KILIMANJARO

Lemosho Route - 8 Days

The Lemosho Route is considered the most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro, granting panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. As one of the newer routes, Lemosho is a superb choice for your climb. It is our preferred route due to its ideal balance of low crowds, beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rain forest to Shira Ridge. The Lemosho route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. Crowds are low until the route joins the Machame route near Lava Tower. Then the route traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s southern ice field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.

Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa

Distance: 11 km

Hiking Time: 3 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

Drive from Moshi or Arusha to Londorossi Gate, where we will complete entry formalities. From here a forest track requiring one hour drive to Lemosho Glades. After lunch, we will walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite,

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa to Shira Camp 1

Distance: 8km

Hiking Time: 7 hours

Habitat: Moorland

We will follow a trail that leads out of the forest and into a savannah giant heather moorland zone. Our ascend through scenic rolling hills, we will cross several streams to reach the Shira Ridge before descending to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from the plateau is spectacular.

Day 3: Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2

Distance: 6km

Hiking Time: 2 hours

Habitat: Moorland

A gentle walk across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of walks are available on the plateau making this an excellent acclimatization day. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on Earth.

Day 4: Shira Camp 2 to Barranco Camp

Distance: 7km

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

Habitat: Semi Desert

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east towards the peak of Kibo and passing that junction. Here our path goes east, towards the Lava Tower, also called the Shark’s Tooth. Shortly after passing the Lava Tower, we meet the second junction that brings us to the Arrow Glacier. From here we continue down to the Barranco Hut, where we will rest, have dinner and overnight. Despite the fact that we did not changed elevation from the point where we started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for the summit.

Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Distance: 5km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we take short scramble to the top of the Great Barranco and then a traverse over scree and ridges to the Karanga Valley, beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers. We will use this day also for acclimatization.

Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Distance: 4km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Karanga and cross the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail, used for descend from the mountain later. From here we continue up to the Barafu Camp. Here we will rest, have dinner and prepare for the summit day. From Barafu you can enjoy the view of two volcanic cones Mawenzi and Kibo peaks, and that view is quite spectacular and you should not miss it.

Day 7: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent

Habitat: Arctic

An early start for the ascent to the rim of the Kibo Crater between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers. The last section before the rim can sometimes be snow-covered and an ice-axe or ski stick is useful for balance. At the rim we will reach Stella point, from where we have further hour to Uhuru Peak. After a short stop for taking photos we descend to the Barafu Hut for a rest and lunch before continuing on past Millenium camp down to Mweka Hut in the giant heather zone on the forest edge. Those with the strength left from the summit may wish to descend to the Reutsh Crater and visit the ice pinnacles of the Eastern Icefields. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Day 8: Mweka Camp to Moshi/Arusha

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. From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi or Arusha.

INCLUDED

  • 2 nights of accommodations at the hotel
  • Transport to and from the gate
  • Park entry fees
  • Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi
  • Crater fees
  • Camping fees
  • Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees
  • 18% VAT on tour fees & services
  • 4 season mountain tents (EUREKA, MOUNTAIN HARD WEAR)
  • Double layered Sleeping Mats
  • Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters
  • 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain
  • Treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
  • Hot water for washing
  • Fair wages for the mountain crew as is recommended by the Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO) and the Tanzanian Government
  • Government taxes
  • Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter
  • Emergency first-aid kit