Trekking/Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro 8 Day’s via Lemosho Route

You’re program of Lemosho Route starts here.

DAY 2: which is day 1 of the climbing program.


The starting point of the Lemosho climb is located some distance from Moshi/Arusha town (approximately 3 hours’ drive).

We’ll get you straight into African life with a preliminary African massage (a term of endearment we have for the not-so-great road) on the way out to your start point. You will have fantastic views out of the window driving through rural Tanzanian scenery. After arriving at the Lemosho Gate, we will make registration and weigh porters luggage’s then starts our hiking.

Today is by no means a strenuous hike hours but gives you time to adjust into your walking pace… and plenty of opportunities to look up hoping to spot some black and white colobus monkeys in the forest.

A lucky few may even spot buffalo or even elephant! Today you will overnight at Mti Mkubwa (literal translation= big tree) camp, so called because of the large conifer trees.

Distance of hiking: 8 Km

Hiking takes time: 3-4 hours

Elevation at Mti Mkubwa: 2650M/8,745ft

Habitat: Montane Forest

Meals:Dinner and Overnight at Mti Mkubwa Campsite

This is Day 2 of the climbing program.

This day is always among the favorites from our trekkers as you leave the forested glades to emerge out into moorland with fantastic views to the Shira plateau, but more importantly the magnificent peak of Kibo.

This day is when the climbing starts, with a 920M/ 3,069ft elevation gain. Your guide will make sure you are going at a slow pace, to ward off any altitude sickness. The day starts with lots of small ups and downs, before climbing to the top of a ridge. You will head eastwards along this ridge with views over to Ngare Nairobi River and the emergency 4 x 4 track.

Following your lunch stop you will be able to see your trekking path laid out ahead for the next couple of days across the Shira plateau.

There is a nice slow descent down to Shira One Campsite where your chef will be cooking up a storm to reward your hard efforts.

Distance of hiking: 8 Km

Hiking takes time: 4-5 hours

Elevation at Shira One Campsite: 3610M/11,913ft

Habitat: Moorland

Meals: Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch Included

Overnight at Shira One Campsite

This is Day 3 of the climbing program.

Not long after setting off across the plateau you will already be able to see your camp for that night – at Shira Campsite .

We’ve added the excursion to the Shira Cathedral (although this is optional) as it can be done in the same day, and provides that extra of Acclimatization opportunity.

On your trek over to the cathedral you can admire the Lobelias plant and the naturalist in you can spot animal tracks as evidence the trail was originally used by small Antelope in search of salt and fresh grazing.

From the summit of the ‘Cathedral’ you can again have clear views to Kibo and you can check out the Machame route, with which you will join up a little later on.

From here it is a shorter walk to Shira Campsite passing along the crater rim and the helipad used for emergency evacuations, or (thankfully!) more commonly film crews.

Distance of hiking: 10 Km

Hiking takes time: 4-5 hours

Elevation at Shira Two Campsite: 3850M/12,705ft

Habitat: Moorland

Meals: Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch Included

Overnight at Shira Two Campsite

This is Day 4 of the climbing program.


Your final morning on the quieter Lemosho route before joining up with the Machame trekkers later on.

You will emerge from the valleys peppered with Lobelia plants and heather covering the ground to find yourself in the Alpine desert ecosystem, with lichen covering every rock.

The first few hours are steady uphill walking. This is best taken slowly as today is often the first day some may feel the symptoms of Altitude sickness.

Although after joining up with Machame route there is a shorter route to camp (which you will see porters and chefs running along) we take you on a diversion to Lava Tower Rock (alt. 4600M/15,180ft) to give you an highly Acclimatization.

From Lava Tower it’s all downhill to Baranco campsite - feeling the chill where that cup of warm soup to start your dinner will be all the more welcome.

Distance of hiking: 10 Km

Hiking takes time: 6-7 hours

Elevation at Baranco Campsite: 3900M/12,870ft

Habitat: Moorland

Meals: Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch Included

Overnight at Baranco Campsite

This is Day 5 of the climbing program.

