Summit Kilimanjaro – Lemosho Route

Day 2: Lemosho Forest Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro

Day Itinerary

From Arusha we set out in vehicles to the starting point of the Lemosho Trail. Here you meet the rest of your crew and set of at a leisurely pace into Afromontane forest. Lunch is taken on trail and camp is reached mid-afternoon.

Start – 7,380ft / 2250m
End – 9,385ft / 2860m
Distance – 3 miles / 5km
Time – 7 hrs

Overnight: Lemosho Forest Camp    

Day 3: Shira Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro

Day 3: Shira Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro       

Day Itinerary

Shira Camp forms part of the second leg of the journey up Mount Kilimanjaro. There are 2 camps – Shira Camp 1 on west side and Shira Camp 2 on the east. The Shira Plateau landscape features a tropical rainforest and shrubland where a range of flora and fauna species are found. Climbers might also spot the White Naped Raven.

Start – 9,385ft / 2860m
End – 11,680ft / 3560m
Distance – 4 miles / 7km
Time – 7 hrs

From the forested slopes of Lemosho you ascend through Podocarps and Juniper forest and break out of the forest on to the heath zone and the Shira Plateau. Lunch is taken on trail and you arrive in camp mid-afternoon.

Overnight: Shira Camp          

Day 4: Moir Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro

Day Itinerary

Crossing the Shira plateau can be one of the most scenic parts of the trip and this morning we hike for around 3-4 hours to the lunch point. After lunch we ascend to Moir camp, arriving in the mid-afternoon. For those with the energy a hike in the late afternoon up to a viewpoint is highly recommended to keep the blood flowing.

Start – 11,680ft / 3560m
End – 13,451ft / 4099m
Distance – 5.5 miles / 9km
Time – 5.5 hrs

Overnight: Moir Camp          

Day 5: Barranco Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro

Day Itinerary

From Moir we traverse across the slopes of Kibo. Here relatively little flora or fauna can survive the extreme temperature ranges and conditions that typify this zone. Lunch is normally taken close to Lava Tower (Alt 15,092ft, 4600m) and for those that feel very strong there is an optional ascent of Lava Tower before descending down to Barranco Camp in the afternoon.

 Start – 13,451ft / 4099m
End – 12,800ft / 3900m
Distance – 6 miles / 10km
Time – 8 hrs

Overnight: Barranco Camp   

Barranco Camp is the third pitstop along the Machame Route climbing up Mount Kilimanjaro. This area of the mountain is semi-desert and the camp is set in a valley close to the Great Barranco Wall.

Day 6: Karanga Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro

Day Itinerary

An early start is recommended to hike the Barranco wall. After about 2 hours you reach the top and then hike over glacial valleys to Karanga camp. Sunsets here are particularly spectacular with views of the southern glacial valleys and ice fields towering 1000 meters (over 3,000ft) above you.

 Start – 12,800ft / 3900m
End – 13,450ft / 4099m
Distance – 3 miles / 5km
Time – 4 hrs

Overnight: Karanga Camp    

On day 4 of the route up Mount Kilimanjaro, climbers would reach the Karanga Camp. The journey would take about 5 hours and climbers get to experience the alpine desert landscape of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Day 7: Barafu Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro

Day Itinerary

Today is another half day ascending to Barafu camp. Once again lunch is taken in camp allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate alpine desert and at times strong winds rip over this camp and yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi Volcano are the norm.

 Start – 13,450ft / 4099m
End – 15,100ft / 4602m
Distance – 2.2 miles / 4km
Time – 3 hrs

Overnight: Barafu Camp       

Mount Kilimanjaro climbers would approach Barafu camp at about the 5th day of the journey. The word ‘barafu’ is the Swahili word for ‘ice’, which refers to the cold climate at this altitude.

Day 8: Mweka Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro

Day Itinerary

Most people depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence is the name of game to reach the summit and by dawn as the first rays of light start to appear, most arrive near the rim. Ascending via Stella Point (Alt 18,865ft, 5750m) affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru peak (Alt 19,341ft, 5895m) the Roof of Africa! What goes up must come down and your goal today is to reach Mweka Camp in time for dinner.

Start – 15,100ft / 4602m
End – 10,171ft / 3100m
Distance – 10 miles / 16km
Time – 14 hrs

Overnight: Mweka Camp      

Mweka Camp is the final campsite on the journey up Mount Kilimanjaro. Climbers would arrive here after a 7 hour hike from Summit Uhuru Peak.

Day 9: Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge, Arusha

Day Itinerary

After breakfast you descend once again through montane forest and around mid-day after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transfer back to your lodge for a well-deserved shower!

Start – 10,171ft / 3100m
End – 5,900ft / 1798m
Distance – 6 miles / 10km
Time – 3 hrs

Overnight: Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge

Day 10: End of Itinerary

After breakfast, check out and be on the way with the rest of your itinerary!