Itinerary for 7 Days Mount Kilimanjaro climbing Lemosho route
Day 1: Londorossi Park Gate(6000ft) to Mti Mkubwa Camp(8700ft)
After breakfast and briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate (about a 3-hour drive) From this point there is a forest track that can be navigated by a wheel drive vehicle which leads to Lemosho glades. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite take overnight and dinner.
Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Day Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 2 Camp (8700ft to 12,600ft)
After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams are crossed we continue over the Shira Ridge past the Shira 1 camp and on to the Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream.
Elevation:: 2650m/8700ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 16km/10mi
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Day 3: Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp (12,600ft to 13,000ft)
From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the southeast towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elevation 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (13,000ft to 13,250ft)
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail.
Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (13,250ft to 15,350ft)
We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 4km/2mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp (15,350ft to 19,340ft / Down to 10,150ft)
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point, you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel (10,150ft to 5,500ft)
From Mweka Camp, climber continue their journey to Mweka Gate, the exit point of the mountain. Finally, after reaching Mweka Gate, climbers can make their way to a hotel where they can relax and rest after their challenging expedition on Kilimanjaro..