Trip Overview
- Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights on the mountain
- Route:Lemosho Route
- Start Point:Londorossi Gate (2,250 m)
- Highest Point: Uhuru Peak (5,895 m)
- End Point: Mweka Gate (1,640 m)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Scenery: Rainforest → Moorland → Alpine Desert → Arctic Summit
- Accommodation: Mountain tents
The Lemosho Route is one of the most scenic and less-crowded routes up Kilimanjaro. This 7-day version offers a better acclimatization profile than the 6-day version, improving summit success rates while maintaining a beautiful and varied trekking experience.
Details Itinerary
Day 1: Londorossi Gate (2,250 m) – Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,800 m)
- Hiking distance: ~6 km
- Hiking time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Montane rainforest
- Morning drive from Moshi/Arusha to Londorossi Gate (approx. 3–4 hours). Complete registration and meet your mountain crew.
- Begin trekking through dense rainforest, with chances to spot colobus monkeys and rich birdlife.
- Dinner and overnight at Mti Mkubwa Camp.
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa (2,800 m) – Shira 1 Camp (3,505 m)
- Hiking distance: ~8 km
- Hiking time: 5–6 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- Steep climb out of the forest zone into heather and moorland.
- Cross several small streams and ridges before reaching Shira 1 Camp on the Shira Plateau.
- Dinner and overnight at Shira 1 Camp.
Day 3: Shira 1 (3,505 m) – Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m)
- Hiking distance: ~7 km
- Hiking time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- A short and easy day to aid acclimatization.
- Walk across the Shira Plateau with panoramic views of the Western Breach and glaciers.
- Arrive early and enjoy an afternoon acclimatization hike.
- Dinner and overnight at Shira 2 Camp.
Day 4: Shira 2 (3,850 m) – Barranco Camp (3,960 m) via Lava Tower (4,630 m)
- Hiking distance: ~10 km
- Hiking time: 6–7 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert
- Gradual climb to Lava Tower (4,630 m) for lunch and acclimatization.
- Descend to Barranco Camp, passing through the beautiful Barranco Valley.
- This “climb high, sleep low” method helps your body adapt to the altitude.
- Dinner and overnight at Barranco Camp
Day 5: Barranco Camp (3,960 m) – Karanga Camp (4,035 m)
- Hiking distance: ~5 km
- Hiking time: 4–5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert
- Start the day by ascending the steep Barranco Wall, then traverse ridges and valleys.
- Arrive at Karanga Camp by midday and rest for the afternoon.
- Dinner and overnight at Karanga Camp.
Day 6: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) – Barafu Camp (4,640 m)
- Hiking distance: ~4 km
- Hiking time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert
- Gradual climb on rocky terrain to Barafu Camp, the base for summit night.
- Early dinner and rest — summit attempt begins just after midnight.
- Dinner and overnight at Barafu Camp.
Day 7: Barafu (4,640 m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Mweka Camp (3,100 m)
- Hiking distance: ~5 km ascent + 12 km descent
- Hiking time: 6–7 hours up, 4–6 hours down
- Habitat: Arctic at the summit / rainforest lower down
- Wake around midnight for your summit attempt.
- Trek steep switchbacks to Stella Point (5,739 m) for sunrise, then continue to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.
- After photos and celebrations, descend to Barafu Camp briefly, then continue down to Mweka Camp.
- Dinner and overnight at Mweka Camp.
Day 8 (Exit Day): Mweka Camp (3,100 m) – Mweka Gate (1,640 m)
- Hiking distance: ~10 km
- Hiking time: 3 hours
- Descend through lush rainforest to Mweka Gate.
- Receive your summit certificates and transfer back to Moshi or Arusha.
