Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route 8 Days

Day 0: Pickup to Airport

You will be picked up from airport. From there you will go to the hotel in Moshi for an orientation on your trek. Your guides will be there to provide you with details on your trek and will also check your trekking gears.
Dinner and overnight at hotel in Moshi.

DAY 01: LONDOROSSI GATE TO FOREST CAMP

Elevation (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft
Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

We will leave Moshi in the morning and pass through Sanya Juu then to Londorossi Gate, the drive takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at the trailhead, you will enjoy your lunch box, then begin your hike through an undisturbed forest which winds to the first campsite.

DAY 02: Forest Camp to Shira Camp 1

Elevation (ft): 9,500ft to 11,500ft
Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time 5-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland

You will continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As you ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, you reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is breathtaking.

DAY 03: SHIRA CAMP 1 TO SHIRA 2 TO MOIR HUT

Elevation (ft): 11,500ft to 13,800 ft
Distance: 14 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland

You will explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo's glaciers peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then you will proceed to Moir Hut, a little-used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks is available on Lent Hills making this an outstanding acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

DAY 04: MOIR HUT TO LAVA TOWER TO BARRANCO CAMP

Elevation (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Semi-Desert

From the Shira Plateau, you continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As you continue, the direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, you come to the second junction which brings you up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. You now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft.

Here you will have a rest, enjoy delicious dinner, and overnight. Although you end up the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

DAY 05: BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP

Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft Distance: 5km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.

DAY 06: KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP

Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, you leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. You will proceed up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Your night will be settled at Barafu camp where you will eat fresh prepared, delicious meals and prepare yourself for the summit day. The two magnificent peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

DAY 07: BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT TO MWEKA HUT

Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
Habitat: Arctic

You will wake up early in the morning around (midnight to 2 am), then continue your way up to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most wonderful sunrise you are ever. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way up on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro. Africa highest free-standing volcano mountain at height of 5895m. You are on top of Africa.

From the summit, now you make your descent straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a good sleep.

DAY 08: MWEKA CAMP TO MOSHI

Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, you will hike 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 fine to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). At the gate there will a car waiting for you and bring you back to your hotel in Moshi, enjoy a hot dinner and have more rest, reminiscing all the adventure and accomplishment. We recommend you add a 3-4days wildlife safari to complete an African Adventure trip.