7 Days

Lemosho Route

Overview

Mount Kilimanjaro

The Kilimanjaro climb 7 days lemosho is the best for acclimatization. The route is less used and beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau.

The minimum duration for the Lemosho route is 6 days, however we strongly recommend hiking the route in 7 days. The additional 7th day will give your body more time to acclimatize, reducing the effects of altitude sickness and give you more time to rest before attempting the summit

A landscape shot of Mt Kilimanjaro with the famous elephants of Amboseli

No of Days

7 Days | 6 Nights

Area to Visit

Moshi, Londorossi Gate, Mti Mkubwa Camp, Shira Camp, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp and Mweka Camp

Full Itinerary

Day by Day

After breakfast and briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate (about a 3-hour drive). 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: LD
  • Budget Lodging: Mti Mkubwa 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 past the Shira 1 camp and on to the Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream.

  • Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3850m/12,600ft
  • Distance: 16km/10mi
  • Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
  • Habitat: Moorland
  • Meals: BLD
  • Budget Lodging: Shira 2 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” (elevation 4650m/15,250ft). 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/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
  • Distance: 8km/5miles
  • Walking Time: 5-6 hours
  • Habitat: Semi-desert
  • Meals: BLD
  • Budget Lodging: Barranco Camp.

After breakfast, we will leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and to the junction, which connects, with the Mweka Trail.

  • Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
  • Distance: 5km/3miles
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert
  • Meals: BLD
  • Budget Lodging: Karanga Valley Camp.

We continue up to the Barafu Camp. South Circuit will be completed,

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/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
  • Distance: 4km/2miles
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert
  • Meals: BLD
  • Budget Lodging: Barafu Camp.

Very early in the morning, we will continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You will head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will have a short rest while being rewarded with magnificent sunrise ever seen before. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit (Uhuru Peak) the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro.

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/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
    Down to 3090m/10,150ft
  • 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: BLD
  • Budget Lodging: Mweka Camp.

After breakfast we will 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).

From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters.

  • Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
  • Distance: 10km/6mi
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Forest
  • Meals: B

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