Overviews

Summary

Lemosho route is longer and more scenic option in comparison to the other routes. It is still a relatively unused route

Overview

This is a longer and more scenic option in comparison to the other routes. It is still a relatively unused route, meaning less tourist traffic and is one of the best for acclimatization due to the length of time taken to climb, it therefore has a high success rate of climbers summiting the Roof of Africa. The route approaches Mt. Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through rain forest to Shira Ridge.

This route offers variety as it meets up with 2 of the other routes on the mountain. The first is Shira route, now a drivable road used for emergency vehicles. The Lemosho route passes this road and crosses the Shira Plateu on the way to the summit. On the fourth day it meets up with the Machame route around Lava Tower. The hike goes down to Barranco valley and we ascend to the Great Barranco wall.

Lemosho is considered one of the most beautiful routes Mount Kilimanjaro has to offer and there may even be opportunities to spot some wildlife in the forest zone and Shira Plateau, if you’re lucky. The descent is made via the Mweka route. It’s a good acclimatization route and offers a better chance of summiting as you take more days at a slower pace.

Overview

Lemosho route is longer and more scenic option in comparison to the other routes. It is still a relatively unused route

This is a longer and more scenic option in comparison to the other routes. It is still a relatively unused route, meaning less tourist traffic and is one of the best for acclimatization due to the length of time taken to climb, it therefore has a high success rate of climbers summiting the Roof of Africa. The route approaches Mt. Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through rain forest to Shira Ridge.

This route offers variety as it meets up with 2 of the other routes on the mountain. The first is Shira route, now a drivable road used for emergency vehicles. The Lemosho route passes this road and crosses the Shira Plateu on the way to the summit. On the fourth day it meets up with the Machame route around Lava Tower. The hike goes down to Barranco valley and we ascend to the Great Barranco wall.

Lemosho is considered one of the most beautiful routes Mount Kilimanjaro has to offer and there may even be opportunities to spot some wildlife in the forest zone and Shira Plateau, if you’re lucky. The descent is made via the Mweka route. It’s a good acclimatization route and offers a better chance of summiting as you take more days at a slower pace.

Itinerary

Day 1: Starting point (2,300m) to Mti Mkubwa (2,750m)

Trekking Time: 3hrs | Distance: 7 km | Altitude Gain: 450m. A three hour drive from Moshi will take you to Londorossi Gate (1,800m). After registration formalities you will be driven to the starting point of your trek at 2,350m. The first day is a short walk through stretches of untamed, dense, ever-changing rain forest.

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa (2,750m) to Shira Camp 1 (3,550m)

Trekking Time: 6-7hrs | Distance: 10 km | Altitude Gain: 800m.The trail brings you out of the forest to giant heather moorland zone and up steep ridges leading to the Shira Plateau. From here you will be able to take in the stunning views Kilimanjaro has to offer, including Mount Meru in the west. 

Day 3: Shira camp 1 (3,550m) to Shira camp 2 (3,840m)

Trekking Time: 3-4hrs | Distance: 8km | Altitude Gain: 290m. The trail continues to Shira Camp 2 passing across the Shira Plateau on the moorland zone and more open area. You will have the best scenic views of the mountain from here. Reaching your camp you will have a hot lunch and short excursions to assist you with acclimatization.

Day 4: Shira camp 2 (3,840m) to Barranco camp (3,950m) via lava tower

Trekking Time: 6-7hrs / Distance: 11km / Altitude Gain: 110m. The trail to Barranco Camp, taking 6 – 7 hours, is extremely beautiful and starts with a gentle incline towards Kibo. Upon reaching Lava Tower (4,600m) you will gradually descend to Barranco Camp with its great views of the icy Western Breach and the Barranco Wall, better known as the ‘Breakfast Wall’. This is an acclimatisation day following the ‘walking high, sleeping low’ rule of mountaineering.

Day 5: Barranco Camp (3,950m) to Barafu Camp (4,700)

Trekking Time: 6 – 7 hrs / Distance: 9km / Altitude Gain: 750m. The top of the ‘Breakfast Wall’ has attractive vistas of Kibo and the surrounding landscape. Continuing our eastward traverse to Barafu Camp we meet the crossroads with the Mweka route. A further hours climb up a steep and rocky lava ridge will bring us to Barafu Camp. We will set up camp, rest and enjoy a hearty meal before heading to bed – the summit is just a further 1,188m, which we will start to attempt at midnight.

Day 6: Barafu Camp (4,700m) to Summit (5,895m) (midnight start), descent to Mweka Camp (3,100m)

Trekking Time: 6 – 7hrs / Distance: 5km / Altitude Gain: 1,195m. This is the most exhausting day of your climb with an overall trekking time of approximately 16 hours. We will head north west; following the trail up an increasingly steep valley on the edge of scree fields you will pass the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers towards Stella Point (5,672m). Just a further hour’s climb will bring you to Uhuru Peak (5,895m). You will be surrounded by awe-inspiring ice cliffs and magnificent views of Mawenzi peak and beyond.

Day 6: Summit (5,895m) to Mweka Camp (3,100m)

Trekking Time: 5 – 6hrs / Distance 9km / Altitude loss: 2,795. We will start our descent to Stella Point, a 9km trek where you will be able to take in the spectacular views of the plains of Kilimanjaro. This is not a difficult route, taking just 4 – 5 hours, the trail takes you down a rocky scree path through moorland and then into beautiful forest habitat. 

Day 7: Mweka Camp (3,100m) to Mweka Gate (1,800m)

Trekking Time: 4 – 5hrs / Distance: 10km / Altitude Loss: 1,300m. You will start your day with breakfast and then singing and celebrations with your porters before descending 1,300m to Mweka Gate. On arrival at Mweka Gate you will receive your Gold Summit Certificate, a token for you to take home to remember one of the biggest challenges of your life. You will be transferred back to your hotel for a refreshing hot shower and dinner.

TERMS

Important Note:

*This route can also be done over an 8 or 9 day period. We will always endeavour to get you to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, however the longer the climb the more chances you have of a successful summit. Just let us know what your preference is and we’ll be happy to provide you with a specified itinerary.

*Term; Hike high, sleep low: This means that you should take day hikes that gain significant altitude and then return to lower altitudes to sleep so that one can recuperate.