Lemosho Route starts at Londorossi Gate at 2,100 meters/6,890 feet. It’s a relatively easy trekking experience, and it gives you a good chance to acclimatize.
It’s also a great route if you want to experience and explore the beauty of Shira Peak, which is the 3rd highest peak on Mt. Kilimanjaro. We also offer a customized 9-day option if you want to add a crater night.
Sometimes you’ll spot blue and colobus monkeys on the trails. This route has the best view of Shira Peak, Mt. Meru, and the best view of Kibo Peak from the western side.
We recommend 6 days for experienced climbers and 7,and even 8 for inexperienced climbers for the best acclimatization results.
There are three different options to attempt the summit:
- Take the trail that goes round the mountain from Moir Hut to Kibo Hut to summit from the east at 4,750 meters/15,583
- Take the southern circuit attempting the summit from Barafu Camp at 4,600 meters/15,092 feet
- Attempt the summit from Arrow Glacier Camp through the Western Breach wall at 4,800 meters/15,15,748 feet (which requires a special permit from the Kilimanjaro National Park management).
The descent uses Mweka the Route.
Due to the extended number of days, Lemosho is one of the most expensive routes on Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Sample Itinerary For a 6-day Trek
Day 1: We’ll pick you up at your hotel and leave Arusha at 8:30 a.m. We’ll trek through the rainforest with some steep areas.
- Destination: Starting point to Big Tree/Mti Mkubwa Camp
- Elevation: 2,100 meters (6,890 feet) to 2,250 meters (7,382 feet)
- Distance: 7 km/4.35 miles
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Heath
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 2: We’ll walk toward Shira 1 Camp. It’s a long day of walking, and it’s very steep. We’ll arrive in the saddle area between Kibo Peak and Shira Plateau. We’ll take a 1 hour lunch break at Shira 1 Camp then trek to our final camp. Most of the time you’ll be enjoying the mountain view.
- Destination: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
- Elevation: 2,250 meters/7,382 feet to 3,500 meters /11,482 feet to 3,850 meters/12,631 feet
- Distance: 17 km/11 miles
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
- Habitat: Heath, moorland
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 3: We’ll hike to the Lava Tower at 4,600 meters/15,092 feet. From here, we’ll descend to the lower camp after staying awhile to acclimatize.
- Destination: Shira 2 to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
- Elevation: 3,850 meters/12,631 feet to 3,950 meters/12,959 feet
- Distance: 10 km/6.21 miles
- Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
- Habitat: Heath, moorland, alpine desert
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4: We’ll walk along the steep ridge passing the Barranco (breakfast) Wall. It’s a beautiful walk to trek, especially in clear weather. From Barafu there is a good view of Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks. You’ll have a few hours to rest at Barafu before starting the summit trek at midnight.
- Destination: Barranco Camp to Karanga camp to Barafu Camp
- Elevation: 3,850 meters/12,631 feet to 3,930 meters/12,894 feet to 4,600 meters/15,092 feet
- Distance: 9 km/6 miles
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
- Habitat: Moorland, alpine desert
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 5: During or just after sunrise we’ll arrive at Stella point. Here we’ll take a short break before continuing all the way to the summit, Uhuru Peak. It is about one hour from Stella to the peak. Descending to Barafu from the peak is not difficult. After a few hours rest at Barafu, we’ll continue to Mweka Camp.
- Destination: Barafu to Stella Point to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
- Elevation: 4,600 meters/15,092 feet to 5,732 meters/18,806 feet to 5,895 meters/19,341 feet to 3,100 meters/10,171 feet
- Distance: 6 km/4 miles to Uhuru Peak. 7 km/4.35 miles to Mweka Hut
- Hiking Time: 6 hours to Uhuru Peak
- Habitat: Alpine desert, moorland, heath
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 6: It’s an easy descent day where you’ll have a small celebration, and collect your certificates.
- Destination: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
- Elevation: 3,100 meters/10,171 feet to 1,800 meters/5,905 feet
- Distance: 10 km/6.21 miles
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Rainforest
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Sample Itinerary For a 7-day Trek
Day 1: We’ll pick you up at your hotel and leave Arusha at 8:30 a.m. We’ll trek through the rainforest with some steep areas.
- Destination: Starting point to Big Tree/Mti Mkubwa Camp
- Elevation: 2,100 meters (6,890 feet) to 2,250 meters (7,382 feet)
- Distance: 7 km/4.35 miles
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Heath
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 2: The day is long and steep but worth it because of the beautiful landscape and views. We’ll arrive in the Saddle area between Kibo Peak and Shira Plateau.
- Destination: Big Tree Camp to Shira 1 Camp
- Elevation: 2,250 meters/7,382 feet to 3,500 meters/11,482 feet
- Distance: 7 km/4.35 miles
- Hiking Time: 5 to 6 hours
- Habitat: Heath, moorland
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 3: This is an easy and short day with a magnificent view of both Kibo and Shira Peak.
- Destination: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
- Elevation: 3,500 meters/11,482 feet to 3,850 meters/12,631 feet
- Distance: 10 km/6.21 miles
- Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours
- Habitat: Heath, moorland
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4: We’ll hike to Lava Tower at 4,600 meters/15,092 feet. After acclimatizing we’ll descend to the lower camp.
