Overview
At 18,865 feet above sea level, it is the highest campsite on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is located just 475 feet below the summit.
We offer the opportunity to stay at Crater Camp on the Lemosho and Northern Circuit routes. This option will add one day to the standard itineraries making them the 9 Lemosho Crater Route and 10 day Northern Crater Route .
We leave for the summit during daylight hours and stay at Crater Camp after the summit for better acclimatization.
On all other Kilimanjaro routes, only the guides and clients summit while the rest of the mountain crew remains at high camp (i.e. Barafu). Using Crater Camp requires significantly more effort on our part as the entire mountain crew, along with all of the expedition equipment, has to ascend 4,000 feet higher than they normally would. Therefore, there is considerable added cost to do a Crater Camp route.
From Crater Camp, one can take an optional one hour hike to Reusch Crater, or simply explore the areas around Furtwangler Glacier. Reusch Crater is a magnificent sight. It is almost perfectly circular and the ash pit measures 400 feet (120 m) deep and 1,300 feet (400 m) wide. This is rarely seen by tourists. The video below puts the size of the ash pit and crater into perspective.
We understand the attraction of staying at Crater Camp. However, the drawback of sleeping at this high altitude is that it is pretty dangerous. Serious AMS can develop if adequate altitude acclimatization has not been achieved.
Due to safety concerns for clients and staff, the 9 Lemosho Crater Route and 10 day Northern Crater Route are done only by special request and are subject to approval by African Scenery
Altitude profile
From Londorossi Gate to Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft) and back down.
9-day itinerary
Hiking times are a guide; your guide sets the pace for safe acclimatisation.
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Day 1Londorossi Gate Mti Mkubwa
- Elevation
- 7,742 ft → 9,498 ft
- Hiking time
- 3-4 hours
- Distance
- 6 km | 4 miles
- Habitat
- Rain Forest
We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at trailhead, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.
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Day 2Mti Mkubwa Shira 1 Camp
- Elevation
- 9,498 ft → 11,500 ft
- Hiking time
- 5-6 hours
- Distance
- 8 km | 5 miles
- Habitat
- Heath
We continue on the trail leading out of the rain forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.
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Day 3Shira 1 Camp Moir Hut
- Elevation
- 11,500 ft → 13,800 ft
- Hiking time
- 5-7 hours
- Distance
- 11 km | 7 miles
- Habitat
- Heath
We explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. Then we divert from the main trail to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
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Day 4Moir Hut Lava Tower Barranco Camp
Moir Hut to Lava Tower
- Elevation
- 12,500 ft → 15,190 ft
- Hiking time
- 4-5 hours
- Distance
- 7 km | 4 miles
- Habitat
- Alpine Desert
We begin the day climbing up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.
Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
- Elevation
- 15,190 ft → 13,044 ft
- Hiking time
- 2-3 hours
- Distance
- 3 km | 2 miles
- Habitat
- Alpine Desert
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Day 5Barranco Camp Karanga Camp
- Elevation
- 13,044 ft → 13,106 ft
- Hiking time
- 4-5 hours
- Distance
- 5 km | 3 miles
- Habitat
- Alpine Desert
We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.
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Day 6Karanga Camp Barafu Camp
- Elevation
- 13,106 ft → 15,331 ft
- Hiking time
- 4-5 hours
- Distance
- 4 km | 2 miles
- Habitat
- Alpine Desert
We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.
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Day 7Barafu Camp Uhuru Peak Crater Camp
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
- Elevation
- 15,331 ft → 19,341 ft
- Hiking time
- 7-8 hours
- Distance
- 5 km | 3 miles
- Habitat
- Arctic
During normal morning hours, we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. We ascend for several hours at a slow but steady pace while taking frequent, but short, breaks. The trail turns into heavy scree as we make the steep climb to the crater rim. At Stella Point (18,900 ft), we see the summit sign in the distance. We continue the around the crater rim until finally we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
Uhuru Peak to Crater Camp
- Elevation
- 19,341 ft → 18,865 ft
- Hiking time
- 0.5-1 hours
- Distance
- 1 km | 0.6 miles
- Habitat
- Arctic
We then descend a short distance to Crater Camp, where the rest of the staff will join us to set up camp. There is an option to hike to Reutsch Crater and the ash pit, or simply explore the areas around Furtwangler Glacier. Sleeping at this high altitude can be dangerous. Serious AMS can develop if adequate altitude acclimatization has not been achieved so the guides will monitor you very closely.
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Day 8Crater Camp Mweka Camp
- Elevation
- 18,865 ft → 10,065 ft
- Hiking time
- 4-6 hours
- Distance
- 12 km | 7 miles
- Habitat
- Arctic
From Crater Camp, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
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Day 9Mweka Camp Mweka Gate
- Elevation
- 10,065 ft → 5,380 ft
- Hiking time
- 3-4 hours
- Distance
- 10 km | 6 miles
- Habitat
- Rain Forest
On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.
What's included
Flights, tips and personal gear are not included.
- Certified mountain guides, assistant guides, cook and porters
- Kilimanjaro National Park, camping or hut and rescue fees
- Quality tents, sleeping mats, mess tent and private toilet tent
- Three hot meals a day and treated drinking water on the mountain
- Transfers between your hotel and the park gate
- Daily health checks with pulse oximeter and emergency oxygen
