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8 Days Lemosho Route

  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Distance: 70km
  • Duration: 7 or 8 Days

Lemosho Route 8 Days Itinerary Highlights

  • This tour is a private trek and run exclusively just for you and can depart any day.
  • This tour offers mid-range lodge accommodation in Arusha and non-participation, full service camping on the trek.
  • This tour can be customised to suit your needs perfectly.
  • This tour starts and ends in Arusha. Alternatively this tour can start and end in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania or Nairobi in Kenya and we can book internal flights and additional accommodation upon request.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa

We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at trailhead, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.

Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft

Distance: 6 km | 4 miles

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

  • Overnight – Mti Mkubwa Camp
  • Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We continue on the trail leading out of the rain forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.

Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft

Distance: 8 km | 5 miles

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Heath

  • Overnight – Shira 1 Camp
  • Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. Then we divert from the main trail 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 Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

Elevation: 11,500 ft to 13,800 ft

Distance: 11 km | 7 miles

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Heath

  • Overnight – Moir Hut Camp 1
  • Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We begin the day climbing up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.

Moir Hut to Lava Tower:

Elevation: 13,800 ft to 15,190 ft

Distance: 7 km | 4 miles

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Lava Tower to Barranco Camp:

Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft

Distance: 3 km | 2 miles

Hiking Time: 2-3 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

  • Overnight – Barranco Camp
  • Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.

Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft

Distance: 5 km | 3 miles

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

  • Overnight – Karanga Camp
  • Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.

Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft

Distance: 4 km | 2 miles

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

  • Overnight – Barafu Camp
  • Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak– the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak:

Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft

Distance: 5 km | 3 miles

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp:

Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft

Distance: 12 km | 7 miles

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

  • Overnight – Mweka Camp
  • Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi/Arusha.

Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft

Distance: 10 km | 6 miles

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

  • Overnight – Mweka Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

You Trek Includes:

  • Arrival transfer from Kilimanjaro/Arusha Airport to hotel
  • Pre trek accommodation at the luxury/Budget Lodge in Arusha
  • Return transport from Arusha to Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Guide, Assistant Guide, Chef and Porters
  • Non participation, full service camping on Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Meals as specified and drinking water
  • All national park entry and climbing fees
  • Rescue fee
  • Post trek accommodation at the Ilboru Safari Lodge in Arusha
  • Departure transfer from hotel to Kilimanjaro/Arusha Airport
  • All current Government taxes and surcharges

Upgrade Your Accommodation:

We also offer accommodation located in the heart of Arusha as well as at coffee lodges and 5-star hotels. Upgrade to one of our 5-start hotels – The Arusha Hotel or the Mount Meru Hotel. If you would like to upgrade your pre or post trekking accommodation in Arusha please ask us for recommendations and availability.

Arusha Day Tours

We offer Arusha City Tours (half or full day), Coffee Farm Tours, Night Tours with Dinner or visit the Lengo Football Academy with Village Walk. Please ask us for a detailed tour description and prices.

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