Lemosho Route - 8 Days Trek/10 Days Tour Date of Travel
Trekking Spot
Londorossi Gate, Mti Mkubwa Camp, Shira 1 Camp, Shira 2 Camp, Lava Tower, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp, Uhuru Peak, Mweka Camp
Duration
8 Days | 7 Nights
Price
From $ 3,040 per person sharing
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Trip Overview
Welcome to the Lemosho Route, widely regarded as the most scenic and successful path up Mount Kilimanjaro. This route is favored for its remote start on the western side of the mountain, offering a quieter experience and a high chance of spotting wildlife in the early stages.
The Lemosho Route is designed for optimal acclimatization, featuring a longer timeline that allows your body to adjust naturally as you cross the vast Shira Plateau and navigate the dramatic southern circuit. From the pristine rainforest to the Arctic summit, this is a comprehensive Tanzanian adventure.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Day: Kilimanjaro International Airport – Arusha (1 hour)
Your Tanzanian adventure begins as you touch down at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), the gateway to the safari circuit. On a clear day, you may catch a glimpse of Mount Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peak from the tarmac.
You will be welcomed by a representative and transferred to your hotel in Arusha, a vibrant city nestled at the foot of Mount Meru. Depending on your arrival time, you safari briefing may take place today or early tomorrow meaning.
Overnight
Arusha Serena
Main Destination
Arusha city
Meals
Dinner
Day 2: Arusha – Londorossi Gate – Mti Mkubwa Camp
After an early breakfast, you will depart Arusha for a long scenic drive to the Londorossi Gate for registration. You will step into a deep, undisturbed montane rainforest where the canopy is dense and the air is humid.
Keep your eyes peeled for the rare Black-and-white Colobus monkeys and colorful tropical birds. The trail is often quiet and winds through ancient trees draped in moss before reaching Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp.
- Elevation: 2,100m – 2,650m
- Altitude Gain: 550m
- Hiking Time: 3 – 4 hours
- Distance: 6 km
Overnight
Mti Mkubwa Camp
Meals
Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Mti Mkubwa Camp – Shira 1 Camp
The trail steepens today as you leave the rainforest behind. You will trek through a transition zone into the heath and moorland, where the vegetation begins to thin into giant heather and lobelias.
The path climbs a steep volcanic ridge and crosses several streams before emerging onto the western edge of the Shira Plateau. From Shira 1 Camp, you will be rewarded with your first expansive views of the mountain’s western face and the jagged Shira Cathedral.
- Elevation: 2,650m – 3,500m
- Altitude Gain: 850m
- Hiking Time: 5 – 7 hours
- Distance: 8 km
Overnight
Shira 1 Camp
Meals
Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Shira 1 Camp – Shira 2 Camp
Today is a steady, scenic walk across the Shira Plateau toward the east. Because the elevation gain is relatively modest, this serves as a “recovery” day for your muscles while your internal systems continue to acclimate. You will pass the Shira Cathedral, a massive rock buttress, and trek through a lunar-like landscape of moorland rocks.
You will settle into Shira 2 Camp, which offers stunning views of Kibo Peak and, on a clear evening, the lights of the towns far below.
- Elevation: 3,500m – 3850m
- Altitude Gain: 350m
- Hiking Time: 3 – 4 hours
- Distance: 7 km
Overnight
Shira 2 Camp
Meals
Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Shira 2 Camp – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp
This is a vital day for acclimatization. You will trek into the high alpine desert, heading toward the iconic Lava Tower, a 300ft volcanic plug that stands as a sentinel on the mountain. You will stop here for a hot lunch at 4,600 meters to allow your body to experience the high altitude. Afterward, you will descend into the beautiful Barranco Valley.
This “climb high, sleep low” strategy is the key to a successful summit bid. The descent takes you through a forest of prehistoric-looking Giant Groundsels, unique to the high altitudes of East Africa.
- Elevation: 3,850m – 3,900m (via 4600m at Lava Tower)
- Altitude Gain/Loss: 750m ascent / 700m descent
- Hiking Time: 6 – 8 hours
- Distance: 10 km
Overnight
Barranco Camp
Meals
Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp
The day starts with the most famous scramble on the mountain: the Barranco Wall. While it looks intimidating, it is a non-technical climb that requires using your hands for balance. From the top, you will enjoy spectacular views of the southern glaciers. The trail then traverses a series of ridges and valleys before reaching Karanga Camp.
- Elevation: 3,900m – 3,995m
- Altitude Gain: 95m
- Hiking Time: 4 – 5 hours
- Distance: 5 km
Overnight
Karanga Camp
Meals
Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp
You will continue your ascent through the stark, lunar-like landscape of the Alpine Desert. The trail leads you to the Barafu Camp, which sits on a narrow, rocky ridge. This is your “Base Camp.” You will spend the afternoon resting, hydrating, and preparing your gear for the midnight summit bid.
- Elevation: 3,995 m – 4,673m
- Altitude Gain: 678m
- Hiking Time: 4 – 5 hours
- Distance: 4 km
Overnight
Barafu Camp
Meals
Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak (Summit) – Mweka Camp
Your “Summit Day” begins around midnight. Guided by headlamps, you will climb the steep frozen scree toward the crater rim. You reach Stella Point (5,756m) in time for a magnificent sunrise over the African plains. A final hour of trekking along the snow-covered rim brings you to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.
After celebrating, you begin the long descent back to Barafu for a quick rest, then continue down to Mweka Camp.
- Elevation: 4,673m to 5,895m (Summit) to 3,068m (Mweka Camp)
- Altitude Gain: 1,222m
- Altitude Loss: 2,827m
- Hiking Time: 12 – 15 hours
- Distance: 17 km
Overnight
Mweka Camp
Meals
Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner
Day 9: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Arusha
The air becomes warm and oxygen-rich as you descend through the rainforest. At Mweka Gate, you will sign out of the park and receive your official gold summit certificate. A vehicle will be waiting to drive you back to Arusha for a long-awaited hot shower and a celebration with your trekking team.
- Elevation: 3,068m to 1,640m
- Altitude Loss: 1,428m
- Hiking Time: 3 – 4 hours
- Distance: 10 km
Overnight
Arusha Serena
Meals
Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner
Day 10: Arusha – Kilimanjaro International Airport
After a final breakfast at your hotel, you will have a few hours for last-minute souvenir shopping in Arusha, perhaps picking up some Tanzanite jewelry or local coffee beans. Your driver will then provide a private transfer back to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departing flight.
Meals
Breakfast
What’s Included:
- All accommodations
- All transportation (Unless labelled as optional)
- Meals (As specified in the day- by-day section)
- Taxes / VAT
- Activities (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- Park fees
- Professional Mountain Team (Guides, porters & Cook)
- Camping Equipment (Tents, Sleeping mattress, Utensils, Tables and Chairs)
What’s not included:
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- International & Domestic flights
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Tips (recommended; Mountain Guide – $25 per day / per guide / per Group – Mountain Chef – $15 per day / per group, Mountain Porter – $10 per day / per porter)
- Travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation up to 6,000 meters above sea level and any associated medical treatment.
- Personal gear rentals (Sleeping bags, hiking shoes, trekking poles, etc)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees.
- Portable toilet