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Tanzania · Trekking
The journey
Scale the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro via the scenic Lemosho route, a remote and beautiful trail that leads up to the Shira Plateau. Considered one of the most scenic routes on the mountain, it offers panoramic vistas from different sides of Kilimanjaro and is ideal for acclimatisation. Over 7 days, trek through forest, moorland, alpine desert, and scree to reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.
Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
From the itinerary
At a glance
Day by day
After breakfast and a briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate, about a 3-hour journey.
Upon arrival, follow a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle towards Lemosho Glades.
Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Campsite.
Overnight stay at camp.
Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: L/D
After breakfast, continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone.
Cross several streams and continue over the Shira Ridge, passing Shira 1 Camp and heading towards Shira 2 Camp on moorland meadows by a stream.
Overnight stay at camp.
Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 16km/10mi
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: B/L/D
From the Shira Plateau, continue trekking east up a ridge, passing a junction towards the peak of Kibo.
Along the way, the direction changes to the southeast towards the Lava Tower, also known as "Shark's Tooth".
Reach the second junction, which leads to Arrow Glacier.
Continue trekking down to Barranco Camp. This is an important day for acclimatisation.
Overnight stay at camp.
Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: B/L/D
After breakfast, leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley.
Cross the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail.
Arrive at Karanga Camp for dinner and an overnight stay.
Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: B/L/D
After breakfast, continue towards Barafu Camp to complete the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.
Reach Barafu Camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for summit day.
Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 4km/2mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: B/L/D
Very early in the morning, between midnight and 2 am, continue towards the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers.
Head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This will be the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point, stop for a short rest and enjoy views of the magnificent sunrise. Faster hikers may see the sunrise from the summit.
From Stella Point, snow on the route is possible during the 1-hour ascent to the summit.
Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
From the summit, begin the descent by continuing straight down to Mweka Camp.
Stop at Barafu for lunch.
Use gaiters and trekking poles to navigate the loose gravel on the way down.
Arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy your last evening on the mountain.
Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals: B/L/D
After breakfast, continue the descent to Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. Do not forget to tip your guides and porters.
From the gate, continue for another hour to Mweka Village.
Transfer back to the hotel in Moshi, about 30 minutes away.
End of tour.
Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: B
Where this trip takes you
Shira Plateau, Lava Tower ("Shark's Tooth"), Uhuru Peak
The route
The fine print
Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents
2 nights accommodation
Professional, experienced, English-speaking Kilimanjaro mountain guides
All park fees
Rescue fees
All meals while on the mountain
Arrival and departure transfers
Salaries and park fees for guides, porters, and cook
Quality mess tents with table and chairs
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Clean, purified drinking water
Crisis management and safety procedures
Fair and ethical treatment of porters
Sleeping mattress
Tanzania visa: US$50 per person on arrival
Personal expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
Meals not listed above
Optional tours (short safari after your climb, etc.)
Tips and any items of a personal nature
The minimum duration for the Lemosho route is 6 days; however, we strongly recommend hiking the route in 7 days. The additional 7th day gives your body more time to acclimatise, reduces the effects of altitude sickness, and allows more time to rest before attempting the summit.
On this route, groups may be accompanied on the first day by an armed ranger, as the forests around the Lemosho Glades are inhabited by buffalo, elephant, and other wildlife.
Logistics
Your 7 days finish where they began, in Moshi.
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