7 Days Lemosho
The 7 day variation of Lemosho Route will undoubtedly give you the best views as it is very scenic. One of the main reasons is that this route uses different trails for ascending and descending. To climb up, towards the summit, you will use the designated Lemosho trail, but to descend you will use the Mweka Route. In the recent years, many climbers have been opting for this new route, an improved version of the old Shira Route. Even though this 7-day variation cannot compare to the 8-day variation in terms of summit success rate, it is still a formidable way to climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro using this itinerary. Hiking begins from the Western side of the mountain, making way through the beautiful Shira Plateau that has many scenic sites like the Shira Cathedral, Shira Needle and the Shira Volcano which stands at 3,872 m (12,703 ft).
The 7 day Lemosho route itinerary is a great option for climbers that have had previous experience in high altitude treks. We begin hiking from Forest (Mti Mkubwa) Camp towards Shira 1 Camp. The second day of this 7 day hike gives us an elevation gain of 610 meters or 2,000 feet. The third day takes us to Moir Hut which is located at an elevation of about 4,200 meters or 13,800 feet, originating from Shira 2 Camp. This will slightly help our bodies to adjust and familiarize ourselves with the high altitudes in the next steps as we climb higher and higher.
On the fourth day, continue to the scenic Lava Tower zone, which resembles a standing shark’s tooth then we proceed to Barranco camp for rest and overnight stay as we await day 5 where we will scramble over the dreaded Barranco Wall. Summit day is on the sixth day of the hiking trip and it begins at around midnight where we walk towards Uhuru Peak hopeful to make it at sunrise or shortly after. After summiting Kilimanjaro, we make our way down to Mweka Hut and on the seventh day we collect our summit certificates as we make it back to the hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
7 Days Itinerary & Map
This itinerary is great for climbers with previous climbing experience because you will need to acclimatize quick enough. For beginners, we recommend the 8 day Lemosho Route Itinerary.
Arrival Day for the 7 Day Lemosho Trek:
Once you arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport, we will be waiting for you to drive you to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha whereby we will proceed with a nice pre-trek briefing and gear check before we leave you to rest for the next day adventure to Mount Kilimanjaro.
Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp
Your adventure starts in Moshi. We drive 4 hours to Londorossi Gate to sign in. Then, it’s another hour to the Lemosho trailhead. After lunch, you’ll hike through a peaceful forest with tall trees to Forest Camp. It’s a short, easy start to your Kilimanjaro climb.
First day Lemosho Trek Information
- Elevation: 7,800 ft to 9,500 ft
- Distance: 6 km
- Hiking Time: 3-4 Hours
- Habitat: Rainforest
- Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation Camping (Mti Mkubwa Camp)
Day 2: Forest Camp to Shira Camp 1
Leaving the forest behind, you’ll hike into a grassy savannah with heather and volcanic rocks. The trail climbs over rolling hills and crosses streams, leading to Shira Ridge. Then, it dips down to Shira Camp 1. From here, you’ll get your first amazing view of Kibo peak across the plateau.
Second day Lemosho Trek Information
- Elevation: 9,500 ft to 11,500 ft
- Distance: 8 km
- Hiking Time: 5-6 Hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation Shira 1 Camp
Day 3: Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2 to Moir Hut
Today, you’ll explore the wide Shira Plateau. It’s an easy walk east toward Kibo’s icy peak. You’ll pass Shira Camp 2, near a stream, and keep going to Moir Hut, a quieter spot at the base of Lent Hills. This day helps your body adjust to the height, and you can take short walks around Lent Hills for extra practice. So you will climb high to Moir Hut and then sleep low on Shira 2 Camp.
Third day Lemosho Trek Information
- Elevation: 11,500 ft to 13,800 ft
- Distance: 14 km
- Hiking Time: 5-7 Hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation Shira 2 Camp
Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
From Shira 2 Camp, you’ll head east up a ridge toward Kibo. The path turns southeast to Lava Tower (the “Shark’s Tooth”) at 15,000 ft. After passing it, you’ll descend to Barranco Camp at 13,000 ft. Even though you end at the same height you started, this up-and-down day is key for getting ready for the summit.
Fourth day Lemosho Trek Information
- Elevation: 13,800 ft to 13,000 ft
- Distance: 7 km
- Hiking Time: 4-6 Hours
- Habitat: Semi-Desert
- Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation Barranco Camp
Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
After breakfast, you’ll tackle the steep Barranco Wall, then hike to Karanga Valley Camp. Next, you’ll meet the Mweka Trail junction and climb to Barafu Camp. This spot finishes the South Circuit, giving you awesome views of the summit from all sides. Rest here and get ready for the big summit push tomorrow.
Fifth day Lemosho Trek Information
- Elevation: 13,000 ft to 15,000 ft
- Distance: 9 km
- Hiking Time: 8-10 Hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation Barafu Camp
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
You’ll start super early (midnight to 2 AM) for the summit. Hiking northwest through loose rocks between Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, you’ll reach Stella Point (18,600 ft) on the crater rim. It’s tough, but the sunrise here is incredible. From Stella Point, it’s a 1-hour climb to Uhuru Peak—the top of Kilimanjaro at 19,345 ft! After celebrating, you’ll head down to Mweka Hut, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The descent is gravelly, so trekking poles help. Expect mist or rain at camp.
Summit Day on Day 6 Lemosho Trek Information
- Elevation: 15,300 ft to 19,345 ft, then down to 10,000 ft
- Distance: 5 km up, 12 km down
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours up, 4-6 hours down
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation Mweka Camp
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Moshi
After breakfast, you’ll hike down through the rainforest to Mweka Park Gate. It might be muddy, so gaiters are handy. At the gate, you’ll get your summit certificate! Then, it’s a short walk to Mweka Village, where a car picks you up to return to your hotel in Moshi.
Descending on day 7 Lemosho Trek Information
- Elevation: 10,000 ft to 5,400 ft
- Distance: 10 km
- Hiking Time: 3-4 Hours
- Habitat: Rainforest
- Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation Maridadi Hotel or Similar in Moshi/Arusha
Collecting Summit Certificates/ End of the 7 Days Trek/ Departure
After being awarded your summit certificates on day 7 of your trek just after descending from the mountain we will transfer you back to your hotel or airport for your departure, marking the end of the 7 days Lemosho Route Trek. After your trek, we can drop you off at the airport to get back home of catch a flight to Zanzibar Islands or we can transfer you to Arusha for a safari to Northern Tanzania.
How much does it cost?
1 Person: $2,950
A group of 2 people: $2,435 per person
A group of 3 people: $2,318 per person
A group of 4 people: $2,295 per person
A group of 5 people: REQUEST PRICE
A group of 6 People: $2,165 per person
A group of 7+ people: REQUEST PRICE
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What is Included
- All Airport Transfers in Private Van
- All transfers to and from the mountain
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Sleeping Pad/Mattress
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Quality, 4-season mountain sleeping tents
- Official Kilimanjaro summit certificate
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
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What is not Included
- Tanzania Visa
- Travel insurance
- Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
- Tips and gratuities
- International and domestic flights
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- 3.5% Surcharge for online payment
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)