer from Moshi to Arusha

Departure Day

Private toilet for your climb on Mt. Kilimanjaro. We highly recommend adding this to make your trip more comfortable!

Private Toilet

Kilimanjaro 8 Day Lemosho Route

The Lemosho Route offers breathtaking scenery, high summit success rates, and a gradual ascent for better acclimatization.

Transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Kibo Palace Hotel

The day of the marathon! After finishing your race in the morning, you will be packing up from Kibo Palace and preparing for your transfer over to Springlands Hotel, meet your head guide, and get ready for tomorrow's start of the climb.

2025 Kili Marathon Registration

Your adventure begins early with a comprehensive briefing, followed by breakfast. A 45-minute drive will take you from Moshi (910m) to the Machame village (1490m), where guides and porters will meticulously prepare and pack the supplies and equipment. The condition of the road dictates whether a vehicle can take you directly to the Machame gate; if the path is impassable, a 3 km trek through mud, typically lasting about an hour, will lead you there instead.

Upon arriving and registering at the gate office, your ascent commences as you enter the lush rainforest. A lunch pack will be provided at the gate, and you can hydrate with bottled water purchased previously at the Springlands Hotel in Moshi. The rainforest may present rain, turning the trail soggy, muddy, and slippery.

As evening approaches, the porters will boil water for drinking and washing, and the cook will prepare dinner. You'll then retire to your tent for the night, where temperatures at the Machame campsite can drop to the freezing point, marking a chilly but exhilarating end to the day's journey.

Machame Gate to Machame Camp

An early start at Machame camp sets the tone for the day, as you embark on the journey just after breakfast. The initial climb takes you through the forest's canopy for about an hour, reaching the moorland zone where the gradient becomes gentler for the next two hours. A brief pause for lunch and rest prepares you for the continuation of your ascent along a rocky ridge leading onto the expansive Shira plateau. It's here that the Eastern vistas open up, offering breathtaking views of the Western Breach and its majestic glaciers, with Kibo looming to your east.

Your day's trek concludes upon arrival at the Shira campsite, situated at an altitude of 3,840 meters. As evening sets in, the porters will once again prepare boiling water for drinking and washing, followed by the serving of dinner. Positioned within this exposed camp, you'll find the night to be even colder than the last, with temperatures plunging well below freezing, marking a serene yet stark reminder of the mountain's rugged beauty.

Machame Camp to Shira Camp

The journey now veers eastward into a semi-desert and rocky expanse surrounding the Lava Tower, culminating at an elevation of 4,630 meters after approximately a five-hour trek. A designated area serves as the lunch spot before you tackle the ascent on the rocky scree path to Lava Tower, marking the most challenging day of the expedition thus far. It's at this juncture that climbers may begin to experience the initial signs of altitude sickness, including breathlessness, irritability, and headaches.

Post-lunch, a descent of nearly 680 meters leads you to the Barranco camping area. Having reached the day's peak altitude at Lava Tower, the descent underscores the acclimatization advantage of this segment. This two-hour journey down to Barranco camp not only offers a respite but also presents ample opportunities to capture stunning photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall.

Nestled in a valley beneath the imposing Breach and the Great Barranco Wall, the campsite promises a remarkable sunset scene, setting a picturesque backdrop as you await dinner preparation. The night spent at Barranco Campsite, with its unique location, adds a memorable chapter to your adventure.

Shira Camp to Barranco Camp

This acclimatization day is expertly designed to enhance your adaptation to the altitude, ensuring a successful summit attempt. As you conquer the famed Barranco Wall, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramas that promise to elevate your spirit. The path to Karanga Camp not only prepares your body for the heights ahead but also offers a moment to marvel at the natural wonders of Kilimanjaro.

The journey continues towards Barafu Camp. As you make your way, you'll transition into an environment totally exposed to the relentless gales, where tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and somewhat perilous ridge. It's crucial to acquaint yourself with the surrounding terrain before nightfall to prevent any mishaps. The summit looms a further 1,345 meters above, and you're slated to begin the final ascent later that same night.

Preparation is key; ready your equipment, ski stick, and thermal clothing for the summit attempt. This preparation phase should include checking and replacing the batteries in both your headlamp and camera, ensuring you have a spare set for each. To avoid the risk of your water freezing, consider carrying it in a thermal flask. Plan to retire to bed around 19:00, aiming for a few hours of vital rest and sleep, ideally no more than five hours, before you face the summit challenge.

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

You will awaken at around 11:30 PM, and after savoring some tea and biscuits, you'll venture into the night. Your journey will take a northwesterly path, climbing through dense scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This six-hour trek to Stella Point ranks as the most challenging phase of the climb for many, both mentally and physically. Upon arrival at Stella Point (5,685m), you'll take a brief respite and be greeted by an extraordinary sunrise, arguably the most magnificent one you're likely to witness, weather allowing.

From Stella Point, the path typically features snow all the way during your two-hour climb to Uhuru Peak. The length of your stay at the summit will be dictated by the weather conditions. It's advisable not to linger excessively, as the combination of cold and fatigue can make resuming your descent particularly challenging. Take a moment to cherish your achievement and the unforgettable experience, a memory to treasure for a lifetime. The descent to Barafu from the summit will take about three hours. Here, you'll enjoy a well-deserved, though brief, rest and gather the remainder of your gear before continuing your descent to Mweka Camp (3,100m) for dinner and overnight.

Summit Mt. Kilimanjaro at Uhuru Peak!


After breakfast, your journey continues from the Mweka Gate down to the Mweka village, a trek that is typically muddy and takes about an hour. Upon reaching the village, you will be driven back to the Springlands Hotel where a delicious hot lunch awaits you! Afterward, you'll return to Moshi where a much-needed hot shower will be ready for you at the Springlands Hotel, where you will stay overnight on a full-board basis.

It is customary and greatly appreciated to provide tips at the conclusion of your journey. Tips can be conveniently given to the guide at the Springlands Hotel. This is also the venue where successful climbers are awarded their summit certificates. Climbers who reached Stella Point (5,685m) will receive green certificates, while those who made it to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) are honored with gold certificates, marking their significant achievements.

Final descent from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Today you'll be heading to your next drop-off location from the overnight accommodation. Please select one of the extra for this trip if you need a ride to your next location.

Transfer to your next location

Extra Acclimatization Day

Kili Marathon and Kilimanjaro Climb

Compete in the 2025 Kili Marathon and conquer Mount Kilimanjaro on a  7-day trek on the scenic Machame Route, including an extra day for acclimatization.

Zara Tours

The rainy season can hinder some outdoor activities but offers lush landscapes and fewer crowds.

Low Season

Perfect for those aiming to summit Kilimanjaro or enjoy the town's outdoor attractions in dry weather.

Best time to go

Short rains, with the landscape at its most vibrant, offering a mix of adventure and relaxation opportunities.

Shoulder Season

Dry and clear, ideal for climbing Kilimanjaro and exploring the area.

Moshi

Moshi

About Moshi

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Mount Kilimanjaro's Routes

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Mount Kilimanjaro's Routes

Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro

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