8 Days Lemosho Route

All trekkers are responsible for organizing their flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Upon arrival, we will arrange a private transfer to your hotel. That evening or early the following morning, you will meet with your local representative for a full pre-climb briefing to ensure you're fully prepared for the trek ahead.

We depart from Moshi and drive for approximately 3 to 4 hours to reach Londorossi Gate, where you will complete the necessary entry formalities. From there, we continue for another hour to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival, we will enjoy lunch before starting the trek through the undisturbed forest, gradually making our way to the first campsite for the night.

Our journey continues eastward across the vast Shira Plateau, where we are treated to spectacular views of the iconic Shira Cathedral. As we cross the moorland meadows, we make our way to Shira 1 Camp for dinner and overnight camping at an altitude of 3500m. By this time, the stunning glaciers of the Western Breach will come into view. Expect colder temperatures tonight, with the possibility of the mercury dipping below freezing.

We begin the day by climbing up a ridge and then heading southeast towards Lava Tower, reaching an altitude of 4600m. This 300-ft. tall volcanic rock formation is a great spot for lunch and acclimatization. Today will be the toughest so far, and you may start to feel the effects of the altitude. After lunch, we descend almost 650m to Barranco Camp, following the “walk high, sleep low” rule to help with acclimatization. The descent to Barranco Camp takes about two hours, offering fantastic opportunities to photograph the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is nestled in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall.

Today is a short yet rewarding day. We begin with an exciting scramble up the Great Barranco Wall, followed by a scree traverse to the Karanga Valley at 3930m, located beneath the stunning icefalls of the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers. We will spend the night at Karanga Campsite. This shorter day is designed to aid in acclimatization, allowing us to adjust to the altitude and prepare for the more challenging days ahead.

After leaving Karanga, we head to the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail and continue the climb up to the rocky section of Barafu Hut. At this point, you will have completed the Southern Circuit, which provides breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro's summit from various perspectives. Once we reach Barafu Hut, we'll set up camp, take time to rest, and enjoy an early dinner in preparation for the challenging summit day ahead. From here, you’ll be able to see the impressive peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo.

Around midnight, we begin the challenging push to the summit. This is the most demanding part of the trek, both mentally and physically. The cold and wind at this high elevation can be extreme, and the ascent will be in darkness, with frequent short breaks for rest. As we approach Stella Point (5,739m), you will be rewarded with the stunning sight of the sunrise over Mawenzi Peak—one of the most unforgettable moments of the trek. Finally, we reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire African continent.

After spending some time at the summit, we begin our descent, heading straight down to Mweka Hut. We will stop at Barafu Camp for a well-deserved lunch before continuing. The trail is rocky and can be tough on the knees, so trekking poles are highly recommended. Mweka Camp, located in the upper forest, is often misty or rainy in the afternoon. Later, we’ll enjoy our final dinner on the mountain before settling in for a well-earned sleep.

On our final day, we continue our descent to Mweka Gate, where you will receive your well-earned summit certificates. The lower elevations can be wet and muddy, so trekking poles and gaiters may be useful. From the gate, we hike for another hour to Mweka Village, where our vehicle will be waiting to transfer us back to the hotel in Moshi. There, you can enjoy a hot shower, a well-deserved rest, and a celebration of your incredible achievement.

After a well-earned night’s rest, we will bid you farewell. If you have arranged airport transfers with us or booked a safari or Zanzibar extension, we will collect you in the morning for your onward journey. We hope your Kilimanjaro adventure has been an unforgettable experience, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Tanzania in the future!