6 Days Lemosho for Climbing Kilimanjaro to the Top

Your journey begins with a warm welcome at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where our team will meet you and drive you to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi for your first night in Tanzania. After a relaxing day of rest, you’ll attend a trek briefing with your guide in the late afternoon. During this briefing, your guide will provide you with all the essential details about the trek, answer any questions, and ensure that you are fully prepared for the days ahead. This will be your opportunity to learn about the equipment you’ll be using and the overall itinerary of the climb.

Overnight: Hotel in Arusha or Moshi

The adventure begins on Day 1 of the trek with a drive from your hotel to the Lemosho Gate, the official starting point of the Lemosho Route. Upon arrival at the gate, our team will take care of the necessary permits and formalities. Afterward, the hike begins with a scenic walk through the lush, tropical rainforest. The route is filled with vibrant vegetation, large trees, and the sounds of local wildlife. The trail is relatively gentle, making it a great start to your journey. This part of the trek covers about 10 kilometers and takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete, gaining around 950 meters in elevation. Mti Mkubwa Camp is located at 2,750 meters, and it serves as a perfect spot to rest and adjust to the altitude.

Habitat: Rainforest
Elevation Gain: 950 meters
Distance: 10 km
Trekking Time: 5-6 hours
Overnight: Mti Mkubwa Camp
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner

On Day 2, the trek continues with an ascent from Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 2 Camp. The day starts by leaving the rainforest and entering the moorland zone. As you climb higher, the landscape opens up, offering expansive views of Kilimanjaro’s western slopes and the Shira Plateau. The trail traverses a mix of heathland and moorland, and the terrain becomes progressively more barren as you gain altitude. The hike takes about 5-6 hours, covering a distance of approximately 10 kilometers, with an elevation gain of 1,100 meters. Shira 2 Camp, situated at 3,850 meters, is a beautiful camp with stunning views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.

Habitat: Moorland
Elevation Gain: 1,100 meters
Distance: 10 km
Trekking Time: 5-6 hours
Overnight: Shira 2 Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 3 brings a fascinating and dynamic day of trekking. The route ascends gradually towards the Lava Tower, a dramatic rock formation that stands at 4,630 meters. From the Lava Tower, you’ll descend to Barranco Camp, situated at 3,950 meters. The trek covers a total distance of around 10 kilometers and takes about 6-7 hours. This combination of ascent and descent is essential for acclimatization, helping your body adjust to the higher elevations. As you move through the alpine desert zone, you’ll notice the landscape becoming increasingly barren with sparse vegetation and rocky terrain. Barranco Camp offers stunning views of the Barranco Wall and is a good place for an overnight rest.

Habitat: Alpine desert
Elevation Gain and Loss: 780 meters ascent, 680 meters descent
Distance: 10 km
Trekking Time: 6-7 hours
Overnight: Barranco Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4 is a relatively short but intense day as we climb the famous Barranco Wall, which involves some scrambling and moderate rock climbing. Once you conquer the wall, the path continues with a steady ascent toward Barafu Camp. The route today passes through the alpine desert zone, offering panoramic views of the summit and the surrounding valleys. The day’s trek takes about 6-7 hours, covering a distance of 9 kilometers and gaining 800 meters in elevation. Barafu Camp, located at 4,750 meters, is the final base camp before the summit, where you will rest and prepare for your summit attempt. It’s essential to hydrate well and get as much rest as possible for the challenging day ahead.

Habitat: Alpine desert
Elevation Gain: 800 meters
Distance: 9 km
Trekking Time: 6-7 hours

Overnight: Barafu Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dineer

This is the most challenging and rewarding day of the trek. The day starts with a midnight departure from Barafu Camp, as we aim to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters), by sunrise. The route is steep, and the hike can be physically demanding due to the high altitude and cold temperatures. However, the sense of accomplishment upon reaching the summit is unparalleled. Once at the top, you’ll have time to take in the stunning views and celebrate your achievement before beginning the descent.

After summiting, we make our way down to Mweka Camp, located at 3,100 meters. This descent takes about 7-8 hours and covers a distance of approximately 13 kilometers. The descent passes through the moorland and rainforest zones, offering a refreshing change of scenery and a rewarding end to your journey. Mweka Camp is a welcome site after such a strenuous day.

Habitat: Arctic and alpine desert zones
Elevation Gain: 1,145 meters ascent, 2,795 meters descent
Distance: 13 km
Trekking Time: 12-14 hours
Overnight: Mweka Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

On the final day of the trek, you’ll descend from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate. This part of the trek takes about 3-4 hours, covering a distance of 10 kilometers. The descent through the rainforest is relatively easy, offering trekkers the chance to reflect on their incredible journey while soaking in the lush surroundings. Upon arrival at the Mweka Gate, you’ll be greeted by our vehicle, which will drive you back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi for a well-deserved rest.

Habitat: Rainforest
Elevation Loss: 1,460 meters
Distance: 10 km
Trekking Time: 3-4 hours
Overnight: Hotel in Arusha or Moshi
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch