8 Day Mount Kilimanjaro Climb – Lemosho Route

Route: Lemosho Gate (2,100 m) → Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650 m)
Depart Moshi for the scenic drive to Lemosho Gate on the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro. After completing park registration and meeting your mountain crew, continue to the trailhead and begin your trek.

The first stage follows a beautiful trail through Kilimanjaro’s lush montane rainforest. The forest supports a variety of birds and wildlife, including monkeys and small antelopes. Arrive at Mti Mkubwa, also known as Big Tree Camp, for your first night on the mountain.

Transport: Approximately 4 hours / 80 km
Hiking Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Elevation Gain: 550 m
Highest Altitude: 2,650 m

Route: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650 m) → Shira Plateau → Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m)
Leave the rainforest behind and climb steadily into the heath and moorland zone. As the vegetation opens, your first impressive views of Kibo, Kilimanjaro’s highest volcanic cone, begin to appear.

Continue across rocky ridges onto the remarkable Shira Plateau, formed from the remains of an ancient volcanic caldera. The open landscape provides beautiful views towards Kibo, the Western Breach and Kilimanjaro’s glaciers before reaching Shira 2 Camp.

Hiking Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 7–8 hours
Elevation Gain: 1,200 m
Highest Altitude: 3,850 m

Route: Shira 1 Camp (3,610 m) → Shira Plateau → Moir Hut (4,200 m)

Continue across the vast high-altitude landscape of the Shira Plateau as vegetation becomes increasingly sparse.

The gradual trail provides beautiful views across the ancient Shira Caldera and towards Kilimanjaro’s upper slopes. As you approach Moir Hut, the surroundings become more remote and rugged, with impressive views towards the Arrow Glacier and Kibo.

Arrive at Moir Hut at approximately 4,200 metres for an important night of acclimatization.

Hiking Distance: 11 km
Hiking Time: 6–7 hours
Elevation Gain: 590 m
Highest Altitude: 4,200 m

Route: Moir Hut (4,200 m) → Lava Tower (4,600 m) → Barranco Camp (3,900 m)

Today follows the important climb-high, sleep-low principle of altitude acclimatization.

Climb through Kilimanjaro’s increasingly rugged alpine terrain towards Lava Tower at 4,600 metres, a dramatic volcanic rock formation where you stop for lunch and allow your body additional time to adjust to the altitude.

After reaching the day’s highest point, descend through spectacular scenery towards Barranco Valley. The descent provides impressive views of the Western Breach and surrounding mountain landscape.

Arrive at Barranco Camp, spectacularly positioned beneath the imposing Great Barranco Wall.

Hiking Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 6–7 hours
Highest Altitude: 4,600 m
Sleeping Altitude: 3,900 m

Route: Barranco Camp (3,900 m) → Barranco Wall → Karanga Valley → Karanga Camp (3,995 m)

Begin the morning with one of the Lemosho Route’s signature experiences — climbing the impressive Barranco Wall.

After reaching the top, continue across a beautiful high-altitude landscape beneath the Heim, Kersten and Decken glaciers. The trail crosses a succession of ridges and valleys before descending into Karanga Valley.

A final climb brings you to Karanga Camp, where the shorter trekking day provides valuable time for rest and acclimatization before continuing towards the summit.

Hiking Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Net Elevation Gain: 95 m
Highest Sleeping Altitude: 3,995 m

Route: Karanga Camp (3,995 m) → Barafu Camp (4,673 m)
After breakfast, leave Karanga and continue through Kilimanjaro’s barren alpine landscape towards Barafu Camp.

This section completes the Southern Circuit, which offers impressive perspectives of Kilimanjaro’s summit from different angles. As you approach Barafu, both Kibo and Mawenzi dominate the surrounding landscape.

Arrive at camp with plenty of time to rest, prepare your summit equipment and receive your final briefing. Enjoy an early dinner before sleeping for a few hours ahead of the midnight summit departure.

Hiking Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Elevation Gain: 678 m
Highest Altitude: 4,673 m

Route: Barafu Camp (4,673 m) → Stella Point → Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) → Mweka Camp (3,100 m)

The most demanding and rewarding stage of your Kilimanjaro adventure begins around midnight.

Climb slowly through the darkness over steep scree, taking regular short breaks as you make your way towards Stella Point on the crater rim. Around sunrise, the surrounding landscape begins to emerge, revealing extraordinary views across Kilimanjaro and towards Mawenzi.

Continue along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres — the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the African continent.

After celebrating your achievement and capturing your summit photographs, begin the long descent to Barafu Camp for a short rest and meal. Continue downhill into the upper forest zone to Mweka Camp for your final night on the mountain.

Hiking Distance: 17 km
Hiking Time: 12–14 hours
Elevation Gain: 1,222 m
Descent: 2,795 m
Highest Altitude: 5,895 m

Route: Mweka Camp (3,100 m) → Mweka Gate (1,640 m) → Moshi After breakfast, begin your final descent through Kilimanjaro’s lush montane rainforest towards Mweka Gate.

At the gate, complete the park formalities and receive your summit certificate, marking the completion of your Mount Kilimanjaro adventure. Say farewell to your mountain crew before meeting your driver for the transfer back to your hotel in Moshi.

Hiking Distance: 10 km Hiking Time: 3–4 hours Descent: 1,460 m Final Altitude: 1,640 m Transport: Private transfer – approximately 30 minutes / 17 km