KILIMANJARO - LEMOSHO ROUTE

PAMOJA SAFARIS

TRIP ITINERARY OVERVIEW

The Lemosho Route is known as the longest, most picturesque, least traversed of the seven paths up Kilimanjaro. This route is our guests’ unanimous favorite, as it allows proper time for both preparation and acclimatization to the extreme elevation of the mountain, contributing to ensuring a successful summit.

LEMOSHO ROUTE

DAY 01

ARRIVAL IN TANZANIA

Fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you’ll be met by a Pamoja Safaris guide and taken to your lodge in Arusha.

Alternatively, for those who have joined us for the safari portion of the trip, you’ll have this day to rest at the lodge.

Lodging: Serena Arusha Lodge & Spa, Arusha or similar
DAY 02
Preparation Day
After breakfast at your lodge in Arusha, your guide will join you in making preparations for the climb, including talking over the plans for the days ahead, a gear check, and grabbing any rental equipment necessary. Dinner will be at your lodge that evening.
Lodging: Serena Arusha Lodge & Spa, Arusha or similar
DAY 03
Drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park, Trek to Forest Camp

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll be driven from Arusha to the Lemosho Gate (2 hours), check in to the park system, have lunch, and then begin a gentle climb up through the mountain forest, carpeted with endemic flowers and ferns. Forest Camp is situated among the giant heather plants at 9,500 ft (2,896 m) of elevation.

Walking Distance: 3.7 mi/6.0 km
Walking Time: 3-4 Hours
DAY 04
Forest Camp to Shira Camp I

Emerge from the giant heather zone and hike through open moorland to camp at Shira Camp I at 11,500 ft (3,505 m). Herds of eland antelope sometimes graze up here, and there are fascinating geological features in the old volcanic caldera that can be viewed during a half-hour optional walk in the afternoon. (Total ascent: 2,000 ft/610 m during 5-6 hours of hiking.)

Walking Distance: 5.0 mi/8.0 km
Walking Time: 5-6 Hours
DAY 05
Shira Camp I to Moir Hut Camp
You will hike along the Shira plateau for the duration of this day — beginning with a gentle walk east toward Kilimanjaro’s glaciated peak, then winding across the plateau that leads to Shira II Camp in the moorland meadows. You’ll then continue to Moir Hut Camp, a little-used campsite on the base of the Lent Hills.
Walking Distance: 8.7 mi/14.0 km
Walking Time: 6-7 Hours
DAY 06
Moir Hut Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Hut Camp
From the Lent Hills, you’ll continue up a ridge, passing the trail junction towards the peak. You’ll arrive at the Lava Tower geological formation, also called “Shark’s Tooth,” in the afternoon and stop there for lunch. After that, you come to a second trail junction, which brings you up to Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000 ft/4,877 m. You’ll then continue down to Barranco Hut Camp at an elevation of 13,000 ft/3,964 m. Although you’ll finish the day below the level you started at, it’s an important step for acclimatization that will help prepare your body for the summit.
Walking Distance: 4.4 mi/7.0 km
Walking Time: 5-6 Hours
DAY 07
Barranco Hut Camp to Karanga Camp
After breakfast, you’ll leave Barranco Hut Camp and continue slowly over a steep ridge, passing the Barranco Wall and ending at the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.
Walking Distance: 3.1 mi/5.0 km
Walking Time: 4-5 Hours
DAY 08
Karanga Camp to Barafu Hut Camp
You’ll leave Karanga Camp after breakfast and hit the next junction, which connects with the Mweka Trail. You then continue up to the Barafu Hut Camp, arriving in the early afternoon. Here you’ll make camp, rest, enjoy an early dinner, and try to get a few hours of sleep in preparation for the summit this evening.
Walking Distance: 2.5 mi/4.0 km
Walking Time: 4-5 Hours
DAY 09
Barafu Hut Camp to Kibo Summit to Mweka Camp

You’ll be awakened around 11:00 pm (technically still Day 8) and have a light snack before heading out at 12:00 am to start climbing the steep, frozen scree up to the summit. You are aiming to reach Stella Point for sunrise, and then another hour later you’ll find yourself at the highest point on the continent, bathing in the sun’s warmth. After reaching the summit and snapping a few photos, you will return to Barafu Hut Camp via the Mweka descent route to rest for an hour or so before a quick meal before descending further. This is a long and hard day — you’ll feel extremely tired by the end of it, but also absolutely ecstatic that you’ve accomplished so much. Enjoy your sleep tonight — you’ve earned it!

Walking Distance: 10.6 mi/17.0 km
Walking Time: 13-16 Hours
Best of Tanzania Safari
DAY 10
Mweka Camp to Mweka Park Gate to Hotel
You’ll finish up the trek with a 3-4 hour descent through the forest to Mweka Gate to collect your completion certificates and meet your transport. You’ll head towards Arusha, arriving early afternoon to check into your hotel for some R&R and a celebratory dinner.
Walking Distance: 6.2 mi/10.0 km
Walking Time: 3-4 Hours
Lodging: Airport Planet Lodge
DAY 11
DEPARTURE
Have breakfast at the hotel and relax until your flight back. You’ll be transferred by the hotel to the airport (15 minutes drive) approximately 2.5 hours before your flight is scheduled to depart.
Departure Day

EQUIPMENT & SUPPORT

Premium Tents

High End Sleeping Pads & Bags

Experienced Guides

Price includes

$ 5900+
- start price (depending on group size & season)
  • All domestic transport
  • Fees & Taxes
  • All meals (as specified per day)
  • Base gratuity for all staff

Price excludes

-
a 30% deposit is required to book
  • International Travel
  • Private room (available for extra charge)
  • International Airfare and Visa
  •  

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Ready to plan your trip?

Get in contact and one of our team members will get back to you to start planning the details of your trip.

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