8 Days Kilimanjaro Trekking Lemosho Route

It is a newer, more remote and probably more beautiful route, but a little longer and slightly more expensive. It starts on the western side of the mountain at Londorossi Gate, which is a little further from town, and was introduced as an alternative to the Shira route.

After beautiful forests and heathlands, the third day crosses the Shira Plateau to join the Machame Route at Lava Tower and descend to the Barranco Valley via the Southern Circuit. You may be lucky enough to see buffalo, elephant and other game. Since this route can be done over a longer period of time for acclimatisation, it has a higher success rate of summits.

Duration: 7 – 8 days
Difficulty: Medium
Landscape: Excellent
Traffic: Medium

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred for an overnight stay at the 4-star Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel. Your head guide will meet you for a briefing, equipment check and organisation of the necessary equipment hire.

ITINENARY

DAY 1: LEMOSHO GATE – MTI MKUBWA CAMP: 4.8KM /3MI | 3-4 HOURS | RAINFOREST
Altitude: 2389m/7838ft to 2785m/9137ft
Altitude gained: 396m

Starting in Moshi, a 3-hour drive will take you through cosy mountain villages to the gateway of Kilimanjaro National Park. We wait patiently for permits to be issued, watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead. Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails as your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna. At these low altitudes, the trail can be muddy and rather slippery. It is advisable to wear gaiters and trekking poles.

DAY 2: MTI MKUBWA CAMP – SHIRA I CAMP: 7.9 KM/5MI | 4-6 HOURS | MOORLAND
Altitude: 2785m/9137ft to 3504m/11,496ft
Altitude gained: 719m

After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we leave the rainforest and continue on an uphill trail, leaving the forest behind; the trail climbs steadily with sweeping views until we reach the edge of the Shira Plateau. Temperatures begin to drop.

DAY 3: SHIRA I CAMP – SHIRA HUT: 6.9 KM/4.3 MI | 5-7 HOURS | HEATHLAND
Altitude: 3504m/11,496ft to 3895m/12,779ft
Altitude gained: 391m

We explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. We walk gently eastwards towards the icy summit of Kibo, crossing the plateau to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows near a stream. We then continue to the Moir Hut, a little-visited site at the base of the Lent Hills. Several walks are possible in the Lent Hills and this is an excellent acclimatisation opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on the planet.

DAY 4: SHIRA HUT – LAVA TOWER – BARRANCO CAMP: 10.1 KM/6.3 KM | 4-6 HOURS | SEMI-DESERT
Altitude: 3895m/12,779ft to 3986m/13,077ft
Altitude gained: 91m

Although the day ends at the same altitude as the beginning, this day is very important for acclimatisation. From the Shira plateau, continue eastwards on a ridge, passing the junction for the Kibo summit before continuing south-east towards the lava tower, called ‘Shark’s Tooth’ (alt. 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, you meet a second fork leading to the Arrow Glacier. Continue downhill to spend the night at Camp Barranco.

DAY 5: BARRANCO CAMP – KARANGA CAMP: 5.2 KM/3MI | 4-5 HOURS | ALPINE DESERT
Altitude: 3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft
Altitude gained: 48m

After breakfast, continue up a steep ridge to the adventurous Barranco Wall to reach the Karanga Valley and the junction, which connects with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see the power, agility and strength of your crew as they overcome this wall with apparent ease. Overnight at Karanga Camp.

DAY 6: KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP HIKE: 3.3 KM / 2 MI | 4-5 HOURS | ALPINE DESERT
Altitude: 4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft
Altitude gained: 628m

We continue to climb towards the Barafu camp and once we reach it, we have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers a series of breathtaking views of the summit from different angles. Early dinner and rest to prepare for the night on the summit. Overnight stay at Barafu camp.

DAY 7: BARAFU CAMP – SUMMIT: 4.86 KM / 3 KM ASCENT | 5-7 HRS | – MWEKA CAMP: 13 KM / 8 KM DESCENT | 5-6 HRS | GLACIERS, SNOW-CAPPED SUMMIT
Altitude: 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft
Altitude gained: 1233m
Descent to 3106m/10,190ft
Altitude lost: 2789m

Excitement builds as morning arrives with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek.

We continue to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers trying to stay warm and focused on the incredible sense of accomplishment ahead. With a backward movement in a northwest direction and ascending through heavy scree to Stella Point on the crater rim. During the short stop, you will be rewarded by a magnificent sunrise. Faster hikers can watch the sunrise from the summit. From here, during the one-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all along the way.

Congratulations, one step at a time you have reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire African continent!

After photos, celebration and perhaps a few tears of joy, we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible achievement. We begin our steep descent to Mweka Camp, stopping in Barafu for lunch and a very short rest. We strongly recommend wearing gaiters and trekking poles for the volcano’s gravel and ash terrain, which is not very welcoming. Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening in the mountains. Overnight stay at Mweka camp.

DAY 8: MWEKA CAMP – MWEKA GATE – MOSHI: 9.1 KM/6MI | 3-4 HOURS | RAINFOREST
Altitude: 3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft
Lost altitude: 1473m

After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of thanksgiving and team bonding with your crew, it is time to say goodbye. We continue our descent to the Mweka Park Gate to receive our summit certificates. Because the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep; we strongly recommend wearing gaiters and trekking poles.

From the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to take you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Enjoy a long awaited hot shower, dinner and celebration!!!

Overnight Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel 4-star B&B. before being transferred for your return journey, safari or relaxing trip to Zanzibar.