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Tanzania · Trekking
The journey
Summit Mount Kilimanjaro on this 8-day trek via the Lemosho Route from Moshi. It is the most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro, granting panoramic vistas on various mountain sides and an ideal balance of low crowds. Approaching the mountain from the west, the route passes through rainforest to Shira Ridge, crosses the vast Shira Plateau from west to east, then joins the Southern Circuit beneath Kilimanjaro's Southern Ice Field before the final ascent from Barafu. The descent is made via the Mweka Route.
Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you will ever see coming over Mawenzi Peak.
From the itinerary
At a glance
Day by day
We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, a drive of about 4 hours, where you will complete the entry formalities. Then, we continue to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest that winds to the first campsite.
Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft
Distance: 6 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Accommodation: Mti Mkubwa
We continue on the trail leading out of the rainforest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. Here, we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.
We explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east across moorland meadows toward Shira 2 Camp. Then, we divert from the main trail to Moir Hut, a little-used site at the base of Lent Hills. Lent Hills offers various walks, making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
We begin the day by climbing up a ridge and then head southeast toward the Lava Tower, a 300-foot-tall volcanic rock formation. We descend to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at a higher altitude benefits acclimatization.
Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then, we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. We cross a series of hills and valleys from the top of the Barranco Wall until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb leads us up to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.
We leave Karanga and reach the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section of Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many angles. Here, we make camp, rest, and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are visible from this position.
We begin our push to the summit very early in the morning, around midnight. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent but short breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you will ever see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. From the summit, we descend straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The rocky trail can be challenging on the knees, so trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue for another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village and drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.
Where this trip takes you
Shira Plateau, Lava Tower, Stella Point, Uhuru Peak
The route
The fine print
With beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate, Lemosho is highly recommended. Most of our clients climb Kilimanjaro using this route and consistently report that they love it.
Logistics
Your 8 days finish where they began, in Moshi.
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