8 Days Lemosho Route
The Journey
Day 0
Pre-trek Briefing
We will pick you up from Kilimanjaro airport if you have chosen and drive you to your Moshi or Arusha accommodation.
On this day, you will receive a briefing at your hotel before the trip. It is best to schedule your arrival for at least a day before the hike begins. We will spend the day conducting a pre-trek briefing. In addition, we will inspect your equipment and rent any that is required.
Day 1
Hotel to Mti Mkubwa Camp
After breakfast and briefing, drive to Lemosho Park Gate. From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.
- Elevation
- 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft
- Distance
- 6km/4mi
- Hiking Time
- 2-3 hours
- Habitat
- Montane Forest
Day 2
Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams are crossed, we continue over the Shira Ridge then gently downwards to Shira 1 camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.
- Elevation
- 2650m/8700ft to 3500m/11,500ft
- Distance
- 8km/5mi
- Hiking Time
- 4-5 hours
- Habitat
- Moorland
Day 3
Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
After breakfast, a gentle hike across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of hikes are available on the Plateau, making this an excellent acclimatization day.
- Elevation
- 3500m/11,500ft to 3850m/12,600ft
- Distance
- 8km/5mi
- Hiking Time
- 4-5 hours
- Habitat
- Moorland
Day 4
Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
- Elevation
- 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
- Distance
- 8km/5mi
- Walking Time
- 5-6 hours
- Habitat
- Semi-desert
Day 5
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
- Elevation
- 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
- Distance
- 5km/3mi
- Climbing Time
- 3-4 hours
- Habitat
- Alpine Desert
Day 6
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
- Elevation
- 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
- Distance
- 4km/2mi
- Climbing Time
- 3-4 hours
- Habitat
- Alpine Desert
Day 7
Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our 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
Day 8
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
Atlas Tanzania Adventures vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha (around 60 minutes).
- Elevation
- 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
- Distance
- 10km/6mi
- Hiking Time
- 3-4 hours
- Habitat
- Forest
