Oh no! This might be a little too short for this route
Although an 6 day trek is possible via the Lemosho route, we would instead recommend the Rongai route which has slightly shorter distances for 6 days on trek. You can still request a custom quote if you prefer the Rongai route.
Day 1 - Arrival & pre-climb briefing at a Moshi based lodge
Direct arrival at a lodge in Moshi at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. This evening you will have a pre-climb briefing with your guide and a consultant.
- Check in time: 12:00pm
- Expected briefing time: 17:00pm
- Meals included: none
Day 2 - Moshi based lodge to Lemosho gate to Mti Mkubwa (Big tree) camp
Depart Moshi to Londorosi gate, upon arrival at the gate complete park formalities, you will then be driven to Lemosho starting point, start your hike through a rain forest while enjoying watching wild animals.
- Approx driving distance: 3-4 hours
- Approximate trekking time: 3-4 hours
- Approximate trekking distance: 7km
- Start Altitude: 2100m
- End Altitude: 2780m
- Highest Altitude reached: 2780m
- Altitude gain: 680m
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3 - Mti Mkubwa (Big tree) camp to Shira Two camp
Start your ascent out of the rain forest to heather and moorland zone crossing Shira Ridge across the Shira Plateau. This trail leads up to Shira two Camp with a spectacular view of western breach and its glaciers in the East.
- Approx driving distance: None
- Approximate trekking time: 8-10 hours
- Approximate trekking distance: 13km
- Start Altitude: 2780m
- End Altitude: 3900m
- Highest Altitude reached: 3900m
- Altitude gain: 1120m
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4 - Shira Two camp to Barranco Camp
Begin your trek out of moorland and enter the semi desert with rocky landscapes following the trail to Eastern side to Lava Tower. At this point you would probably start to feel high altitude sickness symptoms. Descend to Barranco camp for your overnight stay. The camp is located below Barranco wall.
- Approx driving distance: None
- Approximate trekking time: 7-8 hours
- Approximate trekking distance: 10km
- Start Altitude: 3900m
- End Altitude: 3960m
- Highest Altitude reached: 4600m
- Altitude gain: 700m
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5 - Barranco camp to Karanga camp
This day is designed for acclimatization. Today you will conquer the Great Barranco Wall with the view of Heim glacier on the top. The trail winds down to Karanga Valley. You will then proceed with a steep climb to Karanga Camp.
- Approx driving distance: None
- Approximate trekking time: 3-5 hours
- Approximate trekking distance: 6km
- Start Altitude: 3960m
- End Altitude: 4035m
- Highest Altitude reached: 4217m
- Altitude gain: 257m
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6 - Karanga camp to Barafu camp
Today you cross the alpine desert and continue with your trek on empty and dry landscape to Barafu Camp. This trail intersects with Mweka Route, the trail used to descend for the final two days. The word “Barafu” means Ice, this camp is located on a rocky, exposed ridge.
- Approx driving distance: None
- Approximate trekking time: 3-4 hours
- Approximate trekking distance: 4km
- Start Altitude: 4035m
- End Altitude: 4650m
- Highest Altitude reached: 4650m
- Altitude gain: 615m
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7 - Barafu camp to Uhuru peak to Mweka camp
Around mid-night begins a steep climb over loose volcanic scree. Slow and steady pace will take you towards Stella point. Take a short rest at Stella point (5685m), proceed with your ascent to Uhuru peak (5895m). You will normally encounter snow on your way to the peak. Spend few minutes on the top of the mountain and then descend back to Barafu camp for a short rest before you proceed to Mweka Camp to wind up your day
- Approx driving distance: None
- Approximate trekking time: 14-18 hours
- Approximate trekking distance: 19km
- Start Altitude: 4650m
- End Altitude: 3080m
- Highest Altitude reached: 5895m
- Altitude gain / loss: +1245m / -2815m
- Meals included: Pre-climb snack, brunch and dinner
Day 8 - Mweka camp to Mweka gate to a Moshi based lodge
Today is the final day on the mountain; enjoy your breakfast before descending to Mweka gate passing through forest zone. Upon arrival at the gate complete park formalities and tipping ceremony with your support team. Our driver will then transfer you to Moshi.
- Approx driving distance: 0.5-1 hours
- Approximate trekking time: 3-4 hours
- Approximate trekking distance: 10km
- Start Altitude: 3080m
- End Altitude: 1680m (park gates)
- Highest Altitude reached: 3080m
- Altitude loss: 1400m
- Meals included: Breakfast
Day 9 - End of our services after check-out.
