Lemosho Route

The Lemosho Route is a beautiful trail that approaches from the West.

The Lemosho Route is one of the longest routes on the mountain and utilizes an additional day to assist with acclimatization. It is also one of the quieter routes on the mountain with some of the most spectacular scenery. 

The first two days of the trek are spent in the rainforest. On day two of the climb you emerge from the forest and onto the Shira Plateau. Once across the Plateau the route then follows the Southern Circuit route to Barranco Wall, Lava Tower and Barafu Hut, and then to the final ascent to the summit. The descent is via the Mweka route on the southern side of the mountain.

It’s common for trekking agencies to refer to the Lemosho Route as the Shira Route, which is confusing. If you have already booked your ‘Shira’ trek and want to know which route you will actually be taking, check to see where the first night’s campsite is; if it’s the Big Tree Campsite – or Mti Mkubwa in the local language – you’ll be on the Lemosho Route.

The Lemosho route is typically completed in 8 days allowing for excellent acclimatization and success rate.

The 8 day Lemosho Route is one of the best routes.

DAY 1:  LONDOROSSI GATE TO BIG TREE CAMP

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Total Distance: 7km/4 miles
Starting Elevation: 2,359m/7,742ft
Final Elevation 2,894m/9,498ft
Habitat: Rain Forest

Your Kilimanjaro adventure starts with a 2-hour drive from your hotel in Moshi to the Londorossi Park Gate. You then drive along the rainforest track for around 45 minutes until you reach the Lemosho Glades and the start of the trek. You will walk for 3-4 hours up the stunning rainforest trail the first campsite is Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree).

DAY 2:  BIG TREE CAMP TO SHIRA CAMP 1

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Total Distance: 8km/5 miles
Starting Elevation: 2,894m/9,498ft
Final Elevation 3,505m/11,500ft
Habitat: Health

From the Big Tree camp you will follow the trail through the rainforest until it steepens slightly leading you to the moorland zone where you will get your first sight of Kibo. You will cross the Shira Ridge where the trail flattens as you reach Shira Camp 1 which is located next to a mountain stream on the Shira Plateau.

DAY 3:  SHIRA CAMP 1 TO SHIRA CAMP 2

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Total Distance: 10km/6 miles
Starting Elevation: 3,505m/11,500ft
Final Elevation 3,810m/12,500ft
Habitat: Health

Day three on the Lemosho Route is a gentle walk across the Shira plateau leading you to Shira Camp 2, located on moorland meadows by another mountain stream. A variety of additional walks are available in the afternoon on the plateau making this a good day for acclimatization. If you are feeling tired, use the afternoon to rest around camp.

DAY 4:  SHIRA CAMP 2 TO BARRANCO CAMP

Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
Total Distance: 8km/5 miles
Starting Elevation: 3,810m/12,500ft
Final Elevation 3,975m/13,044ft
Habitat: Alpine Desert

This is the first acclimatization day; the morning begins trekking up a steepening path above the vegetation towards Kibo. You leave the moorland zone and enter the rocky landscape of the alpine desert zone until you reach the Lava Tower that stands over one hundred feet tall and sits at an elevation of 15,190ft. From the Lava Tower you will then descend below the lower cliffs of the Western Breach to Barranco Camp. You may begin to feel the symptoms of altitude sickness during this acclimatization trek, drink plenty of water, eat well and rest in the evening.

DAY 5:  BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Total Distance: 5km/3 miles
Starting Elevation: 3,975m/13,044ft
Final Elevation 3,994m/13,106ft
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day five begins with climbing the 300m high Barranco Wall. You will need to use your hands as you negotiate the large rocks and boulders. The top of the wall is situated just below the Heim Glacier, where you can begin to appreciate the beauty and magnitude of Kilimanjaro and Kibo. You will once again descend, this time into the lush Karanga Valley to the Karanga Valley campsite. This shorter day is designed to help with acclimatization and to rest before summit night. 

DAY 6:  KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Total Distance: 3km/2 miles
Starting Elevation: 3,994m/13,106ft
Final Elevation 4,672m/15,331ft
Habitat: Alpine Desert

The route from Karanga to Barafu is a short, undulating walk which joins the Mweka Route trail which you will follow for your descent. The trail turns north towards Kibo where you will hike up the ridge to Barafu Hut camp. The campsite is situated on a narrow, wind-swept ridge. Use the afternoon to prepare your daypack and clothing for your summit climb. Drink plenty of water and after an early dinner, try to sleep and rest before the final trek to the summit – Uhuru Peak.

DAY 7:  BARAFU CAMP TO UHURU PEAK TO MWEKA CAMP

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Total Distance: 5km/3 miles
Starting Elevation: 4,672m/15,331ft
Final Elevation 5,894m/19,340ft
Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Total Distance: 12km/7 miles
Starting Elevation 5,894m/19,340ft
Final Elevation: 3,067m/10,065ft
Habitat: Rain Forest

Summit Night! You will be woken around 23:00, for tea and biscuits before you head off into the night. You will walk over scree and rocks for approximately 6 hours until you reach Stella Point at the crater rim. This will be the most challenging part of the trek for most climbers with the highest chance of suffering from altitude sickness. From Stella Point you stop for a short rest before following the crater rim to Uhuru Peak the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Take in the view and ensure you have plenty of photographs before starting your descent back to Barafu Camp. After a short rest and some food you will and hike down the rock and scree covered path to the moorland zone and into the rainforest to Mweka Camp.

DAY 8:  MWEKA CAMP TO MWEKA GATE

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Total Distance: 10km/6 miles
Starting Elevation 3,067m/10,065ft
Final Elevation: 1,639m/5,380ft
Habitat: Rain Forest

A short, scenic hike through the rainforest to Mweka park gate. This is where climbers who reached Stella Point or Uhuru Peak will receive certificates. From the Mweka Gate, you will drive through the Mweka Village and back to your hotel Moshi for a celebratory drink!