Route Description
- DURATION : 7 Days, 6 Nights
- DIFFICULTY : Medium
- TRAFFIC : High
- SCENERY : Excellent
Route 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 (42miles) long, from gate to gate.
Unlike the highly popular Machame route, which simply brushes the Shira Plateau, the Lemosho route goes across the entire plateau, from West to East in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. The route takes more days to climb, so it offers great acclimatization opportunities.
Trek Itinerary
DAY 1: Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp
We depart Arusha for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at the trailhead, we eat lunch, and then commence through the undisturbed forest which winds to the first campsite.
- Elevation (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft
- Distance: 6 km
- Hiking Time:3-4 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest
DAY 2: Forest Camp to Shira Camp 1
We 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 we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.
- Elevation (ft): 9,500ft to 11,500ft
- Distance: 8 km
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
DAY 3: Shira Camp 1 to Shira 2 to Moir Hut
We explore the Shira plateau for a full 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. Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little-used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills, making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
- Elevation (ft): 11,500ft to 13,800 ft
- Distance: 14 km
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
DAY 4: Moir Hut to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the Southeast towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction, which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
- Elevation (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft
- Distance: 7 km
- Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
- Habitat: Semi Desert
DAY 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We 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 we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
- Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft
- Distance: 9km
- Hiking Time: 8-10 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
DAY 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point, you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa! From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch.
You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
- Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
- Down to 3090m/10,150ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
- Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
DAY 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi.
- Elevation: 3100m to 1830m, 10,200ft to 6000ft
- Distance: 10 km
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Vegetation: Forest
Trek Inquiries & Costing
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Costing Terms
Cost Includes
- All Entrance fees and Government taxes
- Airport Transfers (upon Arrival and Departure)
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Fair wages for the mountain crew.
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Salaries for Porters, Cook, and Guides
- Oxygen Tanks, Pulse Oximeter, and First Aid Kit
- Rescue fees, entrance and Government Taxes;
- Transfers from Hotel to Kilimanjaro entrance gate and from Kilimanjaro exit gate to the hotel.
Cost Does not Include
- International and local airfare.
- Yellow fever vaccinations
- Passport, Visa, and Travelers Insurance
- Personal expenses eg. Laundry, beverages, etc
- Personal expenses eg. Laundry, beverages, etc
- Tips for the support team
- Private Toilet and hot shower tent
- Bed, Sleeping Bag, and walking Poles.
- Local transportation before and after the climb.