After check-out our services end or you can include extra activities, a safari, beach extension or a airport transfer.
- Check out time: 12:00pm
- Meals included: Breakfast
Day 1 - Arrival & pre-climb briefing at a Moshi based lodge
Direct arrival at a lodge in Moshi at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. This evening you will have a pre-climb briefing with your guide and a consultant.
- Check in time: 12:00pm
- Expected briefing time: 17:00pm
- Meals included: none
Day 2 - Moshi based lodge to Lemosho gate to Mti Mkubwa (Big tree) camp
Depart Moshi to Londorosi gate, upon arrival at the gate complete park formalities, you will then be driven to Lemosho starting point, start your hike through a rain forest while enjoying watching wild animals.
- Approx driving distance: 3-4 hours
- Approximate trekking time: 3-4 hours
- Approximate trekking distance: 7km
- Start Altitude: 2100m
- End Altitude: 2780m
- Highest Altitude reached: 2780m
- Altitude gain: 680m
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3 - Mti Mkubwa (Big tree) camp to Shira One camp
Continue through the forest, steeply climbing into the heather and moorland zone, crossing the Shira Ridge, and descending into the Shira Plateau.
- Approx driving distance: None
- Approximate trekking time: 4-5 hours
- Approximate trekking distance: 7-8km
- Start Altitude: 2780m
- End Altitude: 3500m
- Highest Altitude reached: 3500m
- Altitude gain: 720m
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4 - Shira One camp to Shira Two camp
A slow-paced hike across the Shira Plateau through the heather and moorland.
- Approx driving distance: None
- Approximate trekking time: 3-5 hours
- Approximate trekking distance: 6km
- Start Altitude: 3500m
- End Altitude: 3900m
- Highest Altitude reached: 3900m
- Altitude gain: 400m
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5 - Shira Two camp to Barranco Camp
Begin your trek out of moorland and enter the semi desert with rocky landscapes following the trail to Eastern side to Lava Tower. At this point you would probably start to feel high altitude sickness symptoms. Descend to Barranco camp for your overnight stay. The camp is located below Barranco wall.
- Approx driving distance: None
- Approximate trekking time: 7-8 hours
- Approximate trekking distance: 10km
- Start Altitude: 3900m
- End Altitude: 3960m
- Highest Altitude reached: 4600m
- Altitude gain: 700m
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6 - Barranco camp to Karanga camp
This day is designed for acclimatization. Today you will conquer the Great Barranco Wall with the view of Heim glacier on the top. The trail winds down to Karanga Valley. You will then proceed with a steep climb to Karanga Camp.
- Approx driving distance: None
- Approximate trekking time: 3-5 hours
- Approximate trekking distance: 6km
- Start Altitude: 3960m
- End Altitude: 4035m
- Highest Altitude reached: 4217m
- Altitude gain: 257m
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7 - Karanga camp to Barafu camp
Today you cross the alpine desert and continue with your trek on empty and dry landscape to Barafu Camp. This trail intersects with Mweka Route, the trail used to descend for the final two days. The word “Barafu” means Ice, this camp is located on a rocky, exposed ridge.
- Approx driving distance: None
- Approximate trekking time: 3-4 hours
- Approximate trekking distance: 4km
- Start Altitude: 4035m
- End Altitude: 4650m
- Highest Altitude reached: 4650m
- Altitude gain: 615m
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 8 - Barafu camp to Uhuru peak to Mweka camp
Around mid-night begins a steep climb over loose volcanic scree. Slow and steady pace will take you towards Stella point. Take a short rest at Stella point (5685m), proceed with your ascent to Uhuru peak (5895m). You will normally encounter snow on your way to the peak. Spend few minutes on the top of the mountain and then descend back to Barafu camp for a short rest before you proceed to Mweka Camp to wind up your day
- Approx driving distance: None
- Approximate trekking time: 14-18 hours
- Approximate trekking distance: 19km
- Start Altitude: 4650m
- End Altitude: 3080m
- Highest Altitude reached: 5895m
- Altitude gain / loss: +1245m / -2815m
- Meals included: Pre-climb snack, brunch and dinner
Day 9 - Mweka camp to Mweka gate to a Moshi based lodge
Today is the final day on the mountain; enjoy your breakfast before descending to Mweka gate passing through forest zone. Upon arrival at the gate complete park formalities and tipping ceremony with your support team. Our driver will then transfer you to Moshi.
