8 Days Lemosho Route Climbing

The Lemosho route is one of the best routes for acclimatization. The route is less used and a beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau.

The route is one of the few where groups may be accompanied on the first day by an armed ranger, as the forests around the Lemosho Glades are inhabited by buffalo, elephants, and other wildlife.

8 days Lemosho has one of the highest success rates. The additional days give your body more time to acclimatize, reducing the effects of altitude sickness and giving you more time to rest before attempting the summit.

  1. Day 0

    Pre-trek Briefing

    If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi.

    Pre-trek briefing at your Moshi hotel. You should be planning to arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. Today we will spend a pre-trek briefing. We will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed.

  2. Day 1

    Hotel to Mti Mkubwa Camp

    After breakfast and briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate (about a 3-hour drive). From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.

    Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft

    Distance: 6km/4mi

    Hiking Time: 2-3 hours

    Habitat: Montane Forest

    Meals: Lunch and Dinner

  3. Day 2

    Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp

    After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens 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 located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.

    Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3500m/11,500ft

    Distance: 8km/5mi

    Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

    Habitat: Moorland

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

  4. Day 3

    Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

    After breakfast, a gentle hike across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of hikes are available on the Plateau, making this an excellent acclimatization day.

    Elevation: 3500m/11,500ft to 3850m/12,600ft

    Distance: 8km/5mi

    Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

    Habitat: Moorland

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

  5. Day 4

    Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp

    From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

    Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft

    Distance: 8km/5mi

    Walking Time: 5-6 hours

    Habitat: Semi-desert

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

  6. Day 5

    Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

    After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

    Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft

    Distance: 5km/3mi

    Climbing Time: 3-4 hours

    Habitat: Alpine Desert

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

  7. Day 6

    Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

    We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.

    Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft

    Distance: 4km/2mi

    Climbing Time: 3-4 hours

    Habitat: Alpine Desert

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

  8. Day 7

    Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp

    Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point, you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.

    From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!

    From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.

    Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft

    Down to 3090m/10,150ft

    Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down

    Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down

    Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

  9. Day 8

    Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel

    After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

    Our vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (around 60 minutes).

    Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft

    Distance: 10km/6mi

    Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

    Habitat: Forest

    Meals: Breakfast

INCLUDES:

  • Transport from arrival point to Moshi
  • Transport from Moshi to the Departure point
  • Accommodation before climb
  • Accommodation after climb
  • All accommodation in huts on the mountain
  • Park fees on Kilimanjaro
  • Rescue fees on the mountain (by car)
  • 3 meals daily on the mountain
  • Sleeping and dining huts
  • Guide and porters
  • Cooks and waiters
  • First aid kit
  • Service of an English speaking mountain guide
  • Transportation to the mountain
  • Transportation from the mountain
  • All government taxes
  • Oximeter on the mountain

EXCLUDES:

  • Extras in the hotel
  • Drinks rather than water
  • Tips to mountain Crews
  • Meals in Moshi
  • Personal gears like sleeping bags, hiking poles, etc.
  • Flights
  • And all not listed above

other itineraries you may be interested in:

5 Days Marangu Route Climbing

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro on the Marangu Route and reach the summit of Africa!

View This Tour

6 Days Kilimanjaro Trekking Marangu Route

Challenge yourself on the 6 Days Marangu Route, the most popular route to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

View This Tour

7 Days Lemosho Route Climbing

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro on the Lemosho Route and experience the best of what the mountain has to offer!

View This Tour

Read Our Reviews

Plan Your Tanzania Adventure!

Start with a recommended trip, then choose your lodges and length of stay. Our experts will help you refine and finalize your trip, taking care of all the details.

+255 (0) 712 481 135

info@ndaboinesafaris.com