Lemosho-Shira Route
Itinerary

2,750m/9,023ft to 3,480m/11,420ft

MOORLAND

Hike through the forest en route to Kilimanjaro’s moorland and enjoy the stunning variety of beautiful wildflowers.

As the trail flattens out, take in your first views of Kibo peak.

Stop at Shira 1 Camp, where you will relax for the rest of the day.

3,480m/11,420ft to 3,860m/12,600ft

MOORLAND

This is an acclimatization day that allows you to take day hikes that explore the Shira Plateau.

Look to the west at sunset and you may catch a glimpse of the twin eruptions from the craters of Ol Doinyo Lengai (The Mountain of God), an active volcano 100 kilometers distant.

3,860m/12,600ft 3,950m/12,960ft

MOORLAND, ALPINE DESERT

Although this up and down day ends with an elevation gain of only 110 meters, by early afternoon you will have climbed 690 meters to a height of 4,530 meters before beginning your descent to Barranco Camp. This day is crucial for acclimatization.

After breakfast, continue east on the Shira Plateau for two hours before reaching the junction for the Machame Route.

Continue through the barren landscape for another thirty minutes before stopping for lunch. Shortly after lunch, reach the highest point of the day before descending quickly to Barranco Camp.

From the high point see the Lava Tower, a 300-foot lava formation jutting from the mountainside. Optional detour via Lava Tower.

The descent to Barranco Camp will take you through a valley that is home to many unusual plants including the Senecio Kilimanjari.

Barranco Camp is widely considered to be the most scenic campsite on the route. It is set in a canyon among forests of Senecio Kilimanjai beneath the Heim glacier.

From the campsite, enjoy magnificent views of Mount Meru, Heim Glacier, Kibo’s southern face and the imposing Barranco Wall.

3,950m/ 12,960ft to 4,200m/ 13,780ft

ALPINE DESERT

Leave Barranco Camp after breakfast for Karanga Valley. The day begins with an hour and a half scramble up the Barranco Wall. This is the hardest part of the day and in some places you may have to use your hands to pull your body up.

After reaching the top, hike through fairly level terrain before making a short but steep descent into the greener Karanga River Valley.

Karanga Camp is located on the ridge above the river valley. Even though this day is short, it helps you acclimate before beginning the next day's hike to Barafu Campsite.

4,200m/ 13,780ft to 4,600m/ 15,100ft

ALPINE DESERT

After breakfast at Karanga, begin the hike to Barafu Camp. On the way to Barafu, view several of Kibo's glaciers as well as the junction that connects the Mweka descent route with the Machame Trail.

Although the trail to Barafu passes through alpine desert with little vegetation, there are stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks along the way, as well as views of Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers.

Try to sleep as soon as you finish dinner as you will awake before midnight for your summit ascent.

4,600m/ 15,100ft to 3,100m/ 10,170ft

ARCTIC, ALPINE DESERT, MOORLAND

Due to the steep ascent at high altitude, this is the most challenging day of the ascent.

Leave Barafu Camp early in the morning to begin your hike to the top of Kibo Crater. It is important to remember to snack during the ascent to keep your energy up.

You will likely lose your appetite during the hike and begin to feel new effects of altitude sickness. Reach Stella Point shortly before or at sunrise.

Continue on to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. The hike to the summit is slow, and will take approximately 1 hour from Stella Point.

After reaching the summit, descend to Barafu Camp for a rest and brunch. Around 1pm, descend to Mweka Camp. Reach Mweka Camp at approximately 6pm.

3,100m/ 10,170ft to 1,500m/ 4,920ft

RAINFOREST

After breakfast, finish the trek with a descent to Mweka Gate. Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest.

Our vehicles will be waiting at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to Arusha. You will be able to buy t-shirts, souvenirs and sodas at the gate. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the gate before departing the mountain.