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. Lemosho Route 8 Days Kilimanjaro Hike 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.
Highlights
- Arrive at Kilimanjaro Int. Airport
- Hike Mt. Kilimanjaro located in Tanzania East Africa
- The highest mountain in Africa with an elevation of 19341 feet (5895 meters)
- The largest free-standing mountain in the world and is one of the seven summits
Day 1 Hotel to Mti Mkubwa Camp
After breakfast and briefing drive to Lemosho Park Gate. 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
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/11500ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
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/11500ft to 3850m/12600ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
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/15250ft). 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/12600ft to 4000m/13000ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
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/13000ft to 4050m/13250ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
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/13250ft to 4700m/15350ft
Distance: 4km/2mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
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 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/15350ft to 5895m/19340ft
Down to 3090m/10150ft
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
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/10150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast
Includes
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
- Professional experienced mountain guides
- Guides Porters Cook salaries and park fees
- Quality waterproof four-season mountain sleeping tents (on a sharing basis)
- Sleeping Mattress
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Quality Mess tents with tables and chairs
- Large portions of fresh healthy nutritious food
- Clean purified drinking water
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
Excludes
- Tanzania Visa
- International and domestic flights
- Hotel (available as an optional addon)
- Transfers (available as an optional addon)
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleeping bags hiking boots clothes etc (available for renting)
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel Insurance
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry telephone beverages etc.)
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Liquors beers and bottled beverages
- Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Mount Kilimanjaro, Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Kilimanjaro
