The Lemosho route is one of our preferred routes due to its low traffic, beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate.The Lemosho route starts off from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. We recommend a minimum of 7 days to attempt this route but 8 days is preferable for better acclimatization and summit success.The Lemosho route joins the Machame route at Shira 2 Camp and then follows the same route through the southern circuit and descending at Mweka Gate.
Day 1:Lemosho Gate 2385m to Big Tree Camp 2780m
Hiking Time: Approximately 4 hours Habitat: Montana Forest
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.
Day 2:Big Tree Camp 2780m to Shira 2 Camp 3900m
Hiking Time: Approximately 7 hours Habitat: Montana Forest
Today you will trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. Our destination for today is the Shira 1 Camp from where there are often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds. We gain a reasonable amount of altitude today and parts of the route are fairly steep.
Day 3:Shira 2 Camp 3900m to Barranco Camp 3960m
Hiking Time: Approximately 8 hours Habitat: Mooreland
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.
Day 4: Barranco Camp 3960m to Karanga Camp 3963m
Hiking Time: Approximately 4 hours Habitat: Mooreland
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.
Day 5:Karanga Camp 3963 to Barafu Camp 4640m
Hiking Time: Approximately 4 hours Habitat: Mooreland
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.
Day 6:Barafu Camp 4640m to UHURU PEAK 5895m & down to Millennium Camp 3790m
Hiking Time: Approximately 12 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert
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.
Day 7: Trek Mweka Camp 3790m to Mweka Gate 1630m
Hiking Time: Approximately 4 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert
A gentle trek takes us down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower (and a cold beer or two!) before our big celebration.
Departure
Preffered Hotel or Lodge
Departure Time
Please arrive by 10:20 AM for a prompt departure at 10:50 AM
