Trek Overview
The Lemosho route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west. You will begin with a drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. Once you are here, you will spend your first two days trekking through the rainforest to Shira Ridge. Lemosho is considered to be the most beautiful route on Kilimanjaro. It is our favorite one because it offers a perfect balance between low traffic, scenic views, and a higher summit success (around 80%). The Lemosho route is about 70km (42 miles) long, from gate to gate.
Unlike the highly popular Machame route which simply brushes the Shira Plateau, Lemosho route goes across the entire plateau, from West to the East in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. The route takes more days to climb, so it offers great acclimatization opportunities.
Trek Duration
7 Days, 6 Nights
Traffic
High
Difficulty
Medium
Scenery
Excellent
Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Lemosho Glades to Big Tree Camp
You will be picked up at your hotel at around 08:00am and transferred to the Lemosho gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. After the registration process you will still start our climb steadily through the forests of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree camp where you will be spending the night.
- Elevation 2380meters to 2780meters
- Distance: 6 km
- Hiking Time:3-4 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest
Day 2: Big Tree Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Today you will cover a lot of ground as you trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. We will trek through Shira 1 Camp from where there are often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds as we head towards our destination which is Shira 2. We gain a reasonable amount of altitude as we head towards Shira 1 and parts of the route are fairly steep. As you proceed towards Shira 2 you will get the chance to view the Northern Ice fields 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 we enjoy great panoramic views.
- Elevation 2780meters to 3900meters
- Distance: 16.5 km
- Hiking Time 9-11 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
Day 3: Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
Your trek starts with an ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking in to the climatic zone of the upland desert and on the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. You will reach the distinct pinnacle of the Lava Tower (4640 m), our high point for the day and a great place to enjoy your lunch. In the afternoon we make a steep descent to our camp for the night, located in the base of the Great Barranco Valley (3960 m), sheltered by towering cliffs but with extensive views of the plains below.
- Elevation 3900meters to 4600meters to 3950meters
- Distance: 10km
- Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
- Habitat: Semi-Desert
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.
- Elevation 3950meters to 4002meters
- Distance: 5.5km
- Hiking Time: 5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp, we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.
- Elevation 4002meters to 4600meters
- Distance: 4 km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Hiking to the summit will begin short after midnight, at around 12:30 A.M., as our path twists through heavy scree towards Stella Point at the crater rim. This part of the hike is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the ascend. Once we reach Stella Point, you will rest and refresh with warm cup of tea or coffee, accompanied by the views of the magnificent sunrise coming above Mawenzi. Going further up, you might encounter snow storm, although it is dictated by the season you are taking for the hike. The summit, Uhuru Peak – the highest point on Kilimanjaro and all of Africa, is just an hour ascend from Stella Point.
From the summit, you will start trekking down to Mweka campsite. Lunch stop will be at Barafu camp, where you can take some rest, before we continue our descend towards Mweka Campsite, which is located in the forest. Here, you will have your last dinner and overnight on the Kilimanjaro.
- Elevation 4600meters to 5895meters (and down to 3100meters)
- Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
- Habitat: Arctic
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.
- Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Distance: 10 km | 6 miles
- Habitat: Rain Forest
Detailed Breakdown
Trekking Cost Includes
- Airport Transfers (upon Arrival and Departure)
- All Entrance fees and Government taxes
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Fair wages for the mountain crew.
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Rescue Fees and all taxes.
- Salaries for Porters, Cook, and Guides
- Oxygen Tanks, Pulse Oximeter, and First Aid Kit
- Transfers from the Hotel to the Kilimanjaro entrance gate and from the Kilimanjaro exit gate to the hotel.
Trekking Cost Excludes
- Passport, Visa, and Travelers Insurance
- International and local airfare.
- Yellow fever vaccinations
- Local transportation before and after the climb.
- Tips for the support team
- Personal expenses eg. Laundry, beverages, etc.
- Private Toilet and hot shower tent
- Bed, Sleeping Bag, and walking Poles.
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DISCLAIMER
Please note that all trip prices are based on our own Company costs, fees, and supplier prices in effect at the time of booking. We reserve the right to alter trip prices should inflation, cost of fuel, labor, materials, or exchange rates change. If the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) raises park fees, or any hotel, lodge, camp, or any other service provider raises their rates, we reserve the right to require additional payment from the client.
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