7 Days Lemosho Route Trek - Mount Kilimanjaro
The Lemosho route is one of the best for acclimatisation on Mount Kilimanjaro. The route is less taken and presents a beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau. The route is one of the very few where an armed ranger may accompany the groups on the very first day, as the forests around the Lemosho Gate are home to buffalo, elephants, and other wildlife. The 7-day Lemosho trek holds one of the highest success rates. The additional days give your body more time to acclimatise, addressing altitude sickness. The extra day gives you more time to rest before attempting to climb.
7 Days Lemosho Route Trek to Mount Kilimanjaro
Check out the travel blueprint for your 7-day Lemosho Route Trek to Mount Kilimanjaro
Day 1: Hotel to Mti Mkubwa Camp
Day 2: Big Tree Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Day 3: Shira 2 Camp – Barranco Camp
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
OUR itinery
Ascend through the Lemoso route on your 7-day trek journey to Mount Kilimanjaro.
DAY 0
Pre-trek Briefing
Our professionals will meet and pick you up from Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport. Then we will transfer you to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha for accommodations and a pre-trek briefing. You must plan to arrive at least 1 day before the start of the trek so you can attend a pre-trek briefing. Our professionals will also check your equipment and rent any additional equipment needed.
Day 1
Hotel to Mti Mkubwa Camp
After breakfast and a briefing, drive to Lemosho Gate. From here, a forest track suitable only for 4WD vehicles leads to Lemosho Gate. Walk along forest trails to the big tree campsite, where you will enjoy the forest’s nature and wild animals such as blue and colobus monkeys, as well as common birds like haturabu turacos in the forest zone.
Elevation: 1830m/6000ft – 2650m/8700ft
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Distance: 6km/4mi
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
DAY 2
Big Tree Camp to Shira 2 Camp
After we finish breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and step into the moorland zone. After we cross several streams, we continue to Shira Ridge. Then, we gently move to the Shira 1 camp, situated by a stream on the Shira Plateau. At this place, you can rest and have a fresh, hot lunch. Then we proceed with our journey towards the next camp; in reality, we are skipping Shira, 1 camp (Elevation: 260m/8700ft to 3500m/11,500ft; Distance: 10km in total). An easy hike journey across the plateau leads you to Shira 2 camp in the moorland meadows by a stream. Trekkers can go for hikes of different levels on the plateau, making this an excellent day for acclimatisation.
Elevation: 3610m/11,500ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 3
Shira 2 Camp - Barranco Camp
From the Shira Plateau, we head east up a ridge, crossing the junction towards Kibo Peak. As we continue, we change our direction to the Southeast towards the Lava Tower, also known as the “Shark’s Tooth” (elevation 4650m/15,350ft). Soon after crossing the tower, we reach the second junction, which goes up to the Arrow Glacier. Now, we descend to the Barranco Camp. You may end the day at the same elevation where you began. The day is vital for acclimatisation. The resting period helps your body prepare for the summit day.
Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Walking Time: 5-6 hour
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 4
Arrival in Kilimanjaro Airport - Gateway Transfer to Arusha City
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue up the steep Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction with the Mweka Trail.
Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 5
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
We head toward the Barafu Camp. By this time, we have completed the South Circuit, which offers mesmeric views of the summit from different angles. At this place, we arrange for our camps, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the upcoming summit day.
Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 4km/2mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 6
Arrival in Kilimanjaro Airport - Gateway Transfer to Arusha City
Very early in the morning (midnight to 1:30 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Ratzel and Rebman. You move toward the northwest direction and ascend towards Stella Point on the crater rim. The Lemosho route trek is one of the most mentally and physically challenging phases of the trek. At Stella Point, you take a halt and take some rest. The point offers the most magnificent sunrise. Faster trekkers are more likely to reach the summit in time to see the sunrise.
At Stella Point, you might encounter snow all the way on your ascent to the summit. You will reach the Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the African continent. From the summit, we start our journey straight down to the Mweka Camp, with a halt at Barafu for fresh, hot lunch. Get gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel on the way down. Then, we arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on Mount Kilimanjaro.
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
DAY 7
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
Once we finish our breakfast, we will have a souvenir ceremony to say bye-bye to your team, then we will start descending towards Mweka Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower heights, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles may help. Shorts and t-shirts are perfect to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
The Tanzania Adventure and Safaris vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate, we will have a last gate hot lunch. After this, we will drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast
Make your Dream Safari Come True
This safari explores northern Tanzania’s premier national parks, starting with a convenient domestic flight from Zanzibar.
Include
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides quality mess tents with table and chairs
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- Sleeping Mattress
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your hotel
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
- Sturdy, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- Camping fees or hut fees (part of park fees)
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries, and park fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
Exclude
- Tips and gratuities
- Transfers (available as an optional add-on)
- Hotel (available as an optional add-on)
- Liquors, beers, and bottled beverages
- Tanzania Visa
- Personal trekking equipment like hiking boots, clothes, sleeping bags, etc. (available for renting)
- The government imposed an increase in taxes and or Park Fees.
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Personal costs (e.g., laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
FAQ
The Lemosho route is considered moderately challenging for the trekkers. Though you don’t need any training or certification, the high altitude of the Lemosho route demands physical fitness.
Yes. The Lemosho route is known for its diverse, scenic beauty. The lush rainforests, the scenic Shiva Plateau, and the view of the Machame route make the scenery stunning and mesmeric. The less crowded route looks breathtaking.
Dry months between January and February, July and August, September and October, and early December are the best times to climb Mount Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho route.
Yes. Beginners can climb the Lemosho route with proper preparation and a good level of physical fitness. The challenges include the Barranco wall and the 6- to 8-hour-long summit night. 3-6 months of cardio, strength exercises, and lengthy hikes with a backpack require training. Beginners can succeed on the trek with the right preparation.
A 7-8-day timespan is considered ideal for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho route. The 8-day itinerary offers the best chance of safe acclimatisation for the climbers.
