8 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing Lemosho Route

Overview

Lemosho in considered to be most scenic trail on Mt. Kilimanjaro and superb choice for hiking. It is preffered due to its low crowds, best scenic and high summit success rate.

The route approaches the mountain from the western side. A long drive from Moshi town to Lemosho gate is always expected on the morning of the first day. Whilst on trail, the first two days are spent through rainforest to Shira Plateau.  The Lemosho route crosses this entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. This route joins with Machame route after crossing Lava Camp.

Then the route trails through Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field  before summiting from Barafu and descends through Mweka route.

Itinerary

Day 0: Arrival

A well presented driver will be at Kilimanjaro International Aiport for pick up and followed by a one hour drive  to your hotel/lodge in Moshi town. Your guide will be coming at your place where you stay for pre-climb briefing and gear check.

Day 1: Hotel to Mti Mkubwa Camp
A transport will be at your hotel in the morning for pick up and drive to Londros gate which takes about 4 hours. After completing check-in formalities, then we drive to the Lemosho starting-point. A hike start with steady walk starts through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site for the first overnight .

Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp

The trail starts by leaving form the rain forest zone and enters into a savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we hike through the lush rolling hills and pass past several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before heading down to Shira 1 Camp. Here we see our first glimpse of Kibo.

Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3500m/11,500ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
After breakfast, we explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp . Couples hikes can be done around this Plateau region,this day is excellent for acclimatization.

Elevation: 3500m/11,500ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
This day is very important for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo peak before we then continue, South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth”. Shortly after the tower, we come to a second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier. We then continue to descend to overnight at Barranco Camp.

Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization

Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.

Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 4km/2mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp

Around midnight we will attempt summitting to the highest place in Africa, we continue our way to the summit between the giant glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most challenging part of the trek. We will take a rest at Stella Point where also you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see.

 Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!

From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.

Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel

After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles.

From the gate, a vehicle will be present for pick up and drive you back to your hotel in Moshi.

Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast

Group price