Lemosho Route is regarded as one of the prettiest routes on Kilimanjaro. We begin trekking in the thick, fertile rainforest until we reach the wildflowers and shrubs of the health ecosystem. Approaching from the west, we cross one of most beautiful areas on Kilimanjaro, the vast Shira Plateau, before traversing the mountain along the southern circuit. The Lemosho route is for those with previous backpacking experience

Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania and transfer to Arusha

Welcome to Tanzania – Today you will be met at Kilimanjaro International Airport and then transferred to the hotel in Arusha. The drive from Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha is approx one hour. Meals – Dinner at Mvuli hotel in Arusha https://www.mvulihotels.co.tz/ bed and breakfast included included

Day 2: Lemosho Big Tree Camp (2,650 m); 3-4 hours walking

After completing the necessary registration formalities at Londorossi National Park gate, we drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho road-head. The last section of the road is of poor quality and difficult to drive after rain, sometimes we start walking a kilometer or two below the road-head. We often have our lunch at the road-head before starting to walk. It is an easy day of walking up a small path through beautiful and lush forest. We camp at Lemosho Big Tree Camp.

Day 3: Shira One” (3,550 m); 5-6 hours walking

We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. There is a tangible sense of wilderness, especially if afternoon mists come in! We camp in the center of the plateau at “Shira One.

Day4: Great Barranco valley (3,900 m); 7-8 hours walking

A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near the Lava Tower junction (4,550 m) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below near our campsite at Barranco valley.

Day 5: Karanga campsite (4,000 m); 4-5 hours walking

A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Icefields. The terrain changes to screen, with pockets of vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to our camp at Karanga (4,000 m), the last water point on the way to the summit.

Day 6: Barafu campsite (4,600 m); 3-4 hours walking

We follow an easy path on compacted scree with wide views that gains altitude unrelentingly to reach the Barafu campsite (4,600 m) for lunch. There is a short acclimatization walk to the plateau at the bottom of the South-East valley (4,800 m). The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night.

Day 7: Mweka forest camp (3100 m); 13-15 hours walking

We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5,735 m), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final Mweka forest camp.

Day 8: Mweka forest camp to Mweka Gate (1,650 m); 3-4 hours walking

A sustained descent through lovely forest with lush undergrowth takes us to Mweka National Park gate.