- Approx driving distance: 0.5-1 hours
- Approximate trekking time: 3-4 hours
- Approximate trekking distance: 10km
- Start Altitude: 3080m
- End Altitude: 1680m (park gates)
- Highest Altitude reached: 3080m
- Altitude loss: 1400m
- Meals included: Breakfast
Day 10 - End of our services after check-out.
After check-out our services end or you can include extra activities, a safari, beach extension or a airport transfer.
- Check out time: 12:00pm
- Meals included: Breakfast
Day 1 - Arrival & pre-climb briefing at a Moshi based lodge
Direct arrival at a lodge in Moshi at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. This evening you will have a pre-climb briefing with your guide and a consultant.
- Check in time: 12:00pm
- Expected briefing time: 17:00pm
- Meals included: none
Day 2 - Moshi based lodge to Lemosho gate to Mti Mkubwa (Big tree) camp
Depart Moshi to Londorosi gate, upon arrival at the gate complete park formalities, you will then be driven to Lemosho starting point, start your hike through a rain forest while enjoying watching wild animals.
- Approx driving distance: 3-4 hours
- Approximate trekking time: 3-4 hours
- Approximate trekking distance: 7km
- Start Altitude: 2100m
- End Altitude: 2780m
- Highest Altitude reached: 2780m
- Altitude gain: 680m
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3 - Mti Mkubwa (Big tree) camp to Shira One camp
Continue through the forest, steeply climbing into the heather and moorland zone, crossing the Shira Ridge, and descending into the Shira Plateau.
- Approx driving distance: None
- Approximate trekking time: 4-5 hours
- Approximate trekking distance: 7-8km
- Start Altitude: 2780m
- End Altitude: 3500m
- Highest Altitude reached: 3500m
- Altitude gain: 720m
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4 - Shira One camp to Shira Two camp
A slow-paced hike across the Shira Plateau through the heather and moorland.
- Approx driving distance: None
- Approximate trekking time: 3-5 hours
- Approximate trekking distance: 6km
- Start Altitude: 3500m
- End Altitude: 3900m
- Highest Altitude reached: 3900m
- Altitude gain: 400m
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5 - Shira Two camp to Moir Camp
A short acclimatisation trek arriving at the base of the North West alpine desert, the destination for today.
- Approx driving distance: None
- Approximate trekking time: 2-3 hours
- Approximate trekking distance: 4km
- Start Altitude: 3900m
- End Altitude: 4140m
- Highest Altitude reached: 4140m
- Altitude gain: 240m
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6 - Moir camp to Barranco Camp
Begin your trek out of moorland and enter the semi desert with rocky landscapes following the trail to Eastern side to Lava Tower. At this point you would probably start to feel high altitude sickness symptoms. Descend to Barranco camp for your overnight stay. The camp is located below Barranco wall.
- Approx driving distance: None
- Approximate trekking time: 8-10 hours
- Approximate trekking distance: 12km
- Start Altitude: 4140m
- End Altitude: 3960m
- Highest Altitude reached: 4600m
- Altitude gain: 460m
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7 - Barranco camp to Karanga camp
This day is designed for acclimatization. Today you will conquer the Great Barranco Wall with the view of Heim glacier on the top. The trail winds down to Karanga Valley. You will then proceed with a steep climb to Karanga Camp.
- Approx driving distance: None
- Approximate trekking time: 3-5 hours
- Approximate trekking distance: 6km
- Start Altitude: 3960m
- End Altitude: 4035m
- Highest Altitude reached: 4217m
- Altitude gain: 257m
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 8 - Karanga camp to Barafu camp
Today you cross the alpine desert and continue with your trek on empty and dry landscape to Barafu Camp. This trail intersects with Mweka Route, the trail used to descend for the final two days. The word “Barafu” means Ice, this camp is located on a rocky, exposed ridge.
