TANZANIA
CLIMB KILIMANJARO
THE LEMOSHO ROUTE
11 days
ITINERARY
7 days
TREKKING
5,895m
ALTITUDE
£2,995
PRICE FROM
Climb Kilimanjaro The Classic Way
- 71km
- 5,895m
- Flight Packages
- Hotel & Camps Inc
- All Permits Inc
- Food & Drink Inc
- UK Mountain Leader
- UK Medic
- Group Challenge
- Solo Friendly
- Medal & T-shirt
To climb Kilimanjaro on our 11 day Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Trek (trekking for 7 days), you can join one of many Open Group Challenge climbs throughout the year, departing from the UK. Because our Kilimanjaro group climbs bring like-minded people together, you can share an incredible experience. So sign up on your own, as a couple, or with a group of friends or family.
Visit our dedicated Kilimanjaro Challenge website
We’ve taken over 5,000 trekkers safely to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, including groups from many leading UK companies and charities. We offer a range of Kilimanjaro trek itineraries to suit all requirements, and believe that our Challenge Group trips offer the best overall trek Kilimanjaro experience – and the best value in the market. We have a dedicated Kilimanjaro Challenge website which lists all departures, trips & more.
The Challenge
Reach the roof of Africa in 7 days...
- 11 day trip - 7 days trekking
- Fully supported challenge
- Hotels & camps included
- Approaches from the West
- From rainforest to summit
- Private camp areas
- Good acclimatisation
- Take on the Barranco Wall!
- Add on a beach break or safari
- Training guides & kit lists
Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route
Life on the trek
On an Action Challenge trip you’ll be part of a team taking on an adventure together – which is what makes the experience special! Sharing the journey & supporting each other, you’ll build friendships & create memories that last for years. Led by a UK Mountain Leader and supported by a Medic, you’re in safe hands, with expert local teams ensuring everything runs smoothly. Fully inclusive, so you can focus on your challenge and enjoy it.
An Action Challenge trip is much more than a holiday! It brings like-minded people together in fantastic landscapes, provides the best support & great hospitality, and enables the group to take on a tough & unforgettable challenge which forges new friendships, broaden horizons, and leaves you wanting more of life’s adventures!
The blueprint for Action Challenge trip is based on delivering a high quality enjoyable experience – and doing it all safely. An experienced UK Mountain Leader ensures that all aspects of the challenge run to plan – and one of our UK Medics with an expedition med kit is on-hand to look after the group’s wellbeing – enabling everyone to have the best chance of successfully competing their challenge.
We go to great lengths to ensure that we only use the best local organisations to supply the all-important ground logistics and the on-challenge support, catering, and hospitality teams – with experienced guides leading the way on the trails with their deep local knowledge and authentic style.
Like minded people with a similar sense of adventure – but often from very different backgrounds, and with a wide range of experience, ages, levels of fitness, and personal ambitions. Our trips are perfect for individuals, couples, and small groups of friends to join – and then to take on a unique challenge as part of a larger group which shapes & bonds as the adventure unfolds!
Whether its’s the hotels, restaurants & transfers before & after the main challenge – or the challenge accommodation & meals whilst out on the trails – our all inclusive packages mean that you will get a top quality experience at a great value price! Flights are generally included, but there’s a ‘land only’ option if you’d prefer to book your own – and single supplement accommodation upgrades are available.
The group comes together – takes on a tough challenge together – and then celebrates its achievements in style on the final night of the trip in a local restaurant or hotel, with medals, awards, and a maybe a bit of a party! Many of our participants make new special friends on our trips – and quite a few come back together for another challenge in the following years!
A successful challenge starts with good preparation. The better prepared you are the more confident you’ll be, and the more you’ll enjoy it! Our ‘Challenge App’ will have all the info & details of what to expect on your challenge – and how to prepare for it. We also offer unlimited free UK training walks. These one-day walks run Spring through Autumn in some of the UK’s most scenic locations, including the South Downs, Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia, the Peak District, and the Lake District. They’re a great way to meet fellow trekkers before your big adventure, get to know some of our challenge leaders, and most importantly to build confidence and fitness on varied terrain.
THE ITINERARY
SWIPE TO EXPLORE
Day 1 Departure from UK
- In-flight
- In-flight meals
We will meet our group and Action Challenge staff at the airport and check in together before boarding our flight to Tanzania.
Day 2 Arrive in Kilimanjaro
- Hotel
- L D
On arrival we transfer to the hotel and meet our team of local guides. In the afternoon there is the chance to relax before the welcome briefing, and kit check. Then we enjoy an evening meal together before an early night.
Day 3 Big Tree Camp
- Camp
- B L D
- 4+ hrs
- 7km
- 2,650m
After an early start we transfer to Londorossi Gate (west Kilimanjaro) to meet our support team—guides, cooks and porters. Bags are weighed (15kg limit) before driving to the trailhead to begin a steady, slow ascent through forest. With short breaks to snack and hydrate, we reach Big Tree Camp (2,780m). Views of the peak are limited, but there are good chances to spot wildlife, including Colobus monkeys.
Day 4 Shira Camp
- Camp
- B L D
- 10+ hrs
- 17km
- 3,850m
Our first full trekking day, with over 1,200m ascent. Leaving the rainforest, we enter moorland within two hours, with changing scenery and flora. After breaks, we climb the “Elephants Spine” ridge to the Shira Plateau for lunch, then continue into the high alpine desert. A steady pace aids acclimatisation on this tough day before arriving at Shira Camp with views of Kilimanjaro’s southern face.
Day 5 Barranco Camp
- Camp
- B L D
- 7+ hrs
- 9km
- 3,972m
One of the most scenic days, key for acclimatisation. We head east across barren, moon-like terrain beneath Kibo, reaching Lava Tower (4,630m) for lunch and our highest point. In the afternoon we descend into a sheltered valley with unique flora, arriving at Barranco Camp. The climb-high, sleep-low approach aids acclimatisation, and the setting—beneath cliffs and glaciers—is among Kilimanjaro’s best
Day 6 Karanga Camp
- Camp
- B L D
- 6 hrs
- 6km
- 3,995m
We tackle the Barranco Wall, a hands-on scramble over volcanic rock and a real highlight of our challenge. It’s often called “the summit before the summit”. From the top, enjoy views of Barafu and Mount Meru before continuing across varied terrain and the steep Karanga Valley. We reach Karanga Camp by lunchtime, where a cooked meal and rest help us prepare for the summit push ahead.
Day 7 Barafu Camp
- Camp
- B L D
- 6 hrs
- 5km
- 4,670m
Today focuses on reaching high camp and preparing for the overnight summit push. We continue good habits—eating well, staying hydrated and walking slowly—with support from the leadership team. A steady climb brings us to Barafu Camp (4,600m), set on a rocky ridge. Arriving in the afternoon, we eat, layer up and rest ahead of our early morning summit attempt.
Day 8 Summit
- Camp
- B L D
- 15+ hrs
- 14km
- 5,895m
Just before midnight we set out for summit day, climbing by torchlight on the steepest section. After 6 demanding hours we reach Stella Point (5,730m), then continue to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) for sunrise views. You’ll never forget this moment! After photos, we descend to Barafu for rest and brunch, before continuing to Millennium Camp (3,950m), where we finally rest after a long, challenging day.
Day 9 Moshi
- Camp
- B L D
- 5+ hrs
- 14km
- Medal & Certificate
We descend through rainforest to Mweka Gate, where warm, oxygen-rich air is a welcome change. The long descent eases as the finish approaches. At the gate, we celebrate with our support team before saying farewell. A short transfer takes us to the hotel for a hot shower, time to relax by the pool, and a celebratory dinner to mark our achievement.
Day 10 Departure Day
- Inflight
- B
Depending on flight times, you may be able to enjoy a free morning either by the pool, or exploring Moshi, before transferring to Kilimanjaro airport for our overnight flight back to the UK. Alternatively, why not extend your stay in Tanzania and tag on a safari or Zanzibar beach break!
FREE OPEN EVENINGS
If you’d like to hear more about our Kilimanjaro trips, we run regular free open evenings. Join us live in-person, or online:
FREE OPEN EVENINGS
Join us for a FREE live info session, talking you through the Climb Kilimanjaro Challenge – from the route and the service, to training, kit, fundraising advice and what it is like to summit Africa’s highest mountain with Action Challenge! You can join us live in-person, or watch an online session:
Dates & Prices
2028 EARLY BIRD!
- £100 OFF ALL 2028 DATES
- FREE DUFFEL WORTH £125
- UNLIMITED TRAINING WALKS
- USE CODE YOUR2028
To book a place, complete our online form, & pay your deposit. You will receive a confirmation email, which also has details of what to expect next.
Sign up for a Self Funded package to do it for yourself – or choose a Charity Fundraising option to support a good cause.
Click FULL DETAILS next to a date to view the full price breakdown, including any optional fundraising targets.
