Tanzania · Trekking

8-Day Kilimanjaro Trek via Lemosho Route to Uhuru Peak

8 Days Round trip from Mt Kilimanjaro Hard pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Trek through rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, and glacial landscapes
  • 02 Cross the Shira Plateau on a less-crowded route up Kilimanjaro
  • 03 Climb past Lava Tower and descend into the dramatic Barranco Valley
  • 04 Take in scenic views of Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks

The Lemosho Route on Mount Kilimanjaro offers a scenic, less-crowded ascent through diverse landscapes, from lush rainforest and heather moorland to alpine desert and glacial zones. Over 8 days, this route allows for better acclimatization as you cross the Shira Plateau, pass Lava Tower and Barranco Valley, and continue toward Uhuru Peak. It is renowned for its lower crowd levels, creating a more serene trekking experience on Africa's highest mountain.

After sixty minutes, you will reach the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak (5,895m).

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Hard
Accommodation Included · Budget
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru
Languages English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Swahili

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Moshi to Londorossi Gate and Mti Mkubwa Camp

  • Walking Time: 3 hours Distance: 7 km Altitude Gain: 450m
  • You will enjoy an enticing breakfast at the hotel before proceeding from Moshi to Londorossi Gate (1,800m). The three-hour drive follows an unpaved, bumpy road through the town of Boma N'gombe, while Sanya Juu village offers motorists an intimate encounter with the natives. After completing the necessary park registration, you will be transported to the starting point of your trek at 2,350m. The glory of the forest is revealed in the illuminating radiance of the sun. Almond-brown trees stand serenely, brimming with a tender glow, while gems of amber encrust the bark exterior. Green canopies provide shelter for exotic blue monkeys. The short trek through the rainforest leads to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,750m).
2
Day 02

Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira Camp 1

  • Walking Time: 6-7 hours Distance: 10 km Altitude Gain: 800m
  • As the trail begins to move towards Shira Camp 1, the scenery transforms dramatically from lush rainforest to the barren heather moorland zone. The parched landscape is speckled with enormous lobelias, contrasting white fauna and flora, and dusty sand dunes. We will journey up the steep ridges leading to the Shira Plateau, featuring glorious views of the looming Kilimanjaro and the raging bloodshot orb of light slowly sinking beneath the horizon of Mount Meru in the west. We will cross several tranquil streams as we continue over Shira Ridge (3,600m) and along a declining slope to Shira Camp 1.
3
Day 03

Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2

  • Walking Time: 3-4 hours Distance: 8 km Altitude Gain: 290m
  • You will begin the day with a delicious breakfast and trek across an exposed moorland zone. This route is less frequented, making it tranquil and untouched. Reaching the Shira Plateau reveals stunning views of the peak of Kilimanjaro. The exhilarating sensation of witnessing the summit is magical. A hot lunch will be served at Shira Camp 2 (3,810m). Your guide will lead brief excursions for acclimatization, after which you are free to relax.
4
Day 04

Shira Camp 2 to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower

  • Walking Time: 6-7 hours Distance: 11 km Altitude Gain: 110m
  • The Lemosho Route connects with the Machame Route before approaching the molten Lava Tower. The gentle incline leading to Barranco Camp is encompassed by beautiful scenery and encrusted with vivid desert shrubberies during this 6-7-hour hike. Shark's Tooth is an enormous, serrated rock that a volcano discharged thousands of years ago. It also signals that we must travel south and cross the light valleys to the immense Lava Tower (4,600m). Specks of snow gradually scatter themselves across the scenery, and as we descend to Barranco Camp, the frosted landscapes of the Western Breach begin to sprout. The ashen Barranco Wall is engraved with extraordinary indents, and olive foliage is strewn across the 'Breakfast Wall'.
5
Day 05

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

  • Walking Time: 4 - 5 hours Distance: 5 km Altitude Gain: 200m Altitude Loss: 220m
  • The day commences with a simple trek up the astonishing Barranco Wall, which rises 200m high. For a short period, you will need to use your hands and feet to scramble up the wall, and upon reaching the top, you will have an opportunity to marvel at the scenic splendour of the vistas of Kibo. The trail traverses up and down, with various shallow streams leading to the flickering, glittery waters of the Karanga River. An appetizing lunch will be served at Karanga Camp (3,930m). This short trek will assist your acclimatization.
6
Day 06

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

  • Walking Time: 2-4 hours Distance: 4 km Altitude Gain: 770m
  • The rocky zone provides an uphill path featuring landscapes bathed in the crystal glow of the Southern Glaciers. Intersecting with the Mweka Route allows us to witness splendid vistas. A sixty-minute climb up a steep, rock-strewn Lava Ridge is your ticket to Barafu Camp (4,681m).
  • Reaching the camp signifies that you have completed the Southern Circuit of the mountain, and the enchanting, sky-piercing view of the summit is submerged in an ocean of clouds. The terrain at the campsite resembles an unfinished painting. The landscape is blanketed in a thin layer of snow with sparse vegetation. A substantial, warm meal will be served, and we suggest that you jump into your sleeping bag as soon as possible. We will embark on our journey to the summit at midnight.
7
Day 07

