Hiking the Lemosho route to the summit of Kilimanjaro was a bucket list journey. From the various distinct climate zones to the grueling summit night, I’m excited to share this Kilimanjaro trip report—but I couldn’t have done it without my partner’s meticulous planning and the help of our guide company. For our Kilimanjaro trip, we chose Altezza Travel, and it quickly became clear that their level of support is why they’ve built a reputation for delivering world-class adventures. From the moment we touched down at Kilimanjaro International Airport to the final celebratory beer, the experience was seamless.
Mount Kilimanjaro demands respect, but the secret to a successful summit isn’t just your fitness—it’s the team standing behind you. Over seven days, our Altezza crew (65 total support staff!) managed everything from gourmet mountain meals to the inevitable “Kili-belly” with professional grace.
Follow along on our Kilimanjaro trip, from the Altezza basecamp at Aishi Machame Hotel, up to the summit, and down to the Mweka Gate.
Article Overview
Our Kilimanjaro Trip: A 7-Day Lemosho Route Itinerary
We opted for a 7-day route to maximize acclimatization on our Kilimanjaro trip. That meant cutting off the first day of hiking through the lush, humid rainforests of the lower slopes, with our drop-off already above 11,000 feet in the moorlands.
Total Distance: Approximately 60.5 km | 37.3 mi
Elevation Gain: Approximately 3,095 m | 10,154 ft
Crux: The final push from Barafu Camp to the summit—mostly at night!
Day 1: Morum Barrier Gate to Shira 1 Camp
Elevation (meters): 3,500 to 3,619
Elevation (feet): 11,483 to 11,844
Distance: 3.5 km | 2.1 mi
Our Kilimanjaro trip began with a long drive to the remote Morum Barrier. Starting at this elevation is a literal breath of fresh air, though it puts your lungs to work immediately. The hike to Shira 1 was a gentle introduction to the heather moorland. Arriving at camp, the Altezza team already had our individual tents, portable toilets with privacy tents, and the mess tent set up—a standard of care that would become the hallmark of our Kilimanjaro trip.
Today’s Journal Entry:
“It was a long drive (~3 hrs) to our trailhead today, with multiple stops. It was hard not to feel a bit like we were moving at a snail’s pace. But this trip isn’t to prove anything or stoke my ego. It’s about our group, taking care of myself, and soaking it in. Michelle’s new nickname is The Lost Queen of Kilimanjaro. Does that make me The Banished King? Eh, too self-serving. The hike was good, just a light drizzle. It’s amazing how much these porters can carry. And I’ve been impressed with the food and the guides so far. Let’s hope another good night of sleep helps everyone feel strong tomorrow!”
Day 2: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Elevation (meters): 3,610 to 3,768
Elevation: 11,844 to 12,361
Distance: 10 km | 6.2 mi
Some of our crew rose early enough to get their first views of Uhuru Peak, which was socked in yesterday. Alas, we sleep in, but the morning still provides incredible views of the plateau, making the brisk air easier to manage. The terrain for today’s hike was relatively flat but exposed. The ponchos had to make an earlier-than-hoped-for appearance, but warm food and hot tea in the evening helped take the chill off. The guides were already vigilantly checking our heart rates and oxygen saturation levels, ensuring everyone was adjusting to the thinning air.
Today’s Journal Entry:
“Whoa nelly! It was a wet one today. We must’ve put on and taken off the ponchos at least three times, until we realized they should probably just stay on. Other than the rain, which was discouraging, I felt fine on the hike, but when we got to camp, I crashed. I felt very lethargic, lost my appetite, and have had very loose stool. But they assure me all those things are normal. And I know they’re right. My body is adjusting to the elevation and feeling the effects. But I’m confident tomorrow will be a better day! I managed an afternoon nap and made the acclimatization hike okay. Feeling a bit better now, but very much looking forward to sleep!”
Day 3: Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
Elevation (meters): 3,768 to 4,600 at Lava Tower, down to 3,900
Elevation: 12,361 to 15,091 at Lava Tower, down to 12,795
Distance: 10 km | 6.2 mi
This is a classic “climb high, sleep low” day. The trek up to Lava Tower at over 15,000 feet was the first real test of our grit. The weather turned sour, but my Tushar rain shell kept me dry while the Altezza guides did their best to keep our spirits high. While the first stomach issues hit the group yesterday, they seemed to spread today, perhaps heightened by the increase in altitude. The guides didn’t flinch as some of our party lost their lunch on the side of the trail, slowing to accommodate our needed pace as we descended into the beautiful, Senecio-filled Barranco Valley.
Today’s Journal Entry:
“Today started with crystal clear skies for the first time on our trip. We were so happy to don sunscreen and hike in a single layer…but it didn’t last forever. We were back in rain gear well before we reached our lunch stop at Lava Tower. At tea time, I asked our lead guide for Imodium, which seems to be helping. At lunch, Michelle started feeling nauseous and then threw up early on the hike down. She’s still feeling very queasy, but is lying next to me on oxygen right now. Really hoping she feels better tomorrow and that we’ve gotten our ills out of the way early on. The guides and porters are amazing. They stuck right with us the whole way, setting a great slow pace for both of us. Michelle was in tears of gratitude when we got to camp. I’m so proud of her, and us. Tomorrow will be a better day!”
