8 DAYS

Lemosho Route Trek

Lemosho route is one of the newer routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, considered by many to be the most beautiful path up the western breach of the mountain to the Shira Plateau. Lemosho is one of the few routes where an armed ranger may accompany the group since there are still animals in the forest around the Lemosho Glades. The minimum number of days required for this route is six days, although eight days is ideal.

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Londorossi Park Gate – Mti Mkubwa Camping

Elevation (metres): 2,250m to 2,821m – Distance: 6kms – Hiking Time: 3-4hrs
Drive to Londorossi Park Gate where you will complete entry formalities before driving to the Lemosho trailhead. Afterlunch, walk along the forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite. Overnight at Mti Mkubwa Camp.
 


Day 2 – Mti Mkubwa Camp – Shira 1 Camp

Elevation (metres): 2,821m to 3500m – Distance: 8kms – Hiking Time: 5-6hrs

Today, raise early and climb steeply out of the montane forest zone and into the moorland zone. The trek is challenging as we climb over the Shira Ridge (3600m) before descending gently to the Shira Plateau where we spend the night at Shira 1 camp. On a clear day, the view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.

 

Day 3 – Shira 1 Camp – Shira 2 Camp

Elevation (metres): 3500m to 3840m – Distance: 10kms – Hiking Time: 3-4hrs

Gently walk across the plateau to the Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. This is a perfect acclimatization day that allows you to take day hikes to further explore the Shira plateau. Look to the west at sunset and you may catch a glimpse of the twin eruptions from the craters of Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano 100 kilometers away.


Day 4 – Shira 2 Camp – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp

Elevation (metres): 3840m to 4630m to 3950m – Distance: 10kms – Hiking Time: 6-8hrs

After breakfast, trek east on the Shira plateau for several hours before reaching the junction for the Machame route. Continue through the barren landscape for another thirty minutes before stopping for lunch. Shortly after lunch, continue east towards the Lava Tower, the highest point of the day (4630m). Descend for 2 hours below the lower cliffs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall to Barranco Camp. There are many senecio and lobelia plants around the camp site which make this campsite unique.

Optional: Extra Day
You can spend an extra day at Shira Camp 2, Barranco Camp, or Karanga Camp for acclimatisation purposes (9 days).
If you want to add this day, and maintain an 8-day itinerary, you can omit day 3 and walk from Shira Camp 1 to Barranco Camp (then no acclimatization option an Shira 2).

 

Day 5 – Barranco Camp – Karanga Valley

Elevation (metres): 3950m to 4023m – Distance: 5kms – Hiking Time: 4-5hrs
After breakfast, scramble to the top of the Great Barranco wall, this is the hardest part of the day and in some places you may have to use your hands to aid your climb. While at the top, traverse over screes and ridges to the Karanga Valley campsite, beneath the icefalls of the Southern Glaciers.


Day 6 – Karanga Valley Camp – Barafu Camp

Elevation (metres): 4023m to 4645m – Distance: 4kms – Hiking Time: 4-5hrs
From Karanga the trail ascends east over intervening ridges and valleys to join the Mweka Route; the views here can be spectacular on the southern glaciers and of the glacial valleys that snake their way down the mountain. The final stage to Barafu is quite steep, and as always it’s taken very slowly. Reach camp by around lunch time leaving lots of time to prepare and relax. In the evening your guide briefs you for the final ascent.


Day 7 – Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp

Elevation (metres): 4645m to 5895m to 3090m
Distance and Hiking Time:

  • Barafu Hut – Uhuru Peak (5 kms, 7-8 hrs)
  • Decent to Mweka Hut (12 kms, 6-8 hrs)

Just after midnight, start the ascent of the screes leading to Stella Point (5725m). From here a further 50 minutes’ walk leads to Uhuru Peak; the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. After a short time at the summit, descend to the Barafu camp for a rest and brunch before continuing with the descent to Mweka camp for overnight.


Day 8 – Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate

Elevation (metres): 3090m to 1640m – Distance: 10Kms – Hiking Time: 4-5hrs
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate. Each hiker will receive a certificate of achievement for the successful climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro; climbers who reached Stella Point (5739m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates.

From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village you will be served a delicious hot lunch. After lunch you drive back to Moshi/Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!