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Climb Routes

Lemosho
Machame
Marangu
Rongai
Shira
Umbwe
Western Breach

Mt. Meru

Lemosho Route

Duration: 7 days hiking is recommended but it can be done in 6 days.

Both the Shira and Lemosho routes are particularly beautiful and go through one of the few areas on the mountain rich in wildlife. Both start on the West side before meeting up with the Machame route at Shira camp after a few days. These routes offer more time to acclimate and stunning views.

DAY 1: Londorossi Gate ( 6890 ft  ) to Mti Mkubwas Camp ( 9022 ft)

After a 2 hour drive from Moshi to Londorossi gate, you follow a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle. This leads to the Lemosho Glades (6,890ft) and a possible campsite (park fees are not paid to camp here). Most groups continue on to Mti Mkubwas Camp.

DAY 2: Mti Mkubwas Camp (9022 ft ) to Shira 2 Camp (12,598 ft )

Your hike today continues through the forest and then into the heather and moorland areas up to the Shira Plateau. This camp is large and exposed with beautiful views of the town of Moshi and the Heim Glacier.

DAY 3: Shira 2 Camp (12,598 ft) to Barranco Camp (14,928 ft)

This is your first day of “walk high, sleep low”, intended to help you acclimatize to the altitude. The grade is gradual as you make your way up to Lava Tower, but the way down to Barranco Camp is steep. Your camp is in the beautiful Barranco valley with large lobelia and senecio trees dotting the landscape.

DAY 4: Barranco Camp (12,960 ft) to Barafu Camp (14,928 ft)

You start the morning with a climb up the great Barranco wall, with some parts requiring a bit of scrambling over the rocks. Then it is about a 2 hour walk down to Karanga valley where you will have lunch.  After a rest, you continue up to Barafu camp, where you will rest before the big summit attempt.

While the overall elevation gain is only about 2,000' feet you will actually climb more like 3,700' since you climb up the Barranco wall, hike down into the Karanga valley, and then back up to Barafu camp.

DAY 5: Barafu Camp (14,928 ft) to Uhuru Peak (19,340 ft)

Elevation gain: 4,412 ft Distance: approx. 4 miles Time: 5 - 7 hours

Uhuru Peak (19,340 ft) to Mweka Camp (10,171 ft)

Elevation loss: 9,169 ft Distance: approx. 14 miles Time: 6 - 8 hours

This is the longest day. At around 12:30 am, you will begin your summit attempt. The path up to Stella Point zigzags back and forth along a gravel path. This portion takes about 6 hours. This can be quite boring as most of the hiking is in darkness with little to see. Then you scramble over a few rocks and continue up to Uhuru Peak. After a few victorious photos, it’s time to head back down to Barafu for a short rest before making your way down to Mweka camp.

DAY 6: Mweka Camp (10,171 ft) to Mweka Gate (6496 ft)

Enjoy your last views of the mountain as you descend through the moorland and rain forest zones on your way to Mweka Gate. The path will be muddy, especially if it rained recently. At the gate, you will receive your completion certificate if you made it to Stella Point or Uhuru Peak. Then it’s back to the hotel for a hot shower and a dip in the swimming pool!

The moorland turns to dirt and rock after Karanga camp, on the way to Barafu camp.

From the summit you can look back on your accomplishment and even look down on Mt. Meru in the distance