Kilimanjaro Trek 8 days Lemosho Route

Kilimanjaro Trek 8 days Lemosho Route

The climb commences at Londorossi Gate which is situated at an altitudinal level of 2360 meters and approaches far to the west of the mountain before circling around Kilimanjaro to the south. It passes through majestic dense rain forest and offer sightings of most unique wildlife of the region. The route then leads all the way up to the third summit of the mountain at Shira Ridge. Then you’ll cross the famed Shira plateau and see the beautiful Shira Cathedral before reaching the Shira Camp on day three. Thus the initial few days offer a quiet climbing experience overlooking the amazing terrain before embarking on a more challenging and heavily traveled route to the summit. Descend is done by the Mweka trail instead of retracing along the ascent route.

Day 1: Londorossi Gate (7,742ft/2,346) to Mti Mkubwa (9,498ft/2,878m)

Distance: 6 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Drive to Londrossi gate from the hotel in Moshi after breakfast. The drive which takes about 4 hour. All registration is at Londrossi gate then after registration transfer to the Lemosho starting point where the trek begins through the rain forest until Mti Mkubwa (Big tree) camp.

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa (9,498 ft/2,878) to Shira 1 Camp (11,500 ft/3,485)

Distance: 8 km/ 5miles
Hiking Time 5-6 hours
Habitat: Health
From the Big tree camp, 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 continue down to Shira 1 Camp.

Day 3: Shira 1 Camp (11,500 ft/3,485m) to Moir Hut (13,800 ft/4,182m)

Distance: 11 km/ 7 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Heath
On this day you will spend a full day explore the Shira Plateu, one of the highest Plateaus on earth. The walk goes east on moorland meadow towards Shira 2 Camp. Then divert from the main trail to Moir Hut, arrive at the camp for lunch then dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Moir Hut (13,800 ft /4182m) to Lava Tower (15,190 ft/4,785m)

Distance: 7 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Lava Tower (15,190 ft/4,785m) to Barranco Camp (13,044 ft/4,182m)
Distance: 3 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower camp (15,190ft/4,785m) , – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. After lunch descend down to Barranco Camp (3953m/13,044ft) through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. The begin and end the day at the same elevation is not a problem, the time spent at higher altitude (Lava Tower) is very beneficial for acclimatization.

Day 5: Barranco Camp (13,044 ft/3,953) to Karanga Camp (13,106 ft/3,972m)

Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
The day starts by descending into the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then from the base start climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall the trail cross hills and valleys until descend sharply into Karanga Valley (Karanga River) the last water point. Then start climb up to Karanga Camp, arrive there for lunch. Later in the afternoon followed by a shorter acclimatization walk then dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Karanga Camp (13,106 ft/3,972m) to Barafu Camp (4,646m/15,331 ft)

Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
From Karanga Camp the route continue up to the rocky section until Barafu Camp. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Arrive at the camp, rest and followed by early dinner and prepare for the summit. When the weather gets clear, the view of two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen.

Day 7: Barafu Camp (15,331 ft/4,646m) to Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft/5,895m)

Distance: 5 km/3 miles

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic
Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft/5,895m) to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,065 ft)
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Start in the midnight begins the push to the summit, the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The journey will be spending in the wind and cold weather. Ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking some short breaks. Arrive Stella Point (18,900 ft/5,730m) at sunrise. Then continue for about one hour from Stella Point continues to Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa).
Spend a short time on the summit taking photographs before start descent back to Barafu Camp, which takes about 3 hours. Arrive Barafu Camp, spend short rest (1-2 hours) then wake up for a branch and continue descending down to Mweka Camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 8: Mweka Camp (10,065 ft/3,100m) to Mweka Gate (5,380 ft/1,630m)

Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
On this last day, after breakfast and celebration at the camp, then continues the 3 hours descent to Mweka Gate and sign out to the national park authority, collect the summit certificates. A vehicle will be waiting at Mweka gate and transfer back to the hotel in Moshi.