8-DAY LEMOSHO ROUTE MT. KILIMANJARO TREK

LEMOSHO ROUTE – OVERVIEW

The Lemosho route is a newer route, it is more remote and possibly more beautiful, but a bit longer and slightly more expensive. It starts on the Western side of the mountain at the Lemosho Gate, which is a further drive from town, and was introduced as an alternative to the Shira route.

After beautiful forests and moorlands, it crosses the Shira Plateau on day 3 to connect with the Machame Route at Lava Tower and down towards Barranco Valley via the Southern Circuit. You may be lucky enough to see buffalo, elephants, and other games. Because this route can be done over a longer period of time for acclimatization, it has a higher success rate of the summit.

Duration: 7 or 8 days

Difficulty: Medium

Scenery: Excellent

Traffic: High

DAY 1: ARRIVAL AT KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The Lemosho route is a newer route, it is more remote and possibly more beautiful, but a bit longer and slightly more expensive. It starts on the Western side of the mountain at the Lemosho Gate, which is a further drive from town, and was introduced as an alternative to the Shira route.
After beautiful forests and moorlands, it crosses the Shira Plateau on day 3 to connect with the Machame Route at Lava Tower and down towards Barranco Valley via the Southern Circuit. You may be lucky enough to see buffalo, elephants, and other games. Because this route can be done over a longer period of time for acclimatization, it has a higher success rate of the summit.

DAY 1: LEMOSHO GATE – MTI MKUBWA CAMP

Departing from Moshi a 45-minute drive will take you through welcoming mountainside villages to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.

4.8km /3mi | 3-4 hrs. | Rainforest

Elevation: 2389m/7838ft to 2785m/9137ft

Altitude gained: 396m

DAY 2: MTI MKUBWA CAMP - SHIRA I CAMP

After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, we leave the forest behind now, the trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. Temperatures begin to drop.

1 7km/5mi | 6-8hrs | Moorland

Elevation: 2785m/9137ft to 3895m/12,779ft

Altitude gained: 719m

DAY 3: SHIRA I CAMP –SHIRA 2 CAMP

We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo glaciated peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on Earth.

6.9km/4.3mi | 5-7hrs | Moorland

Elevation: 3504m/11,496ft to 3895m/12,779ft

Altitude gained: 391m

DAY 4: SHIRA 2 CAMP - LAVA TOWER - BARRANCO CAMP

Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo peak before we then continue, South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev. 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to a second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier. We then continue to descend overnight at Barranco Camp.

10.1km/6.3mi | 4-6hrs | Semi Desert

Elevation: 3895m/12,779ft to 3986m/13,077ft

Altitude gained: 91m

DAY 5: KARANGA CAMP - BARAFU CAMP

We continue up toward Barafu Camp, and once reached you have now completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. An early dinner and rest as we prepare for summit night. Overnight at Barafu Camp.

3.3km /2 mi | 4-5hrs | Alpine Desert

Elevation: 4034m/13,253ft to 4662m/15,295ft

Altitude gained: 628m

DAY 5: BARRANCO CAMP - KARANGA CAMP

After breakfast, we continue on a steep ridge up the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction, which connects, with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see the power, agility, and strength of your crew zip over this wall with what appears such ease. Overnight at Karanga Camp.

5.2km/3mi | 4-5hrs | Alpine Desert

Elevation: 3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft

Altitude gained: 48m

DAY 6: HIKE KARANGA CAMP - BARAFU CAMP

We continue up toward Barafu Camp and once reached you have now completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. An early dinner and rest as we prepare for summit night. Overnight at Barafu Camp. 

3.3km /2 mi | 4-5hrs | Alpine Desert

Elevation: 4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft

Altitude gained: 628m

DAY 7: BARAFU CAMP – SUMMIT - MWEKA CAMP

We continue up toward Barafu Camp and once reached you have now completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. An early dinner and rest as we prepare for summit night. Overnight at Barafu Camp. 

13km /8mi down | 5-6hrs | Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit

Elevation: 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft

Altitude gained: 1233m

Descent to 3106m/10,190ft

Altitude lost: 2789m

DAY 8: MWEKA CAMP - MWEKA GATE – MOSHI

After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy, and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles.
From the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner, and celebrations!!

9.1km/6mi |3-4hrs | Rainforest

Elevation: 3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft

Altitude lost: 1473m

Overnight HOTEL IN MOSHI B&B. before being transferred to your journey home, safari or relaxing trip to Zanzibar.

DAY 0: DEPARTURE

Today you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro international Airport for your flight back home.

INCLUDED

EXCLUDED

Low Season (April 1st – May 19th)

Type of Accommodation 2 persons 4 persons 6+ persons
SILVER $3,048.00 USD* $2,469.00 USD* $2,275.00 USD*
GOLD $3,615.00 USD* $3,006.00 USD* $2,803.00 USD*
PLATINUM $4,300.00 USD* $3,701.00 USD* $3,501.00 USD*

* Indicative costs per person, excluding international airline tickets

Mid Season (The Rest of the Year)

Type of Accommodation 2 persons 4 persons 6+ persons
SILVER $3,245.00 USD* $2,599.00 USD* $2,384.00 USD*
GOLD $3,971.00 USD* $3,294.00 USD* $3,069.00 USD*
PLATINUM $4,699.00 USD* $4,033.00 USD* $3,811.00 USD*

* Indicative costs per person, excluding international airline tickets

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