The Lemosho Route offers a quieter, more scenic approach to Kilimanjaro, beginning in
the lush rainforest of the western slopes and gradually ascending through varied
ecological zones. With excellent acclimatisation and stunning views across the Shira
Plateau, this route is ideal for trekkers seeking a more gradual ascent and a higher chance
of summit success, as it gives trekkers more time to acclimatise.
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be warmly welcomed by a Kilimanjaro Mavens representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
In the afternoon, your lead guide will conduct a detailed pre-trek briefing covering the Pole Pole philosophy, safety procedures, altitude awareness, and a full gear inspection. Missing equipment can be rented locally. The day ends with a welcome dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Your adventure begins after breakfast, when your guide collects you from your hotel for
the drive of about 113km/70.5 miles through the western slopes of the mountain to
Lemosho Gate.
After registration and lunch at Lemosho Gate, we begin trekking through dense rainforest.
Keep an eye out for colobus monkeys.
This short trek takes us to Mti Mkubwa, the Big Tree Camp, where we will find the tents
already erected and dinner being prepared in the kitchen tent. A full dinner follows before
we sleep
Elevation: 2,389m to 2,785m | Distance: 4.8km | Time: 3–4 hours
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
This second day starts in a rather similar fashion as the first day – a scenic walk beneath
the dense forest canopy. This peaceful forest trek is soon replaced by heath and
moorland as the trail ascends steadily. A moderately steep climb through the forest leads
onto the northern slopes of the Shira Plateau, where expansive views of the mountain
begin to unfold.
Upon reaching Shira 1 Camp, we stop for a hot lunch and a short rest. After lunch, the
trek continues across the Shira Plateau to Shira 2 Camp, traversing open landscapes with
wide-ranging views before settling in for the night.
Elevation: 2,785m to 3,895m | Distance: 17km | Time: 7-8 hours
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
The snowy Kibo has a constant appearance in front of us as we head east. A rather
steep ascent to Lava Tower, which stands at 4,530m, for acclimatisation where we will
break for lunch, before descending to Barranco Camp. This “climb high, sleep low”
strategy is key to summit success. Dinner is served in the evening.
Elevation: 3,895m to 3,986m (Lava Tower 4,530m) | Distance: 10.1km | Time: 6–7 hours
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today, we tackle the iconic Barranco Wall — a fun but challenging scramble with
rewarding views. We then descend into the Karanga Valley. We would find our campsite
on the top of the other side of the valley, a steep but short climb to Karanga Camp,
allowing for gentler pacing and acclimatisation
Elevation: 3,986m to 4,035m | Distance: 8.5km | Time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
We traverse the southern side of Kibo, through lunar landscape on our way to Barafu
Camp on the south-eastern shoulder of Kibo. A short but steep climb to Barafu, our base
camp for the summit. At Barafu Camp we will rest, hydrate, take dinner and try to get
some sleep before the rigours of the night ahead, in preparation for the early morning
ascent. This shorter day helps conserve energy for the summit push ahead
Elevation: 4,035m to 4,640m | Distance: 3.8km | Time: 3-4 hours
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Night 5: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (Summit)
We begin the final push around midnight, reaching Stella Point (5,745m) on the rim of the
Kibo crater around sunrise. It’s a steep, slow, cold trek and a good test of your physical
and mental endurance This is a 5-6 hours walk, though it can be much longer depending
on your condition and pace.
From Stella Point we continue around the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – the highest
point in Africa!
Elevation: 4,640m to 5,895m | Distance: 4.86km | Time: 7-8 hours
After celebrating at the summit and a brief rest, we continue back down to Barafu Camp
– a tough walk given that you’ve used up almost your entire energy reserves going up. At
Barafu we take breakfast and relax for an hour, before continuing our walk down the
mountain, this time on the Mweka Trail to Mweka Camp. Note that, judging from your
condition after a long and brutal walk to the summit and down to Barafu, your guide will
decide on the final stop of the day between Millennium and Mweka Campsite.
Elevation: 5,895m to 3,106m | Distance: 11.5km | Time: 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
A gentle descent through the rainforest to the gate, where we celebrate with your
certificate and a well-earned rest. A bus will be waiting to take you to your celebratory
lunch and then back to your hotel for you to treat yourselves with warm showers and
cold beers. Your trek is at an end. Your guide will tell you what to do and you will have a
chance to say thanks to the whole team before you part ways.
Elevation: 3,106m to 1,633m | Distance: 9.1km | Time: 3–4 hours
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
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