6 Days Kilimanjaro Trekking Lemosho Route Itinerary
Day 1: Shira Camp
ELEVATION: 3,500 m to 3,900 m
HIKING TIME: 5-6 hours
DISTANCE: 11 km
DIFFICULTY: Low
HABITAT: Meadows
A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold another briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle (roughly 3–4 hours) to Kilimanjaro National Park’s western entrance: Londorossi Gate (2,200 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group continues upwards towards their drop-off point by off-road vehicles (reaching 3,500 meters). Here you can see stunning views of the Shira Plateau for the first time.
The route from your drop-off point to your first high-altitude camp Shira 2 features a moderate gain in altitude and is not too physically challenging. Due to this, you will be able to properly begin the process of acclimatization. By the time you reach the camp, our professional mountain crew will prepare everything necessary, put up tents, and cook dinner for you.
Day 2: Shira Camp to the Lava Tower and Descent to Barranco Camp
ELEVATION: 3,900 m to 4,630m and 4,630 m to 3,960 m
HIKING TIME: 6-8 hours
DISTANCE: 12 km
DIFFICULTY: Medium
HABITAT: Moorland
After breakfast, you will leave Shira 2 Camp (3,900 m) and start your way to the key point of the route: Lava Tower (4,630 m). This section of the route has a lot of ascents and descents that end in a camp at over 4,600 meters. It might be difficult, and you may feel some discomfort, but to successfully acclimate to the altitude you have to spend at least 1–2 hours here, so this is where lunch will be.
Then you will descend to Barranco Camp (3,960 m). Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness! Next day you will climb it, but don’t worry: it features a very simple hiking trail.
Day 3: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
ELEVATION: 3,960 m to 4,035 m
HIKING TIME: 4-5 hours
DISTANCE: 5 km
DIFFICULTY: Medium
HABITAT: Moorland
Early wakeup, breakfast, and the start of summiting Barranco Wall (we recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid crowds of the other groups). Hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. After the climb, you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano.
Then you start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route, but don’t worry: our guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the group. After reaching the camp you will be offered warm lunch. After a couple of hours, you will have to complete an acclimatization hike in the direction of Barafu Camp with a 300-meter gain and then descend back down to the camp.
Day 4: Karanga camp to Barafu Camp
ELEVATION: 4,035 m to 4,640 m
HIKING TIME: 4-5 hours
DISTANCE: 6 km
DIFFICULTY: Medium
HABITAT: Alpine desert
In the morning after breakfast, you begin your way to Barafu Summit Camp (4,640 m), the starting point for a night summiting Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Our team will set up a camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax. After regaining strength, you have to complete an acclimatization hike towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp (4,800 m) and then back to Barafu Camp, where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting.
Day 5: Descent to Uhuru peak and Descent to Millennium camp
ELEVATION: 4,640 m to 5,895 m and 5,895 m to 3,820 m
HIKING TIME: 8-12 hours
DISTANCE: 15 km
DIFFICULTY: High
HABITAT: Arctic
Departure from Barafu Camp (4,640 m) at night and the start of summiting Kilimanjaro: Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Technically the climb is relatively simple; however, the most challenging part is the high altitude. Each pair of climbers will get a personal guide for the entire ascent to monitor their physical and mental conditions. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Barafu Camp and after a 2-hour rest continue your descent to Millennium Camp (3,820 m).
Day 6: Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate
ELEVATION: 3,820 m to 1,640 m
HIKING TIME: 4-5 hours
DISTANCE: 12 km
DIFFICULTY: Low
HABITAT: Rainforest
The camp is situated in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction in height and the satisfaction of reaching the summit. After a warm breakfast, you will head for the park’s exit: Mweka Gate (1,640 m). After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates in our office and provide you with a transfer back to the hotel.
