Conquering the highest peak in Africa is on many travellers’ bucket lists. Mount Kilimanjaro rises 5 895m / 19 341ft above the Tanzanian plains, giving it the added distinction of being the highest free-standing mountain in the world. There are many routes to the summit for all levels of fitness but this one – which takes you to Lemosho via Stella Point – is one of the most enriching. At nine days, it allows more time at the summit, better acclimatisation, more culture and some of the most spectacular scenery of any route.
Your first day sees you spend the night at Legendary Lodge in Arusha near the slopes of Mount Meru. Depending on your schedule, you may want to mountain bike through the lodge’s beautiful grounds or perhaps take a game drive to Arusha National Park.
The next day is the big one: your departure for Kilimanjaro. Setting off from Lemosho, on Kili’s western side, you will traverse some of the less-visited and most incredible part of the mountain under the watchful eye of trained guides and a full logistics team. For over a week, you will hike through indigenous afromontane forest, the Shira plateau, tremendous glacial valleys and the alpine desert until that wondrous moment when you summit!
This 11-day tour – which sees the hike bookended by overnight stays at Legendary Lodge - is ideal for those who want a full and rich Kilimanjaro experience.