Kilimanjaro 8 Days Lemosho Route
About the 8-Day Lemosho Route
8 Days Lemosho route climb is the best route for Kilimanjaro climbing Adventure. Lemosho Route is preferred by reputable operators due to beauty, remoteness and success rate. In short, it maximizes the chances that a climber will reach the summit, and enjoy the experience overall.
The 8-day Kilimanjaro Lemosho route climb is the best for acclimatization. This remote area is less used and a beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau.
The minimum duration for the Lemosho route is 6 days. However, we strongly recommend hiking the route in 8 days. The additional eighth day will give your body more time to acclimate, reducing the effects of altitude sickness and giving you more time to rest before attempting the summit.
Day 1: Arrival Day
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), a Nature Horizons team member will be waiting to greet you. We will transfer you to your hotel accommodation for your first night, where you will meet your safari guide that you will be with for the remainder of your tour. Once you are settled in your hotel, you will receive a briefing on our tour. You can now relax at your hotel. Your trek to the roof of Africa starts tomorrow! As always, if you need anything or would like to head out into town, your guide will be there to assist you 24/7. Welcome to Africa!
Day 2: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Londorossi Gate, Hike to Mti Mkubwa Camp
After breakfast and the briefing, we will drive to Londorossi Park Gate (about a three-hour drive). From here, a forest road requiring a 4WD vehicle will lead us 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
- Meals: LD
- Budget Lodging: Mti Mkubwa Camp
Day 3: Hike Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
After breakfast, we will continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams are crossed, we will 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
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Shira 1 Camp
Day 4: Hike 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
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Shira 2 Camp
Day 5: Hike Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction toward the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East toward Lava Tower, also called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elevation 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 crucial 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
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Barranco Camp
Day 6: Hike Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
After breakfast, we will leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail.
- Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Hiking Time: 34 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Karanga Valley Camp
Day 7: Hike 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 will make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
- Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
- Distance: 4km/2mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Barafu Camp
Day 8: Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we will 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, we will stop for a short rest and 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 will 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 will 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
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Mweka Camp
Day 9: Hike Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi
After breakfast, we will continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
A vehicle will meet you at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes).
- Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Forest
- Meals: B
Day 10: Departure Day
Today is the day that you say goodbye to your team. Congratulations, you just hiked the highest freestanding mountain on planet Earth and the tallest mountain in Mama Africa. Nature Horizons could not be happier that we lead you to the top. You will remember these memories for the rest of your life. Upon waking up today, your guide will be with you until you need to leave for Kilimanjaro International Airport.