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.
10-day itinerary
Hiking times are a guide; your guide sets the pace for safe acclimatisation.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Day 3Shira 1 Camp Shira 2 Camp
- Elevation
- 11,500 ft → 12,500 ft
- Hiking time
- 3-4 hours
- Distance
- 7 km | 4 miles
- Habitat
- Heath
We explore the Shira Plateau. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. The heath zone displays abundant wildflowers and unique Senecio trees.
-
Day 4Shira 2 Camp Lava Tower Moir Hut
Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower
- Elevation
- 12,500 ft → 15,190 ft
- Hiking time
- 3-4 hours
- Distance
- 7 km | 4 miles
- Habitat
- Alpine Desert
We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. 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.
Lava Tower to Moir Hut
- Elevation
- 15,190 ft → 13,580 ft
- Hiking time
- 2-3 hours
- Distance
- 6 km | 4 miles
- Habitat
- Alpine Desert
-
Day 5Moir Hut Buffalo Camp
- Elevation
- 13,580 ft → 13,200 ft
- Hiking time
- 5-7 hours
- Distance
- 12 km | 7 miles
- Habitat
- Alpine Desert
We trek out of Moir Valley with a moderately steep climb, then hike to the summit of Lent Hills before returning to the main trail. The path crosses a rock field and gently undulates before reaching Buffalo Camp. This section of the trail offers great views across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan/Tanzanian border.
-
Day 6Buffalo Camp Third Cave
- Elevation
- 13,200 ft → 12,700 ft
- Hiking time
- 5-7 hours
- Distance
- 8 km | 5 miles
- Habitat
- Heath
As we head up Buffalo Ridge, the terrain becomes increasingly sparse. This route is rarely travelled and we will enjoy its mountain wilderness feel. We trek through remote valleys on to the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro until we arrive at Third Cave.
-
Day 7Third Cave School Hut
- Elevation
- 12,700 ft → 15,600 ft
- Hiking time
- 4-5 hours
- Distance
- 5 km | 3 miles
- Habitat
- Alpine Desert
We climb steadily up and over the “Saddle,” which sits between Kibo and Mawenzi. We continue on to our camp, School Hut. Once here we rest, enjoy dinner and prepare for the summit day.
-
Day 8School Hut Uhuru Peak Crater Camp
School Hut to Uhuru Peak
- Elevation
- 15,600 ft → 19,341 ft
- Hiking time
- 6-8 hours
- Distance
- 6 km | 4 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 Gilman’s Point (18,600 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.
-
Day 9Crater 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.
-
Day 10Mweka 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
