Lemosho Route
One of the favourite routes up the western side of the mountain, you pass through some of the most beautiful and natural forest on Mt Kilimanjaro and cross the whole Shira Plateau, stretching out to the west of Kibo. This trek is one of the longest and is a great route for acclimatisation. The trail passes thick forest and moorland before reaching Uhuru Peak.
| Day | Destination | Elevation (maximum) |
Distance | Hiking Time | Vegetation Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Mtimkubwa Camp | 2650m | 6km | 4 hours | Rainforest & montane forest |
| Day 2 | Shira 1 Camp | 3750m | 7km | 4 hours | Heath & moorland |
| Day 3 | Shira 2 Camp | 3800m | 10km | 4 hours | Heath & moorland |
| Day 4 | Baranco Camp | 3900m (4600m) |
10km | 7-8 hours | Alpine desert, heath & moorland |
| Day 5 | Karanga Camp | 3995m | 8km | 4-5 hours | Alpine Desert |
| Day 6 | Barafu Camp | 4673m | 4km | 4-5 hours | Alpine Desert |
| Day 7 | Mweka Camp | 3100m (5895m) |
17km | 11-14 hours | Arctic & rainforest |
| Day 8 | Mweka Gate | 1600m | 10km | 3-4 hours | Rainforest |
DETAILED INTENARY
Day 1: Kilimanjaro International Airport -> Moshi Town
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) you will meet a Mariga Adventures representative who will transfer you to your hotel in Moshi Town. You will meet the Mariga Adventures manager and your Kilimanjaro guides for a pre-trek briefing. Depending on your arrival time, this will be in the afternoon, evening or the following morning.
Day 2: Moshi Town -> Lemosho Gate -> Big Tree Camp
The day begins with 4 hours drive from your hotel to the Londros Gate for registration and permit collection. Lunch is served while you wait. Then you will drive to the Lemosho Gate, passing through farms and pine forest before reaching your starting point. You will start trekking through beautiful natural forest, with monkeys and flowers. After about 2-3 hours of walking, you will arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp (Big Tree Camp). Here, you will receive afternoon snacks, water for washing and a delicious dinner. Then your guides will join you to plan the next day, before sleep.
Day 3: Big Tree Camp -> Shira 1
After breakfast, you will start hiking through the montane forest for a small amount of time, before entering the moorland zone, dominated by the Erica species. It gets steeper as it enters the grasses and wildflowers. This walk takes you across high altitude to the Shira Plateau , then gently downwards to Shira 1 camp.
Day 4: Shira 1 -> Shira 2
An easy day of walking across the Shira Plateau through the moorland zone to Shira 2 camp. After lunch, take a rest, then do a short acclimatisation trek in the evening.
Day 5: Shira 2 -> Baranco Camp
After breakfast, start walking through high moorland, the landscape chaging the character of the trek. Then will go to the lava tower for lunch. After lunch, descend into the Baranco Valley where you will camp overnight.
Day 6: Baranco Camp -> Karanga Camp
Start the day by ascending the Baranco Wall which divides you from the Kibo slopes. Although not a technical climb, this will be a rock scramble. Passing below the Helmand Kirsten Glacier, then head towards Karange Camp for overnight sleep. Elevation is 3995ams
Day 7: Karanga Camp -> Barafu Camp
A short day hiking through the desert towards base camp, which is Barafu camp. Here you will have the entire afternoon to rest before the final push to the summit, which begins at midnight! Elevation is 4676ams
Day 8: Barafu Camp -> Uhuru Peak -> Mweka Camp
Start hiking at midnight to avoid spending too much time in the heat of the sun, walking steeply up toward the summit. You will be climbing for about 6 hours, but you gain incredible heights over a short distance. You will be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5577ams) as the first rays of the sun emerge. Spectacular ice cliffs with views of Mawenzi Peak and beyond are breathtaking. Continue for another hour to reach the summit, Uhuru Peak: the highest point in Africa. Congratulations, you made it!
Day 9: Mweka Camp -> Mweka Gate
A gentle trek takes you down through the rainforest to the Mweka Gate where the park formalities will be. Meet the car to return you to the Mariga Adventures office. Here you will receive your certificate of ascent courtesy of the Kilimanjaro National Park, then tipping the crew, then on to your hotel for a good sleep.
Day 10: Next Adventure
Continue with your journey. Take a rest in Moshi town, head to Kilimanjaro airport for your departure flight. Or perhaps you would like to join Mariga Adventures on one of our wildlife safaris.
PRICING
1 pax = $2455
2 - 4 pax = $1925 pp
5 - 7 pax = $1925 pp
8 - 10 pax = $1905 pp
11 - 13 pax = $1855 pp
14+ = $1752 pp
Recommended Tipping Guide
Tipping is customary for all members of your crew when climbing Mt Kilimanjaro. Although they receve a fair wage they rely on tips for a total fair compensation as set by the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project's Partners for Responsible Travel.
Lead guide: $20 per day (×8 = $160)
Assistant guide: $20 per day (×8 = $160)
Cook: $15 per day (×8 = $120)
Special Porter, waiters and summit porters: $10 per day (×8 = $80)
Porter: $8 per day (×8 = $64)
The standard crew for an expedition of 2-4 clients is:
1 leading guide
1 assistant guide
1 cook
2-3 special porters
Average of 4-6 porter per client for the trek.
Therefore the total tipping recommended amount per client for the trek package range $856 - $1064,
depending on the trekking package and trekking group.