Lemosho route: Kilimanjaro climbing 8 days

ITINERARY

DAY 1 – Hotel to Mti Mkubwa Camp

Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft || Hiking Time: 3-4 hours || Distance: 6 km / 4 miles || Habitat: Rain Forest

We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at trailhead, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.

DAY 2 – Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3850m/12,600ft || Distance: 16km/10mi || Hiking Time: 7-8 hours || Habitat: Moorland || Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

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 past the Shira 1 camp and on to the Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream.

DAY 3 – Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp

Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft || Distance: 8km/5mi || Walking Time: 5-6 hours || Habitat: Semi-desert || Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

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.

DAY 4 – Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft || Distance: 5km/3mi || Climbing Time: 3-4 hours || Habitat: Alpine Desert || Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

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.

DAY 5 – Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft || Distance: 4km/2mi || Climbing Time: 3-4 hours || Habitat: Alpine Desert || Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

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.

DAY 6 – Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp

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: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

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.

DAY 7 – Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft || Hiking Time: 3-4 hours || Distance: 10 km / 6 miles || Habitat: Rain Forest

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. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.