Kilimanjaro — Lemosho Route, 8 Days

Lemosho approaches Kilimanjaro from the west through remote forest where you may see buffalo and elephant sign, and stays quiet for the first two days before joining the Machame trail. Eight days gives the gentlest height profile of any standard route, which is why it has the best summit statistics.

Highlights

• Two quiet days on the western approach before the crowds
• Crossing the full width of the Shira Plateau
• Barranco Wall and the southern circuit
• The best acclimatisation profile of the common routes
• Summit Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) at sunrise

The itinerary, day by day

1. 01

   Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa

   2,780 m · 3–4 hours

   A long drive around the mountain to the western gate, then a short walk into rainforest to Big Tree Camp. Quiet from the first step.

2. 02

   Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1

   3,505 m · 5–6 hours

   Out of the forest onto the moorland and up onto the western rim of the Shira Plateau, with Kibo ahead all afternoon.

3. 03

   Shira 1 to Shira 2

   3,850 m · 4–5 hours

   An easy day crossing the plateau, with time in the afternoon to walk higher and come back down.

4. 04

   Shira 2 to Lava Tower, down to Barranco

   3,960 m · 6–8 hours

   Up to 4,630 m at Lava Tower, then down into the Barranco valley among the giant senecio.

5. 05

   Barranco to Karanga

   3,995 m · 4–5 hours

   The Barranco Wall first thing, then across the valleys to Karanga.

6. 06

   Karanga to Barafu

   4,673 m · 4–5 hours

   A short day to base camp, resting through the afternoon.

7. 07

   Summit day — Uhuru Peak, then down to Mweka

   5,895 m · 12–14 hours

   Midnight start, Stella Point around dawn, Uhuru Peak in the early light, then a long descent to Mweka.

8. 08

   Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

   1,640 m · 3–4 hours

   Down through the forest to the gate and back to your hotel.