9 Days Kilimanjaro Summit Climbing Lemosho Route

A well-planned 9 Days Kilimanjaro Summit Climbing Lemosho Route is a safari package that takes you to Africa’s tallest mountain peak via the Lemosho route. The Lemosho route is considered the most beautiful route on Kilimanjaro and grants a panoramic view for vistas on various sides of the African giant mountain. On this 8-day Lemosho route, the trek from Barranco to Barafu is divided into 2 days, allowing for a shorter period prior to the summit attempt so that climbers can rest properly. This route is a favorite pick because it offers a great balance of low traffic, scenic views, and a high summit-success rate for many travelers.

Quick tour details

Number of people: Tailored

Number of days: 9 days

Availability: All year round

Places to visit: Mountain Kilimanjaro

Tour Overview – 9 Days Kilimanjaro Summit Climbing Lemosho Route

• Day 01: Arrival and Pick-up
• Day 02: Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp
• Day 03: Forest Camp – Shira Camp 1
• Day 04: Shira Camp 1 – Shira Camp 2
• Day 05: Shira Camp 2 – Barranco Camp
• Day 06: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp
• Day 07: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp
• Day 08: Barafu Camp – Summit (Uhuru Peak) – Mweka Hut
• Day 09: Mweka Hut – Arusha

Detailed day by day itinerary for 9 Days Kilimanjaro Summit Climbing Lemosho Route

DAY 01: ARRIVAL AND PICK-UP

Upon your arrival, a professional guide will pick you up from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). You will be driven to your booked accommodation in Arusha. You will meet with the other participants and will be given a short briefing for the climb the next day. Kits and the necessary equipment will be checked as well.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

DAY 02: LONDOROSSI GATE TO FOREST CAMP

After breakfast, you will depart for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 2 hours. Here you would have to fill out entry formalities. Afterward, we will drive to the Lemosho trailhead (approximately one hour). Upon arrival at the trailhead, we will have our lunch and commence our walk through the undisturbed forest which winds all the way to the first campsite. The hike will last for about 3-4 hours.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 03: FOREST CAMP – SHIRA CAMP 1

Today we will continue walking through the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rocks draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The hike will last for about 5 – 6 hours. From here, you will witness an exhilarating view of Kibo from across the plateau. We will camp for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner

DAY 04: SHIRA CAMP 1 – SHIRA CAMP 2

Early in the morning today we will be tasked with exploring the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east towards Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth. The hike here will last for about 5 – 7 hours with a distance of about 14km in the moorlands.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 05: SHIRA CAMP – BARRANCO CAMP

From the Shira Plateau, we will continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we will come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and spend the night. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner

DAY 06: BARRANCO CAMP – KARANGA CAMP

After breakfast, we will leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall all the way to the Karanga Valley campsite. This will be a short day of walking intended for acclimatization. The hike will last for about 4-5 hours in an alpine desert.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 07: KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP

Following an early morning breakfast, we will leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail and then continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you would have completed the South Circuit, which offers stunning views of the summit from various angles. This is also where we will camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 08: BARAFU – SUMMIT (UHURU PEAK) – MWEKA HUT

Today early in the morning at around 2 am, we will continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. We will head northwest and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim, the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point, we stop for a short rest and take in the magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. You may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you would have reached the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro and the whole continent of Africa.

From the summit, we descend straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site and stop at Barafu for lunch. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we will have our last dinner claim our well-deserved sleep.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and Dinner

DAY 09: MWEKA HUT – ARUSHA

After breakfast, we will continue to descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy but gaiters and trekking poles will help. It is also best to keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy. From the gate, you will continue for another hour to Mweka Village.

From there, you will meet your driver guide to driving you back to your hotel in Arusha where dinner and accommodation awaits

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

End of service

Safari inclusions

• All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
•  A professional driver/guide
•  All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
•  All Taxes/VAT
•  Roundtrip airport transfer
• Park fees
•  All activities (unless labeled as optional)
•  All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
•  Drinking water on all days
•  Camping Equipment

Safari exclusions

•  International flights
•  Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
• The government imposed an increase in taxes and/or park fees
•  Alcohol drinks
•  Rescue Fee
•  Climbing Gear
•  Sleeping Bag