8 Days Lemosho Route Climb Kilimanjaro

8 Days Lemosho Route – Overview

The 8 days Lemosho route variation is the ideal schedule for this route. On the 8 days Lemosho route, the trek from Barranco to Barafu is broken up into two days, allowing for a short day just prior to the summit attempt. This is important because summit day begins very early, around midnight, so climbers are sleep-deprived going into the toughest day on the mountain. By having a short day beforehand, climbers can be better rested. The 8 days Lemosho route is highly recommended and used by the most prominent Kilimanjaro operators.

Itinerary

Kilimanjaro Airport – Moshi

Our friendly transfer driver will meet you at Kilimanjaro airport. After loading the luggage into the vehicle you will make your way to the Meru View Lodge in Usa River. You can relax the rest of the day or go and explore the small town of Arusha. Our team will meet you later the day to have a preliminary talk in preparation for the days to follow.

Dinner

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Day 1 Moshi – Lemosho Gate (2385 m) – Big Tree Camp (2780 m)

In the morning, you will make your way to the Lemosho Gate. Here you will be registered by the national park authorities and your trek through a dense rainforest begins. Today will be the shortest walk of the entire trek, about 2½ hours, which gives you a small taste of what lies ahead in the coming days. The walk takes you through the dense and unspoiled rainforest, which is very different from the scenery you will have in the next couple of days. Your destination for the day is the beautiful Big Tree Camp at 2780 m.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 2 Big Tree Camp (2780 m) – Shira Camp 1 (3500 m)

After breakfast, you will follow a thin trail through the rainforest before leaving the green area behind heading into the moorland. Erica and Lobelia plants will start to take over the landscape. After about 3-4 hours you will reach Shira Camp 1 where you will have your evening meal and overnight stay.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 3 Shira Camp 1 (3500 m) – Shira Camp 2 (3900 m)

After breakfast, you continue your trek, which today will be less tiring than the day before. You will cross Shira Ridge which will allow for great views of the Rift Valley and Mt Meru. The ever-changing landscape will again surprise you with different terrain, you will walk on the ground where lava once flowed. You will also pass the big Senecien that can grow to more or less 9 meters in height. Shira Camp 2 will be your destination for the night at (3900m), 400m more than the night before.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 4 Shira Camp 2 (3900 m) – Lava Tower (4640 m) – Barranco Camp (3960 m)

After breakfast, you will start your walk up to Lava Tower with a long ascent above the Shira Plateau. You will climb quite a bit in altitude, roughly 740 m. You will have a rest here before descending again. This is a so-called acclimatizing day, where you will climb high but sleep low, giving you a good idea of how your body reacts to altitude. The landscape will once again change as you pass through the Barranco Valley with its big Senecas and smaller Lobelia plants. After a long 6 – 7 hours you will reach your beautiful camp for the night at the Barranco Camp. The crew will be there waiting with a well-deserved evening meal before settling in for the night.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 5 Barranco Camp (3960 m) – Karanga Camp (4035 m)

Straight after breakfast, you will make your way up the famous Barranco Wall. This is most probably the steepest part of the entire route. Safety is very important to us so please follow the guideline of your guides who will get you to the top safely. You might have to use your hands every now and then to get a better grip but rest assured there are no alpine climbing passages. Once at the top you will walk along the mountain ridge and if the weather allows you will have a great view of the southern glacier of Kibo as the Kibo summit. After 3 – 4 hours you will reach Karanga Camp for your overnight.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 6 Karanga Camp (4035 m) – Barafu Camp (4640 m)

Barafu Camp is your destination for today at (15,220 ft) 4640 m. You will start after breakfast and should reach it in about 3 to 4 hours. The scenery for today will be mostly an afro-alpine dessert. Once at the camp you will have a filling early dinner before settling in for a good rest in preparation for tomorrow’s exciting climb.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 7 Barafu Camp (4640 m) – Uhuru Peak (5895 m) – Mweka Camp (3080 m)

Your day will begin at 00:00. After hot tea and biscuits, you will start your 5-7 hours walk to Stella Point, the crater rim of Kilimanjaro. Here you will have a short rest if necessary before continuing another 1-2 hours to reach the highlight of the trip the Uhuru Peak (5895 m). This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience as you stand at the top of Africa watching the sunrise light up the surrounding summits and landscape. After taking much-needed pictures you will make your way down back to Barafu Camp for a 1-2 hours rest. Once everyone is well-rested you will continue down to Mweka Gate (3080 m), an approx. 3 hours walk. The rest of the evening is yours to relax, you’ll have a nice evening meal and a good night’s sleep.

Breakfast, Dinner 

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Day 8 Mweka Camp (3080 m) – Mweka Gate (1630 m) – Moshi

After breakfast, before starting your final stretch, you will enjoy a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain guides. A 2 – 3 hours walk will take you through the rainforest back to the Mweka Gate. Our driver will be there waiting for you and take you back to the Sal Salinero Hotel. The rest of the day is yours to freshen up, relax, and take in all the excitement of the last couple of days.

Breakfast

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Moshi – Kilimanjaro Airport

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Kilimanjaro Airport or can head out on safari with us.

Breakfast

Price includes:

• Trekking tour according to the itinerary
• Accommodation in tents and hotels as indicated in the itinerary
• Professional English-speaking guide
• Personal porter
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Drinking water
• Transfers as indicated in the itinerary
• Camping equipment – tents, sleeping mattress and camping furniture
• Portable toilet and toilet tent
• National park fees
• Rescue fees

Price excludes:

• Flights (international and domestic)
• Meals not indicated in the itinerary
• Beverages other than water (alcohol and soft drinks)
• Visa, tips, personal expenses, travel insurance
• Sleeping bag (can be rented, please ask us at the time of the booking)