8 mountain days on the Lemosho route. Review each daily stage, then request the rate for your group. Arrival transfers and hotel nights are agreed separately.
Lemosho begins from the western side of Kilimanjaro, with park formalities at Londorossi and a forest approach towards Mti Mkubwa. The route moves onto the Shira Plateau and then joins the southern circuit through Lava Tower and Barranco. The programmes shown here continue towards Karanga and Barafu before using the Mweka trail for the return descent.
The different durations mainly change how the Shira and southern-circuit stages are divided. A longer programme may separate Shira 1 and Shira 2, as well as Karanga and Barafu; a shorter one combines more walking into a single day. Read the actual camp sequence to understand the difference rather than assuming that adding a day always means the same additional stop.
Accommodation on the mountain is at designated tented camps. The daily programme gives you the planned walking sequence, while your quotation confirms the group arrangements, equipment, meals, transfers and hotel nights around the trek. The final walking pace and timings depend on the guide’s decisions and the conditions on the mountain.
Leave Moshi for the western side of the mountain and complete the park formalities at Londorossi. Road access to the walking start depends on local conditions. From the trailhead, the first stage climbs through forest towards Mti Mkubwa, also called Big Tree Camp. The forest trail gives you time to get used to the walking pace and organise the clothing, water and equipment carried in your daypack.
Follow the marked path with the guide and take breaks along the route rather than rushing to camp. On arrival at Mti Mkubwa, settle into the tented campsite and check the arrangement for your overnight bag and sleeping equipment. The evening is used for the next-day briefing and preparation for the move out of the forest towards the Shira Plateau.
Distance / timing: Distance: approximately 7 km. Time: 3–4 hours.
Overnight: Mti Mkubwa Camp
Meals: Proposed: breakfast, lunch and dinner; final day arrangements in your quotation
Leave the forest camp and climb towards the Shira Plateau. As height increases, the vegetation changes from larger trees to heath and more open moorland. The walking is generally more exposed than on the previous forest stage. Carry the layers needed for changes in wind, cloud and rain, and allow time for the group to progress steadily.
The route leads to Shira 1 Camp, where the landscape opens around the western side of the mountain. On a clear day there are broad views across the plateau and towards Kibo. After arrival, use the remaining afternoon for camp routines and preparation for the following day. Any additional walk from camp is arranged by the guide within the planned schedule.
Distance / timing: Time: 5–6 hours.
Overnight: Shira 1 Camp
Meals: Proposed: breakfast, lunch and dinner; final day arrangements in your quotation
Continue across the Shira Plateau towards Shira 2. The route is above the main forest belt, with open moorland, volcanic ground and broad views when cloud allows. The pace is deliberately measured: this stage is about moving between camps and allowing time at altitude, rather than covering ground as quickly as possible.
The day’s stopping points and any additional local walk depend on the guide’s programme and conditions. At Shira 2, organise the equipment needed for the next stage towards Lava Tower and the southern circuit. The campsite can be windy and cooler than the lower overnight stops. Settle into the tented accommodation and check the following morning’s departure plan before dinner.
Distance / timing: Distance: approximately 7 km. Time: 3–4 hours.
Overnight: Shira 2 Camp
Meals: Proposed: breakfast, lunch and dinner; final day arrangements in your quotation
Leave the Shira area and walk towards Lava Tower before descending to Barranco. This stage moves through open, high-altitude terrain with sparse vegetation and volcanic rock. Reaching a higher point during the day and then sleeping lower is an important feature of the route profile. The guide chooses suitable breaks and keeps the programme tied to the group’s condition and the weather.
After the Lava Tower section, the path descends into the Barranco Valley, where the surroundings change again and giant groundsels may be seen along the lower approach. Continue to Barranco Camp beneath the wall that forms part of the following stage. At camp, organise clothing and equipment for the morning and review how the next day’s route fits your selected programme.
Distance / timing: Distance: approximately 10 km. Time: 6–7 hours.
Overnight: Barranco Camp
Meals: Proposed: breakfast, lunch and dinner; final day arrangements in your quotation
Leave Barranco Camp and climb the Barranco Wall with the guide. The wall includes rocky steps and sections where hands help with balance; stay close to the walking group and take time at the busier points. After the top of the wall, continue across ridges and into the valley leading towards Karanga.
