Lemosho 7-Day Route

The Lemosho Route begins from the west side of Mount Kilimanjaro. Climbers can gradually increase altitude and substantially reduce their chances of experiencing altitude related symptoms from the start. Although Lemosho is becoming more popular due to its very high success rate, it still has slightly less traffic than other routes. It meets up with the Machame route at Shira Camp (day 2). You sleep in tents and meals are served in a mess (dinner) tent.  eXplore Plus highly recommends the Lemosho 7-day trek for extra acclimatisation.

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Johannesburg / Kilimanjaro Airport / Moshi

    After clearing immigration at Kilimanjaro Airport and collecting your luggage, our friendly Kilimanjaro team will meet you for our transfer to Moshi, based at the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro.  Once checked in at the hotel, you’ll have the day at leisure. 

    Stay: Springlands Hotel 

    Meals: Breakfast

  • Day 2: Londorossi Gate / Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp

    2,100m (6,890ft) – 2,650m (8,695ft) 

    Average hiking time: 4 hours

    Enjoy an early breakfast at your hotel and then transfer to the national park – an average 3-hour drive.  After completing the necessary registration formalities drive to the Lemosho trailhead where you will start your hike. It’s an easy day of walking from the Lemosho road heading up a small path through the beautiful and lush forest.  Enjoy lunch in the glades before continuing to the camp. 

    Stay: Mti Mkubwa Camp

    Meals: Lunch, dinner & breakfast

  • Day 3: Mti Mkubwa Camp / Shira 1 Camp

    2,650m (8,695ft) – 3,480m (11,417ft) 

    Average hiking time: 8 hours

    We leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather.  The trail climbs steadily with extensive views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau.  There is a tangible sense of wilderness, especially when the afternoon mists come in!  We might walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral, a huge buttress of rock flanked by steep pinnacles, before reaching the next camp near Shira Cave. This campsite has some of the most stunning views of Kilimanjaro, close to the glaciated dome of Kibo and the jagged rim of the Shira Plateau.  From here the views of Mount Meru floating on the clouds are simply unforgettable.  

    Stay: Shira Camp 1 

    Meals: Lunch, dinner & breakfast

  • Day 4: Shira 1 Camp / Barranco Camp

    3,480m (11,417ft) – 3,985m (13,071ft) 

    Average hiking time: 8 hours

    A morning of gentle ascends and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the western breach.  After lunch near the Lava Tower junction, we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley, sheltered by towering cliffs, with extensive views of the plains far below.    

    Stay: Barranco Camp 

    Meals: Lunch, dinner & breakfast

  • Day 5: Barranco Camp / Karanga Camp

    3,985m (13,071ft) – 4,040m (13,255ft)

    Average hiking time: 4 hours

    A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south eastern flank of Kibo, with superb views of the southern ice fields. Karanga Valley is the last water point on this route. Stay: Karanga Camp 

    Meals: Lunch, dinner & breakfast

  • Day 6: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp

    4,040m (13,255ft) – 4,681m (15,358t)

    Average hiking time: 4 hours

    From Barranco Camp, you’ll start ascending the Barranco Wall (100m – very steep) and continue hiking to Karanga Valley. Enjoy your packed lunch and refill your water bottles as this is your last water point. The vast and barren moonscape of the alpine desert is a very harsh and rugged environment. Only tussock grasses and a few tiny flowers can survive at this altitude.  Uhuru Peak sometime hauls itself through the clouds, and it seems very close.   

    Stay: Barafu Camp 

    Meals: Lunch, dinner & breakfast

  • Day 7: Barafu Camp / Uhuru Peak (SUMMIT!!) / Mweka Camp

    4,681m (15,358ft) – 5,895m (19,341ft) 

    Average time to the summit: 7 hours

    An early start is required (+/- 11h30pm) for the summit attempt and Uhuru Peak the highest point in Africa at 5,895m. The trail is tougher than anything that you’ve experienced on your ascend with a sustained switchback climb through steep scree. Slowly and with regular stops is the best way to do it. After Stella Point on the crater rim, it is a very short but very long walk to Uhuru Peak. SUMMIT!!!!! the highest peak in Africa. 


    Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp (descend)

    5,895m (19,341ft) – 3,090m (10,138ft) 

    Average descending time: 3 hours

    After the summit, you will return to Barafu camp, before continuing to where you will spend your final night on the mountain.

    Stay: Mweka Camp

    Meals: Lunch, dinner & breakfast

  • Day 8: Mweka Camp / Mweka Gate / Moshi

    3,090m (10,138ft) – 1,641m (5,384ft) 

    Average hiking time: 4 hours

    The day is spent descending through open moorlands and the rain forest to the Park Gate. Transfer to a heavenly shower and a real bed at the RIGHT altitude. 

    Stay: Springlands Hotel 

    Meals: Lunch & breakfast

  • Day 9: Moshi / Kilimanjaro Airport / Johannesburg

    Transfer from Springlands Hotel to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight home.

    End of service

*Hiking times are estimated only but have been calculated to give the hiker a comfortable pace throughout the hike.

Map

  • Return flights from Johannesburg to Kilimanjaro Airport, including airport taxes.
  • Airport transfers 
  • 2 Nights in Moshi at Springlands Hotel with breakfast (1 night before and 1 night after the climb)
  • Expedition briefing 
  • 7 Days hiking on Mount Kilimanjaro 
  • National Park / Camping & Hut fees.
  • Government tourist taxes.
  • Rescue fees (excluding evacuation by helicopter).
  • Qualified English speaking guide 
  • Assistant guides, cook, waiter & porters.
  • Salaries for your mountain crew.
  • Meals on the mountain 
  • Camping equipment 
  • Boiled water for drinking and washing.
  • Portable oxygen for emergencies.
  • Uhuru or Stella Point certificate issued by the National Park Board.

  • Entry visa to Tanzania 
  • Malaria – Tanzania is a malaria area
  • Travel Insurance (Highly recommended)
  • Meals & Beverages not specified  
  • Sightseeing 
  • All items of personal nature
  • Gratuity
  • Tips for the guides and porters 
  • Drinks not specified.
  • Climbing gear.
  • Personal first aid kit.

Dates & Prices

Dates:

PRIVATE CLIMBS ACCORDING TO YOUR PREFERRED DATES

Rates:

RAND Rate (SA residents ONLY) USD Rate
Rate available on request. Rate available on request.
(Excluding International flights & airline taxes)

 

  • Please request a quote from our Kilimanjaro Specialists for the best, most current rates according to your preferred time of travel.
  • Prices are based on 2 - 5 climbers– if more people travel discounted rates are available. 
  • All rates are subject to increases beyond our control, including fuel price, government taxes and exchange rate fluctuations.
  • For travel outside of these dates, the price may vary according to season rates.