The 7 Days Lemosho Route is the second possible itinerary among the 3 itinerary that follow the Lemosho Route. It is one day short of the 8 days Kilimanjaro climb via Lemosho Route so obviously has less acclimatization and lower distance to time ration. Contrary to the 8 Days option, the 7 Days Lemosho Route doesn’t have a stop at Shira 1 Camp after the first stop at Mti Mkubwa; this one goes straight Shira 2 and therefore that 2nd day is longer and more tiring.
The Lemosho Route is the most scenic route on Mount Kilimanjaro and one of the newly introduced routes on the mountain. The Lemosho route starts on the west side of Mount Kilimanjaro taking you through the rainforest, heath, and moorland zones till you get to the arctic zone. On the third day, it merges with the Machame route. One of the reasons why it is a popular climb is that it adheres to the climb high and sleep low approach, has fewer crowds, and has beautiful scenery with a high summit success rate and note that it is longer, more organized, and although expensive, the hike is worth it.
You will be picked up from the airport and driven to your hotel in Moshi, and we usually call it day zero since it’s the day of your arrival and preparation for the hike the next day. Once at the hotel, a pre-briefing by our Kilimanjaro guide will take place, and they will also check your equipment to make sure that it is the right one. For any missing equipment, renting will also take place on this day. This is a full package, and some of the exclusive include personal packages, meals not listed on the package, visa fees, hotel, personal trekking equipment, travel insurance, transfers, and premium drinks. On the other hand, the inclusions include an emergency oxygen cylinder, guides, cooks, porters, meals during the hike, bottled drinking water, conservation fees, rescue fees, VAT, a summit certificate, and transfers to and from Mount Kilimanjaro.
Arrival into Kilimanjaro Airport - Transfer to Moshi
You will be picked up from the airport by our guide and driven to your hotel, where you will spend the night. After settling in, the guide will then check the equipment to make sure that it is in place and in good condition, and a briefing for the next day and what to expect during the climb will also be carried out.
Lemosho Gate-Mti Mkubwa Camp
Elevation: 2385 m to 2780 m
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
Distance: 6km
Zone: Montane Forest
Meals: lunch and dinner
Drive from Moshi to the Londorossi Park Gate, where a 4×4 vehicle will be waiting to drive you to the Lemosho Glades, where the hike officially starts. The walk from Lemosho Glades will take us to the Big Tree Camp, also known as the Mti Mkubwa Camp, where we spend our first night on the mountain.
Mti Mkubwa Camp - Hike to Shira 2 Camp
Elevation: 2780 m to 3900 m
Duration: 7 to 8 hours
Distance: 16km
Zone: moorland
Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Mti Mkubwa Camp is located along the edges of the montane forest and the moorlands zone and our hike will start right after breakfast, through the last montane forest vegetation into the moorlands, crossing several streams past the Shira 1 Camp and the Shira Ridge, and continuing till we get to the Shira 2 Camp, located along a stream in the moorlands meadow.
Shira Camp to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 3900 m to 3960 m
Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Distance: 8km
Zone: Semi-Desert
Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
On the third day, we continue through the Shira plateau, continuing eastwards towards Kibo Peak. The direction changes to the southeast, and we get to acclimatize at the Lava Tower, also known as the Shark’s Tooth, at an elevation of 4650m. We then head to the Arrow Glacier, which is our second junction before hiking to Barranco Camp for the night. This day is to help you prepare for the summit.
Barranco , hike to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 3960 m to 4035 m
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Distance: 5km
Zone: Alpine Desert
Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
We leave Barranco Camp after breakfast and hike through the steep ridge, past the Barranco wall and the Karanga Valley, till we get to the junction that connects to the Mweka Trail. Karanga Camp is where we rest and spend the night on the fourth day.
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 4035 m to 4640 m
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Distance: 4km
Zone: Alpine Desert
Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Our hike starts in the morning, and we hike up to Barafu camp, which marks the end of the Southern Circuit. Note that the Southern Circuit offers a 360-degree view of the summit from different angles, and once we get to the Barafu camp, it is time to eat, rest, have an early dinner, and sleep to prepare for the summit day.
Barafu Camp to the Summit - Descend to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4700 m to 5895 m (ascent) and 3090 m (descent)
Duration: 5 to 7 hours (ascent) and 5 to 6 hours (descent).
Distance: 5 km ascending and 13 km descending
Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Departure for the summit starts between midnight and 2:00 a.m. after a light breakfast. Do not forget to put on extra warm clothing because of the extreme cold heading northwards to the crater rim past Stella Point, where we shall rest a bit, enjoy the sunset, and then hike for the next one or two hours to Uhuru Peak. You will encounter a lot of snow when heading to the peak, and once you make it there, you will be at the highest point of the African continent and Mount Kilimanjaro.
We will not spend a lot of time at the summit, and our descent to Mweka Camp will begin after taking photos. We make a stop for lunch at the Barafu camp and then head down to Mweka Camp to enjoy our last evening and night on the mountain.
Mweka camp to Mweka gate. Transfer to Moshi / Arusha
Elevation: 3080 m to 1630 m
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Distance: 10km
Zone: forest
Meals: Breakfast
We will continue with our descent early in the morning after breakfast, towards the Mweka Park gate, where you have to sign out and get your successful summit hike certificates. It is a slippery and muddy hike through the forest, and you might need gaiters and trekking poles. Our guide will be waiting for you to drive you back to your hotel room in Moshi.
Prices for 7 Days Kilimanjaro Hike through Machame Route
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