8 Days Lemosho Route

Overview

1. Day 1 Lemosho Gate – Mti Mkubwa Camp Distance 4.8km / 3miHiking 3-4 hrsZone Rainforest

   Departing from Moshi a 3 hours drive will take you through welcoming mountainside villages to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.

   Elevation

   2389m/7838ft to 2785m/9137ft

   Altitude gained

   396m

2. Day 2 Mti Mkubwa Camp – Shira I Camp Distance 7.9km / 5miHiking 4-6hrsZone Moorland

   After a good nights sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, we leave the forest behind now, the trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. Temperatures begin to drop.

   Elevation

   2785m/9137ft to 3504m/11,496ft

   Altitude gained

   719m

3. Day 3 Shira I Camp – Shira Hut Distance 6.9km / 4.3miHiking 5-7hrsZone Moorland

   We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little-used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

   Elevation

   3504m/11,496ft to 3895m/12,779ft

   Altitude gained

   391m

4. Day 4 Shira Hut – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp Distance 10.1km / 6.3miHiking 4-6hrsZone Semi Desert

   Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo peak before we then continue, South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev. 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to a second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier. We then continue to descend to overnight at Barranco Camp.

   Elevation

   3895m/12,779ft to 3986m/13,077ft

   Altitude gained

   91m

5. Day 5 Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp Distance 5.2km / 3miHiking 4-5hrsZone Alpine Desert

   After breakfast, we continue on a steep ridge up to the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction, which connects, with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see the power, agility, and strength of your crew zip over this wall with what appears such ease. Overnight at Karanga Camp.

   Elevation

   3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft

   Altitude gained

   48m

6. Day 6 Hike Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp Distance 3.3km / 2 miHiking 4-5hrsZone Alpine Desert

   We continue up toward Barafu Camp, and once reached you have now completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. An early dinner and rest as we prepare for summit night. Overnight at Barafu Camp.

   Elevation

   4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft

   Altitude gained

   628m

7. Day 7 Barafu Camp – Summit – Mweka Camp Distance 4.86km / 3mi up; 13km / 8mi downHiking 5-7hrs; 5-6hrsZone Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit

   Elevation: 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft
   Altitude gained: 1233m
   Descent to 3106m/10,190ft
   Altitude lost: 2789m

   Excitement is building as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

   We continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers trying to stay warm and focused on the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here on your remaining 1 hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way.

   Congratulations, one step at a time you have now reached Uhuru Peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa!

   After photos, celebrations and maybe a few tears of joy we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. We begin our steep descent down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a very brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for uncooperative loose gravel and volcano ash terrain. Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Overnight Mweka Camp.

   Elevation

   4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft

   Altitude gained

   1233m

8. Day 8 Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Moshi Distance 9.1km / 6miHiking 3-4hrsZone Rainforest

   After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles.

   Elevation

   3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft

   Altitude lost

   1473m