7 Days Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Climb

Day-by-Day Itinerary

1. Day 1

   Londorossi Gate to Shira 1 Camp

   After breakfast and a briefing from your mountain guide, you drive roughly 3 to 4 hours from Moshi to Londorossi Park Gate at 2,200 m, the western entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park. Here the crew handles your climbing permits and registers the group with the search and rescue service. Off-road vehicles then carry you higher up the mountain to a drop-off point at 3,500 m in the Lemosho Glades, looking out over the Shira Plateau. The short first walk to Shira 1 Camp gains very little altitude, so it is a gentle way to start the climb. From this point on, your guide will remind you to skip alcohol and caffeine, drink more than 4 liters of water a day, and consider Diamox after checking with your doctor, since these habits go a long way toward preventing altitude sickness. Elevation: 3,500 m to 3,505 m. Distance: 5 km. Hiking time: 1 to 2 hours.

   Accommodation:

   Shira 1 Camp

   Meals:

   Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

2. Day 2

   Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

   Today you cross the Shira Plateau, one of the most scenic stretches of the whole route, climbing steadily from Shira 1 Camp at 3,505 m to Shira 2 Camp at 3,900 m. When the weather is clear, Shira 2 is regarded as the best spot on the mountain for views across to Mount Meru. Along the way you pass the unusual high-altitude plants and birdlife that make this zone of Kilimanjaro so distinctive. The crew serves lunch at camp, and after about two hours of rest you head out on an acclimatization hike toward Lava Tower, gaining around 200 m before walking back down to sleep at Shira 2. Climbing high and sleeping low like this is what trains your body for the summit. Elevation: 3,505 m to 3,900 m. Distance: 7 km. Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours. Acclimatization hike: 3,900 m to 4,110 m, 2 km, 1 to 2 hours.

   Accommodation:

   Shira 2 Camp

   Meals:

   Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

3. Day 3

   Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower

   This is the longest day so far, with plenty of climbing and descending at over 4,600 m. From Shira 2 Camp at 3,900 m the trail rises to Lava Tower at 4,630 m, where you stop for lunch and spend 1 to 2 hours letting your body adjust to the thin air. Some climbers feel the altitude on this section, which is normal, and the time at Lava Tower is exactly what makes the rest of the climb easier. From there you descend to Barranco Camp at 3,960 m, set beneath the famous Barranco Wall, a rock face that impresses with both its size and its steepness. If anyone in the group shows signs of altitude sickness, the guide can reroute along the porter trail instead, which tops out around 4,400 m. Elevation: 3,900 m to 4,630 m to 3,960 m. Distance: 12 km. Hiking time: 6 to 8 hours.

   Accommodation:

   Barranco Camp

   Meals:

   Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

4. Day 4

   Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

   You set off early so you can climb the Barranco Wall before other groups crowd the trail. The wall looks intimidating from camp, but the path up follows manageable holds and ledges, and the top rewards you with time to rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano. The trail then continues to Karanga Camp at 4,035 m over a demanding series of ascents and descents, with your guides setting a steady pace for the group. A hot lunch is waiting when you reach camp. A few hours later you take an acclimatization hike toward Barafu Camp, gaining about 300 m before returning to Karanga for the night. These short extra climbs are a key part of what gets you to the summit. Elevation: 3,960 m to 4,035 m. Distance: 5 km. Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours. Acclimatization hike: 4,035 m to 4,270 m, 2.5 km, 1 to 2 hours.

   Accommodation:

   Karanga Camp

   Meals:

   Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

5. Day 5

   Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

   A morning trek takes you up to Barafu Summit Camp at 4,640 m, the launch point for the night push to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m. Your mountain crew goes ahead to pitch the tents and lay out sleeping bags so you can rest the moment you arrive. In the afternoon you make one final acclimatization hike up to Kosovo Summit Camp at 4,800 m, then walk back down to Barafu for a hot dinner. The rest of the day is deliberately quiet: eat well, drink plenty, and get whatever sleep you can, because the summit attempt begins in the middle of the night. Elevation: 4,035 m to 4,640 m. Distance: 6 km. Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours. Acclimatization hike: 4,640 m to 4,800 m, 2 km, 1 to 2 hours.

   Accommodation:

   Barafu Camp

   Meals:

   Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

6. Day 6

   Summit Night: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak, then Millennium Camp

   In the dark hours of the night you leave Barafu Camp at 4,640 m and begin the climb to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m, the highest point in Africa. The route itself is not technical; the real test is the altitude, which is why every pair of climbers is assigned a personal guide who watches your physical and mental condition through the entire ascent. Sunrise from the crater rim is the moment the whole week has been building toward. After celebrating on the summit, you can take an optional walk down to the nearby glaciers before descending to Barafu Camp for a two hour rest. You then continue down to Millennium Camp at 3,820 m, where the thicker air makes for a far more comfortable night. Take real care on the way down: around 90 percent of accidents on the mountain happen during the descent, so place your feet deliberately to protect your knees and toenails. Elevation: 4,640 m to 5,895 m to 3,820 m. Distance: 15 km. Hiking time: 8 to 12 hours.

   Accommodation:

   Millennium Camp

   Meals:

   Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

7. Day 7

   Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate

   You wake at Millennium Camp feeling the difference that lower altitude makes, and after breakfast begin the final descent through the forest to Mweka Gate at 1,650 m. At the gate the whole crew gathers to congratulate you, and climbers share their impressions of the trek in the guestbook. You receive your official summit certificate as a memento of the climb. From there a vehicle transfers you back to your hotel in Moshi for a hot shower and a well earned rest. Elevation: 3,820 m to 1,650 m. Distance: 12 km. Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours.

   Meals:

   Breakfast and Lunch

Altitude and Your Health

What Is Included

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the 7 Days Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Climb cost?

Pricing depends on your travel dates, lodges, and group size. Send us your details and we will return an itemized quote, with no obligation.

How long is this safari?

It runs 7 days. Because every trip is private, we can lengthen, shorten, or add a Zanzibar or gorilla extension to fit your plans.

Can I customize this itinerary?

Yes. This itinerary is a starting point. Swap lodges, change the pace, adjust the route, or combine countries, and your planner reshapes it with you before you book.

When is the best time for this trip?

Two climbing seasons: January to mid-March, which is warmer and usually clearer, and June to October, which is drier and busier. March to May and November are the rainy months, when the routes are wet and the summit views are unreliable.