8 Days Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Climbing

8-day private camping trekking tour + 2 nights’ hotel stay

Embarking on the 7 Days Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Climbing expedition offers an unparalleled adventure, leading you through some of the most breathtaking landscapes on Africa's highest mountain. This route is known for its scenic beauty and higher success rates due to a longer acclimatization period. The Lemosho Route approaches Kilimanjaro from the west, crossing the majestic Shira Plateau, and provides a less crowded and more diverse experience as you ascend to the Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet). This 7-day itinerary balances challenge with gradual acclimatization, ensuring a memorable climb to the roof of Africa.

The Lemosho route is traditionally one of the quieter and lesser-known routes on the

mountain. It’s also the newest and probably the most diverse in terms of the ecological

systems and landscapes it passes through. The first two days of this route take you through

lush rainforest before you emerge into heath and moorland then join the Machame Route on

the third day. This narrow trail, which begins on the Western side of Kilimanjaro, has some

very steep and undulating sections. Hikers overnight in tents.

Highlights

Day 1

Start: Lemosho Gate (2385 m)

Finish: Big Tree Camp (2780 m)

Altitude: ↑ 395 m

Walking Time: 2-3h

Beautiful passage through thick mountain forest on a small trail with a moderate climb.

Day 2

Start: Big Tree Camp (2780 m)

Finish: Shira Camp 1 (3500 m )

Altitude: ↑ 720 m

Walking Time: 4-5h

Continuously rising and falling terrain above the rainforest with wonderful views of the Shira

Ridge and the Kibo Summit.

Day 3

Start: Shira Camp 1 (3500 m)

Finish: Shira Camp 2 (3900 m)

Altitude: ↑ 400 m

Walking Time: 3-4h

Short trek with moderate rising through heat and moorland zone. Great views by crossing

Shira Ridge.

Day 4

Start: Shira Camp 2 (3900 m)

Finish: Barranco Camp (3960 m)

Altitude: ↑ 740 m ↓ 680 m

Walking Time: 6-7h

A long trek through the heath and moorland zone with impressive vegetation on the way to

the Lava Tower.

Day 5

Start: Barranco Camp (3960 m)

Finish: Karanga Camp (4035 m)

Altitude: ↑ 100 m ↓ 25 m

Walking Time: 3-4h

Steep climb over the Barranco Wall with a rewarding view of Kibo’s southern

glacier, continuously up and down.

Day 6

Start: Karanga Camp (4035 m)

Finish: Barafu Camp (4640 m)

Altitude: ↑ 615 m

Walking Time: 3-4h

Small path through rocky alpine desert, not technically demanding.

Day 7

Start: Barafu Camp (4640 m)

Finish: Uhuru Peak (5895 m) – Mweka Camp (3080 m)

Altitude: ↓ 1255 m ↓ 2815 m

Going to Uhuru Peak: 6hrs

Going Down: 4 hrs

Very steep, long and possibly cold climb to Stella Point. Fantastic panorama at the crater

ridge and at the summit. Descent relatively steep and long. Altitude might influence the

climb.

Day 8

Start: Mweka Camp (3080 m)

Finish: Mweka Gate (1630 m)

Altitude: ↓ 1450 m

Walking Time: 2-3h

Easy and relatively short descent with a good path through lush rainforest.

Itinerary

Kilimanjaro Airport – Usa River

Our friendly transfer driver will meet you at Kilimanjaro airport. After loading the luggage into

the vehicle you will make your way to the Meru View Lodge in Usa River. You can relax the

rest of the day or go and explore the small town of Arusha. Our team will meet you later the

day to have a preliminary talk in preparation for the days to follow.

Dinner

Day 1 Usa River – Lemosho Gate (2385 m) – Big Tree Camp (2780 m)

In the morning, you will make your way to the Lemosho Gate. Here you will be registered by

the national park authorities and your trek through a dense rainforest begins. Today will be

a shortest walk of the entire trek, about 2½ hours, which gives you a small taste of what lies

ahead in the coming days. The walk takes you through dense and unspoiled rainforest,

which is very different from the scenery you will have in the next couple of days. Your

destination for the day is the beautiful Big Tree Camp at 2780 m.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2 Big Tree Camp (2780 m) – Shira Camp 1 (3500 m)

After breakfast you will follow a thin trail through the rainforest before leaving the green area

behind heading into moorland. Erica and Lobelia plants will start to take over the landscape.

