7 DAYS MT. KILIMANJARO LEMOSHO ROUTE TREKKING

The Lemosho route on Kilimanjaro is preferred by reputable operators due to its beauty, remoteness, and success rate. In short, it maximizes the chances that a climber will reach the summit, and enjoy the experience overall. It is our favorite route on the mountain because of these reasons. Access to the trail begins with a long drive from Moshi or Arusha to Londorossi Gate. This can take three to four hours. Londorossi Gate is located at the western base of the mountain.

Day 1: Arusha / Moshi/ Londorossi Gate (7,380 ft/2,250 m) to Lemosho Glades (6,560 ft/2,000 m) to Big Tree Camp (9,020 ft/2,750 m) 8km, 3-4 hours

Following an early breakfast and briefing from your guide, our staff will drive you several hours from your hotel in Moshi to the western side of Kilimanjaro. You will stop at the Londorossi Gate, where your guides and porters will prepare your equipment and supplies. Kilimanjaro Park registration will be completed here as well. After registration, you will take a 45-minute drive to the Lemosho Glades where you will enter the rainforest and begin your ascent. You will climb for 3 hours through dense rainforest. Use your gaiters and trekking poles for stabilization when the path becomes sloppy with mud after rain. Your trail will eventually lead you to the Mti Mkubwa, commonly referred to as “Big Tree” Camp. When you arrive, you will find your camp and tent are already set up by the porters who ran ahead. They will bring you boiled drinking water and washing water in preparation for dinner.

Day 2: Big Tree Camp (9,020 ft/2,750 m) to Shira Camp 1 (11,485 ft/3,500 m) 8km, 6-7 hours

After breakfast, your long Day 2 trek begins again in the rainforest. The trail slowly steepens as it enters into the vast heather moorland zone. You then cross the Shira Ridge before dropping slightly into Shira Camp 1. Your camp sits near a small stream on the Shira Plateau, which is actually the sunken remains of the first volcano which filled in with lava from later eruptions.

Day 3: Shira Camp 1 (11,485 ft/3,500 m) to Shira Camp 2 (12,600 ft/3,840 m) 10km, 4-5 hour

Day 3 is another long one. After an early breakfast, your trek begins with a long, easy walk across the Shira Plateau caldera. Your path eventually leads you to Shira Camp 2 which also sits near a stream that cuts through the moorland meadows. For those that wish to add additional days, this is a great spot to take one because of the variety of walks available on the plateau.

Day 4: Shira Camp 2 (12,600 ft/3,840 m) to Lava Tower (15,190 ft/3,950 m) to Barranco Camp (12,960 ft/3,950m) 13km, 6-8 hours

After breakfast and packing, you start your trek east up a steep path above the last bit of Kilimanjaro’s vegetation. After 5-6 hours, you reach the well-known landmark Lava Tower (15,190 ft/ 3,950 m). You will stop here for lunch and some bonus acclimatization before you descend for 2 hours below the Western Breach into the Barranco Camp. Day 4’s hike offers multiple terrific opportunities for photos, especially if the walls are covered with ice. While you wait for your dinner, you will have a chance to experience one of the most memorable sunsets you have ever seen as the sun drops through the valley. Pay attention to your body and keep your guide informed of any signs of altitude sickness. Most trekkers vote this as their favorite camp on this route, making it another great place to take an additional acclimatization day

Day 5: Barranco Camp (12,960 ft/3,950m) to Karanga Camp (13,780 ft/4,200m) 7 km, 4 hours

After sleeping below the Great Barranco Wall, you get your chance to tackle this hurdle. Don’t worry...It’s much easier than it looks. Continue up until you reach just below the Heim Glacier. Then head down through the Karanga Valley. This is the last place for your porters to gather water. They will collect all the water for the remainder of the ascent here. You will settle in here at the Karanga Camp. After lunch, you can spend the afternoon doing light exploring or resting while taking in the views of Mawenzi’s towering spires.

Day 6: Karanga Camp (13,780 ft/4,200m) to Barafu Camp (14,930 ft/4,550m) 5 km, 3-4 hours

After breakfast, you’ll head east, crossing over multiple ridges and valleys until you join up with the Mweka Route and turn left to continue up the ridge for an hour to reach the Barafu Hut. You will arrive at camp to find your tent pitched on a rocky ridge with high winds. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the camp before dark to be safe. Also, have your headlamp/flashlight handy if you need to leave the tent after dark. You will prepare your equipment (replace batteries for headlamp and camera) before you go to bed by 7 PM and try to catch a few hours of shuteye before your summit attempt!

Day 7: SUMMIT DAY! Barafu Camp (14,930 ft/4,550m) to Uhuru Peak (19,340 ft/5,895 m) to Mweka Camp (10,170 ft/3,100 m) 7 km up and 22 km down, 8 hours up

9-10 hours down Wake at 11:30 PM for tea or coffee and biscuits and then depart Barafu on your bid for the peak. You will climb 6 hours through thick scree following multiple switchbacks between the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers until you reach Stella Point (18,650 ft/5,685 m). You have just completed what most climbers consider to be the most challenging part of their trek. Depending on your pace to this point, you may get the chance to enjoy the majestic sunrise during your short rest here. Although you will be fatigued, it is important to keep moving due to the extreme cold. At Stella Point, you have joined up with the last bit of the Marangu Route. You will hike along the rim for another 1-2 hours until you reach your ultimate goal of Uhuru Peak. Congratulations, you are now standing on the Roof of Africa! You will have time to take pictures with the world-famous Uhuru Peak sign, but it is important to begin your descent soon in order to allow yourself enough time to rest at the Barafu Camp. After a 3-hour descent down sliding scree, you will reach Barafu to have a short rest while you collect your gear and then continue down the path back into the forest camp of Mweka. You might experience a little rain in the afternoon, so be sure to have your rain gear in your daypack. At Mweka Camp, the office sells bottled water, soft drinks, candy bars, and beer.  Transfer to Arusha for Overnight on Bed and Breakfast.