This is one among the 5 ascending Kilimanjaro routes, it seems to be the variation of the Shira route, and thus why it is sometimes referred to the Lemosho Shira route s you will be walking across the Shira plateau
Lemosho is one of the Scenery among the Kilimanjaro route as the scenery is well seen throughout the 8days of climbing the Kilimanjaro. It is the western approach of the Kilimanjaro Mountain. Apart from other routes, climbing via the Lemosho route, the route pays for an extra mile from Moshi town and an extra time/day of climbing the mountain, but with all the extras, the route gives a high chance of success for the summit as it gives maximum time for the acclimatization to the altitude change which is the challenging factor for the summit.
Day 1, Moshi to Londosori gate then to Mti Mkubwa camp
Your day will begin with a 3 to 4 hrs drive from Moshi up on reaching the Londosori gate where you will have to finish up some park regulation and other formalities and you will take some minutes walking back up to the Londorossi/ Lemosho glade where the real train starts. Then you will be trekking upon reaching the Mti Mkubwa camp for your overnight rest.
Accompaniment: Experienced Mountain guide/ guides, porters, and chef
What to see: Small wildlife such as black and white colobus from the gate
Time and distance: 2 to 3hrs hiking a distance of 6km
Walking through: the dense misty rainforest
Meal plan: Lunch & Dinner
Elevation: 2650 m/8695 ft
At the Lemosho Gate before The Climb starts
Day 2, Mti Mkubwa camp to Shira camp
This seems to be a short trekking day as it takes only 4 to 5 hrs, though the day seems to be short but it is a bit long due to the nature of the trail as it is very steep with some ridges before reaching the Shira plateau, hence you will be having a lot of stops for break to the next.
Accompaniment: Experienced Mountain guide/ guides, porters, and chef
What to see: Great views of the valleys, the scenery and the Kibo view
Time and distance: 4 to 5hrs hiking a distance of 8km
Walking through: Moorland and valleys
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Elevation: 3480 m/11420 ft
The camping at Mti Mkubwa Camp
Day 3, Shira 1 to Shira Hut
On this day you will be having a moderate walk across the Shira plateau, though, from here there are several options, but as the guide have experience in any of the options but the beat is walking though the Shira plateau through the Shira cathedral up on reaching the Shira 2 camp.
Accompaniment: Experienced Mountain guide/ guides, porters, and chef
What to see: Great views of the valleys, the scenery and the Shira Cathedral
Time and distance: 6 to 8hrs hiking a distance of 8km
Walking through: Shira cathedral
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Elevation: 3850 m/12630 ft
The Stop at the Shira Hut
Day 4, Shira Hut to Baranco via the lover tower
On this day you will be having a walk through the steep up to the lava tower which is the volcanic plug formed when volcanic occurred to the Kilimanjaro. Up on reaching the volcanic plug of the lava tower you will descend down to the Baranco valley this is to be referred as the best day for acclimatization on the day, reaching the Shira hut you are at the Junction between the Machame route and the Shira route.
Accompaniment: Experienced Mountain guide/ guides, porters, and chef
What to see: Great view of the valleys, the scenery of the Baranco wall
Time and distance: 6 to 8hrs hiking a distance of 9km
Walking through: Shira cathedral and the Baranco wall
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Elevation: 4640 m/15220 ft to 3986m/13070ft
Camping withe the View at Baranco
Day 5, Baranco camp to Karanga camp
On this trekking day you will be having a short day from Baranco to Karanga you will be starting your day by climbing the Baranco wall and then climb up through some hills up on reaching the Karanga valleys.
Accompaniment: experienced Mountain Guide/guides, porters and chef
What to see: Kibo peak, the Western breach and the southern glaciers
Walking through: Baranco wall and valleys to Karanga valleys
Time and distance: 4 to 5 hrs which is 5km distance
Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
The Great View while being at Karanga
Day 6, Karanga to Barafu camp
After the morning breakfast from the camp, you will leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. There after you continue the trekking up to the Barafu Hut. From there you have completed the South Circuit. This is the point which offers the great views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
Accompaniment: experienced Mountain Guide/guides, porters and chef
Walking through: Alpine desert
Time and distance: 4 to 5 hrs which is 5km distance
Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
What to see: Kibo peak, the Western breach and the southern glaciers
Meal plans: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
The Barafu Camp next to the Summit Point
Day 7, Summit and descend to Mweka camp
This is the dream come true day where you will be leaving in the midnight passing between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You will be heading to the northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim where you can stop and have some rest. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit at the Uhuru peak and from there you will meet a Congratulation spot sight that you have reached the highest peak in Africa and you are on the list of the successful people who has made it to the roof of Africa as you will be certified for that. After the summit you will take your way back descending down until you reach the Mweka camp.
Walking through: The crater rim
Accompaniments: Mountain guide/guides, on the summit then joining the chef and porters at Barafu on descending back
Time and distance: hiking of 5to 7hrs ascending and 5 to 6 hrs descending a distance of 5km up and 13km down respectively.
What to see: the great view at the Uhuru peak
Elevation: 15,350ft to 19,340ft up and 10,150ft down
Meal plans: Breakfast, Lunch & dinner
Summit at the Uhuru Peak
Day 8, Mweka camp to Mweka gate then back to Moshi
This is the last day of your adventure to the roof of Africa where you will be taking your morning breakfast at the camp and then takes time to continue the descending up to the Mweka gate where you will meet Ngaiza Adventures staff waiting to pick you back to Moshi. On descending at the lower elevation it will be wet and muddy hence the gaiters and highly recommended to be used.
Walking through: Wet and muddy forestry ways
Accompaniments: Mountain guide/guides, chef and porters
Time and distance: hiking of 3 to 4hrs a distance of 10km
What to see: The forest and its features
Elevation: 10,150ft to 5500ft
Meal plans: Breakfast
The End of the Summit at Mweka Gate
