Route Overview

This long, little-used route parallels the lower part of the Shira Route. Our company leads treks up the Lemosho Route.

The Lemosho Route is an unspoiled, remote, little-used, and beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau.

Above the plateau, you approach Kilimanjaro’s great western Breach, then follow the south circuit to reach the easier Barafu Route.

This is one of the few routes where an armed ranger accompanies our groups since there are still animals in the forest around the Lemosho Glades.

Route Destination

• Londorossi Gate
• Mti Mkubwa Camp
• Shira 1 Camp
• Shira 2 Camp
• Barranco Hut
• Karanga Valley
• Barafu Hut
• Uhuru Peak
• Mweka Hut
• Mweka Gate

ITINERARY

Day 0: Arrival

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel in Arusha/Moshi for your overnight stay.

Day 1: Londorossi Park Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp, 5 hours

After breakfast and a briefing from your guide, drive from Moshi or Arusha to Londorossi Park Gate (2250m, 1.5 hours). From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades (2000m, 11 km. 45 minutes) and a possible campsite. Walk along beautiful forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite, (2750m, and 3 hours).

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira Camp, 5 hours

The trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone then crosses the Shira Ridge (3600m) to drop gently down to Shira 1 Camp located by the stream on the Shira Plateau (3500m).

Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp, 2 hours

A gentle walk across the plateau leads to Shira 2 Camp on moorland meadows by a stream (3850m). Various walks are available on the plateau making this an excellent acclimatization day.

Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Hut, 7 hours

The moorlands soon come to an end and the rocky path leads amongst outcrops to the Lava Tower (4600m) and then continues to Barranco Hut (3900m).

Day 5: Barranco Hut to Karanga Valley, 4 hours

After breakfast, we leave Barranco Ridge and walk up the Barranco Wall at the foot of the Heim glacier. Passing the Barranco Wall, continue to walk along to Karanga Valley.

Day 6: Karanga Valley to Barafu Hut, 4 hours

Continue to the Barafu Hut, which is located at an altitude of 4,600 m. Here we camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and stay overnight. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are seen from this position.

Day 7: Barafu Hut to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Hut, 15 hours

Wake up very early, at around midnight, take some light tea with cookies, and start trekking to the summit, Uhuru peak (5895m). Spend some time at the summit, start descending to Barafu Hut for brunch and some rest, then walk down to Mweka Hut for dinner and overnight.

Day 8: Mweka Hut to Mweka Gate, 3 hours

After breakfast, walk down the Mweka Montane forest to the Mweka gate, board the already-waiting vehicle, and drive back to Arusha/Moshi to the hotel for a celebration and overnight.

One more extra day may be spent on either Shira 2, Barranco, or Karanga for acclimatization purposes to make the program a 9-day program. If you want to do it for 8 days, you can omit day 3 and walk from Shira 1 to Barranco Camp. (So it will be 8 days of climbing.)