Below is the day by day itinerary for the eight day Lemosho route on Mount Kilimanjaro.
The eight day Lemosho route variation is the ideal schedule for this route. On the 8 day Lemosho route, the trek from Barranco to Barafu is broken up into two days, allowing for a short day just prior to the summit attempt. This is important because summit day begins very early, around midnight, so climbers are sleep deprived going into the toughest day on the mountain. By having a short day beforehand, climbers can be better rested.
After beautiful forests and moorlands, it crosses the Shira Plateau on day 3 to connect with the Machame Route at Lava Tower and down towards Barranco Valley via the Southern Circuit. You may be lucky enough to see buffalo, elephant and other game. Because this route can be done over a longer period of time for acclimatization, it has a higher success rate of summit.
DAY 1: LONDROSSI GATE – MTI MKUBWA CAMP
Departing from Arusha 2hrs drive will take you through welcoming mountainside villages to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.
Londorossi Gate to Forest Cam
Elevation (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time:3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
DAY 2: MTI MKUBWA CAMP – SHIRA 1 CAMP
After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, we leave the forest behind now, the trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. Temperatures begin to drop.
Forest Camp to Shira Camp 1
Elevation (ft): 9,500ft to 11,500ft Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time 5-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
DAY 3: SHIRA I CAMP –SHIRA HUT
We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we
continue to Moir Hut, a little-used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
Shira Camp 1 to Shira 2 to Moir Hut
Elevation (ft): 11,500ft to 13,800 ft Distance: 14 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland
DAY 4: MOIR HUT TO LAVA TOWER TO BARRANCO CAMP
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.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Moir Hut to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Semi Desert
DAY 5: BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft Distance: 5k
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
DAY 6: KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP
After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, 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. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
DAY 7: BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT TO MWEKA
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft) Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours’ ascent / 4-6 hours’ descent Habitat: Arctic
DAY 8: MWEKA CAMP TO ARUSHA
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy), From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Arusha.
Mweka Camp to Arusha
Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Fore
