Kilimanjaro Trekking Lemosho Route
About 8 Days Lemosho Route
The Lemosho Route begins on the west side of the mountain and is normally an eight day trip but can also be seven days. It merges with the Machame Route on the Shira Plateau which is the second camp, and is popular because the initial ascent through the forest is easier and it adds an extra vital day of acclimatisation if you choose the 8 day option.
Lemosho is a relatively new route and it was designed to absorb some of the busier paths on the other two main routes of Machame and Marangu. The extra day and the slightly easier gradient through the forest makes it a slightly better option for acclimatisation..
The first two days journeys through the Lemosho Glades, which is the rainforest that encircles the mountain at this altitude between 2400 and 3500 metres where you might see Colobus monkey, and plenty of birds on the giant camphorwood trees. The forest thins out and the path climbs onto the vast Shira Plateau which was created during the last eruption an estimated 50,000 years ago. The route then skirts the southern flanks of the mountain, with campsites at Barranco and Karanga Valley both at the same altitude which assist with acclimatisation. Then the path moves up to the final camp at Barafu (“ice” in Swahili) at 4600 metres which is the springboard for the big eight hour push up to the summit through the night.
ITINERARY:
-
Arrival:
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro international airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
-
DAY 1: Londorossi Gate (2,250m/7,800ft) to Mti Mkumbwa (2,650m/8,694ft)
• Hiking Distance: 6km,
• Hiking time: 3–4hrs,
• Habitat: Montane Forest
You depart Moshi/Arusha for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at trailhead, we eat lunch, and then commence through undisturbed forest that winds to the first campsite.
Overnight:Forest Camp (All meals included) -
DAY 2: Forest Camp (2,650m/8,694ft) to Shira 1 (3,610m/11,843ft)
• Hiking Distance: 5km,
• Hiking Time: 5-6hrs,
• Habitat: Moorland
You continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As you ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, you will reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.
Overnight: Shira 1 Camp or Moir Camp(All meals included) -
DAY 3: Shira Camp 1(3,610m/11,843ft) to Shira 2 (3,850m/12,795ft) via Cathedral point (3872m/12703)
• Hiking Distance: 7km,
• Hiking Time: 3-4hrs,
• Habitat: Moorland You explore the Shira plateau for a day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau, which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth. You will cross Shira Cathedral for acclimatization and if the weather permits, Mount Meru (the fifth summit of Africa) is clearly seeing from Shira 2.
Overnight: Shira 2 Camp or Moir Camp(All meals included) -
DAY 4: Shira 2 (3850m/12,631ft) to Barranco Camp (3,900m/12,960ft) via Lava Tower(4,600m/15,091ft)
• Hiking Distance: 12km,
• Hiking Time: 6-7hrs
From the Shira Plateau, you continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As you continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, you come to the second junction that brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. You now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of almost 13,000ft. Here you will rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Overnight: Barranco Camp (All meals included) -
DAY 5: Barranco Camp (3,900m/12,960ft) to Karanga Camp (3,995m/13,100ft)
• Hiking Distance: 5km,
• Hiking Time: 4-5hrs,
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
You begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then you climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall you cross a series of hills and valleys until you descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One steeper climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.
Overnight: Karanga Camp (All meals included) -
DAY 6: Karanga Camp (3,995m/13,106ft) to Barafu Camp (4,667m/15,300ft)
• Hiking Distance: 5km,
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours,
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, you leave Karanga and hit the junction, which connects with the Mweka trail. You continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here you will rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are sighted from this position.
Overnight: Barafu Camp (All meals included) -
DAY 7:Barafu Camp (4,667m/14,930ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) down to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft)
• Hiking Distance: 15.5km,
• Hiking Time: 8hrs up and 7-8hrs down,
• Habitat: Ice Cap
At 11:30 PM, you will wake up to steaming tea and biscuits. You will then take off into the night. Your 6-hour climb northwest through heavy scree between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers to Stella Point on the crater rim is the most challenging part of the route for most climbers. At Stella Point (5,685m/18,650ft) you stop for a short rest and a chance to see an outstanding sunrise. You cannot stop for long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to fatigue and cold. Depending on the season and recent storm activity, you may encounter snow on the remaining part of your hike along the Uhuru Peak rim.
On the summit, you can enjoy your accomplishment, knowing you are creating a day you will remember for the rest of your life. After a 3-hour descent from the summit back to Barafu Camp, you will have a well-earned but short rest, collect your gears, and hike down a rock and scree path to the moorland below and enter the forest to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft). This camp is in the upper forest, where you can expect rain and mist in the late afternoon.
Overnight: Mweka Camp(All meals included) -
DAY 8: Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) to Mweka Gate (1,980m/6,500ft)
• Hiking Distance: 12km,
• Hiking Time: 3hrs,
• Habitat: Montane forest
After breakfast, you will take a short scenic 3-hour hike back to the park gate.
At Mweka Gate, you can sign your name and add details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive summit certificates. Climbers who reached Stella Point are issued green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates.
From the Mweka Gate, you will continue down to Mweka Village for Hot Lunch with your Mountain Crew and a small celebration before your drive to your hotel for warm shower and leisure.
For the climbers who do have a flight to catch, we will drive back to our office building in Arusha for quick shower and short rest before you are transferred to your respective airport for your inbound or outbound flight. This service is on complimentary.
PRICE INCLUDES
Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.2 nights of accommodation in Moshi.
Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate.
Park entry fees.
Camping fees.
Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees.
18% VAT on tour fees & services.
4 Season mountain tents.
Double layered Sleeping Mats.
Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters. 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain.
Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek.
Hot water for washing.
Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO).
Government taxes.
Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter. Emergency first-aid kit.
PRICE EXCLUDES
Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.Travel insurance.
Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is available for extra charges $ 170 for the entire trek(Can be shared up to 3 people).
Flights.
Laundry (Available at hotel).
Personal items and toiletries.
Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain).
Price:
- GROUP SIZE
-
-
PRICE
- Solo Trekker
- $ 2500
- 2 - 4People
- $ 2100
- 5 - 7 People
- $ 1950
- 8 - 10 People
- $ 1900
- 10++
- $ 1850
