Lemosho Route — 8 Days

Overview

Our most successful Kilimanjaro itinerary. The extra night at Karanga Camp gives your body one more day above 4,000 m before the summit push — the single biggest factor in reaching Uhuru Peak strong. Recommended for first-time high-altitude trekkers and anyone who wants to truly enjoy the climb rather than endure it.

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Arr
   Arrival Day

   Arrival Day

   When you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), a representative from Tanzania Travelers will meet you and transfer you to a hotel in Moshi town. The hotel has everything you need for a comfortable stay: nice rooms, hot water, friendly staff, a pool and Wi-Fi. You’ll spend your first night there. If you arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, Kenya instead, we’ll pick you up and bring you to Moshi by Shuttle Bus. In the evening, there will be a meeting with the guides to help you get ready for the climb the next day.

   Note: Hotel check-in starts at 2:00 PM.

   Meals: Breakfast, DinnerShose Farmhouse or Brubru Lodge
2. 1
   Day 1

   Moshi → Londorossi Gate → Mti Mkubwa

   Today's Status

   Hiking Time: 3–4 hours

   Total Distance: 6 km

   Starting Altitude: 2,250 m (7,382 ft)

   Final Altitude: 2,820 m (9,252 ft)

   Elevation Change: +570 m

   Habitat: Montane rainforest

   Morning briefing and gear check in Moshi. Drive 4 hours via Boma Ng'ombe to the Londorossi Gate (2,250 m) for park registration. Picnic lunch, then a gentle 3-hour trek through dense montane rainforest — look out for black-and-white colobus monkeys — to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp.

   Meals: Lunch, DinnerMti Mkubwa Camp · 2,820 m
3. 2
   Day 2

   Mti Mkubwa → Shira 1 Camp

   Today's Status

   Hiking Time: 5–6 hours

   Total Distance: 8 km

   Starting Altitude: 2,820 m (9,252 ft)

   Final Altitude: 3,505 m (11,500 ft)

   Elevation Change: +685 m

   Habitat: Heather & moorland

   Climb out of the rainforest into the heather and moorland zone. A steep morning is rewarded with sweeping views as you crest onto the western edge of the Shira Plateau — an ancient collapsed caldera. 5–6 hours of trekking.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerShira 1 Camp · 3,505 m
4. 3
   Day 3

   Shira 1 → Shira 2 Camp

   Today's Status

   Hiking Time: 4–5 hours

   Total Distance: 11 km

   Starting Altitude: 3,505 m (11,500 ft)

   Final Altitude: 3,810 m (12,500 ft)

   Elevation Change: +305 m

   Habitat: Shira Plateau moorland

   An easier acclimatisation day traversing the Shira Plateau with Kibo's glaciers ahead and Mt. Meru behind. Afternoon acclimatisation walk toward the Cathedral. 4–5 hours.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerShira 2 Camp · 3,810 m
5. 4
   Day 4

   Shira 2 → Lava Tower → Barranco Camp

   Today's Status

   Hiking Time: 6–7 hours

   Total Distance: 10 km

   Starting Altitude: 3,810 m (12,500 ft)

   Final Altitude: 3,960 m (12,995 ft)

   Elevation Change: +820 m / −670 m (via Lava Tower 4,630 m)

   Habitat: Alpine desert

   Ascend the Southern Circuit to Lava Tower (4,630 m) for lunch — the classic 'climb high, sleep low' day. Drop into the lush, otherworldly Barranco Valley beneath the Western Breach and the hanging Heim Glacier. 6–7 hours.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerBarranco Camp · 3,960 m
6. 5
   Day 5

   Barranco → Karanga Camp

   Today's Status

   Hiking Time: 4–5 hours

   Total Distance: 5 km

   Starting Altitude: 3,960 m (12,995 ft)

   Final Altitude: 3,995 m (13,106 ft)

   Elevation Change: +35 m (net)

   Habitat: Alpine desert

   A short but spectacular day. Scramble the iconic Barranco Wall (no technical climbing — a fun hands-on rock scramble) for sunrise photos, then descend and re-ascend into Karanga Valley. Afternoon at camp to rest and hydrate. 4–5 hours.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerKaranga Camp · 3,995 m
7. 6
   Day 6

   Karanga → Barafu Camp

   Today's Status

   Hiking Time: 3–4 hours

   Total Distance: 4 km

   Starting Altitude: 3,995 m (13,106 ft)

   Final Altitude: 4,673 m (15,331 ft)

   Elevation Change: +678 m

   Habitat: Alpine desert

   The acclimatisation day that makes this itinerary special. An easy 3–4 hour trek up the rocky ridge to Barafu (Swahili for 'ice') — summit base camp. Early dinner at 17:00, then into your sleeping bag by 19:00. The guide wakes you just before midnight.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerBarafu Camp · 4,673 m
8. 7
   Day 7

   Summit Day · Barafu → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp

   Today's Status

   Hiking Time: 12–14 hours

   Total Distance: 17 km

   Starting Altitude: 4,673 m (15,331 ft)

   Final Altitude: 3,068 m (10,065 ft) via Uhuru Peak 5,895 m

   Elevation Change: +1,222 m / −2,827 m

   Habitat: Arctic → moorland

   Wake at 23:30 for tea and biscuits. Begin the summit push by headtorch at midnight, climbing the scree slope to Stella Point (5,756 m) for sunrise over Mawenzi. A further 45 minutes along the crater rim brings you to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) — the Roof of Africa. After photos, descend back to Barafu for brunch and a rest, then continue down through the moorland to Mweka Camp. 12–14 hours total — the longest and most rewarding day of your life.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerMweka Camp · 3,068 m
9. 8
   Day 8

   Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate → Moshi

   Today's Status

   Hiking Time: 3–4 hours

   Total Distance: 10 km

   Starting Altitude: 3,068 m (10,065 ft)

   Final Altitude: 1,640 m (5,380 ft)

   Elevation Change: −1,428 m

   Habitat: Montane rainforest

   A final 3-hour descent through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. Sign out of the park, receive your summit certificate, and enjoy a celebratory lunch with the crew (tipping ceremony here). Transfer back to your hotel in Moshi by mid-afternoon for a hot shower and a cold Kilimanjaro lager.

   Meals: Breakfast, LunchShose Farmhouse or Brubru Lodge
10. Dep
    Departure Day

    Departure Day

    Spend time at the hotel before being transferred to the airport, based on your flight schedule. The total distance covered on the Lemosho route is approximately 70 kilometers or 43.5 miles.

    Note: Standard hotel check-out time is 11:00 AM. If your flight is later in the day and you require a late check-out, you can extend your stay for an additional cost. This marks the end of your climb!

    Meals: Breakfast

Trail map

A stylised overview of the Lemosho Route — camps, elevations and summit approach.