Stella Point
Elevation: 5,756 meters above sea level
Stella Point is not only a viewpoint on Mount Kilimanjaro but also a summit point. In fact it is one of the 3 summit points on the mountain and is synonymous with the beautiful sunrise photos of Kilimanjaro seen on google images and many platforms around. sits on the southern edge of Kibo’s crater rim, one of Mount Kilimanjaro’s three peaks, along with Mawenzi and Shira. It’s the spot where the steep, scree-covered slopes from Barafu Hut finally end, giving way to solid, flatter ground. After hours of sliding through loose gravel, it’s the first steady place climbers reach on their way to the summit. From here, the trail to Uhuru Peak, the true top, gets simpler—a smoother walk along the rim compared to the tough climb up from Barafu. A big signpost stands there, set up by the park authorities, marking this milestone.
For many, Uhuru Peak is the goal, but some stop at Stella Point, worn out by altitude sickness or just too tired to go on. Even so, reaching this point earns you a certificate, just like at Gilman’s Point or Uhuru Peak, recognizing your effort to climb so high on Africa’s tallest mountain. Almost every route to the summit—like Lemosho, Machame, and Rongai—meets up here, except for the Western Breach, which needs special permission and skips this spot entirely.
Location & Weather
Stella Point is on the southern side of Kibo, the highest peak, and marks the shift from Kibo’s rough slopes to the ridge leading to Uhuru Peak. It’s in the arctic zone, a freezing, windy place with no rain and sub-zero temperatures. No plants or animals live here, except for two kinds of tough spiders that somehow hang on. The ground is usually snowy, with ice coating the rocks, though it can clear up sometimes. From this height, you get jaw-dropping views—glaciers glinting in the dawn light, the wide crater below, and Mawenzi’s sharp shape in the distance, plus endless slopes stretching down.
What It’s Like on the Lemosho Route
On both the 7-day and 8-day Lemosho treks, you hit Stella Point during the summit climb from Barafu Camp. You start in the dark, between midnight and 2 a.m., heading northwest through deep scree between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. It’s a hard push—your legs and mind get tested as you slog upward. When you reach Stella Point at 18,600 feet, you take a break, and if the weather’s good, you might catch a breathtaking sunrise. From there, it’s an hour more to Uhuru Peak, maybe through snow, passing near Gilman’s Point along the way. Fast hikers make it to the top for sunrise. After hitting the summit, you head down to Mweka Hut, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The descent is steep and loose, so trekking poles and gaiters help. At Mweka Camp, in the forest, mist or rain might settle in, and you enjoy your last meal on the mountain before sleeping.
Stella Point is a cold, proud spot—a hard-won rest with stunning views, just a step away from the top of Kilimanjaro.
How High is Stella Point?
Stella Point is a key spot on the way to Uhuru Peak, the top of Kilimanjaro. A sign there says it’s 5,756 meters (18,885 feet) above sea level. This is where the Lemosho route hits the edge of the Kibo crater. But the actual rocky top of Stella Point is a bit lower, at 5,745 meters (18,848 feet). Kingsley Latham first wrote about this place in 1925 during a climb.
Why Do Some People Stop at Stella Point?
Not everyone makes it from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak. After days of climbing, some feel too tired or just don’t care to keep going. Others get hit hard by altitude sickness—headaches, weakness, or breathing trouble—and can’t continue. That’s what happened to the Latham group who first marked Stella Point. Sometimes, it’s not even up to the climbers. For example, in April-May 2018, heavy snow blocked the path to Uhuru Peak. Everyone had to stop at Stella Point’s sign at 5,756 meters (18,885 feet). Only after the Altezza Travel team cleared the way could people reach the top again. Even though Kilimanjaro’s glaciers are shrinking and snow is less common, blizzards can still mess up plans.
Why Is It Called Stella Point?
Back in July 1925, Kingsley and Estella (Stella) Latham set out to climb Kilimanjaro with a guide, a cook, and some porters. Kingsley worked for the government in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) and loved mountain climbing. Stella, his wife, was nervous but joined him. At that time, hardly anyone climbed Kilimanjaro—only five groups had reached the top before. Stella kept a diary, so we know their story.
Climbing was rare then, and women climbers were even rarer. People didn’t think they’d succeed, and women’s efforts often went unmentioned. But at least two women, Gertrude Emily Benham and Clary Ruckteschell-Truëb, likely reached the Kibo crater before Stella. The Lathams couldn’t start on the usual Marangu route because of a smallpox outbreak. That route had huts, but they had to find another way.
The climb started okay, but high up, where it’s just rocks and no plants, they got sick from the altitude. The cold was brutal, and their gear was basic—imagine a porter in sandals! On July 13, 1925, Kingsley, Stella, and two locals, Philipos and Sambuananga, reached the Kibo crater’s edge. They were worn out after taking a wrong turn. Kingsley started feeling really bad and couldn’t breathe well. They tried to push on along the snowy rim toward what looked like the top, but halfway there, he got worse. They stopped at a small rock, climbed it with their last energy, and left a note in a jar. Kingsley named it Stella Point after his wife, honoring her strength. She could’ve gone higher but stayed to help him down safely.
What Happened After?
In 1937, Kingsley tried Kilimanjaro again without Stella. It didn’t go well—he passed out, fell, and lost his memory for a while. It took years to recover. Stella never went back and made her kids promise not to climb it either. After Kingsley healed, they moved to Zimbabwe and became coffee farmers.
Why Stop at Stella Point?
Stella Point is tough because of how high it is. The air’s thin, and the cold can stop you. The Lathams’ story shows how hard it was back then, and even now, it’s a spot where some decide they’ve gone far enough. Whether it’s exhaustion, sickness, or snow, it’s a big moment on the Kilimanjaro journey.