Embark on an 11-day Kilimanjaro luxury trek via Lemosho Route. Experience diverse wildlife, stunning landscapes, and a higher summit success rate.
Arrive in Moshi
Moshi - Welcome to Moshi, the more charming and relaxed of the small towns nestled at the base of the renowned Mount Kilimanjaro! Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our Real Life Adventure Travel representatives will greet you and provide transportation to your hotel.
No activities are scheduled for the day, allowing you the freedom to explore the picturesque downtown area of Moshi.
Relaxation day in Moshi
Moshi - Group briefing and pre-trip discussion. You will meet your trekking guide and undergo a thorough gear check. You have the freedom to explore further, join an informal group tour around town, visit the market, or enjoy lunch at a local coffee shop. Moshi is a relatively small, comfortable city known for its laid-back atmosphere compared to its sister city, Arusha, so feel free to wander. There will also be time for any last-minute shopping needed for the trek.
Moshi to Mti Mkubwa Camp
Mount Kilimanjaro - Depart Moshi for Londorossi / Lemosho Gate, a journey of about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. The Lemosho Route, with its dense and rich flora and fauna, cuts through untouched underbrush that sometimes grows right across the narrow trail. After 3 to 4 hours, we’ll arrive at our camp, Mti Mkubwa, which means “Big Tree” in Kiswahili.
Hike from Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
Mount Kilimanjaro - We continue on the trail, leaving the forest and entering a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. Ascending through the lush rolling hills and crossing several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before gently descending to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is breathtaking.
Hike from Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Mount Kilimanjaro - After breakfast, we head east across the Shira Plateau and past the Shira Cathedral to Shira Camp. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth. It is about a four-hour hike to camp. Along the way, we pass the first of many Giant Senecios, some of Kilimanjaro’s otherworldly massive plants.
Hike from Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
Mount Kilimanjaro - After breakfast, we head east across the Shira Plateau and past the Shira Cathedral to Shira Camp. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth. It is about a four-hour hike to camp. Along the way, we pass the first of many Giant Senecios, some of Kilimanjaro’s otherworldly massive plants.
Hike Barranco to Karanga Camp
Mount Kilimanjaro - After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge, passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day intended for acclimatization.
Hike from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Mount Kilimanjaro - After breakfast, we leave Karanga and reach the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from various angles. Here we set up camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are visible from this location.
Hike from Barafu Camp to the Summit, descend to Mweka Camp
Mount Kilimanjaro - Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our ascent to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and climb through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek. At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will take a short rest and be rewarded with a magnificent sunrise (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we descend straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will need gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel on the descent.
Descend from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Mount Kilimanjaro - After breakfast, we continue the descent to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will be helpful. Shorts and t-shirts will likely be sufficient (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
Departure
Moshi - For those returning home, you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight. For those going on a safari or to Zanzibar, you will be picked up at your hotel the next day for your trip.
- National Park Entry fees
- Portable Toilet and Shower
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Oxygen Cylinder
- International or Local Flights
- Passport and Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Travel Documents (Yellow Fever Certificate etc.)
With fewer than 10 percent of climbers on this trail and the potential to see a variety of wildlife through dense jungle, Lemosho is our favorite way to enter the mountain. At 72 km (almost 45 miles), the longer route allows for more thorough acclimatization and a higher success rate to the summit.
The trail passes through five ecosystems, from dense forest and heather up through alpine desert and the glorious summit. Explore the many variations in landscape and climate on the way up the mountain and spend time capturing breath-taking photos of your surroundings as you move from jungle, to high desert, to snowy terrain on one of the more exciting routes on the mountain, but still manageable by the average adventurer.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