- Destination: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
- Elevation: 3,850 meters/12,631 feet to 3,950 meters/12,959 feet
- Distance: 10 km/6.21 miles
- Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
- Habitat: Moorland, alpine desert
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 5: We’ll walk along the steep ridge passing the Barranco (breakfast) Wall. It’s a beautiful walk to trek, especially in clear weather. It is a long day. From Barafu there is a good view of Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks. You’ll have a few hours to rest at Barafu before starting the summit trek at midnight.
- Destination: Barranco Camp to Karanga camp to Barafu Camp
- Elevation: 3,950 meters/12,894 feet to 4,600 meters/15,092 feet
- Distance: 9 km/6 miles
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
- Habitat: Moorland, alpine desert
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 6: During or just after sunrise we’ll arrive at Stella Point. Here we’ll take a short break before continuing all the way to the summit, Uhuru Peak. It is about one hour from Stella to the peak. Descending to Barafu from the peak is not difficult.
- Destination: Barafu Camp to Stella Point to Uhuru Peak to Barafu Camp
- Elevation: 4,600 meters/15,092 feet to 5,732 meters/18,806 feet to 5,895 meters/19,341 feet to 4,600 meters/15,092 feet
- Distance: 6 km/4 miles to Uhuru Peak. 7 km/4.35 miles to Mweka Hut
- Hiking Time: 6 hours to Uhuru Peak
- Habitat: Alpine desert, moorland, heath
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 6: We’ll keep descending to Mweka Hut.
- Destination: Barafu Camp to Mweka Hut
- Elevation: 4,600 meters/15,092 feet to 3,100 meters/10,171 feet.
- Distance: 7 km/4.35 miles
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert to heath
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 7: It’s an easy descent day where you’ll have a small celebration, and collect your certificates.
- Destination: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
- Elevation: 3,100 meters/10,171 feet to 1,800 meters/5,905 feet
- Distance: 10 km/6.21 miles
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Rainforest
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Sample Itinerary For an 8 day-Trek
Day 1: We’ll pick you up at your hotel and leave Arusha at 8:30 a.m. We’ll trek through the rainforest with some steep areas.
- Destination: Starting point to Big Tree/Mti Mkubwa Camp
- Elevation: 2,100 meters (6,890 feet) to 2,250 meters (7,382 feet)
- Distance: 7 km/4.35 miles
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Heath
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 2: The day is long and steep but worth it because of the beautiful landscape and views. We’ll arrive in the Saddle area between Kibo Peak and Shira Plateau.
- Destination: Big Tree Camp to Shira 1 Camp
- Elevation: 2,250 meters/7,382 feet to 3,500 meters/11,482 feet
- Distance: 7 km/4.35 miles
- Hiking Time: 5 to 6 hours
- Habitat: Heath, moorland
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 3: This is an easy and short day with a magnificent view of both Kibo and Shira Peaks.
- Destination: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
- Elevation: 3,500 meters/11,482 feet to 3,850 meters/12,631 feet
- Distance: 10 km/6.21 miles
- Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours
- Habitat: Heath, moorland
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4: We’ll hike to Lava Tower at 4,600 meters/15,092 feet. After acclimatizing we’ll descend to the lower camp.
- Destination: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
- Elevation: 3,850 meters/12,631 feet to 3,950 meters/12,959 feet
- Distance: 10 km/6.21 miles
- Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
- Habitat: Moorland, alpine desert
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 5: We’ll walk along the steep ridge passing the Barranco (breakfast) Wall. It’s a beautiful walk to trek, especially in clear weather.
- Destination: Baranco to Karanga Camp
- Elevation: 3,950 meters/12,959 feet to 3,930 meters/12,894 feet
- Distance: 4 km/2.49 miles
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Heath
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 6: After a day of acclimatization, the climb continues to the high camp. It’s a short but steep day. After a long relaxation at the camp, the following night we’ll summit at midnight.
- Destination: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
- Elevation: 3,930 meters/12,894 feet to 4,600 meters/16,092 feet
- Distance: 4 km/2.49 miles
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Moorland, alpine desert
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 7: During or just after sunrise we’ll arrive at Stella Point. Here we’ll take a short break before continuing all the way to the summit, Uhuru Peak. It is about one hour from Stella to the peak. Descending to Barafu from the peak is not difficult.
- Destination: Barafu Camp to Stella Point to Uhuru Peak to Barafu Camp
- Elevation: 4,600 meters/15,092 feet to 5,732 meters/18,806 feet to 5,895 meters/19,341 feet to 4,600 meters/15,092 feet
- Distance: 6 km/4 miles to Uhuru Peak. 7 km/4.35 miles to Mweka Hut
- Hiking Time: 6 hours to Uhuru Peak
- Habitat: Alpine desert, moorland, heath
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 8: It’s an easy descent day where you’ll have a small celebration, and collect your certificates.
- Destination: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
- Elevation: 3,100 meters/10,171 feet to 1,800 meters/5,905 feet
- Distance: 10 km/6.21 miles
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Rainforest
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch