7 Days Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Hiking

From $2420 /person

Duration 7 Days

Private Tour

Tour Overview

The 7-Day Lemosho route offers the same stunning scenery as its 8-day counterpart but in a slightly more condensed and challenging timeframe. It’s an excellent choice for fit hikers who are confident in their ability to acclimatize quickly. The route begins with the beautiful western approach through rainforest and across the Shira Plateau. However, it combines two days of the 8-day trek into one, requiring a long and strenuous hike from Barranco Camp directly to Barafu Camp. While still offering a good “climb high, sleep low” profile, this accelerated pace makes it more physically demanding, but it remains a highly rewarding trek with a strong success rate for those prepared for the challenge.

Includes

Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro International Airport
Park fees, camping fees, rescue fees
18% VAT on tour fees & services
4-Season mountain tents
Camping Facilities
Sleeping Bag & Pillows
Transportation to & from the mountain gate
Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
3 meals daily while on the mountain
Filtered water throughout the trek
Fair wages for the mountain crew
Portable flush toilet can be provided for free upon client’s request.

Flights (International)
Visa fees
Travel or medical insurance
Gamow Bag
Medication
Tips for porters and mountain crew
Personal spending money for souvenirs, etc
Energy food & beverages, alcoholic and soft drinks
Personal hire gear such as trekking poles, sleeping bags, etc.

Full Tour Details

Day 1: Lemosho Trailhead – Mti Mkubwa Camp

Transport: Private transfer 4 hours, 80 km
Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours (5 km)
Ascent: 2800 m
altitude: 2895 m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and driven to Londrosi Gate (which is approximately 3.5 hours from Moshi). After registration, you will then drive a further 12km on a forest track that leads to the Lemosho starting point. From here you will enter the beautiful and undisturbed rainforest to begin your ascent up the mountain. This is by no means a difficult trek, but it will give you plenty of time to adjust and witness some of Tanzania’s wildlife. Sightings of Black and White Colobus monkeys and small antelopes are quite common, and you may even be lucky enough to spot buffalos and elephants too. After 3 to 4 hours of trekking, you will arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp, also known as Big Tree Camp because of the large conifer trees that provide shade over the campsite.

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp - Shira 2 Camp

Hiking time: 7 – 8 hours (10 km)
Ascent: 1000 m
altitude: 3800 m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

On the second day, you’ll rise early for breakfast and begin climbing a slightly steeper gradient through the moorland vegetation zone. Here you will start to get fantastic views of Kibo, the summit cone of Mt. Kilimanjaro while continuing along a rocky ridge to Shira Plateau. Shira is a collapsed volcanic crater and was the first of Kilimanjaro’s three volcanic cones to expire. You will then continue to hike across the rocky ridge onto Shira Plateau, where you will be able to see the easterly side and the western breach with its dramatic glaciers. You are now on the west of Kibo Peak and it will take another short walk before reaching the Shira Two Campsite.

Day 3: Shira Camp 2 - Barranco Camp Via Lava Tower

Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours (12 km)
Ascent: 3800 m
altitude: 4550 m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

The route now takes you into semi-desert and rocky landscapes surrounding Lava Tower, a 300ft high volcanic rock formation. You’ll then ascend the rocky scree path to Lava Tower for great panoramic views, before a steep descent into the Barranco Valley. You may find this trek a little tougher than the previous days as some hikers usually start to experience symptoms of altitude sickness. Although you will finish today’s climb at almost the same elevation as you started, this is very good practice for acclimatization and will help prepare your body for summit day. Barranco Camp lies below the imposing Barranco Wall in a beautiful, sheltered valley.

Day 4: Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp

Hiking time: 4 – 5 hours (5 km)
Ascent: 200 m
altitude: 4000 m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

This will be a shorter day of hiking to allow for acclimatization. After breakfast, you will begin to ascend the Barranco Wall and hike glacial valleys – but don’t worry, it is easier than it looks! From the top of the wall, you will then cross a series of hills and valleys before descending into Karanga Valley. After one steeper climb, you’ll reach Karanga Camp where you will relax for the afternoon before dinner and overnight rest.

Day 5: Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp

Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours (6 km)
Ascent: 605 m
altitude: 4700 m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

After breakfast, you will leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects to the famous Mweka Trail. You will then continue along the rocky ridge for 1 to 2 hours before reaching Barafu Camp, which offers stunning views of Mt. Kilimanjaro’s summit from various angles. Your tents will be pitched along a narrow and rocky ridge with high winds. It’s therefore worth taking some time to familiarize yourself with your surroundings before it gets dark. Rest for the night at Barafu Camp and prepare for the upcoming hike to the summit.

Day 6: Barafu Camp - Uhuru Peak - Mweka Camp

Hiking time: 12 – 14 hours (17 km)
Ascent: 1295 m
Descent: 2795 m
altitude: 5895 m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

This is where the going gets tough! Just before midnight, you will venture into the night and begin your final ascent to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. Head northwest through the heavy stone scree following multiple switchbacks between Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers until you reach Stella Point (5,685m). This section is probably the most challenging part of the route and will require great physical and mental effort. Continue to move slowly, always listening to your guide.

After a short rest at Stella Point, you will hike along the crater rim for another hour before reaching your ultimate goal – Uhuru Peak! Congratulations! You have now made it to the “Roof of Africa”.

Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend there, but it is important to start your descent within good time to ensure you get enough rest back at Barafu Camp. After your rest, you’ll gather the rest of your belongings and descend to Mweka Hut (3,100m) where you’ll enjoy dinner and a well-earned sleep!

Day 7: Mweka Hut - Mweka Gate

Transport: Private transfer (30 minutes, 17 km)
Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours (10 km)
Descent: 1300 m
altitude: 3100 m
Accommodation: Parkview Inn
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch

After eating breakfast, you will begin the easiest part of your adventure on Mount Kilimanjaro via a scenic path through the forest to Mweka Gate. Successful hikers who made it to Stella Point and Uhuru Peak will be awarded their certificates at the gate. Then it’s time to drive back to your hotel to enjoy a shower, dinner, and celebrations

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