Daily Distances Traveled on the Lemosho Route up Kilimanjaro

Here are the Daily Distances on the Lemosho Route

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Day 1).  Karama Lodge to Big Tree Camp

We use the Karama Lodge in Arusha, which sits at 1,400m/ 4,593 feet above sea level.  From here, you have a 3-4 hour drive to the Londrossi Gate at 2,250m/ 7,382 feet, which is where you check into the National Park. The team will aim to arrive at the gate by noon and have Lunch while all the gear and food are divided among the porters, for them to carry up the mountain. After lunch, we will get back in the vehicles and drive 20-30 minutes to the start of the trail. Finally, it is time to start hiking!  From there it takes 3 hours of slow hiking to get to Big Tree camp and is a total of 3.7 miles/ 6km. The elevation gain is 500m/ 1,640 feet. Read more on Day 1 on the Lemosho Route.

Day 2). Big Tree Camp to Shira Camp 1

The routine on most days on the mountain will be to wake at 6am, breakfast at 7am and then leaving the camp by 8am. Once you leave Big Tree Camp, you will continue through the beautiful Rain Forest. At 3,000m/ 10,000 feet, you exit the dense rain forest and are treated to some amazing views out across the western side of Kilimanjaro. After a nice hot lunch the trail heads straight up to the rim of the Shira Plateau before dropping down to Shira Camp 1 at 3,500m/ 11,483 feet. This will take approximately 6 hours with plenty of breaks and 3 course lunch along the way. The total distance today is 4.9 miles/ 7.9km. Elevation gain of 700m/ 2,296 feet.  Read more on Day 2 on the Lemosho Route.

Day 3). Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2

Just as yesterday, you will get up at 6am for 7am breakfast and start trekking at 8am. Today is an easier day on the trail. We move from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2 at 3,850m/ 12,631 feet.  This is an easier hike and this day gives great acclimatization.  You may have been feeling the affects of altitude at Shira Camp 1, but with this extra night at Shira Camp 2, you should be feeling better! This trek takes about 4 hours and is 4.3 miles/ 6.9km. Total elevation gain today will be 500m/ 1,640 feet.  After lunch we also do a short acclimatization hike up to 4,000m/ 13,123 feet, which will take another hour approximately.  Read more on Day 3 on the Lemosho Route.

Day 4).  Shira Camp 2 to Barranco Camp

Today is a longer day, and will be a good test as you will trek up to the Lava tower, at 4,600m/ 15,092 feet. You will take a very slow pace which helps with adapting to the lack of oxygen. This trek will take approximately 4 hours to reach the high point of the Lava Tower.  After a 3 course hot lunch, you will then drop down into Barranco Camp at 3,900m/ 12,795 feet. Most people will really feel the altitude this day, and it is quite normal to have a headache, not wanting to eat or feeling nauseous. Therefore, you should have Ibuprofen with you to decrease inflammation. Also, make sure you are well hydrated as hydration is important at high altitude.

This day adds excellent acclimatization. In general, a tough day helps you acclimatize and prepare for the challenging summit night to come.  You will be trekking for 7 hours on this day for 6.7miles/ 10.8km. Elevation gain 750m/ 2,460 feet up and down 700m/ 2,296 feet.  Read more about day 4 on the Lemosho Route.

Day 5). Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

After a good nights sleep, you will be up at 6am for 7am breakfast. We have amazing challenge for you today! We head up the Barranco Wall, check out our You Tube video on the wall. Everyone always says it is easier than they pictured. This can take a couple of hours to reach the top at 4,200m/ 13,780 feet.  Upon reaching the top, we take a break right under the summit in the distance. Then, you will continue on easy trails up and down as we cross Kilimanjaro to the Karanga Valley. Then with the camp in view across the Valley, we drop steeply down 140m/ 460 feet, before coming back up 120m/ 400 feet to the Karanga Camp at 4,050m/ 13,287 feet.

The trek today is approximately 4 hours and nice break from the previous days trekking. The total distance today is 3.5 miles/ 5.6km. The wall is an initial steep ascent of 300m/ 984 feet. Descend 140m/ 460 feet down into the Karanga Valley, before going back up 120m/ 400 feet.  Read more about Day 5 on the Lemosho Route.

Day 6).  Karanga Camp to Kosovo Camp

Today starts the business end of the Lemosho Route, as we head up to our high camp. You will leave at 8am and take our time, walking very slowly and saving all our energy for the final climb. You will take lots of breaks on the section and continue to cross around Kilimanjaro before a final steep section to Barafu Camp at 4,650m/ 15,256 feet.  This is where most people stay before their ascent of Kilimanjaro.  We move through Barafu Camp and hike an additional hour further to Kosovo Camp at 4,900m/ 16,076 feet.

The walk to Barafu Camp is approximately 3 hours and then another hour to Kosovo Camp, so a total of 4 hours today. The goal will be to be there for a big lunch/ dinner around 2pm.  We encourage you to rest after the meal as you will get up at 11:30pm to prepare for your summit bid.  Today you will walk 2.2 miles/ 3.5km. Elevation gain to Kosovo camp is 750m/ 2,460 feet. Read more on Day 6 on the Lemosho Route. 

Day 7). Kosovo Camp to the Summmit then Down to Mweka Camp

You will wake up at 11:30pm for a 12:45am departure from Kosovo Camp. However, this will depend on the conditions, size of the group and a range of other factors.  You should start drinking water (a liter if possible), start eating some food in your tent,and prepare to leave.  It will get colder later in the night and if the winds pick up it can feel very cold. Remember, tonight is not easy, so when you are mentally struggling you need to remember to breath deeply.  Incorrect breathing can ruin your summit. Deep breathing in through your nose out through your mouth, focus on breathing and foot placement and try not to get discouraged.

It normally takes about 6 hours from Kosovo Camp to the summit.  The last 2 hours to the carter rim will test you, so stay focused and believe you can do it as you are almost there. From Stella Point at the carter rim it is one hour to the summit on easier terrain.  Then, you have reached the Roof of Africa!

From the summit back to Kosovo Camp can take 2-3 hours. You will have a chance to rest for a few hours and pack up your duffel bag before having lunch and moving down lower.  You will head down to Mweka Camp at 3,100m/ 10,170 feet. This will take 4 hours down hill. Finally, the long day will come to an end! The full day is 12 – 14 hours of trekking and covers 11.2 miles/ 18.1km. 1,245m/ 4,084 feet up the mountain from Barafu or 1,095m/ 3,592 feet up from Kosovo Camp to the summit. You then have 2,795m/ 9,169 feet down hill all in the same day.  Read more about Day 7 on the Lemosho Route.

Day 8).  Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

After an amazing nights sleep in Mweka Camp, we will have a quality breakfast before saying goodbye to our world class Kilimanjaro crew. However, our head guide, who is Kilimanjaro’s Number one Guide, and assistant guides will stay with you all the way until the end. From Mweka Camp to the Mweka Gate takes approximately 3 hours, walking back through the Rain Forest. Without a doubt, you will want to use your trekking poles to save your knees for the way down from the summit of Kilimanjaro to the gate.

Once you get to the exit gate, you will sign out from the National Park and jump in the bus.  The team will drive a few minutes down the road to have lunch.  After lunch, you will get back in the bus and then drive back to our hotel in Arusha. Today is 5.8 miles/ 9.3km. Descend 1,400m/ 4,593 feet. Read more about Day 8 on the Lemosho Route.