For your upcoming adventure on Mt. Kilimanjaro's Lemosho Route, here’s a quick overview of what to expect. The Lemosho Route is known for its breathtaking scenery, taking you through diverse landscapes—starting from lush rainforests, through alpine meadows, and up to the rugged high-altitude terrain near the summit. This route is favored for its slightly longer itinerary, allowing more time to acclimate, which improves your chances of reaching the summit successfully.
Each day, you’ll gain elevation steadily, tackling some challenging sections, but the extra acclimatization days help your body adjust to the altitude gradually. Expect early mornings, beautiful sunrise views, and the rewarding experience of reaching Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. It’s a mentally and physically demanding trek, but with proper preparation and pacing, the journey will be incredibly rewarding. Make sure to pack well, stay hydrated, and embrace the team spirit among fellow trekkers and guides—it’s an unforgettable experience!
After breakfast and briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate (about a 3-hour drive). Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.
Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams are crossed we continue over the Shira Ridge then gently downwards to Shira 1 camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.
Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3500m/11,500ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, a gentle hike across the plateau leads to Moir Hut camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of hikes are available on the Plateau, making this an excellent acclimatization day.
Elevation: 3500m/11,500ft to 4200m/13780ft
Distance: 10km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
The morning is spent trekking up to Lava Tower and the iconic Shark’s Tooth rock formation at 4,600 meters/15092feet, where you will have lunch. This is an important day in your trek as you will get to experience high altitude and then sleep low, which is good for the acclimatisation process.The trail leads through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ on arrival to Barranco Camp.
Elevation: 4200m/13780ft
Distance: 7km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: We'll walk along the steep ridge passing the Barranco (breakfast) Wall. It's a beautiful walk to trek, especially in clear weather.
Elevation: 3,950 meters/12,959 feet to 3,930 meters/12,894 feet
Distance: 4 km/2.49 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Heath
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
After a day of acclimatization, the climb continues to the high camp. It's a short but steep day. After a long relaxation at the camp, the following night we'll summit at midnight.
Elevation: 3,930 meters/12,894 feet to 4,600 meters/16,092 feet
Distance: 4 km/2.49 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Moorland, alpine desert
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
During or just after sunrise we'll arrive at Stella Point. Here we'll take a short break before continuing all the way to the summit, Uhuru Peak. It is about one hour from Stella to the peak. Descending to Barafu from the peak is not difficult.
Destination: Barafu Camp to Stella Point to Uhuru Peak to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 4,600 meters/15,092 feet to 5,732 meters/18,806 feet to 5,895 meters/19,341 feet to 4,600 meters/15,092 feet
Distance: 6 km/4 miles to Uhuru Peak. 7 km/4.35 miles to Mweka Hut
Hiking Time: 6 hours to Uhuru Peak
Habitat: Alpine desert, moorland, heath
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
It's an easy descent day where you'll have a small celebration, and collect your certificates.
Elevation: 3,100 meters/10,171 feet to 1,800 meters/5,905 feet
Distance: 10 km/6.21 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