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation (meters): 3,900 to 3,995
Elevation: 12,795 to 13,107
Distance: 6 km | 3.7 mi
Day 4 of our Kilimanjaro trip starts with the infamous Barranco Wall. It looks intimidating, but it’s more of a fun “scramble” than a climb. Watching the Altezza porters navigate this wall with 20kg (or likely more!) loads on their heads or necks was humbling, to say the least. Our lead guide pushed us to be one of the first groups out of camp, and it was well worth it. We nearly had the viewpoint at the top of the wall all to ourselves by mid-morning. While it required a solid elevation loss and regain over the short distance to Karanga (Swahili for “peanuts”) Camp, it allowed for a much-needed afternoon of rest.
Today’s Journal Entry:
“We had our earliest start of the trip this morning—5 am wake-up call. But thankfully, both of us are feeling much better today. The hike was beautiful. We climbed up the Barranco Wall, which was a steep incline necessitating the use of both hands in many places. It had several false summits, but we reached the top around 9:30 am—Mufasa Point, I think they called it. It had incredible views of the lowlands below and Kibo behind, so we took many great photos there. Then, it was a steep descent, followed by a steep ascent, to reach camp by lunch time. Today, we had a rest afternoon and I slept for about 3 hours. I had barely laid down when I passed out, so I know it was needed. Ready for more rest tonight because tomorrow is a big(ish) day!”
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation (meters): 3,995 to 4,673
Elevation (feet): 13,107 to 15,331
Distance: 4 km | 2.4 mi
The vegetation disappears as you enter the alpine desert. The trail to Barafu (Swahili for “ice”) is steep and rocky. Spirits were high but focused. When we reached camp in the early afternoon, we had lunch and Altezza’s guides briefed us on the plan for summit night. Rising at 10pm for “breakfast,” with the hike starting around 11pm. We checked in about summit gear and they introduced the additional porters that would assist with the climb—giving us an even 1:1 ratio of guides to climbers. Their attention to detail—ensuring our headlamps had fresh batteries and giving us their expert tips for keeping water from freezing in our bladder hoses—gave us the confidence needed for the “dark and early” start.
Today’s Journal Entry:
“We got to sleep in today and had a slower start. These last two days have been all about inching closer to the summit while maximizing rest. Michelle and I are both feeling much better, and are excited about tomorrow. 7 hours up, 3 hours down. Then, some rest before we descend a bit further. The guide and porter team has been exceptional. They did a full introduction this morning with singing and dancing, which was incredible. Everyone has been so polite and helpful. I would recommend Altezza to anyone. Funny enough, I did have thoughts about coming back one day. But we’ll see! Right now, the focus is on the final push to the top!”
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and back to Millennium Camp
Elevation (meters): 4,673 up to 5,895, down to 3,949
Elevation (feet): 15,331 up to 19,341, down to 12,959
Distance: 14 km | 8.7 mi
Summit night of our Kilimanjaro trip was a blur of headlamps and heavy breathing. We pushed through the freezing darkness, stars twinkling overhead before a breathtaking summit just before we reached the crater rim at Stella Point. Slow and steady was the name of the game, but not sure if we could’ve gone any faster if we tried. All told, the climb took us almost 10 hours from Barafu to Uhuru Peak. And while standing at the top was exhausting, it was also emotional because I proposed to Michelle, and she said yes! Convincing her to film it took a bit of “let’s film a Happy Holidays video to send to family back home” finesse, but it was the highlight of my trip. The descent back to Barafu is arguably harder on the knees than the climb, and we were now shedding layers after such a chilly evening. After a quick nap, we packed up and continued the descent to Millennium Camp.
Today’s Journal Entry:
“We made it to the summit and she said yes! Oh, and Merry Christmas! The weather couldn’t have been better, my plan went off without a hitch, and she was surprised! We got a bunch of congratulations from our hiking crew and the guides. It’s still a bit surreal. I think because so much else went down today. We woke up at 10pm yesterday, reaching the summit around 8:40 am, took pictures, I proposed, we took some more pictures, and then we went back down, not getting back to camp until around 1pm. Then, it was a bit of a rest, lunch, and then another two-hour hike down to our camp for tonight. Writing all that, I should be exhausted, but I guess I’m just riding the high and tomorrow is our last day!”
Day 7: Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation (meters): 3,949 to 1,640
Elevation (feet): 12,959 ft to 5,381
Distance: 13 km | 8 mi
The final day is a long, lush descent through the rainforest. The air feels incredibly thick and oxygen-rich as you drop thousands of feet. It was honestly one of my favorite days of the hike, because you have such a feeling of accomplishment and we were able to have some in-depth conversations with our guides. On this route we chose in particular, we didn’t have a day in the rainforest at the beginning, so seeing this part of Kili’s ecosystem was very welcome.
