8 Days Lemosho Route to Climb Kilimanjaro

Meals

Transfers

Sightseeing

Comfortability

Proffesionals

Overview

The Lemosho route is one of our favorites because of its minimal traffic, stunning landscape, and high summit success rate. The Lemosho road begins in the west, with a long trip from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. The first two days are spent walking through the beautiful jungle to Shira Plateau from there. We recommend attempting this route for at least 7 days, but 8 days is ideal for optimal acclimatization and summit success. The Lemosho route connects with the Machame route at Shira 2 Camp before following the same path around the southern circuit and descending at Mweka Gate.

Itinerary - Day by Day Program

Day 0 : Arrival

Meeting and Greetings
Day 1: Lemosho Glades (2385m) to Big Tree Camp (2780m)

After breakfast in the morning, you will drive approximately for two to three hours to the Londorosi gate where you will do registration and get entrance permit. Then, you will drive again for one hour to Lemosho starting point where you will get off from the jeep and stop for picnic lunch. After lunch, you will meet all the crews including the rest of the guides, cooks, and porters.
Day 2: Big Tree Camp (2780m) to Shira 1 Camp (3500m)

Your day begins with a big breakfast, weather permitting, outside your tent. At 8:30 to 9:00 am your hike will start in the direction of Shira (1) Camp. At the beginning of today’s stage, you still walk through dense mountain rainforest. After a short while, however, the forest begins to thin out. You have arrived at the edge of the heathland and moorland. Your hike will take you along an increasingly steep trail up to the Shira Plateau. You continue your hike across the plateau towards Kibo. During your hike, you have great views of Kibo and Mount Meru. Finally, you reach Shira (1) Camp, from where you can well see the western crater rim of Kibo, called “Western Breach”. If you choose the shorter of the hikes possible, you just take a break at Shira 1 Camp and continue the same day until the Shira (2) Camp. Otherwise, you spend the second night in tents.
Day 3: Shira (1) Camp (3,500 m) – Shira (2) Camp (3,750 m)

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. Distance covered: 8.5km / 5.3mi Approx. time taken: 7 hours Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 4: Shira (2) Camp (3,750 m) – Barranco Camp (3,900 m)

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. Distance covered: 10km / 6.2mi Approx. time taken: 7 hours Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 5: Barranco Camp (3,900 m) – Karanga Camp (3,995 m)

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. Distance covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi Approx. time taken: 5 hours Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 6: Karanga Camp (3,995 m) – Barafu Camp (4,673 m)

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. Distance covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi Approx. time taken: 5 hours Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 7: Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Mweka Camp (3100m)

We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Mweka Camp for a long well-earned rest. Distance covered: 16.4km / 9.6mi Approx. time taken: 13hours – 15hours Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 8: Trek Mweka Camp (3100m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)

The last day of your hike starts with a relaxed breakfast. Today’s leg to the exit of the national park is only a few hours long. Before departure from Mweka Camp, the traditional farewell ceremony takes place. You walk through the lush green, as on the first day, and take short breaks from time to time. Once you arrive at Mweka Gate, your summit certificate will be issued, and you say goodbye to the mountain and your team. On the way back to your lodge you can stop for lunch. Once you arrive back at your accommodation – enjoy the shower! The rest of the day is at your disposal. Celebrate it the way you want, you deserve it! You’re spending the last night of your trip in your lodge.

Accommodation as per the itinerary
Pickup from the airport (Kilimanjaro International Airport) or bus terminal, and drop off when climb finished
Professional Mountain guid
Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner as per the itinerary.
Rescue fees
All Fees and Taxes
Porter’s allowance
Professional mountain cook
Transfer to and from the mountain gate
Drink Water