7-Day Lemosho Route
The 7-day Lemosho Route is a scenic Kilimanjaro trek that approaches the mountain from the west before crossing the Shira Plateau and joining the southern circuit. The itinerary combines gradual acclimatization, varied landscapes, and a challenging summit attempt via Uhuru Peak before descending through the Mweka Route. Each day offers a different mountain environment, from lush rainforest and moorland to alpine desert and the dramatic summit zone.
Itinerary
Day 1: Lemosho Gate – Mti Mkubwa Camp
Your Kilimanjaro adventure begins after breakfast at your hotel. You will meet your driver and travel from Moshi toward the Lemosho trailhead, a journey of approximately 3.5 to 4 hours covering around 80 km.
Once you arrive at Lemosho Gate, your guide will complete the necessary registration procedures while you prepare for the trek. The trail then leads into the lush rainforest, where the surroundings are quiet, green, and rich in wildlife.
As you gain elevation, keep an eye out for black-and-white colobus monkeys and other forest wildlife. Depending on the conditions and luck, larger animals such as buffalo and elephants may also be seen.
After several hours of walking through the forest, you will reach Mti Mkubwa Camp, commonly called Big Tree Camp. The campsite is surrounded by impressive trees and provides a peaceful setting for your first night on the mountain.
- Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 4 hours / 80 km
- Trekking distance: 7 km
- Trekking time: 3–4 hours
- Starting elevation: 2,100 m
- Camp elevation: 2,650 m
- Elevation gain: 550 m
- Overnight: Mti Mkubwa Camp – Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp – Shira 2 Camp
Wake up to breakfast before setting off toward the higher slopes of Kilimanjaro. The trail gradually becomes steeper as you leave the dense rainforest behind and enter the moorland zone.
Vegetation becomes shorter and more open, giving you increasingly expansive views across the mountain. As you continue upward, Kibo—the highest volcanic cone of Kilimanjaro—will begin to dominate the horizon.
The route eventually opens onto the vast Shira Plateau. This high-altitude landscape was formed around one of Kilimanjaro’s ancient volcanic cones and offers remarkable views of the surrounding mountain terrain.
You will continue across the plateau toward Shira 2 Camp, where you will spend the night. Take this opportunity to relax, hydrate, and allow your body to adjust to the increasing altitude.
- Trekking distance: 10 km
- Trekking time: 7–8 hours
- Starting elevation: 2,650 m
- Camp elevation: 3,850 m
- Elevation gain: 1,200 m
- Overnight: Shira 2 Camp – Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Shira 2 Camp – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp
Today’s trek is designed to expose your body to a higher elevation before bringing you back down to sleep at a lower altitude, an important part of the acclimatization process.
From Shira 2, the trail crosses increasingly dry and rocky terrain as you approach Lava Tower. The landscape becomes more rugged, with little vegetation compared with the lower slopes.
You will climb toward Lava Tower at approximately 4,600 m, a striking volcanic formation offering impressive views across the surrounding landscape. After spending some time at this elevation, the trail descends toward the Barranco Valley.
The descent provides a welcome change after the long climb. Some trekkers may begin noticing altitude-related symptoms today, so maintaining a slow pace, drinking regularly, and following your guide’s instructions is particularly important.
Eventually, you will arrive at Barranco Camp, positioned beneath the spectacular Barranco Wall. The dramatic scenery makes this one of the most memorable camping locations along the route.
- Trekking distance: 12 km
- Trekking time: 6–7 hours
- Highest point reached: 4,600 m
- Camp elevation: 3,900 m
- Elevation gain: 750 m
- Overnight: Barranco Camp – Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp
After breakfast, the morning begins with one of the route’s most recognizable features—the Barranco Wall. Although it may appear intimidating from the campsite, the ascent is manageable and does not require technical climbing.
Your guide will help you negotiate the steeper sections as you make your way toward the top. Once above the wall, the trail continues through a series of ridges, valleys, and glacially shaped landscapes.
The route then drops into the Karanga Valley before climbing again toward Karanga Camp. Today’s shorter trekking schedule gives you additional time to rest and acclimatize.
Upon arrival, you can settle into camp, enjoy the mountain views, and conserve your energy for the higher elevations ahead.
- Trekking distance: 6 km
- Trekking time: 4–5 hours
- Starting elevation: 3,900 m
- Camp elevation: 3,995 m
- Elevation gain: 95 m
- Overnight: Karanga Camp – Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp
After breakfast, you will leave Karanga behind and continue toward the high-altitude Barafu Camp.
The trail joins the route connected with the Mweka descent before continuing across a rocky landscape. Although today’s distance is relatively short, the increasing altitude can make the walk feel more demanding.
After approximately 1–2 hours on the trail, you will reach Barafu Camp, located on a narrow ridge with impressive views of Kibo and the surrounding mountain slopes.
Once at camp, your focus shifts toward summit preparation. You will have time to eat, hydrate, organize your equipment, and rest. Because the campsite is exposed and can be windy, make sure your belongings are properly secured.
An early dinner and rest are important because the summit attempt begins around midnight.
- Trekking distance: 4 km
- Trekking time: 3–4 hours
- Starting elevation: 3,995 m
- Camp elevation: 4,673 m
- Elevation gain: 678 m
- Overnight: Barafu Camp – Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp
Summit day starts during the night. After a light meal, you will begin walking in darkness under the guidance of your experienced mountain crew.
The ascent toward Stella Point is slow and steady. The trail consists largely of loose volcanic scree and a series of switchbacks, making this the most physically demanding section of the expedition.
Your guide will set a controlled pace to help conserve your energy. The objective is to reach Stella Point at approximately 5,685 m, where you can take a short break before continuing along the crater rim.
From Stella Point, the trail follows the rim toward Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 5,895 m. Reaching the summit is a major achievement, and you will have an opportunity to take photographs and enjoy the views, weather permitting.
Because temperatures and conditions can change quickly at the summit, your guide will determine an appropriate amount of time to remain there. You will then begin the long descent toward Barafu Camp.
After a short recovery period at Barafu, you will continue downhill toward Mweka Camp. The dramatic drop in elevation should gradually make breathing easier, although the full day’s trek will be demanding.
- Dinner and overnight rest will be at Mweka Camp.
- Trekking distance: 17 km
- Trekking time: 12–14 hours
- Starting elevation: 4,673 m
- Highest elevation: 5,895 m
- Elevation gain: 1,219 m
- Elevation loss: 2,795 m
- Overnight: Mweka Camp – Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Moshi
Your final morning on Kilimanjaro begins with breakfast at camp. Afterward, you will start the descent through the lush forest toward Mweka Gate.
The lower elevation and downhill trail make this a much more relaxed walk compared with summit day. Along the way, you can enjoy the changing vegetation as the high mountain environment gives way to the rainforest.
At Mweka Gate, your trek officially comes to an end. Trekkers who successfully reached the required summit point will receive their Kilimanjaro certificates.
After completing the gate formalities, you will meet your private vehicle and drive back to your hotel. Once there, you can enjoy a well-earned shower, relax, and celebrate the completion of your Kilimanjaro expedition.
- Trekking distance: 10 km
- Trekking time: 3–4 hours
- Starting elevation: 3,100 m
- Mweka Gate elevation: 1,640 m
- Elevation loss: 1,460 m
- Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 30 minutes / 17 km
- Overnight: Hotel
- Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
