7 Days Kilimanjaro Trekking Lemosho route
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, elephant and other wildlife.
The minimum duration for the Lemosho route is 6 days, however we strongly recommend hiking the route in 7 days. The additional 7th day will give your body more time to acclimatize, reducing the effects of altitude sickness and give you more time to rest before attempting the summit.
Itinerary
Day 0: Pre-trek Briefing
If you have opted for the optional airport transfer, we will meet you at the airport in Kilimanjaro or Arusha and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi.
Pre-trip briefing at the hotel in Moshi. You should arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. There will be a pre-trek briefing today. We will also check your equipment and rent the necessary equipment.
Day 1: Hotel to Mti Mkubwa Camp
After breakfast and briefing, we will head to the Londorossi Park gate (approximately 3 hours drive). From here, a forest road requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades. We will follow the forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) camp.
Altitude: 1830 m/6000 ft to 2650 m/8700 ft.
Distance: 6 km
Walking time: 2-3 hours
Environment: Montane forest
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 2 Camp
After breakfast we continue on, the trail gradually slopes down and enters an area of vast heathland. After crossing several streams we continue along the Shira ridge, passing Shira Camp 1 and Shira Camp 2 on the peat meadows by the stream.
Altitude: 2650 m/8700 ft to 3850 m/12 600 ft
Distance: 16 km
Walking time: 7-8 hours
Habitat.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3: Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
From the Shira Plateau, we continue east along the ridge, passing the turnoff for the Kibo peak. As we continue, our direction changes to southeast towards the Lava Tower, called “Shark’s Tooth” (elevation 4650 m/15,250 ft). Shortly after the tower, we reach the second pass to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue our descent to the Barranco camp. Although you end this day at about the same altitude as you started, this day is very important to acclimatise and help your body prepare for summit day.
Altitude: 3,850 m/12,600 ft to 4,000 m/13,000 ft
Distance: 8 km
Walking time: 5-6 hours
Environment: semi-desert
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
After breakfast, we will leave Barranco and follow the steep ridge along the Barranco wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction that connects to the Mweka Trail.
Elevation: 4,000 m/13,000 ft to 4,050 m/13,250 ft
Distance: 5 km
Ascent time: 3-4 hours
Environment: alpine desert
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
We continue to Barafu camp. We have completed the southern circuit which offers views of the peak from many different angles. Here we will camp, rest, enjoy dinner and prepare for the day’s climb to the summit.
Altitude: 4050 m/13,250 ft to 4700 m/15,350 ft
Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Ascent Time: 3-4 hours
Environment: alpine desert
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Early in the morning (midnight to 2 a.m.) we continue our hike to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. We will head in a northwesterly direction and climb over heavy scree to Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most physically and mentally demanding section of the route. At Stella Point we will stop for a short break and our reward will be the most beautiful sunrise we have ever seen. Faster hikers will be able to watch the sunrise from the top.
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow during the hour-long climb to the summit. After reaching the summit of Uhuru Peak, you will reach the highest point of Kilimanjaro and the African continent.
From the summit you will begin your descent and continue straight down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Gaiters and trekking poles will come in handy for the descent on loose gravel. Arrive at Mweka camp and enjoy your last night on the mountain.
Altitude: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Descent to 3090 m/10 150 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 km uphill / 13 km/8 km downhill
Walking time: 5-7 hours uphill / 5-6 hours downhill
Environment: rocky and ice-covered peaks
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
After breakfast, we continue our descent to the Mweka Park gate to collect our summit certificates. It can be wet and muddy at lower altitudes. Gaiters and trekking poles will be useful. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be sufficient (keep rain gear and warm clothing handy).
Unique Kiliadventure vehicle will be waiting at the Mweka gate to take you back to your hotel in Moshi (approximately 60 minutes).
Altitude: 3090 m/10,150 ft to 1680 m/5500 ft
Distance: 10 km
Walking time: 3-4 hours
Environment: forest
Meals: breakfast
SOLOTREK $1600 per person
GROUPTREK $1350 per person
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IncludedPorteragePark fees(For non-residents)Camping fees (Unless listed as upgrade) $50 per dayAll transportation(Unless labeled as optional)Roundtrip airport transferDrinking water(On all days)Rescue fee $20All activities(Unless labeled as optional)A professional driver/guideAll Taxes/VAT 18%Meals(As specified in the day-by-day section)Conservation fees $70 per day
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Not IncludedClimbing gearAdditional accommodation before and at the end of the tourPersonal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)International flights(From/to home)Tips(Tipping guideline US$20.00 pp per day)Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
