9 Days Lemosho Route Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing

9 Days Lemosho Route Itinerary on Kilimanjaro Hiking

Day 1: Kilimanjaro – Forest

Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp.

Elevation (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft
Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Full board at Forest Camp (Big Tree Camp)

After completing the necessary registration formalities at Londorossi National Park gate, we drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho road head. We often have our lunch in the glades before starting to walk. It is an easy day of walking up a small path through beautiful and lush forest. This area has a variety of game, including buffalo. We camp at Lemosho Forest Camp (Big Tree Camp) 7,800 ft.

Day 2: Forest Camp – Shira 1

Forest Camp to Shira One Camp.

Elevation (ft): 9,500ft to 11,500ft
Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Full Board at Shira One Camp

We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. There is a tangible sense of wilderness, especially if afternoon mists come in! We camp in the center of the plateau at Shira One (11,500 ft).

Day 3: Shira 1 – Shira 2 or Moir Hut

Shira Camp 1 to Shira 2 to Moir Hut.

Elevation (ft): 11,500ft to 13,800 ft
Distance: 14 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Full Board at Shira 2 camp

We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we stay at Shira 2 camp or continue to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth. You might have an option of spending the night at Shira 2 camp or Moir Hut, a relatively long hike and significant altitude gain, today is a short day and you arrive in Shira 2 camp in time for lunch. A good day for acclimatization with the option of an afternoon walk with your guides.

Day 4: Shira 2 – Barranco Camp via Lava Tower

Moir Hut to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp or Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco.

Elevation (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Semi Desert
Full Board at Shira 2 or Moir Hut camp

A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near the Lava Tower (14,900 ft), we descend to the bottom of the Barranco Valley to camp at Barranco Camp (12,790 ft), sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below.

Day 5: Barranco Camp – Karanga

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp.

Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
Distance: 5km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Full Board at Karanga Camp

A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Ice fields. The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to Karanga Camp (13,100 ft), the last water point on the way to the summit.

Day 6: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp.

Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Full Board at Barafu Hut Camp

We follow an easy path on compacted scree with wide views that gains altitude unrelentingly to reach the Barafu Hut (14,800 ft) for lunch. There is a short acclimatization walk to the plateau at the bottom of the southeast valley. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the early morning final ascent.

Day 7: Barafu Camp – Crater

Barafu Camp to Crater Camp.

Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft
Distance: 6 km ascent / 12 km descent
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
Habitat: Arctic
Full Board at Mweka Hut Camp

Unlike other routes with a night time ascent, your hike selection affords you a day time ascent to Kibo crater. The going is slow but with constant encouragement from your climb team the rim of Kibo is reached before descending a little way into the caldera to Crater Camp. The afternoon is spent relaxing and short walks can be taken with one of your guides.

Day 8: Kilimanjaro – Mweka

After a night in the crater, you now have the shortest final summit bid of any route. With such a short distance to the summit from the crater (around 1 hour) means that timing arrival with the sunrise is much easier and quite spectacular. The summit of Kilimanjaro is the top of the highest freestanding mountain in the world. After your summit bid you then descend for a final night on the mountain at Mweka Camp passing back through the heath zone. Endemic Proteas, pollinated by Malachite Sunbirds are plentiful.

Overnight Mweka Camp (breakfast- lunch – dinner).

Day 9: Mweka Camp – Arusha or Moshi

Mweka Camp to Arusha or Moshi.

Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Half Board

After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). Kilimanjaro Nature Tours vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi.