Sample Itinerary 10 DAY LEMOSHO ROUTE
The Lemosho route is considered the most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro, granting panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. As one of the newer routes, Lemosho is a superb choice for your climb. It is our preferred route due to its ideal balance of low crowds, beautiful scenery, and a high summit success rate. Most of our clients climb Kilimanjaro using this route and they consistently report that they loved it. Thus, Lemosho is highly recommended.
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rain forest to Shira Ridge. The Lemosho route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. Crowds are low until the route joins the Machame route near Lava Tower. Then the route travers’s underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.
- Day 1 Moshi – Please arrive in Moshi before 3 PM the day before your climb. We will arrange an airport pick-up from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). In the afternoon/evening a pre-climb briefing, and an equipment check will be done to ensure that you have all the necessary and correct gear for the trip. We will also check for the mandatory medical coverage and travel insurances required for the climb.
- Day 2 Moshi – Londorossi Gate – Mti Mkubwa Camp 3 – 4h 6km – Register at the gate office and start the hike with a gradual ascent and a slight descent into the Lemosho Glades. Enter the lush rainforest and listen to the sounds of many exotic birds. Spot monkeys such as the black and white colobus – these monkeys are black with a long ‘cape’ of white hair and a flowing white tail. Spend the day in the gorgeous and fascinating forested slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro, most of which is a rainforest zone. End the day at the Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Campsite, within the upper reaches of the montane forest zone.
- Day 3 Mti Mkubwa Camp – Shira 1 Camp 5 – 6h 9km – Rise early and tackle a steep climb to head out of the montane forest zone and into the moorland zone. Admire trees such as the Giant Heather and Erica. Embark on a challenging hiking day with a trek over the Shira ridge at 3,500m, where, on a clear day, have direct views of Kibo, the peak and ultimate goal of the adventure. From there, descend to the Shira plateau and set up at Shira 1 Camp, located next to a stream.
- Day 4 Shira 1 Camp – Shira 2 Camp 3 – 4h 5km – Traverse the Shira plateau. Ascend gently through the lower alpine moorland, which is notable for beautiful wild alpine flowers and the unique giant lobelia and giant groundsel (senecio kilimanjari) plants. Because the hiking time is only about 3 hours today, use the free time to take several short acclimatization walks around and above the Shira 2 Camp. This camp is more exposed than the previous
- Day 5 Shira 2 Camp – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp 3 – 4h 7km + 1h30min – 2h 3km – Climb slowly through the rocky terrain to the Lava Tower (4600m) from the Shira 2 Camp. The route becomes increasingly challenging and steep. Some hikers might start to feel weak or short of breath from the altitude so go slowly— “pole pole” as they say in Swahili—to avoid exasperating the symptoms.
Lava Tower – Barranco Camp 1h30m – 2h 3km – Descend from the Lava Tower 650m to the Great Barranco Valley. Hike about 2 hours to reach the valley, acclimate to the elevation and take in the view of the Western Breach and Breach Wall along the way. Reach the Barranco Camp and enjoy the beautiful landscape as a reward for the day’s difficult hike. The Breach Wall surrounds the Camp on three sides and the area has an amazing view of hanging glaciers and the Kibo massif.
- Day 6 Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp 4 – 5h 5km – Start the steady hike up the eastern side of the Great Barranco Wall. On the way to the Karanga Camp (4100m), pass below the Heim Glacier and through the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley. Depending on the weather, enjoy the fantastic view of Mt. Kilimanjaro from the Heim Glacier.
- Day 7 Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp 3 – 4h 4km – In preparation for the final ascent the same night, you will familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark, and prepare your equipment and thermal clothing for the summit attempt. Sleep may be difficult but lie down after dinner to try and rest for the 1295m final ascent.
Trek through the Karanga Valley to the Barafu Camp at 4600m. The trail through the alpine desert is dry, barren, and temperatures will get colder after leaving the valley camp. The Barafu Camp is on a narrow ridge with no barriers from the wind, but with a beautiful view of the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Take some time before dark to get familiar with the camp area to avoid any accidents later.
- Day 8 Barafu Camp – Stella Point 6h 4km – Wakeup call today is at 11pm in order to reach Stella Point (5756m) in time for the spectacular view of the sunrise (depending on weather). Enjoy a snack and warm drink and get ready for the ascent in the dark up the northwest scree. Go slowly as the terrain is rocky and difficult, pass between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers before arriving at Stella Point. This stretch is the longest, and the most mentally and physically challenging of the trek. But the feeling of conquering Kilimanjaro will stay with you forever.
Stella Point – Uhuru 1h – 1h30m 1km – Start the 1-hour, gradual ascent to Uhuru peak (5895m) along the snow-covered trail. Temperatures near the summit can range from -23° C in the morning to just below freezing overnight. Arrive at the summit at last! Take a deep breath and celebrate a successful climb.
Summit to Mweka CampUhuru – Mweka Camp 4 – 6h 12km – Begin the descent from the summit towards the Barafu camp, where the group will pack up and enjoy a quick rest. The route down will use the same rock and scree path as the ascent and will pass back through moorland and forest terrain. Reach Mweka hut in the late afternoon.
- Day 9 Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate 4 – 5h 10km – transport to Moshi – Hike downhill to the Mweka Gate. Enjoy the lower altitude and the view of the forested slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro. From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village for lunch, normally a muddy 1-hour hike.
Mweka Gate to Mweka Village 1h – Walk back to the Mweka village for lunch. The route is typically muddy but does not take long.
Mweka Gate/Moshi – Arrive to Moshi in the afternoon. Time to relax, take a shower, and celebrate with a drink. Before dinner, you will be congratulated on your climb and a certificate to remember all your efforts on the mountain will be awarded.
- Day 10 – Last day of the adventure. After breakfast, a transport is arranged to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and your trip home begins.