Lemosho Route 7 Days

Route Description

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. Wabantu Trekking & Safaris is specialized in guiding on the Lemosho route. Most of our clients climb Kilimanjaro using this route and they consistently report that they loved it. Thus, Lemosho is highly recommended.

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.

Wabantu trekking we offer Lemosho as an eight day group climb or as a seven to eight day private climb. The seven day variation combines days five and six, going from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp without staying at Karanga. A nine day variation that includes an overnight at Crater Camp is available as a private climb by special request.

BOOK THIS TOUR (CLICK TO OPEN THE FORM BELOW)

DAY 1:

Arrival Kilimanjaro airport and Drive to Moshi or Arusha overnight in the Hotel or Lodge.

DAY 2:

Lemosho Starting point to Big Tree Camp (MtiMkubwa)
Elevation: 2360m to 2895m (ft) 7,742.ft to 9,498.ft
Distance: 6 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

You depart Moshi or Arusha toLondorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you 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.

DAY 3:

Big tree camp (MtiMkubwa) to Shira 2 CampViaShira 1 Camp.
Elevation: 2895m to 3920m (ft) 9,498.ft to 13,070.ft
Distance: 16.5 km/10.3 miles
Hiking Time: 9-10 hours
Habitat: Health and Moorland.

This day you will cover a lot of ground as you trek across a plateau of grassy at Moorland and heather scattered with Volcanic rock formations. You will trek through shira1 camp towards your destination which is Shira 2 camp. At this you will gain a reasonable amount of altitude as you head towards shira 1 and parts of the route are fairly steep. As you proceed towards shira2 you will get a chance to view the Northern ice field from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of kibo. Our steady climb across the moorland of the shira plateau will help with acclimatization and you will enjoy great panoramic view.

DAY 4:

Shira 2 Camp to Baranco Camp via Lava tower
Elevation: 3920m to 3950 (ft) 13,070.ft to 13,167.ft
Distance: 10 km/ 6.2miles
Hiking Time: 6 -7 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert.

Your treks starts with an ascent with far reaching Panoramic views, Walking in to the climatic zone of the upland desert and on the lava ridges which connected with Machame route and beneath the glaciers of the western Breach. You will reach the Distinct pinnacle of the Lava tower (4600m) for Acclimatization. Spend a short time and enjoy hot lunch and then after you continue to make a steep descent to the camp for the night which is located in the base of the great baranco Valley (3950m) sheltered by towering cliffs but with extensive views of the plains below.

DAY 5:

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 3920 to 3995m (ft) 13,044.ft to 13,106.ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

You 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.

DAY 6:

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 3995m to 4673m (ft) 13,106.ft to 15,331.ft
Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. You 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.

DAY 7:

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
Elevation: 4673m to 5895m (ft) 15,331.ft to 19,341.ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic
Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 5895m to 3060m (ft) 19,341.ft to 10,065.ft
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is 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.

DAY 8:

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 3060m to 1640m (ft) 10,065.ft to 5,380.ft
Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

On last day, Youdescent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gateA vehicle will meet you and drive back to the hotel in Moshi or Arusha.

DAY 9:

Drive from the Hotel to Kilimanjaro airport and fly back home.

Items included:

Meeting at Kilimanjaro International Airport;
Transfer to the hotel to Moshi or Arusha
Accommodation prior to the climb (including breakfast; sharing a twin room);
Transfer to the starting point.
Professional mountain crew. All guides have “Wilderness First Responder” and “Wilderness First Aid” certificates, along with over 10 years of experience in climbing. Each participant will be provided with a porter (who can carry up to 15 kg of personal baggage)
Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees;
Camping/hut fees;
3 square meals daily. The menu includes different soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables; vegetarian options are available upon request;
Oxygen systems and pulse oximeters;
First aid kit;
Group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery);
Meeting the group at the National Park exit and transfer to the hotel;
Accommodation after the climb (including breakfast; sharing a twin room);
Comfortable sleeping pads.
Return transfer to Kilimanjaro airport.

* Basic tour package price includes sharing a twin room. If you need a single bed accommodation only, you should inform us before the tour.

** During the climb you will share a tent with 1-2 other climbers, depending on the number of participants. If you need an individual tent, please, contact us. Single accommodation at sleeping huts on Marangu is impossible.