Side
Western
approach
Days
7
options
Distance
67 Km
round trip
Grade
Modarate
Summit Success
High 90%
Trip overview
The 7-day Lemosho route one of the most beautiful and less crowded paths to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro (19,341 ft / 5,895 m). This route offers a gradual climb, allowing for better acclimatization and a higher success rate of reaching Uhuru Peak. Starting from the lush rainforest on the western side of the mountain, trekkers will journey through stunning landscapes, including moorlands, alpine deserts, and glaciated peaks.
Tour Highlights
High summit success rates
Stunning scenery along the route, including some of the best sunrise and sunset viewpoints
Diverse landscapes and varied hiking terrain
Lemosho route map
Itinerary
7 days Lemosho route
Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Moshi town. You will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
Driving distance: 55 km
Driving time: Approximately 1 hour
Habitat: Cultivated zone
Accommodation: Hotel (Bed & Breakfast)
Day 1 - Moshi - Starting Point Lemosho - Big Tree Camp
Your day starts early with breakfast at the hotel, followed by a 2-3
hour drive from the hotel (910 m) to Londorossi Park Gate (2,100 m).
At the park gate, your guides and porters will prepare and pack the
supplies and equipment before completing registration.
You will then start trekking through the rainforest, continuing until
you reach your first camp, where your tent will be set up with your
personal belongings inside.
Overnight at Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650 m).
- Elevation: 2100 meters to 2650 meters
- Distance covered: 7 km/4.3 miles
- Approximate time taken: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Rain forest
- Meal provided: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Day 2 - Big Tree Camp - Shira Camp 2
Today is a long day as we will skip Shira I Camp and trek directly to
Shira II Camp. Around 7:00 am, you will start hiking from Mti
Mkubwa through the heath and moorland zones. Following the
Shira Ridge, you will enter a vast high-altitude desert plateau,
where you will get your first clear view of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Overnight at Shira II Camp (3,900 m).
- Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3850m/12,600ft
- Distance: 16km/10.3 miles
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Shira Camp 2 - Lava Tower - Barranco Camp
The moorlands soon come to an end as the trek takes us into the alpine desert
toward Lava Tower (4,600 m). From there, we will descend to Barranco Camp
(3,900 m). The descent takes about 3 hours and offers great opportunities to take
beautiful photos of the Western Breach and Barranco Wall.
The campsite is situated in a valley below the Barranco Wall, offering a
memorable sunset while you wait for dinner.
Overnight at Barranco Camp (3,900 m).
- Elevation: 3,600 meters to 3,900meters
- Distance covered: 10 km/ 6.2 miles
- Approximate time taken: 6 -7hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp
After breakfast, we continue up a steep ridge to the Great Barranco
Wall. You will climb this imposing obstacle, which is easier than it
looks. Reaching the top just below the Heim Glacier, you can
appreciate the stunning beauty of Kilimanjaro, with the Kibo
glaciers towering overhead.
You will then descend into the lush Karanga Valley and continue to
Karanga Camp. From the camp, you can look east and see the
jagged peaks of Mawenzi. After a hot lunch at camp, the afternoon
is at leisure for rest. This short day is important for acclimatization
as your summit push is about to begin.
- Elevation: 3,900 meters to 3,900 meters
- Distance covered: 6 km/3.5 miles
- Approximate time taken: 6 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp
After breakfast, you will start hiking to Barafu Camp (4,673 m).
Along the way, you will have great views of Kibo and Mawenzi
Peaks. After arriving at the campsite, you will have lunch and a long
rest in preparation for the long night and day ahead.
Dinner will be served early, followed by some sleep before waking
around midnight to begin your summit climb.
- Elevation: 3,900 meters to 4,000 meters
- Distance covered: 6 km
- Approximate time taken: 4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Barafu Camp - Uhuru Peak - Mweka Camp
We will wake up around midnight, and some light tea with cookies will be
prepared for you. We will then begin the summit climb, ascending through
scree for 4 to 5 hours while gaining significant altitude over a short
distance.
We aim to reach the crater rim at Stella Point (5,756 m) as the sun’s first
rays appear. From Stella Point, it takes about 1 hour to reach Uhuru Peak
(5,895 m), where you will have a few minutes to take photos before
beginning the descent.
We will descend to Barafu Camp for lunch and some rest, then continue
down to Mweka Camp (3,100 m) for dinner and overnight.
- Distance covered: 17 km/ 10.6 miles
- Approximate time taken: 12-15 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate
Walk down through the Mweka montane forest to Mweka Gate,
which takes about 3 hours. At the gate, you will complete the park
formalities and receive your certificate, which you can proudly
display. A vehicle will then be ready to drive you back to your hotel
in Moshi for a warm shower. It is time to celebrate!
Then: Departure / Other Destination in Tanzania
Later in the evening or the next day, you will be transferred to
Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home. Kilitop
Adventure can also organize an affordable safari to some of
Tanzania’s best wildlife destinations, including Tarangire National
Park, Ngorongoro Crater, or Serengeti National Park.
- Elevation: 3100 meters to 1640 meters
- Down to 3,100
- Distance covered: 10 km/ 6.3 miles
- Approximate time taken: 3 hours
- Habitat: Glacier/Moorland/Rain forest
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included
- Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- 3 Season mountain tents
- Double layered Sleeping Mats
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Professional mountain guides, cooks, and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Filtered water throughout the trek
- Pre & Post Trek accommodation at the Parkview Inn
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- 2- way private airport transfers
- Oxygen cylinder
- Oximeter
Excluded
- Flights
- Tips to mountain crew
- Items of a personal nature
- Laundry Services
- Travel Insurance
Lets plan
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