Trip Overview
The Lemosho Route is one of the most scenic routes on Kilimanjaro, offering lush rainforests, wide valleys, and spectacular mountain views. The 9-day plan provides extra time for acclimatization, improving the chances of summiting successfully.
Details Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kilimanjaro / Arusha
- Activities: Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport; transfer to hotel in Arusha.
- Accommodation: Arusha Planet Lodge or similar.
- Meals: Dinner only.
- Notes: Meet your guide and go over trek details.
Day 2: Lemosho Glades – Big Tree Camp
- Distance: 6–8 km (approx.)
- Altitude: 2,100 m → 2,750 m
- Activities: Start trek from Lemosho Gate. Enter the rainforest and enjoy the biodiversity.
- Accommodation: Big Tree Camp (tented).
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 3: Big Tree Camp – Shira 1 Camp
- Distance: 7 km (approx.)
- Altitude: 2,750 m → 3,500 m
- Activities: Continue through lush rainforest, cross moorland zone, and reach Shira Plateau.
- Accommodation: Shira 1 Camp.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 4: Shira 1 Camp – Shira 2 Camp
- Distance: 5–7 km (approx.)
- Altitude: 3,500 m → 3,850 m
- Activities: Gradual ascent across the plateau, acclimatization hike around Shira Plateau.
- Accommodation: Shira 2 Camp.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 5: Shira 2 Camp – Barranco Camp
- Distance: 10–12 km (approx.)
- Altitude: 3,850 m → 3,950 m
- Activities: Trek through moorland to Lava Tower (4,600 m optional acclimatization hike), then descend to Barranco Valley.
- Accommodation: Barranco Camp.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
- Notes: This “up and down” day aids acclimatization.
Day 6: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp
- Distance: 5–6 km (approx.)
- Altitude: 3,950 m → 4,000 m
- Activities: Climb Barranco Wall (not technical, requires scrambling), then gentle descent to Karanga Valley.
- Accommodation:Karanga Camp.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 7: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp
- Distance: 4–5 km (approx.)
- Altitude: 4,000 m → 4,600 m
- Activities: Ascend through rocky paths to Barafu Camp (base camp for summit).
- Accommodation:Barafu Camp.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
- Notes: Early dinner and rest; summit climb begins at midnight.
Day 8: Summit Day – Barafu Camp → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp
- Distance: 12–15 km (approx.)
- Altitude: 4,600 m → 5,895 m → 3,100 m
- Activities:
- Midnight: Depart Barafu Camp for Uhuru Peak.
- Sunrise: Reach Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) and enjoy panoramic views.
- Descent: Return via Barafu to Mweka Camp.
- Accommodation: Mweka Camp (tented).
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
- Notes: Very long and challenging day; focus on pacing and hydration.
Day 9: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Arusha
- Distance: 10 km (approx.)
- Altitude: 3,100 m → 1,800 m (gate)
- Activities: Trek through rainforest to Mweka Gate, receive summit certificates, transfer back to Arusha.
- Accommodation: Arusha Planet Lodge or similar.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch.
- Notes: Rest and celebrate your achievement.
