7 Days Lemosho Route High Altitude Drop off

Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania (Arusha)

• Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport: Upon arrival, you’ll be picked up by your guide and transferred to a hotel in Arusha.
• Rest & Briefing: Rest, recover from your flight, and participate in a pre-climb briefing. You’ll discuss the trek, the gear, and expectations for the climb.
• Accommodation: Overnight stay at a hotel in Arusha.

Day 2: Arusha to Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650m)

Morning:

• Transfer to Lemosho Gate: After breakfast, you will drive from Arusha to the Lemosho Gate (around 2.5 hours drive).
• Start the Trek: At Lemosho Gate, you will begin the climb through the rainforest. The trail is well-marked and takes you through lush vegetation and an impressive array of plant and animal life.

Afternoon:

• Trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp: As you gain altitude, the trek will become gradually steeper, but it’s still a relatively easy start to the journey.

Distance: 7 km
Trekking time: 3-4 hours

Overnight: Mti Mkubwa Camp.

Day 3: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp (3,550m)

Morning:

• Climb to Shira 1 Camp: After breakfast, you’ll continue through the montane forest and begin entering the moorland zone. Enjoy the beautiful views as you make your way to Shira 1 Camp, located on the Shira Plateau.

Afternoon:

• Arrive at Shira 1 Camp: You’ll have some free time to relax and enjoy the surroundings. The altitude starts to become more noticeable here, so it’s important to rest and hydrate well.

Distance: 8 km
Trekking time: 5-6 hours

Overnight: Shira 1 Camp.

Day 4: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp (3,850m)

Morning:

• Climb to Shira 2 Camp: You’ll continue to ascend through the moorland, passing a stunning rock formation and with incredible views of Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit. As you gain altitude, the air will become thinner, but the pace remains moderate to aid in acclimatization.

Afternoon:

• Arrive at Shira 2 Camp: At Shira 2 Camp, you’ll be surrounded by volcanic landscapes and open space, making for a beautiful setting for the night.

Distance: 7 km
Trekking time: 4-5 hours

Overnight: Shira 2 Camp.

Day 5: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower (4,630m) to Barranco Camp (3,960m)

Morning:

• Climb to Lava Tower: After breakfast, you’ll continue the trek and climb up to Lava Tower, an incredible volcanic formation sitting at 4,630m. This part of the route provides magnificent panoramic views of Kilimanjaro.

Afternoon:

• Descend to Barranco Camp: After reaching Lava Tower, you will descend to Barranco Camp, which helps with acclimatization by allowing you to sleep at a lower altitude, despite having climbed higher earlier in the day.

Distance: 10 km
Trekking time: 6-7 hours

Overnight: Barranco Camp.

Day 6: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (3,995m)

Morning:

• Climb Barranco Wall: Start the day with the famous Barranco Wall. This is a short but steep scramble up a rocky ridge. It’s a physically challenging section but should be manageable for most climbers, and the views are breathtaking.

Afternoon:

• Continue to Karanga Camp: After the Barranco Wall, the terrain levels out, and you’ll continue to Karanga Camp through the Karanga Valley. You’ll have a chance to rest, eat, and enjoy the surrounding beauty.

Distance: 5 km
Trekking time: 4-5 hours

Overnight: Karanga Camp.

Day 7: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (4,640m)

Morning:

• Climb to Barafu Camp: After breakfast, you will ascend to Barafu Camp, the base camp for your summit attempt. The route takes you through alpine desert terrain, and you’ll see dramatic views of Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit.

Afternoon:

• Arrive at Barafu Camp: Once at Barafu Camp, you will rest, have dinner, and prepare for the summit attempt, which will begin in the early morning hours of the following day.

Distance: 7 km
Trekking time: 4-5 hours

Overnight: Barafu Camp (summit day prep).

Day 8: Summit Day – Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) and Descent to Mweka Camp (3,100m)

Midnight:

• Summit Attempt: You will begin the final leg of your journey in the middle of the night, around midnight, heading towards Uhuru Peak. This is a challenging and physically demanding part of the trek. The summit path is rocky and exposed to wind and cold, so it’s essential to be prepared.

Early Morning:

• Reach Uhuru Peak: After several hours of climbing, you will reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro, at 5,895 meters. Celebrate your achievement while enjoying the incredible views from the summit.

Morning:

• Descend to Mweka Camp: After spending time at the summit, you’ll descend directly to Mweka Camp, passing through the lower altitudes and descending back into the rainforest.

Afternoon/Evening:

• Arrive at Mweka Camp: You will have a well-deserved rest and celebrate your success with your guide and the team.

Distance: 12 km ascent, 13 km descent
Trekking time: 6-7 hours ascent, 5-6 hours descent

Overnight: Mweka Camp.

Day 9: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (1,640m) and Drive to Arusha

Morning:

• Final Descent: After breakfast, you will descend to Mweka Gate through the rainforest. The descent is easy and takes you back to where you started your trek.

Afternoon:

• Mweka Gate: At the gate, you’ll receive your summit certificate (green for reaching Barafu Camp, gold for reaching Uhuru Peak).

• Return to Arusha: Afterward, you will be transferred back to Arusha for a celebration dinner and rest.

Distance: 10 km
Trekking time: 3-4 hours

Overnight: Stay at a hotel in Arusha or transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for departure.