A shorter day, giving you a good chance to adjust but still a little challenge as you leave the camp, climbing up what has been nicknamed the ‘breakfast wall .

It’s all worth it though as at the top of this rock you can have a great view to Kibo peak and its magnificent glaciers, whilst at the same time in the other direction you’ll be able to see Mt Meru. Also a very popular obligatory ‘jumping’ photo point.

This day also includes a lot of ‘ups’ and ‘downs’ until you reach the valley which marks the last point for water passing along this route. Make sure to keep an eye out for malachite sun-birds (a popular nesting spot for them) and enjoy the last bit of greenery you will see before you are on your way back down.

Head back up the other side of the valley to Karanga campsite where you can relax for the afternoon before enjoying a hot dinner.

Distance of hiking: 6 Km

Hiking takes time:4 hours

Elevation at Karanga Campsite: 3995M/13,183ft

Habitat: Moorland

Meals: Dinner ,Breakfast, Lunch Included

Overnight at Karanga Campsite

This is Day 6 of the climbing program.

During your trekking this day you will find the trail to get steadily steeper all the way to the base Camp which is Barafu Campsite.

On the way you will pass over the volcanic rocks from previous explosions of this volcano and you will be able to view the entire landscape of the mountain.

You will arrive at Barafu Campsite around 12Pm for a hot lunch and then rest up and get some sleep,in preparation for your summit night!

Early Dinner with shortly Summit briefly from you’re Guides .

Although during the day time it can be a little warm at this time, the Barafu or ‘Ice’ camp really lives up to its name once the sun goes down

Distance of hiking: 4 Km

Hiking takes time: 3-4 hours

Elevation at Barafu Campsite: 4675M/15,427ft

Habitat:Alpine Desert

Meals: Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch, Included

Overnight at Barafu Campsite

This is Day 7 of the climbing program.

Your friendly guides will give you a warn wake up call at approximately 11Pm(depending how well you have fared so far you may get up earlier or later). From here you will start your Ascent to the summit .

This is the final push to the top and so your Guides will take you at a much slower pace compared to your trekking the previous days, to make sure you have the best chance of getting to the peak, giving your body time to cope with the high Altitude.

Once you reach [Stella Point at 5,756M/18,994ft] you really have almost made it- only another 45 minutes until you will find yourself at [UHURU PEAK 5,895M/19,453] THE HIGHEST POINT OF AFRICA .

Enjoy your time here, take in what will surely be your most memorable of Sunrise, Crater with permanent Glaciers.

Descend from Peak all the way down via Barafu Campsite to the last Camp, Mweka Campsite.

Distance of Ascent to the UHURU PEAK: 5 Km

Distance of Descent from UHURU PEAK via Barafu Campsite to Mweka Campsite: 12 Km

Ascent takes time from Barafu Campsite to UHURU PEAK :6-7 hours

Descent takes time from UHURU PEAK via Barafu Campsite to Mweka Campsite: 7 hours

Elevation at Mweka Campsite: 3100M/ 10,230ft

Habitat: Montane Forest

Meals: Dinner and Overnight at Mweka Campsite.

This is Day 8 of the climbing program.

Passing through the Montane forest, similar to your first day trekking, you will make your way down to Mweka Gate, stopping to watch the Monkeys and spot Turacco birds or Hornbills. Upon reaching the gate you will sign out and exit Kilimanjaro National Park.

From here you will be picked up by our company transport and transferred to you’re Hotel/Accommodation with you’re golden Certificate of Achievement/Successful Summit, for a well-deserved rest.

Distance of descent: 10 Km

Descent takes time: 3 hours

Elevation at Mweka Exit Gate 1650M/5445ft

Habitat: Montane Forest

This will be a day for you to go back home/ arrange for another tour Safaris, Day trips or whatever.

Our driver will drop-off/ drive you back all the way to the Airport ready to catch a flight according your flight schedule.