Lemosho Route is probably the most beautiful, unspoilt, little used route to climb Kilimanjaro and a good way to the Shira Plateu. Accommodations on the Lemosho Route are tents. Lemosho Route is better suited to the slightly more adventurous hiker. From late afternoon sunsets at Shira, to the misty revelations of Kibo at the great Barranco Wall. The Lemosho Route is completed in 8 days. There is an added benefit to this, as you are afforded the most valuable commodity on the mountain, acclimatization. The Lemosho Route takes you high to Lava Tower 4630 m on day 4 and brings you down by nearly 700 m for an overnight at Barranco Camp 3950 meters.

Days: 8
Difficulty: Difficult
Activity: Hiking/Trekking
Kilimanjaro Altitude: 19,341 feet (5,895 meters)
Closest airport to Kilimanjaro: Kilimanjaro airport (JRO)
Elevation gain: 22,638 ft

Day 1 -Londross Gate 2100 m – Mti Mkubwa Camp 2800 m
Elevation: 6,889 – 9,186 feet
Elevation gain: 2,297 feet
Hiking distance: 4 miles

You shall drive from your hotel in Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park and check in at Londrossi Gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. The journey passes through the village of Sanya Juu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. You reach the starting point at the Lemosho glades with the vehicle where you shall see the, porters arranging their packs containing the food and other equipment. Make sure that you have all your day pack items with you as the porters travel very quickly. The guides will be pleased to assist with any additional Information. You now trek through the main forest on a winding trail to the first camp, which is located at an altitude of 2250 meters. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are good idea here. You continue a short distance until you reach the Mti Mkubwa Camp (BIG TREE ) officially known as the forest camp rest and enjoy your dinner and overnight. You have now reached an altitude of 2250 meters.

Day 2 - Mti Mkubwa 2800 m – Shira 1 Camp 3500 m
Elevation: 9,186 – 11,483 feet
Elevation gain: 2,297 feet
Hiking distance: 5 miles

After Breakfast, you leave the forest to continue on an ascending path crossing through the heather and moorland. Today is a full day trek with an altitude gain of 700m. After lunch you cross into the Shira Caldera, a high altitude desert plateau which is rarely visited. Shira is the third of Kilimanjaro's volcanic cones, and is filled with lava flow from Kibo Peak. Overnight Shira 1 Camp at 3500 m.

Day 3 - Shira 1 Camp 3500 m – Shira 2 Camp 3840 m
Elevation: 11,483 – 12,598 feet
Elevation gain: 1,115 feet
Hiking distance: 7 miles

After Breakfast, you leave the heather to continue on an ascending path, through the Moorland and, to the east across the Shira Plateau past the Shira Cathedral towards Shira 2 camp. You only gain 340m in elevation - this allows you to acclimatize slowly to the altitude. The views of the plateau are nothing less than spectacular. Overnight at Shira 2 Camp 3840 m

Day 4 - Shira 2 Campsite 3840m – Lava Tower (4600 m) Barranco Camp 3950 m
Elevation: 12,598 – up to 15,091 feet – descend to 12,959 feet for sleeping
Elevation gain: 2,493 feet – and sleep low
Hiking distance: 5.6 miles

From the Shira Plateau, you continue to the east, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As you continue, the direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth”. It is usually at these point where for the first time some climbers will start feeling symptoms of breathlessness and headache due to high altitude and one should walk slowly –POLE POLE as they say in Kiswahili. You now continue downwards to the Barranco Camp at an altitude of 3,950 meters , situated in a valley below the breach and the great Barranco Wall. Here, you rest enjoy dinner and camp overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation, as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization (climb high and sleep low) and will help your body prepare for the successful summit day.

Day 5 - (ACCLIMITIZATION DAY) Barranco Camp (3840 m) – Karanga Campsite (4200 m)
Elevation: 12,959 – 13,779 feet
Elevation gain: 820 feet
Hiking distance: 3.5 miles

After Breakfast, you will depart from Barranco Camp and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall through the Karanga Valley at 4200 m and it is the LAST WATER STOP as you shall not find water at the Barafu Camp. Here, one gets a better chance to view the glaciers at a very near distance. You shall have hot Lunch at Karanga Valley. After a short rest, you can view the Mawenzi Slopes as well as the Tanzania Sugar Plantation farms. (TPC) with a short walk to see the sedimentary rocks which sound like iron when stepped on and return to the Karanga Valley Campsite for dinner and overnight.

Day 6 - Karanga Valley Campsite (4200 m) – Barafu Camp (4600 m)
Elevation: 13,779 –15,091 feet
Elevation gain: 1,312 feet
Hiking distance: 2.2 miles

After Breakfast, you will depart from Karanga Valley campsite at (4200 m), for the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. You continue to the Barafu Hut, which is located at an altitude of 4600 meters. You have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views for the summit from many different angles. There is no water at Barafu Camp, even though Barafu is the Kiswahili word for “ice”. The famous snows of Kilimanjaro are far above Barafu Camp near the summit of the mountain. Your tent will be pitched on a narrow, stony, wind-swept ridge, so make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. Prepare your equipment and warm clothing for your summit climb, and drink a lot of fluids Here you can, rest, enjoy dinner and go to bed for a few hours of precious sleep.

Day 7 - Barafu Camp – (4600m) – Uhuru Peak (5895 m) – Mweka Camp (3100 m)
Elevation: 15,091 – up to Summit: 19,340 ft – descend to 10,170 feet
Elevation gain: 4,249 feet ascent – 9,170 descent
Hiking distance: 3 miles ascent – 6.2 miles descent

Early morning, you continue towards the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5895 meters. It can be bitterly cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. You now make your descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut Campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp at 3100 meters, situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected during the late afternoon. This part of the descent takes about 7 to 8 hours. Later in the evening, you enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well earned sleep.

Day 8 - Mweka Camp (3100 m) – Mweka Gate (1500 m)
Elevation: 10,170 –4,921 feet at Gate
Elevation gain: 5,249 feet descent
Hiking distance: 10 miles

After Breakfast, you continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your Hotel in Moshi.

Transfers in Tanzania
Climbing and trekking permits
Park fees, hut fees, and camping fees
Cook, dining tent, table, chairs and latrine tent
Camping equipment
Accommodations and meals for the hike
Drinking water on trail
3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 afternoon teas and 3 dinners
Qualified porters to carry supplies and camping equipment
Qualified local guides with mountain rescue first aid course
Emergency evacuation to local hospital if needed