After about 3-4 hours you will reach Shira Camp 1 where you will have your evening meal

and overnight stay.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Shira Camp 1 (3500 m) – Shira Camp 2 (3900 m)

After breakfast you continue your trek, which today will be less tiring than the day before.

You will cross Shira Ridge which will allows for great views of the Rift Valley and Mt Meru.

The ever changing landscape will again surprise you with a different terrain, you will walk on

ground where lava once flowed. You will also pass the big Senecien that can grow to more

or less 9 meters in height. Shira Camp 2 will be your destination for the night at (3900m),

400m more than the night before.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Shira Camp 2 (3900 m) – Lava Tower (4640 m) – Barranco Camp (3960 m)

After breakfast you will start your walk up to Lava Tower with a long ascent above the Shira

Plateau. You will climb quite a bit in altitude, roughly 740 m. You will have a rest here before

descending again. This is a so called acclimatising day, where you will climb high but sleep

low, giving you a good idea of how your body reacts to altitude. The landscape will once

again change as you pass through the Barranco Valley with its big Senecias and smaller

Lobelia plants. After a long 6 – 7 hours you will reach your beautiful camp for the night the

Barranco Camp. The crew will be there waiting with a well deserve evening meal before

settling in for the night.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Barranco Camp (3960 m) – Karanga Camp (4035 m)

Straight after breakfast you will make your way up the famous Barranco Wall. This is most

probably the steepest part of the entire route. Safety is very important to us so please follow

the guideline of your guides who will get you to the top safely. You might have to use yours

hands every now and then to get a better grip but rest assured there are no alpine climbing

passages. Once at the top you will walk along the mountain ridge and if the weather allows

you will have a great view of the southern glacier of Kibo as the Kibo summit. After 3 – 4

hours you will reach Karanga Camp for your overnight.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Karanga Camp (4035 m) – Barafu Camp (4640 m)

Barafu Camp is your destination for today at (15,220 ft) 4640 m. You will start after

breakfast and should reach it in about 3 to 4 hours. The scenery for today will be mostly

afro-alpine dessert. Once at the camp you will have a filling early dinner before settling in for

a good rest in preparation for tomorrow exciting climb.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Barafu Camp (4640 m) – Uhuru Peak (5895 m) – Mweka Camp (3080 m)

Your day will begin at 00:00. After hot tea and biscuits you will start your 5-7 hours walk to

Stella Point, the crater rim of Kilimanjaro. Here you will have a short rest if necessary before

continuing another 1-2 hours to reach the highlight of the trip the Uhuru Peak (5895 m). This

is truly a once in a lifetime experience as you stand at the top of Africa watching the sunrise

light up the surrounding summits and landscape. After taking much needed pictures you will

make your way down back to Barafu Camp for a 1-2 hours rest. Once everyone is well

rested you will continue down to Mweka gate (3080 m), an approx. 3 hours walk. The rest of

the evening is yours to relax, you’ll have a nice evening meal and a good night’s sleep.

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 Mweka Camp (3080 m) – Mweka Gate (1630 m) – Usa River

After breakfast, before starting your final stretch, you will enjoy a traditional farewell

ceremony from the mountain guides. A 2 – 3 hours walk will take you through the rainforest

back the Mweka Gate. Our driver will be there waiting for you and take you back to the Sal

Salinero Hotel. The rest of the day is yours to freshen up, relax, and take in all the

excitement of the last couple of days.

Breakfast

Usa River – Kilimanjaro Airport

After breakfast you will be transferred to the Kilimanjaro Airport or can head out on safari

with us.

Breakfast

Price includes:

• Trekking tour according to the itinerary

• Accommodation in tents and hotels as indicated in the itinerary

• Professional English-speaking guide

• Personal porter

• Meals as indicated in the itinerary

• Drinking water

• Transfers as indicated in the itinerary

• Camping equipment – tents, sleeping mattress and camping furniture

• Portable toilet and toilet tent

• National park fees

• Rescue fees

Price excludes:

• Flights (international and domestic)

• Meals not indicated in the itinerary

• Beverages other than water (alcohol and soft drinks)

• Visa, tips, personal expenses, travel insurance

• Sleeping bag (can be rented, please ask us at the time of the booking)