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and Mweka Camp

  • Walking Time: 14 - 16 hours Distance: 19 km Altitude Gain: 1195m
  • You will be awakened at 11:00 pm, and we will provide you with a light snack and a steaming cup of tea before you begin your 5 km trek to the summit. This is an extended hike that lasts approximately 16 hours, making this the most challenging day on the 8-day Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route. Temperatures typically range between -5°C and -10°C.
  • The gradually increasing incline of the valley near the eerily tranquil scree fields traverses among the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers - the view is so astounding that the freezing temperatures will be forgotten. At Stella's Point (5,672m), brilliant gold and orange hues bleed like fire over the rocks. The first slither of the sun peeks over the skyline in a radiant white form, and the snow turns liquid gold and silver.
  • After sixty minutes, you will reach the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak (5,895m). You will have an opportunity to take some photos and marvel at the surrounding scenery, glinting ice cliffs, and the jagged Mawenzi Peak.
  • Our descent requires us to turn around and follow the trail back to Barafu Camp, where we will have a brief resting period. The spectacular, vast plains of Kilimanjaro are so enchanting that the 9 km route to Mweka Camp (3,100m) feels rapid. The route is moderate and lasts four to five hours.
  • As you venture down the declining rocky scree trail, the scenery will start to sprout and the ice will melt away. The barren landscapes of the moorland will be the first milestone. Dense vegetation and exotic wildlife will begin to radiate as we approach the forest habitat. We will proceed to the campsite, where you can scarf down a scrumptious, piping-hot dinner while seizing the last opportunity to observe the Milky Way.
8
Day 08

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and Moshi

  • Walking Time: 4 - 5 hours Distance: 10 km Altitude Loss: 1300m
  • The melodies of your porters celebrating will fill the air while you enjoy an appetizing breakfast. The 1,300m descent to Mweka Gate is classified as an easy trek and will only last a few hours. Gold Summit Certificates will be awarded to every member of your group as a small souvenir.
  • Our drivers are just a relaxed stroll away in Mweka village, and they will transport you to the hotel, where an invigorating hot shower, plush mattress, and clean clothes await you. Our driver will then bring you to the airport for your flight back home. If you've decided to go on a safari - well, that's a different adventure.
Shira Plateau, Lava Tower, Barranco Valley, Uhuru Peak

Where this trip takes you

Shira Plateau, Lava Tower, Barranco Valley, Uhuru Peak

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Mt Kilimanjaro 3 cities · 8 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • All applicable park entry fees are as per the program
  • Government taxes and local levies
  • Services of highly experienced English-speaking guide(s), porters, and a cook
  • Camping equipment such as a mountain tent, mattress, etc.
  • Pre- and post-climb accommodation (B&B)
  • Accommodation type: camping
  • Pick-up and drop-off at the airport, as well as transport from the hotel to the park gate and from the park gate to the hotel
  • Meals on a full-board basis during the trek, as indicated in the program
  • Unlimited drinking water, as specified in the day-by-day section
  • Refreshments during the trek
  • Rescue fees, emergency oxygen, pulse oximeter, and first aid kit
  • Guides' and porters' accommodation and their entry fees on the mountain
  • Fair wages for guides and porters as approved by Kilimanjaro National Park Authority

What's Not Included

  • International flights (from/to home) and domestic flights
  • Medical/luggage insurance
  • Sleeping bag
  • Tips (tipping guideline: US$10.00 pp per day)
  • Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa entry fees upon arrival at the airport, etc.)
  • Government-imposed increases in taxes and/or park fees
  • Any extra orders at meals are not included. Set menu meals are part of the package.
  • Portable flush toilet

What to bring

  • Rain/wind-proof (Goretex) shell jacket
  • Insulated rain/wind (Goretex) climbing pants
  • Wool or fleece gloves - medium-weight
  • Wind/waterproof gloves - heavyweight
  • Hiking boots
  • Walking stick
  • Sleeping bag
  • Pocket knife and 1 litre water bottle
  • Headlamp and spare bulb

Know before you go

  • The climb up Kilimanjaro should always be taken seriously because of the risk of altitude sickness in all its forms: Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), with its more serious variants of High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). Because there is less oxygen in the air at altitudes over 8,000 feet, your body cannot take in as much oxygen as it needs, which can result in AMS. The symptoms of mild AMS can vary between individuals and include:
    • Headache
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Dizziness
    • Tiredness
    • Loss of appetite
    • Shortness of breath
  • Symptoms are usually worse at night. Although they are easily treatable with rest and hydration, ibuprofen or paracetamol for a headache, and promethazine for nausea, the best way to prevent AMS is to acclimatize slowly.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Moshi, Tanzania
Tour start
Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 8 days finish where they began, in Mt Kilimanjaro.

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