- Approx driving distance: None
- Approximate trekking time: 3-4 hours
- Approximate trekking distance: 4km
- Start Altitude: 4035m
- End Altitude: 4650m
- Highest Altitude reached: 4650m
- Altitude gain: 615m
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 9 - Barafu camp to Uhuru peak to Mweka camp
Around mid-night begins a steep climb over loose volcanic scree. Slow and steady pace will take you towards Stella point. Take a short rest at Stella point (5685m), proceed with your ascent to Uhuru peak (5895m). You will normally encounter snow on your way to the peak. Spend few minutes on the top of the mountain and then descend back to Barafu camp for a short rest before you proceed to Mweka Camp to wind up your day
- Approx driving distance: None
- Approximate trekking time: 14-18 hours
- Approximate trekking distance: 19km
- Start Altitude: 4650m
- End Altitude: 3080m
- Highest Altitude reached: 5895m
- Altitude gain / loss: +1245m / -2815m
- Meals included: Pre-climb snack, brunch and dinner
Day 10 - Mweka camp to Mweka gate to a Moshi based lodge
Today is the final day on the mountain; enjoy your breakfast before descending to Mweka gate passing through forest zone. Upon arrival at the gate complete park formalities and tipping ceremony with your support team. Our driver will then transfer you to Moshi.
- Approx driving distance: 0.5-1 hours
- Approximate trekking time: 3-4 hours
- Approximate trekking distance: 10km
- Start Altitude: 3080m
- End Altitude: 1680m (park gates)
- Highest Altitude reached: 3080m
- Altitude loss: 1400m
- Meals included: Breakfast
Day 11 - End of our services after check-out.
After check-out our services end or you can include extra activities, a safari, beach extension or a airport transfer.
- Check out time: 12:00pm
- Meals included: Breakfast
Lemosho route
Minimum days: 6 days on trek
Maximum days: 9 days on trek
We recommend: 8 days on trek & 2 nights at a lodge
Level: Beginner to intermediate
Overnights: Tents
Price range: Medium to high
Ascent / Descent: Londrossi / Mweka
Acclimatisation & success: Medium to high
Circuit: Southern circuit
Traffic: Medium
The Lemosho route is considered one of the best routes to climb Kilimanjaro on due to the excellent acclimatisation profile and flexibility on the number of days and circuits you can explore. Our standard Lemosho routes approach the mountain from the remote west Kilimanjaro area (Londrossi) through a dense forest before joining the southern circuit on the Shira plateu and summiting via Barafu / Stella point.
You can also detour from the busier southern circuit to the northern circuit via the Lemosho route. We call this the 'Northern circuit route' and it is a great low traffic / high acclimatisation alternative to our standard Lemosho southern circuit approach.
The standard Lemosho route is slightly more physically demanding than other routes as you pass a scrambling section on the 'Barranco wall' however has an excellent acclimatisation profile (from 7+ days on trek) which maximise your chances of a successful summit.
For non experienced climbers we recommend a minimum of 7-8 days to offer the best acclimatisation and maximise your chances of reaching the summit. It is possible to complete in 6 however the acclimatisation is extremely low and only for the seasoned trekker.
Location
Reviews
Did you know this tour is externally monitored?
Standard packages usually include:
- 1 Night accommodation at a base lodge on BB basis before trek
- 1 Night accommodation at a base lodge on BB basis after trek
- All National Park conservation, park entry, hut, ranger and rescue fees for itinerary
- Trained, certified and experienced English speaking mountain guide/s
- Mountain porters (1 x porter carrying personal mountain luggage of 12kg for Meru per 1 person)
- Chef/cook, waiter porter and eating utensils
- Meals indicated on the itineraries [B = breakfast, L = Hot lunch or packed lunch, D = dinner]
- 1 x transfer from a Moshi or Arusha based lodge to park gates; per group
- 1 x transfer back to a Moshi or Arusha based lodge to park gates; per group
- Boiled drinking water on trek (from 1st hut on-wards)
- Basic first aid kit per group
- 1 pulse oximeter per group for twice daily health checks with guide
Optional extras and comfort upgrades:
- Supplemental oxygen or emergency oxygen cylinders
- Comfort upgrades such as a personal porters for extra luggage, summit porters etc.
- Airport or other transfers
- Additional transfers from park gates to lodges
- Domestic flights
- Extra nights’ accommodation at a lodge
- Personal mountain equipment such as sleeping bags, walking poles, duffel bags etc.
Our standard packaged usually exclude:
- Tips / gratuities
- Beverages such as soft drinks, alcohol etc.
- International flights
- High altitude trekking insurance (visit recommended provider)
- Items of a personal nature
- Water on first day of trek
- Metal & hard plastic water bottles, water bladders etc. (note: soft plastics are not permitted on the mountain)
When to visit
These recommendations are based on weather predictions and trends.
Excellent time
January, February, July to October, December
Good time
March, June, November
Mixed time
April, May
Why choose us?
Here are some of the top reasons thousands have chosen Shah Tours.