The route includes both descents and climbs before reaching Karanga Camp. Lunch and rest stops are arranged around the walking progress. This programme spends the night at Karanga instead of continuing straight to Barafu, keeping the two stages separate. On arrival, settle into camp, prepare the equipment needed for the next day and review the following route with the guide.
Distance / timing: Distance: approximately 6 km. Time: 4–5 hours.
Overnight: Karanga Camp
Meals: Proposed: breakfast, lunch and dinner; final day arrangements in your quotation
Leave Karanga and climb towards Barafu Camp across open alpine terrain. Vegetation is sparse, and the path becomes increasingly rocky and exposed. Keep the walking pace steady and carry layers for wind and changes in temperature. The aim is to arrive with enough time to organise the camp routine before the summit stage.
At Barafu, prepare the daypack, headlamp, gloves and warm clothing needed for the overnight ascent. Meals and rest are arranged around the departure plan decided by the guide. The evening briefing covers the route towards Stella Point and Uhuru Peak, the return to Barafu and the later descent. The final timing depends on the weather and the condition of the group rather than a fixed clock time promised in advance.
Distance / timing: Distance: approximately 4 km. Time: 4–5 hours.
Overnight: Barafu Camp
Meals: Proposed: breakfast, lunch and dinner; final day arrangements in your quotation
The summit stage normally begins during the night from Barafu. Follow the guide on the ascent towards Stella Point and then along the crater rim towards Uhuru Peak, the highest point of Kilimanjaro. Progress depends on the weather and the group, and reaching a named viewpoint or the summit cannot be guaranteed by an itinerary description.
After the ascent, descend towards Barafu for a break and continue down to Mweka Camp as planned. This makes it a long day containing both the climb and a substantial descent through changing terrain. Keep the walking group organised and follow the guide’s decisions throughout the return. The overnight stop is at Mweka, considerably lower on the mountain than the summit base camp.
Distance / timing: Distance: approximately 17 km. Time: 10–14 hours.
Overnight: Mweka Camp
Meals: Proposed: breakfast, lunch and dinner; final day arrangements in your quotation
After breakfast, leave Mweka Camp and descend through the lower vegetation zones towards Mweka Gate. The path returns into the forest, where the ground can be wet and slippery even after clear weather higher on the mountain. Take time on steps and muddy sections and stay with the guide until the walking stage is complete.
At the gate, complete the park exit formalities and meet the arranged road transfer. The mountain programme ends with the return towards Moshi. A post-climb hotel night, a flight connection or an onward safari should be listed separately in the quotation so that the timing is clear. If you are continuing to another destination, allow for the walking descent and road transfer rather than treating this as a free day.
Distance / timing: Distance: approximately 10 km. Time: 3–4 hours.
Overnight: Post-climb accommodation, if booked separately
Meals: Proposed: breakfast, lunch and dinner; final day arrangements in your quotation
Plan to reach Moshi with time for the briefing and equipment check before the first mountain day. Share your flight details and hotel requirements so that the arrival transfer and the start of the trek fit together. The quotation should say clearly which hotel nights are included and which are separate.
Marangu uses shared mountain huts. The other walking routes use designated tented camps; the cycling programme follows its own overnight arrangements. The proposed mountain meal plan is breakfast, lunch and dinner on full climbing days. The confirmed services, food requirements and drinking-water arrangements are listed in your quotation.
Keep the clothing and equipment needed during the walk in your daypack, including suitable layers for rain, wind and changes in temperature. Overnight luggage, personal sleeping equipment and any hired items need to be agreed before departure. Ask for the equipment list for your selected programme and clarify what is supplied rather than assuming that every item is part of the starting price.
The final day includes the walking descent, park exit formalities and the arranged road transfer. A hotel night after the climb, airport drop-off or onward safari must fit that schedule. Give the team your departure details before confirming a flight connection so that the final transfer can be planned realistically.
Your written quotation sets out the included services.
Confirm the guide, activities and fees listed for each day.
Review the selected properties or mountain camps, meal plan and number of nights.
Check collection points, airport transfers and transport arrangements.
Ask about any service not stated in the quotation.
Confirm flights, visas and travel insurance separately unless expressly included.
Extra activities and accommodation changes are quoted on request.
Check drinks, tips, equipment hire and other personal requirements before booking.
From $2,520 per person
Confirm the rate for your dates, group size and selected services before booking.
