8 Days Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro New Moon Climbing Adventure

Distance: Approximately 7 km
Trekking Time: 3–4 hours
Driving Distance: Approximately 70–80 km
Driving Time: 2–3 hours
Starting Altitude: Lemosho Gate, approximately 2,100 m
Ending Altitude: Big Tree Campsite, approximately 2,650 m
Altitude Gain: Approximately 550 m
Vegetation Zone: Montane rainforest
Trail Conditions: Moist forest paths, gentle uphill sections and possible mud

Your new moon Kilimanjaro adventure will begin with a morning drive from Moshi to Lemosho Gate, where our mountain team will complete the park registration and prepare the equipment. You will start hiking through a dense rainforest filled with tall trees, ferns, mosses and colourful mountain plants. You may also see blue monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys and different bird species along the trail. Our guides will introduce you to a slow and comfortable trekking pace before you arrive at Big Tree Campsite.

Destination:

Lemosho Gate To Big Tree (Mti Mkubwa) Camp

Overnight:

Big Tree (Mti Mkubwa) Campsite

  public camp site

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Distance: Approximately 8 km
Trekking Time: 5–6 hours
Starting Altitude: Big Tree Campsite, approximately 2,650 m
Ending Altitude: Shira 1 Camp, approximately 3,500 m
Altitude Gain: Approximately 850 m
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest transitioning into heath and moorland
Trail Conditions: Steeper forest trails, open ridges and rocky sections

After breakfast, you will continue through the upper rainforest as the path becomes steeper and the vegetation gradually changes into heath and moorland. You will enjoy wider views of the surrounding valleys as you approach the western edge of the Shira Plateau. Our guides will encourage regular hydration, controlled breathing and a slow pace as you gain altitude. You will arrive at Shira 1 Camp with views of the plateau and, when the clouds clear, the distant slopes of Kibo.

Destination:

Big Tree (Mti Mkubwa) Camp To Shira 1 Camp

Overnight:

Shira 1 Campsite

  public camp site

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Distance: Approximately 7 km
Trekking Time: 3–4 hours
Starting Altitude: Shira 1 Camp, approximately 3,500 m
Ending Altitude: Shira 2 Campsite, approximately 3,850 m
Altitude Gain: Approximately 350 m
Vegetation Zone: Heath and moorland
Trail Conditions: Gradual slopes, open plateau and rocky sections

You will walk across the broad Shira Plateau on a shorter trekking day designed to support acclimatization. The route offers panoramic views of the Shira Ridge, Kibo Peak and the plains stretching below Kilimanjaro. You will pass low shrubs, giant heather and volcanic formations before arriving at Shira 2 Campsite. Our guide may lead you on an optional acclimatization walk to a slightly higher elevation before you return to camp for rest.

Destination:

Shira 1 Camp To Shira 2 Camp

Overnight:

Shira 2 Campsite

  public camp site

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Distance: Approximately 10 km
Trekking Time: 6–8 hours
Starting Altitude: Shira 2 Campsite, approximately 3,850 m
Highest Altitude: Lava Tower, approximately 4,600 m
Ending Altitude: Barranco Camp, approximately 3,950 m
Altitude Gain to Lava Tower: Approximately 750 m
Vegetation Zone: Moorland transitioning into alpine desert
Trail Conditions: Volcanic terrain, rocky slopes and a sustained descent

You will leave Shira 2 Camp and climb gradually through the increasingly dry alpine landscape toward Lava Tower. Reaching approximately 4,600 metres will allow your body to experience a higher elevation before you descend to sleep at Barranco Camp. This climb-high-and-sleep-low pattern is one of the most important acclimatization stages on the Lemosho Route. During the descent, you will enter the scenic Barranco Valley, where giant groundsels and lobelias create a distinctive high-altitude environment.

Destination:

Shira 2 Camp To Lava Tower To Barranco Camp

Overnight:

Barranco Campsite

  public camp site

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Distance: Approximately 5 km
Trekking Time: 4–5 hours
Starting Altitude: Barranco Camp, approximately 3,950 m
Ending Altitude: Karanga Campsite, approximately 4,035 m
Altitude Gain: Approximately 85 m, with several ascents and descents
Vegetation Zone: Alpine desert
Trail Conditions: Steep scrambling, rocky ridges and valley crossings

You will begin the day by climbing the famous Barranco Wall, an exciting section that requires careful scrambling but no technical climbing skills. Our guides will show you where to place your hands and feet while helping you move safely through the steeper areas. From the top, you will enjoy impressive views of Kilimanjaro’s southern glaciers and the valleys below. You will then cross a series of ridges and descend into Karanga Valley before making the final climb to Karanga Campsite.

Destination:

Barranco Camp To Karanga Camp

Overnight:

Karanga Campsite

  public camp site

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Distance: Approximately 4 km
Trekking Time: 3–4 hours
Starting Altitude: Karanga Campsite, approximately 4,035 m
Ending Altitude: Barafu Campsite, approximately 4,640 m
Altitude Gain: Approximately 605 m
Vegetation Zone: Alpine desert
Trail Conditions: Dry, rocky, exposed and increasingly cold

You will continue through the high alpine desert toward Barafu Campsite, the final base before your new moon summit attempt. The route becomes more barren, and the thin air may make the short distance feel physically demanding. After arriving at camp, you will have time to rest, eat and arrange your summit clothing, headlamp and cold-weather equipment. Our lead guide will explain the summit schedule, safety procedures and the importance of conserving energy before the midnight departure.

Destination:

Barranco Camp to Karanga to Barafu Camp

Overnight:

Barafu Campsite

  public camp site

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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 Distance: Approximately 17 km
Summit Altitude: Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m
Ending Altitude: Mweka Campsite, approximately 3,100 m
Altitude Gain to Summit: Approximately 1,255 m
Altitude Loss to Mweka Camp: Approximately 2,795 m
Vegetation Zone: Arctic summit zone descending into alpine desert and moorland
Trail Conditions: Steep scree, darkness, freezing temperatures, possible ice or snow and a long descent

Your summit climb will begin around midnight under the dark sky of the new moon. With little or no moonlight, your headlamp will guide each step while the stars may appear brighter above the mountain. You will climb slowly over steep volcanic scree toward Stella Point as our guides monitor your health and encourage you through the most demanding section. From Stella Point, you will continue along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, where you can celebrate reaching the highest point in Africa. After photographs and a brief summit experience, you will descend to Barafu Camp for rest before continuing to Mweka Campsite.

Destination:

Barafu Camp To Uhuru Peak To Mweka Camp

Overnight:

Mweka Campsite

  public camp site

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Distance: Approximately 10 km
Trekking Time: 3–4 hours
Starting Altitude: Mweka Campsite, approximately 3,100 m
Ending Altitude: Mweka Gate, approximately 1,640 m
Altitude Loss: Approximately 1,460 m
Driving Distance to Moshi: Approximately 35–45 km
Driving Time: 1–1.5 hours
Vegetation Zone: Montane rainforest
Trail Conditions: Wet forest paths, wooden steps, roots and possible mud

After breakfast, you will descend through the lush rainforest toward Mweka Gate. The trail may be wet and slippery, so our guides will encourage careful walking and the use of trekking poles where necessary. At the gate, you will complete the park departure procedures and receive a certificate based on the highest point you reached. Our driver will then transfer you to Moshi, where you can rest and celebrate the completion of your Kilimanjaro new moon climbing adventure.

Destination:

Mweka Camp To Mweka Gate

Overnight:

Kilimanjaro White House Hotel

  budget 2 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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