Overview
Day by day
Price
The Lemosho route is considered Kilimanjaro’s most scenic trail. The route includes some steep passages. During the ascent, you often have excellent views of Mt. Meru, west of Kilimanjaro, and Kenya.
You use different ways for ascent and descent. On the campsites along the route, you sleep in tents. All campsites are in direct radio contact with the management of the national park. The number of visitors on this route is comparatively low.
The first two days are spent trekking across the rainforest to Shira Ridge from there. In an enjoyable, reasonably flat walk, the Lemosho path spans the entire Shira Plateau from west to east. Crowds are poor until the road near Lava Tower joins the Machame route. Then the road travels on a trail known as the Southern Circuit under Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field before climbing from Barafu. The descent is carried out via the Mweka road.
Book this 8 Days Lemosho Route, Relax and let our team do the rest for you from the arrangements of the whole tour to the end, If you need any assistance from us, such as hotel reservations or transportation, please let us know and we will be very happy to assist you.
- You visit
- Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)(Start) Kilimanjaro Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)(End)
- Highlights
- Mountain climbing
- Vehicle used
Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
Breakfast
Hotel in Moshi
Day 2: Lemosho Glades (2385m) to Big Tree Camp (2780m)
After breakfast and briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate, about a 3-hour trip. From here, a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades (2390 m) where you will start your trek through the rainforest.
Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa campsite (2750 m).
Trekking Time: 3 hours | Distance: 7 km | Altitude Gain: 360 m
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Big Tree Camp
Day 3: Big Tree Camp (2780m) to Shira 1 Camp (3500m)
After breakfast, we continue as the trail’s steepness gradually increases and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams are crossed we continue over the Shira Ridge then gently downwards to Shira 1 camp (3505 m) located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.
Trekking Time: 6-7 hours | Distance: 10 km | Altitude Gain: 755 m
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Shira 1 Camp
Day 4: Shira 1 Camp (3500m) to Shira 2 Camp (3900m)
A gentle hike across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp (3810 m) on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of short hikes are available on the Plateau, making this a good acclimatization day.
TrekkingTime: 3-4 hours
| Distance: 8 km |
Altitude Gain: 305 m
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Shira 2 Camp
Day 5: Shira 2 Camp (3900m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east, passing the junction near the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction, which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier (4876 m). We now continue down to the Barranco Hut (3860 m). Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you began, this is another important day for acclimatization.
TrekkingTime: 6-7 hours |
Distance: 10 km |
Altitude Gain: 50 m
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Barranco Camp
Day 6: Barranco Camp (3960m) to Karanga Camp (3963m)
We start the day by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up what has been termed the Breakfast Wall. It is a climb over rocks, not technical but long and tiring.
Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga Valley (4000 m) overnight. Trekking Time: 3-4 hours
| Distance: 6 km
| Altitude Gain: 140 m
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Karanga Camp
Day 7: Karanga Camp (3963) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up between 11 pm and 12 pm to start the climb to the summit.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Barafu Camp
Day 8: Barafu Camp (4,680 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then Mweka Camp (3,100 meters)
You will be awoken around 23:30 with hot tea and biscuits. Hopefully, you have managed to get a few hours sleep; don’t worry if you haven’t as most people struggle to sleep before summit night. Do however make sure that all your kit, including warm clothes, headlamp, insulated water reserves, and snacks are ready for a sharp departure at 24:00. The trek up Kibo is steep and slow. The trick is to keep your momentum moving forward, one step at a time. It takes about 6-8 hours to reach the top of the crater rim where you will see the sign for Stella Point (5,739 meters). You still have another 156 meters of altitude to walk around the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters). After reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro, a 4.5km / 3-mile ascent, you still have an 11km / 7-mile descent to Mweka Camp (3,100 meters)! Mweka is situated in the upper part of the rainforest zone. The richness of oxygen and moisture in the air will be a very welcome surprise.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mweka Camp
Day 9: Mweka Camp (3,100 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters)
In the morning after breakfast, you will be trekking down to Mweka gate. The trek is a pleasant one through the lower rain-forested slopes and down to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters). Although you cover 9km / 5.5 miles, the trek only takes 3-4 hours. Assuming you successfully reach Stella Point or Uhuru Peak you will be presented with official certificates – a green certificate for the former and a gold certificate for the latter. It is customary to tip your trekking crew before being transported back to your hotel in Arusha.
The end of 8 Days Lemosho Route
Breakfast
SUMMIT VIEW LODGE
Day 10: Departure
Depending on your plans, this day opens up your options. If you're extending with a safari, you'll transfer to start that. If Zanzibar calls, arrange your flight there. Or head to the airport for your journey home. Your vehicle is ready whenever you need it.
Breakfast
Accommodation not included
