8 Days Mount KIlimanjaro climbing via Lemosho route

Arrive in Tanzania

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town, you will meet our guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.

-Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi Town.

Day 1: Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp.

-Elevation: 2250m to 2790m

-Distance: 6 km

-Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

-Habitat: Rain Forest.

We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at the trailhead, we eat lunch, then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first campsite.

- Accommodation: Mti Mkubwa Camp

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira Camp 1.

-Elevation: 2750m to 3500m

-Distance: 8 km

-Hiking Time 5-6 hours

-Habitat: Moorland.

We continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.

-Accommodation: Shira 1 Camp

Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

- Elevation: 3500m to 3850m

-Distance: 14 km

-Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

-Habitat: Moorland.

We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s Glacier Peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on Earth.

Accommodation: Shira 2 Camp

Day 4: Shira 2 to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

-Elevation: -3840m to 3860m

-Distance: 7 km

-Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

-Habitat: Semi Desert.

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 southeast towards the Lava Tower, called the Sharks Tooth. Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4600m. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3900m. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

-Accommodation: Barranco Camp

Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp.

- Elevation: 3860m to 4200m

-Distance: 5km

-Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

-Habitat: Alpine Desert.

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.

Accommodation: Karanga Camp

Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp.

-Elevation: 4200m to 4600m

-Distance: 4 km

-Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

-Habitat: Alpine Desert.

After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, 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. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

-Accommodation: Barafu Camp

Day 7: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp.

-Elevation: 4600m to 5895m to 3 100m

-Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent

-Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent

-Habitat: Arctic.

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 (5756m), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now descend, continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Accommodation: Mweka Camp

Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka gate to Moshi.

-Elevation: 3100m to 1680m

-Distance: 10 km

-Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

-Habitat: Rain Forest

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). From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi.

Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi Town.

Depart Tanzania.

The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.

*Safari and other add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania.