KILIMANJARO TREKKING VIA LEMOSHO ROUTE8 DAYS 7 NIGHTS
- 10 days / 9 night
- Solo / Groups
- Your Arrival Destination
The Lemosho is considered the most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro, granting panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. As one of the newer Kilimanjaro routes. It is our preferred route due to its ideal balance of low crowds, beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate. Most of our clients climb Kilimanjaro using this route and they consistently report that they loved it.
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a drive from Arusha 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.
We offer Lemosho route as an 8-day private climb which is approximately 70 km or 42 mile
DAY 1: Arusha – Londorossi Gate – Mti Mkubwa
We depart Arusha for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 – 5 hours, where we will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at trailhead, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.
Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: 6 km | 4 miles
Habitat: Rain Forest
DAY 2 – Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp
We continue on the trail leading out of the rain 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. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.
Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Distance: 8 km | 5 miles
Habitat: Health
DAY 3 – Shira 1 Camp to Moir Hut
We explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. Then we divert from the main trail 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 Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
Elevation: 11,500 ft to 13,800 ft
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Distance: 11 km | 7 miles
Habitat: Health
DAY 4 – Moir Hut to Lava Tower then to Barranco Camp
We begin the day climbing up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.
Moir Hut to Lava Tower
Elevation: 13,800 ft to 15,190 ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 7 km | 4 miles
Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Distance: 3 km | 2 miles
Habitat: Alpine Desert
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: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 5 km | 3 miles
Habitat: Alpine Desert
DAY 6 – Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.
Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 4 km | 2 miles
Habitat: Alpine Desert
DAY 7 – Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak then descend to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. 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.
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
Descending Time: 4-6 hours
Distance: 5 km | 3 miles
Habitat: Arctic
Distance: 12 km | 7 miles. Habitat: Rain Forest
DAY 8 – Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
On our last day on the majestic Kili, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate where your guide will your golden summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village where you will find your driver waiting for you ready to drive back to your lodge in Arusha for total celebration.
Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Descending Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: 10 km | 6 miles
Habitat: Rain Forest
GALLERY / SAFARI PHOTOS
