Trip Overview
- Duration: 6 Days / 5 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 to challenging
- Scenery: Rainforest → Moorland → Alpine Desert → Arctic Summit
- Accommodation: Mountain tents
The Lemosho Route is one of the most scenic and less-crowded trails on Kilimanjaro. It starts from the western side of the mountain and gradually crosses the Shira Plateau before joining the Machame Route. This 6-day version is for trekkers who want a shorter adventure but are fit and well-acclimatized.
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
- After breakfast and a briefing in Moshi/Arusha, drive to Londorossi Gate (about 3–4 hours). Complete registration and meet your mountain crew (guides, cooks, porters).
- Begin your trek through lush montane forest. The trail is narrow, wet, and rich in birdlife, with chances to see black-and-white colobus monkeys.
- Dinner and overnight at Mti Mkubwa Camp.
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa (2,800 m) – Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m)
- Hiking distance: ~14 km
- Hiking time: 7–8 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- Today is a long day with a steep climb out of the forest and onto the heather moorland.
- Cross Shira Ridge and descend gently to the expansive Shira Plateau.
- Spectacular views of Mount Meru and the Shira Caldera along the way.
- Dinner and overnight at Shira 2 Camp.
Day 3: 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: Semi-desert / alpine zone
- Trek east toward Lava Tower (4,630 m) where you will stop for lunch.
- This high point helps your body acclimatize to the altitude.
- After lunch, descend to Barranco Camp through the beautiful and rugged Barranco Valley.
- This “climb high, sleep low” approach greatly helps with acclimatization.
- Dinner and overnight at Barranco Camp.
Day 4: 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 with a scramble up the iconic Barranco Wall (not technical climbing, but steep).
- Enjoy sweeping views of the plains below and glaciers above.
- Continue through a series of ridges and valleys before reaching Karanga Camp.
- Dinner and overnight at Karanga Camp.
Day 5: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) – Barafu Camp (4,640 m)
- Hiking distance: ~4 km
- Hiking time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert
- A shorter hike today through a rocky and exposed trail to reach Barafu Camp.
- This is the base camp for your summit attempt.
- Have an early dinner and rest — the summit push begins just after midnight.
- Dinner and overnight at Barafu Camp.
Day 6: 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 at midnight and begin the final ascent to the summit under the stars.
- Climb steep switchbacks to Stella Point (5,739 m) for sunrise, then continue along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) — the highest point in Africa!
- After summit celebrations and photos, begin the long descent to Barafu Camp for a short rest, then continue down to Mweka Camp.
- Dinner and overnight at Mweka Camp.
Day 7 (Exit Day): Mweka Camp (3,100 m) – Mweka Gate (1,640 m)
- Hiking distance: ~10 km
- Hiking time: 3 hours
- Descend through lush montane forest to Mweka Gate.
- Receive your summit certificates, meet your driver, and transfer back to Moshi or Arusha for a well-deserved hot shower and rest.