17 Sep - 27 Sep (LAND ONLY)
08 Oct - 18 Oct
14 Jan - 24 Jan
11 Feb - 21 Feb
25 Feb - 07 Mar
04 Mar 14 Mar
17 Jun - 27 Jun
22 Jul - 01 Aug (HIGH SEASON)
19 Aug - 29 Aug
02 Sep - 12 Sep (WOMEN ONLY)
09 Sep - 19 Sep
16 Sep - 26 Sep (DADS & LADS)
07 Oct - 17 Oct
14 Oct - 24 Oct
21 Oct - 31 Oct
04 Nov - 14 Nov
13 Jan - 23 Jan
09 Feb - 19 Feb (HIGH SEASON)
24 Feb - 05 Mar
09 Mar - 19 Mar
15 Jun - 25 Jun
20 Jul - 30 Jul (HIGH SEASON)
17 Aug - 27 Aug (HIGH SEASON)
07 Sep - 17 Sep (WOMEN ONLY)
07 Sep - 17 Sep
14 Sep - 24 Sep
05 Oct - 15 Oct
12 Oct - 22 Oct
12 Oct - 22 Oct (DADS & LADS)
19 Oct - 29 Oct (HIGH SEASON)
How It Works
Our packages are typically all-inclusive, covering accommodation, meals, transport, local support, and flights if selected. Single supplements are available, and you can extend your stay by amending your return flight or choosing a pre-arranged extension. Places are limited on many trips, so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
Our ‘with flights’ option is based on an economy class group booking departing from London (you can request a quote for an ‘upgrade’). The ‘land only’ option means that you book your own flights, and arrange to join the group at the 1st night’s hotel / or airport meet point.
If you’re traveling across the globe – extending your trip may be the perfect opportunity to explore, relax, or do more activities! If you choose the ‘with flights’ option you can request a return flight date change – and either arrange your own extension programme & reservations – or book one of our pre-arranged packages if available.
If your traveling with someone else – or as a small group – do let us know so we can ensure that the accommodation and flight arrangements worked out properly from the outset.
All our quoted prices are based on a ‘twin share basis’ (ie with a friend / partner – or on a same sex allocated basis if travelling alone). You can request a ‘single supplement’ to cover hotel rooms / tent / lodge accommodation.
Oil prices change often, so airlines sometimes add fuel surcharges. We pass these on to customers because they are unknown at the time of booking, which can be up to 18 months before travel. Airlines confirm the final surcharge about 12 weeks before departure. We apply a cap, so you never pay more than the stated maximum and we cover anything above it.
Airport and air travel taxes can also change, for example as a result of CO2 regulations. These adjustments are covered in our Terms and Conditions.
As with any adventure holiday, prices may be higher at certain times – generally reflecting the higher flight prices during those peak periods.
Our Brochure
The Challenge brochure details the full itinerary, inclusions, and more – download for a full run down of the challenge details.
FREE UK TRAINING WALKS
With any overseas challenge booking
• Average 20km distance
• Led by our UK leaders
• Do as many as you like
Frequently Asked Questions
Trip Details
Full details & information about what you can expect in the lead up & during the challenge.
Costs & Fundraising
The balance for your trip cost, will be due to us 10 weeks before your departure. You will be sent a reminder & an invoice 12 weeks before, giving you 2 weeks to make the payment.
80% of your fundraising target is due to be with your charity 12 weeks before the challenge, meaning that it either needs to be banked with them, or sat against a Just Giving page. We will then invoice your charity for the remaining cost of your place on the challenge, it is important you make that 80% target otherwise your charity will not pay for your place, and your trip could be cancelled.
The remaining 20% of your balance will be due to be with your charity 4 weeks after your trip ends.
Our base cost is on a twin share room basis, if you are signing up as a couple of two friends – you can tell us when you register onto the challenge, so we ensure that you will be sharing a room.
If you are signing up to the challenge as an individual, we will match you with someone of the same gender and roughly the same age.
You can choose to pay an additional supplement to have your own room (and/or tent) on the challenge.
All of our groups are an average size of approximately 20 participants, but can range between 12 and 30+ people. We welcome individuals, couples and groups of friends on to our challenges, and many who join us literally have a mountain to climb in terms of the scale of the challenge they are taking on. We advocate camaraderie and team bonding, and really believe that this enhances your experience. You are always welcome to check in with us on the current size of any departure you are interested in!
Yes as long as we know in advance of the trip, we can cater for all dietary requirements & requests.
Signing Up to the Challenge
Once you pay your deposit & have signed up to the challenge, you will receive a confirmation email welcoming you into the challenge.
You will also receive instructions on how to download our challenge app which has in it all the information you need to start preparing for your challenge – from kit lists to training guides.
We will keep you updated with regular emails & newsletters in the lead-up to the challenge, as well as information on training days & weekends.
If you need to cancel your challenge, your deposit is non-refundable – therefore we recommend you speak to our team to see what alternative options you may have.
Yes, if for whatever reason you need to push your departure back to a later one or change your trip altogether you can do so for a date change fee of £175, subject to availability.
Currently, we do not have the accounting facility to take instalments, we can only take your payment in full at least 12 weeks before your departure.
Preparation
Yes – in our challenge app, which you can download once you are fully registered for the challenge we have a host of training materials, guides & advice for you to use.
