Lemosho via Kosovo Campsite Route (8-Days) Itinerary 

Day 1

• Londrossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp
• Elevation (ft): 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft
• Distance: 6 km
• Hiking Time:3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at trailhead, we eat lunch, then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.

DAY 2

• Mti Mkubwa to Shira Camp 1
• Elevation (ft): 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft
• Distance: 8 km
• Hiking Time 5-6 hours
• Habitat: Health

We continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.

DAY 3

• Shira Camp 1 to Shira 2 to Moir Hut
• Elevation (ft): 11,500ft to 13,800 ft
• Distance: 11 km
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Habitat: Health

We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

DAY 4

• Moir Hut to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
• Elevation (ft): 13,800 ft to 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
• Distance: 7 km + 3km
• Hiking Time: 4 - 8 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

DAY 5

• Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
• Elevation (ft): 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
• Distance: 5km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

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 meant for acclimatization.

DAY 6

• Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp to Kosovo Camp
• Elevation (ft): 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft to 15,978ft
• Distance: 5 km
• Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

You will wake up to the sunshine on Kibo Peak and enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading to today's destination, Barafu Camp. You will spend most of the day trekking through a very dry desert, and Kibo will always be on the left. After 3-4 hours walking you will reach Barafu campsite. From this position you can see his two peaks, Mawenzi and Kibo. At this point of Kilimanjaro climbing, the South Circuit is complete, with views of the summit from different angles. Immediately after a hot lunch, we set off from Barafu camp at 4,550 m (14,930 ft) and headed to a higher, lesser-known camp called Kosovo, the usual starting point for ascents, where we slept for a few hours. Climb or hike to the top before the midnight climb. Few people know about the Kosovo camp. Staying there instead of Barafu saved the first hour of the ugly straight Kilimanjaro climbing to the summit, slept through the night and woke up at usual time. Here we camp, rest, and enjoy an early dinner and evening.

DAY 7

• Kosovo Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

• Elevation (ft): 15,978ft to 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft

• Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
• Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
• Habitat: Arctic to Rain Forest

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (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 now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

DAY 8

• Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
• Elevation (ft): 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi.