7 Days Lemosho Route

Lemosho starts in lush, fertile rainforest. It is the first ecological zone you encounter on Kilimanjaro (we will trek through four). The route heads up and across the Shira Plateau, which used to be Kilimanjaro’s third peak before it collapsed. Then, we make our way north to Moir Hut, which serves as a great acclimatization day due to short hikes than can be done in the nearby Lent Hills.

Next, we climb high up and over Lava Tower before dropping into Barranco Valley, one of the prettiest areas on the entire trail. We climb the intimidating Barranco Wall and then circle along the southern circuit to Karanga and high camp Barafu Hut.

The summit attempt is made from Barafu in the early morning hours, often during the full moon. This is the coldest, windiest section of your adventure. But once the sun comes up, so can most of your extra layers. After the summit, the descent follows the Mweka trail.

Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa (9,170 ft.) A three-hour drive from Moshi brings you to the Londorossi Park Gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro for regisration and payment of Park fees,then drive to the trailhead at Lemosho Glades and start your trek through the rain forest. In places the vegetation is so untouched that it grows right across the narrow track. The flora and fauna are richer here than on the other more popular routes through the rain forest. Your trek today will be along a little used track known as Chamber’s Route. In about 3-4 hours you will reach your camp in the rain forest at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree).

Day 2: Mti Mkumbwa to Shira one Camp (11,500 ft.) After breakfast with lunch box, start the climb cross the remaining rain forest towards the giant moorland zone. A great lunch stop is at the beautiful valley just outside the Shira Crater at around 10,000 ft. After lunch you cross into the Shira Caldera, a high altitude desert plateau which is rarely visited. Shira is the third of Kilimanjaro’s volcanic cones, and is filled with lava flow from Kibo Peak. The crater rim has been decimated by weather and volcanic action. Today you’ll get your first close views of Kibo – the dramatic summit of Kilimanjaro.

Day 3: Shira one Camp to Shira two Camp (12,200 ft.) After breakfast continue hike east across the Shira Plateau past the Shira Cathedral towards Shira Two camp. You only gain 700 feet in elevation – this allows you to acclimatize slowly to the altitude. The views of the plateau are nothing less than spectacular.

Day 4: Shira two Camp to Baranco Hut (12,675 ft.) Today’s the last of the “easy days”. It’s about a 6 hour superb hike. You pass the Lava Tower, around the southern flank of Kibo, and slowly descend to Baranco, your most spectacular campsite, at the foot of Kibo Peak, looming high above. Your camp is only 465 feet higher than where you were last night, but our walk will have taken you just over 14,000 feet today. This is one of your most valuable days for acclimatization.

Day 5: Baranco Hut to Karanga Valley – Barafu (14,950 ft.) After breakfast, your first obstacle is to breach the Baranco Wall, a 600-foot rock. Once over wall, the climb becomes easier and extremely beautiful with fantastic views of the crags and crevasses of the jagged peaks on your left. Then you descend to the Karanga Valley. Some folks with time restrictions don’t stop here in the Karanga Valley for an overnight camp.

Day 6: Barafu Hut to Uhuru Peak (19,340 ft.) to Mweka Camp Dress warmly, because we start climbing around midnight, on the steepest and most demanding part of the mountain. The moon will provide enough light, and we’ll reach Stella Point by sunrise. (About 6 hours) At dawn, from the Crater rim, rugged Mawenzi is a thrilling sight, with the Kibo saddle still in darkness beneath you, and the crater’s ice-walls looming ahead. If you feel strong enough, you should continue to Uhuru Peak (1-2 hours). This is the highest point in Africa, and the world’s highest solitary peak (19,340 ft). This is the toughest day that most trekkers have ever experienced. You will have ascended 3,600feet and descended 7,200 feet in a period of 12-15 hours. Although the descent is far less tiring, it’s a good idea to have a little rest once in awhile as you continue down to Mweka Camp (3-4 hours from the top).

Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi In the morning we walk down to Mweka Gate. After a welcome lunch it’s time to say goodbye to the porters. We then get a ride back to the hotel.