You also have access to unlimited free UK training walks. These walks are designed to help you get and around the UK, meet fellow trekkers, and all supported by one of our experienced UK Leaders.
Our free UK training walks offer the chance to meet up with fellow trekkers and our UK crew.
Closer to the challenge we will set up a WhatsApp group so that you can meet others online who are going to be on your trip. We also have a lively & dynamic Facebook group you can join at any time to meet other fellow challengers – past & present to share and swap training tips, advice & stories.
You will need specific travel insurance, which covers the duration of your trip, along with full cover for any activities you will be doing (i.e. trekking, cycling) and to cover you up to any altitude you may be trekking to. Once you are signed up for the challenge, we will send you full details of our recommended providers of appropriate cover.
Life on the Challenge
- Fully supported 11 day group challenge
- UK qualified medic
- Full support team, including local guides
- International flights and air travel taxes
- Action Challenge trek leader
- All accommodation, twin share – hotels / tea house
- All meals with the group; including breakfast, lunch and dinner
- National Park entrance fees
- Day in Moshi ended with a celebratory dinner
- Pre event support including discounted training weekends
- Airline fuel surcharge
- Single supplement for teahouse / hotel
- Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance
- Vaccinations
- Tips for local crew
- Optional extensions
- Optional training weekends
- Kit hire
Kilimanjaro is a trek, rather than a climb, and pass over well trodden trails & paths which have been formed all the way up to the top of the mountain. There are sections which are trickier than others, with rocks, boulders & scrubland – but it is a ‘trek’ rather than a climb. We recommend strong walking boots, which give you good ankle support & have good grip.
We are real foodies at Action Challenge and whilst we cannot promise a gastronomic feast on a Kilimanjaro climb, we do ensure there is plenty of food which is varied and wholesome. Breakfast is usually a hot drink with bread/ toast and spreads, porridge, eggs and sausage. Our Kilimanjaro cook team then hurries ahead of us to set up the mess tent and provide us with a hot lunch. This usually consists of a starter soup, followed by either a rice or pasta dish with meat and veggies.
On arrival into camp hot drinks and snacks are usually served before we tuck into the main event, which again is usually a hot soup starter, followed by a more substantial main than lunch, perhaps a warm winter stew, or meat and fish with lots of veggies, pasta or rice followed by a pudding or cake if it is a special occasion. We also recommend that participants pack some of their favourite snacks to enjoy throughout the day.
Whilst trekking your luggage will be transported by our local team of porters! Each morning your main luggage will be collected, organised and taken directly to the next night’s campsite. You will carry with you a backpack (approx. 30l) with all your essentials you will need with you for the day of trekking (water, snacks, layers, suncream etc.)
The pace will always be slow, steady and manageable. A slow and manageable pace is a key part of good, safe acclimatisation. Your action challenge leader, uk medic and head local guide will together decide the best pace for the group. Remember there’ll always also be time to stop and take in the views, eat a snack or change a layer.
Yes, and plenty of it!
Your challenge will be led by an experienced Action Challenge leader. Our leaders are selected for their experience, knowledge, enthusiasm, sensitivity and sense of humour, and will ensure that your trip runs smoothly.
You will also be accompanied by an Action Challenge doctor, who will be carrying a fully stocked medical kit in case of any emergency. They will carry out daily health checks, and the re-assurance of their presence should allow you to focus on, and enjoy your challenge!
We have a full support team in country with two way radio contact between the Action Challenge Head Quarters in London and local staff and satellite phone for emergencies. If for any reason you need to leave the group early local staff will assist you and will arrange transfers, accommodation and medical care if necessary.
There are 2 seasons on Kilimanjaro as apposed to our typical 4. However we should prepare for all weather as mountain weather can be unpredictable.
In the first few days, we experience hot and humid weather (approx 25-30°C), which becomes colder as we approach the summit, decreasing by approximately 1°C every 200m we climb. Sun protection with high SPF is vital as the intensity of the sun’s rays increases with altitude – even when it feels cold through cloud cover or increased winds. Waterproofs are essential to ensure we’re prepared in the event of wet weather.
Jan – Mar is the first dry season on Kilimanjaro so the chance of rain is lower, although it’s likely to be colder than the rest of the year with higher chance of snow as we reach the summit.
Apr – May are the wettest months and not ideal for trekking. We do not operate treks during this time to ensure our team’s enjoyment and safety throughout the trek.
Jun – Oct offers the best chance of dry weather throughout the trek, which means it’s the most popular trekking season on the mountain.
Nov – Dec is a short season, rains begin mid November and snow-fall increases as we come into December.
Get in Touch
Reach out if you’ve a question – or if your company or charity might like to work with us – and a member of our team will get back to you.
Tel: 0203 4796584
Mon – Fri 09:00 – 17:00
Sat – Sun Closed
OUR TREKS
