7-Day Lemosho Route – Kilimanjaro

After breakfast, drive from Moshi to the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro and continue to Lemosho Gate. After completing registration and meeting your mountain crew, begin the trek through the beautiful montane rainforest.

The trail is relatively quiet and offers rich vegetation, with opportunities to see monkeys and birds along the way. The gradual ascent allows you to settle into the rhythm of the mountain before reaching Big Tree Camp for your first night.

Hiking Distance: Approximately 7 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Lemosho Gate: 2,100 m
Big Tree Camp: 2,780 m
Habitat: Montane rainforest
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Big Tree Camp

After breakfast, continue climbing through the rainforest before entering the moorland zone. As the vegetation becomes shorter, the landscape opens up with wider views across the western slopes of Kilimanjaro.

Weather permitting, you may see Mount Meru in the distance before continuing towards Shira 1 Camp for the evening.

Hiking Distance: Approximately 8 km
Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
Big Tree Camp: 2,780 m
Shira 1 Camp: 3,500 m
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Shira 1 Camp

Today you cross the beautiful Shira Plateau, one of the most spectacular sections of the Lemosho Route. The trail passes through open moorland with expansive views across Kilimanjaro's western slopes.

Continue towards Shira 2 Camp before gradually climbing towards Moir Hut, located in a quieter and more remote part of the mountain. The higher camp provides another opportunity for acclimatization before the route joins the Southern Circuit.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Moir Hut

Leave the quieter Moir Hut area and continue across the high-altitude landscape towards the Southern Circuit. The trail gradually connects with the route towards Barranco, where the dramatic mountain scenery becomes increasingly prominent.

Arrive at Barranco Camp and prepare for the following day's climb of the famous Barranco Wall.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Barranco Camp

After breakfast, begin the day with the famous Barranco Wall. The climb provides an exciting section of the route before continuing across a series of ridges and valleys towards Karanga Camp.

As you progress, enjoy views across Kilimanjaro's southern slopes before reaching Karanga Camp, where you will rest and prepare for the final approach to Barafu Camp.

Hiking Distance: Approximately 5 km
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Barranco Camp: Approximately 3,960 m
Karanga Camp: Approximately 4,000 m
Habitat: Alpine desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Karanga Camp

After breakfast, leave Karanga Camp and continue towards Barafu Camp. The landscape becomes increasingly rocky and barren as you climb higher into the alpine desert.

At Barafu, you will have completed the Southern Circuit and have impressive views towards Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. After arriving, enjoy lunch and take time to rest and prepare your equipment for the summit attempt. An early dinner will be served before you retire for the night.

Hiking Distance: Approximately 4 km
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Karanga Camp: Approximately 4,000 m
Barafu Camp: Approximately 4,670 m
Habitat: Alpine desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Barafu Camp

Wake around midnight for the summit attempt. Begin the slow and steady climb through the darkness towards Stella Point on the crater rim. The ascent is challenging, but your guide will maintain a comfortable pace while helping you conserve energy.

From Stella Point, continue along the crater rim towards Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m, the highest point in Africa. Take time to celebrate your achievement and enjoy the summit views before beginning the descent.

Continue down through the changing landscape to Mweka Camp, where you will have dinner and rest after the long summit day.

Hiking Distance: Approximately 17 km total
Hiking Time: 12–15 hours
Barafu Camp: Approximately 4,670 m
Uhuru Peak: 5,895 m
Mweka Camp: Approximately 3,070 m
Habitat: Arctic / Alpine Desert / Rainforest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Mweka Camp