The Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route is typically completed in eight days. This is a great option if you want a long climb for acclimatization. Leomosho route connects with the Machame Route at Shira 2 Camp. The drive to the trailhead is about 4 hours.
After breakfast and briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate (about a 2.5-hour drive). From here a forest track requiring a four-wheel-drive vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades. Walking 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 included: Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Mti Mkubwa Camp
After breakfast, we continue as the paths gradually steepen and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams are crossed we resume 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 included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Shira 1 Camp
After breakfast, a gentle hike across the plateau continues 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 included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Shira 2 Camp
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to climb the eastern 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” (elev 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 very important 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 included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Barranco Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and resume on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
— Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
— Distance: 5km/3mi
— Hiking Time: 34 hours
— Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Karanga Valley Camp
We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we camp, rest, and enjoy dinner, then 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 included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Barafu Camp
Early in the morning around 4 am, we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. We head in a north-west direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the climb. We will stop for a short rest at Stella Point and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster climbers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way to the summit.
Once at Uhuru Peak we have reached the highest point on Mt. Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
From the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and hiking poles for the loose gravel going down. We reach 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 included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Mweka Camp
After breakfast, we resume the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificate. At lower elevations, it can be muddy and wet. Gaiters and hiking poles will help. T-shirts and shorts will possibly be plenty to wear, keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy. From the gate, resume another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha.
— Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
— Distance: 10km/6mi
— Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
— Habitat: Forest
Meals included: Breakfast
All accommodations per itinerary
All meals per itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
All tours and entrance fees per itinerary (unless listed as excluded)
All transportation and transfers per itinerary
National Park gate fees
Transport from Moshi to trailhead and return to Moshi
Camping fees
Certified, experienced, English-speaking guides for all routes
Salaries for all crew members
Rescue fees (as required by the national park)
Tents, foam sleeping pads, cooking equipment, and eating utensils
Oximeters
Emergency Oxygen (2L canister)
International and domestic flights
Meals not listed
Beverages and alcohol
Tips for guides, drivers, hotel staff
Optional tours
Single room supplement
Personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, Internet, etc.)
Tips for guides, porters, and cooks (budget $550-800/person)
Sleeping bags and personal gear
$50 for a single tent
Low season discount in April/May
Special Kilimanjaro guide with Wilderness First Responder certification
Personal porter for carrying a day pack
Food resupply (once on a climb)
Solar panel for charging USB devices (charges battery, which charges devices)
Solar lights
Hyperbaric pressure bag
Portable toilet (1 per 5 people)
Camp shower (1 per 5 people)
Large comfortable dining tent
Dining chairs with backs and arms
Hot lunches on the mountain
Solar lighting in the dining tent and personal tent
Camp pillow
Extra sleeping pad or 1 double-thick pad
Filtered water with Katadyn filter
Kilimanjaro map for the group
Celebration dinner at the hotel after returning from the climb
Walk-in tent (4-person, 4-season) for 2 people
Camp beds
Resupply of fresh food (2-3 times on trek)
Hot water bottle for a sleeping bag
Private emergency stretcher
We believe you’ll get the best advice by talking to someone who has been there.
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