Skip to content Climbing through different climate zones it starts on heaths and winds further across alpine meadows to ascend to the arctic zone near Uhuru Peak. The descent, in turn, passes through the rainforest. All this makes this route the most scenic on Kilimanjaro. The total distance covered on Lemosho Route is 46 kilometers (28.5 miles). The best views on the mountain and increased chances of successful summiting come free of charge.
After eating breakfast at your hotel, your guide will brief you on the day. You will drive from Arusha to Londorossi Park Gate for registration and transfer to the Lemosho gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. Once at the gate, you will be registered and you will need to sign some papers. After registration, you will be driven up to a bumpy track that will take you into the dense rainforest to the drop-off point where your trek begins. You will follow a moderately steep track, which leads you through an amazing and unspoiled natural forest to Mkubwa Camp. As this region is also home to wild game, you will be accompanied by an armed ranger during the first 2 days of your trek.
Accommodation: Budget camping
Meal Plan: All meals included
On this day, the trek will start on a small trail that passes through the rainforest. As you climb, the forest gradually thins out and the landscape changes into heath and moorland where plants like Erica and lobelia start to dominate the landscape. You will cross the Shira Ridge and reach Shira 1 camp. Dinner and overnight at Shira 1Camp.
Accommodation: Budget camping
Meal Plan: All meals included
From Shira Camp 1 you will continue on your hike across and up the Shira plateau to moir hut. The plateau is exposed so be prepared for strong winds with temperatures getting below zero in the early hours and also is long day and finishes at high altitude. You may start feeling altitude sickness symptoms. Make sure you monitor yourself closely. Sleeping high on this night will pay dividends on your trek going forward.
Accommodation: Moir Hut
Meal Plan: All meals included
On day four you will continue trekking through a desert-like landscape as you approach Lava Tower and the Shark’s Tooth formation at 4,600 meters. You will have lunch at Lava Tower before joining the Southern Circuit trail (see map above) which descends to Barranco Camp 3,900 meters where you will spend the night at a very similar elevation as the night before.
Accommodation: Budget camping
Meal Plan: All meals included
On day five you will be presented with the relatively steep Barranco ‘Breakfast’ climb, a 257 meter scramble up the Barranco Wall. Be prepared to use all four limbs as you traverse the wall to the top of the Karanga Valley. From here you will follow a path that sojourns through many inclines and declines to Karanga Camp (3,960 meters). For those on an eight day hike, this will be your camp for the night
Accommodation: Budget camping
Meal Plan: All meals included
Day 6 is a relatively short and easy trek. Starting at Karanga Camp, the trail quickly joins the Mweka route and heads up to base camp, Barafu at 4,680m.
We recommend you use the easy day to enjoy the scenery, rest the muscles, and prepare your mind for the summit push.
Accommodation: Budget camping
Meal Plan: All meals included
Day seven starts at midnight with hot tea, biscuits and a long and zigzagging hike up the heavy scree that covers the steep slopes of Kibo. The going is slow and very tough. You will need to dig deep and ensure you maintain a consistent pace to push yourself up to the crater rim.
After about 3-5 hours hiking you will reach Stella Point (5,739 meters) where you will have a chance to rest and watch dawn break across the Tanzanian landscape. It is a good idea to have some hot tea or hot chocolate at this point as you will need to muster the energy to continue for another 45 to 1hour around and up the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters). Remember to keep your momentum moving forward, one step at a time. Take as many pictures as you can, then start heading back to barafu camp one hour rest then mweka camp.
Accommodation: Budget camping
Meal Plan: All meals included
The final day on the mountain is a short one, but nonetheless tiring as your body will be exhausted and your knees will likely be sore from the previous day’s descent. Go slowly and enjoy the wonderful rainforest scenery as you head towards Mweka Gate (1,640 meters).
At the gate you will need to sign-out with the authorities and will also receive your certificate, either for Stella Point or for Uhuru Peak.
It is customary to pay your tips to your trekking team before you depart back to your hotel in Arusha or airport.
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
Meal Plan: Breakfast & lunch
