The Lemosho route avoids the crowds on the early part of the Machame route and over 8 days, you have a fantastic journey and a great chance of summiting successfully. The climb begins at Londorossi Gate, at an altitude of 2360 metres, with an approach far to the west of the mountain. It passes through majestic rainforest where some of the region’s most unique wildlife can often be seen.
The route continues up to the mountain’s third summit at Shira Ridge. From there you will cross the famed Shira plateau and see the awe inspiring Shira Cathedral before reaching Shira camp on the main Machame route on day three.
8 Days Lemosho Route Itinerary
Arrival
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred for overnight accommodation. Your head guide will meet you for your briefing, gear check and arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need.
Londorossi Gate To Mti Mkubwa Camp
4WD transfer to Londorossi Park Gate for registration. Our porters prepare and pack our supplies and luggage before we start our ascent along the forest trail to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) campsite at 2895m. We will stay here overnight.
- Elevation: 2389m/7838ft to 2785m/9137ft
- Distance: 6 km
- Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours
- Accommodation: Mti Mkubwa Camp
- Meals Plan: Lunch & Dinner
- Habitat: Rainforest Forest
- Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft
- Distance: 6 km
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Accommodation: Mti Mkubwa Camp
- Meals Plan: Lunch & Dinner
- Habitat: Rain Forest
Mti Mkubwa Camp To Shira 1 Camp
Our journey continues eastwards across the Shira Plateau with spectacular views of Shira Cathedral. We cross moorland meadow to reach Shira 1 Camp for dinner and overnight camping at 3500m. By now we will be able to see the stunning glaciers of the Western Breach. It will be colder tonight than the previous night with temperatures possibly falling below freezing.
- Elevation: 2785m/9137ft to 3504m/11,496ft
- Distance: 8 km
- Hiking Time: 4 to 6 hours
- Accommodation: Shira 1 Camp
- Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Habitat: Moorland Forest
- Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3850m/12,600ft
- Distance: 16 km
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
- Accommodation: Shira 2 Camp
- Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Habitat: Moorland
Shira 1 Camp To Moir Hut
We leave the forest behind now and the trail gets steeper as it enters the moorland zone. A gentle grade walk takes you across the high altitude Shira Caldera to Moir Hut with fabulous views of Arrow glacier. We will camp here for the night at 4200m.
- Elevation: 3504m/11,496ft to 3895m/12,779ft
- Distance: 14 km
- Hiking Time: 5 to 7 hours
- Accommodation: Mori Hut
- Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Habitat: Moorland Forest
Moir Hut To Barranco Camp
Today we will climb up to 4600m to the base of Lava Tower for lunch and acclimatization. This will be our toughest day so far and you may, for the first time, feel the altitude. After lunch we will descend again by almost 650m to Barranco Camp, following the “walk high, sleep low” golden rule of acclimatisation. Our descent to Barranco Camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall.
- Elevation: 3895m/12,779ft to 3986m/13,077ft
- Distance: 7 km
- Hiking Time: 4 to 6 hours
- Accommodation:Barranco Hut
- Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Habitat: Semi Desert
Barranco Camp To Karanga Camp
A short but fun day, starting with a scramble to the top of the Great Barranco Wall. We then traverse over scree to the Karanga Valley (3930m) beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers. We will stay overnight at Karanga campsite.
- Elevation:3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft
- Distance: 5 km
- Hiking Time: 4 to 5 hours
- Accommodation:Karanga Valley campsite
- Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Karanga Camp To Barafu Camp
We leave Karanga campsite behind to meet the junction connecting with the Mweka descent trail. From here we continue up to Barafu Camp. You have now completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. At camp, we can rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be clearly seen from this position.
- Elevation:4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft
- Distance: 4 km
- Hiking Time: 4 - 5 hours
- Accommodation:Barafu Hut
- Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Barafu Camp To Summit To Mweka Camp
You will be woken around 23:30 with tea and biscuits. We start our trek to the summit between the Rebman and Ratzel glaciers through heavy scree up to Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek. At Stella Point (5732m), we will stop for a short rest and hopefully be in time to witness the magnificent sunrise (weather permitting). We are now only an hour away from the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. From the summit, we descend down to Mweka camp site, via Barafu for lunch. Trekking poles will be needed for the loose scree going down to Mweka Camp (3100m). Later in the evening, we will enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
- Elevation:4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft
- Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
- Accommodation:Mweka Camp
- Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Habitat: Arctic
Mweka Camp To Mweka Gate
Your final day on the trek, departing after breakfast we descend a further 1300m to the Mweka Park Gate to pick up your summit certificates from the Park Headquarters. Transfer to your hotel.
- Elevation:4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft
- Distance: 10 km
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Accommodation:Hotel
- Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
- Habitat: Rain Forest
Departure
After a much-needed night’s rest we will bid you goodbye. If you have arranged airport transfers with us or a safari / Zanzibar trip, we will collect you from the hotel for your onward journey.