Reaching Mweka Gate, we were met with a final celebratory lunch and the crew presented certificates to our whole climbing team. Altezza even managed to have cold drinks waiting at the finish line. It was an A+ expedition trekking experience: we arrived as clients and left feeling like family.
Today’s Journal Entry:
“Down, down, down. Today was our hike out to the gate. It was stunning in the rainforest, beautifully warm, and stayed dry for us the whole time. We had some great conversations with the guides, who were telling us about the current political situation in Tanzania, what is required to become a guide on the mountain, what other professions they have in the offseason, and more. They really were incredible for our team in so many ways. The fact that we were the only group where every member reached the summit yesterday (at least that’s what we were told!) is a testament to their pacing, care, attentiveness, and patience. Funny enough, I could see myself doing it again…Africa has really struck a chord in my heart. We will see what the future holds!”
The Service on our Kilimanjaro Trip: Above and Beyond
What impressed me the most about Altezza was their attention to detail. It started with a prompt airport pickup and a comprehensive gear check at the hotel, ensuring no one headed up the mountain under-equipped. But that attention continued throughout. Whether it was the continuously mind-blowing meal service or always having a remedy for our group’s various physical ailments, they delivered attentive, trustworthy consistency from start to finish.
The Kitchen Magic: I’m still not sure how they did it, but the culinary team served multi-course, hot meals every night. We’re talking fresh soups, proteins, and carbohydrates specifically designed to keep your energy up when your appetite naturally wanes at altitude. Shoot, they even delivered a full-on birthday cake for one of our group one night. And don’t get me started on the above-and-beyond meal they served us on Christmas night after the summit!
Medical Care: Kilimanjaro is notorious for “Kili-belly” and altitude sickness. When several in our group (nearly everyone at one point or another) dealt with stomach issues, the guides were proactive and professional, monitoring oxygen saturation levels and heart rates twice daily and adjusting our pace to ensure everyone stayed safe.
Kilimanjaro Trip Key Takeaways and Gear Performance
While the guides handle the heavy lifting, your personal gear still has to perform. This Kilimanjaro trip was the ultimate proving ground for the Outdoor Vitals Tushar Rain Jacket, which saw daily action in the lower rainforest and served as a critical final wind-blocker on the frozen summit.
I was also highly impressed by how warm my Vantage Alpine Down Puffy Jacket kept me, and how well it pulled double-duty as a camp pillow. Plus, Michelle and I both certainly stress-tested our HOKA Kaha 3 GTX trekking boots, to outstanding results.
That said, my key takeaway for anyone planning a Kilimanjaro trip is this: don’t skimp on your guide service. Altezza’s expertise in safety and comfort allowed us to actually enjoy the scenery rather than just suffering through the climb.
Lessons from the Trail: Pro Tips for Your Kilimanjaro Trip
After 7 days on the mountain, here are six things that made the difference between a miserable slog and a successful summit:
Rent the Private Toilet: Don’t waffle on this one—pay for the portable private toilet. The permanent park restrooms are often just holes in the ground and can be a long, cold walk from your tent. When you’re dealing with “Kili-belly” at 2am, having a private facility right near your tent is the best money you’ll spend on the trip.
Bring Baby Wipes: We bought a package of baby wipes at the Aishi Machame Hotel front desk before leaving, and they were worth their weight in gold for trail-side hygiene and bathroom stops.
Know The 80/20 Rule: Our guides harped on this daily: Kilimanjaro is 80% mental and 20% physical. While you need a baseline of fitness, mental dedication is what actually gets you to the top. If you listen to your guides, take their advice, and maintain their pace (“Pole Pole!”), your odds of success skyrocket. For us, muscle fatigue was a minor hurdle compared to the mental strain altitude places on the body.
Trust the Diamox: Altezza was firm about the entire crew taking Diamox for the duration of the trip. While everyone reacts differently, the results speak for themselves: all 15 people in our group—ranging in age from 13 to 70 years old—made it to the summit.
Bring & Trust a Poncho: Even with high-end rain shells, we grabbed a couple of budget-friendly ponchos on Amazon before the trip and used them daily for the first three days. Having that extra layer of external protection for you and your pack is a game-changer in steady rain.
Secure Your Poles: For the Barranco Wall scramble, you need your hands free. Ensure your backpack has a secure way to stow your trekking poles; you don’t want them swinging around while you’re navigating the rock.
Prepare to Tip At the End: Getting back to the hotel after the hike was a bit of a whirlwind. You’re tired, grubby, and can’t stop thinking about a hot shower. But before you say final goodbyes to the guide team, it’s your last chance to show your appreciation, as Altezza will pass out forms and envelopes for you to tip. This can be in the form of cash, they allow tips via card transactions, or by donating gear. This is the one area I wish I would’ve had a bit of a heads up, just to be better prepared for how I wanted to thank our guides (and really the entire support team) for all their attention, kindness, and generosity.
Do you have questions about our Kilimanjaro trip? Drop them in the comments below!
