Lemosho
ROUTE
Lemosho route is one of our preferred routes due to its low traffic, beautiful scenery and high summit success rate (90%-99%). It is the longest approach to Kibo and provides not only many stunning views of the snow-capped summit of the world's tallest free-standing mountain, but also the best acclimatization for trekkers. We recommend a minimum of 7 days to attempt this route, but 8 days is preferable for even better acclimatization and summit success. After driving from Moshi to Londorossi Gate the route starts off from the western side of the mountain
You will hike the large rocky Shira plateau who´s landscape was shaped by the lava that came from Mount Kilimanjaro when it was an active volcano. It approches the summit through the southern circuit and descents to Mweka Gate.
Itinerary
DAY 1:
Lemosho Gate (2,389 m / 7,838 ft) to Big Tree Camp (2,785 m / 9,137 ft)
Early in the morning we will pick you up at your hotel and drive to Lemosho Gate where the luggage for the porters will be weighed and distributed. After we will sign you in to the National Park and having our lunch boxes we will start off with a short hike. Your guide will take you through the lush nature of the rain forest and its fascinating flora and fauna. You will see Colobus and Blue Monkeys hanging and jumping from tree to tree, find foot prints of buffalos or elephants and if you are lucky even encounter with them. For sure you will be sharing the path with many of the Celebrities of Kilimanjaro's floral Kingdom like Impatiens Kilimanjaro and Pseudo Viola.
- hiking distance: 6,5 km / 4 miles
- hiking time: 3-4 hours
- altitude gained: 396 m / 1,300 ft
- habitat: rain forest
- meals included: lunch box, hot dinner
DAY 2:
Big Tree Camp (2,785 m / 9,137 ft) to Shira 1 Camp (3,600 m / 11,496 ft)
Today we will continue walking through the rainforest with its high trees and soft ground. Later (above 3,000 m / 10.000 ft) we will reach the heath moorland zone with its shorter trees and enjoy the amazing views. The hike will take you up and down the ridge of the Shira plateau and finally lead you to the next Camp. You will get a hot lunch during the day as well as a hot dinner before you rest at the camp.
- hiking distance: 8,9 km / 5,5 miles
- hiking time: 5-6 hours
- altitude gained: 719 m / 2,359 ft
- habitat: heather moorland
- meals included: breakfast, hot lunch, hot dinner
DAY 3:
Shira 1 (3,600 m / 11,496 ft) to Shira 2 Camp (3,895 m / 12,779 ft) with option to Cathedral point (3,995 m / 13,100 ft)
This day will be an easy going day, you will hike through moorland and get the possibility to see some animals like Jackals, Eland and other antelopes. If the weather is good and clear we will take you to beautiful Cathedral point where you can enjoy the magnificent view and give your body the chance to acclimatize.
- hiking distance: 8 km / 5 miles
- hiking time: 4-5 hours
- altitude gained: 295 m / 970 ft
- habitat: moorland
- meals included: breakfast, hot lunch, hot dinner
DAY 4:
Shira 2 camp (3,850 m / 12,779 ft) to Lava Tower (4,600 m / 15,180 ft) to Barranco camp (3,900 m / 13,077 ft)
This day is very important for your acclimatization. You will hike up to the alpine desert zone and reach the some famous Lava Tower, where we will prepare a hot lunch for you. After that you will descend and spend the night at lower Barranco Camp. Even if you feel symptoms of altitude sickness on this day (light headache, nausea or stomach problems) don´t worry, this is just a sign of your body trying to adapt to the altitude. You you will be fine after hiking down to the lower Camp with your guide. There you can relax, enjoy warm water for washing as every day, tea and popcorn and later a hot dinner.
- hiking distance: 10 km / 6,2 miles
- hiking time: 6-7 hours
- altitude gained: 700 m / 2,300 ft
- habitat: alpine desert / moorland zone
- meals included: breakfast, hot lunch, hot dinner
DAY 5:
Barranco Camp (3,986 m / 13,077 ft) to Karanga Valley Camp (4,035 m /13,238 ft)
On this amazing day you will hike through rocky terrain, pass the famous “kissing rock” and climb a little more up and down. It is another short day and there is no technical difficulty, but it might be a bit slippery during morning hours. But you will have your guide taking care of you all day.
- hiking distance: 5 km / 3,1 miles
- hiking time: 3-4 hours
- altitude gained: 340 m / 1110 ft
- habitat: alpine desert
- meals included: breakfast, hot lunch, hot dinner
DAY 6:
Karanga camp (3,995 m / 13,077 ft) to Barafu camp (4,673 m / 15,550 ft)
This is going to be your exciting preparation day before your final summit push. After breakfast you will walk through the alpine zone with its rocks and see some unique Kilimanjaro flowers while you can enjoy the most scenic views of the mountain. Above Karanga Camp there will be no more natural water, so you will need your wipes for cleaning your body. Our amazing porters will carry water from Karanga to Barafu Camp to make sure you get water for washing your hands at arrival, to prepare your hot tea and cook your dinner. On this day it will be an early dinner so you can sleep for some hours in your tent before we wake you up around midnight for summit push.
- hiking distance: 5 km / 3,1 miles
- hiking time: 3-4 hours
- altitude gained: 678 m / 2,220 ft
- habitat: alpine desert
- meals included: breakfast, hot lunch, hot dinner
DAY 7:
Barafu camp (4,673 m / 15,331 ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m / 19,341 ft) to Millenium Camp (3,950 m / 12,960 ft) or Mweka camp (3,100 m / 10,170 ft)
This will be our last day of ascending, the amazing day of eventually reaching your goal and for our company to fulfill your dream of actually standing on the top of Africa´s roof.
We will wake you up to start our final hike around midnight. We will walk through the night with our head torches, accompanied by a million sparkling stars or the light of a full moon. Our slogan is “pole pole” (“walk slow”), so you will have some short breaks to make you drink lots of water and some ginger tea from time to time to prevent altitude sickness. On Lemosho Route your body got the best preperation and acclimatization, so it is very likely to reach the summit without any symptoms. After zigzagging up to the first summit Stella Point (5,756 m / 18,885 ft) you will already see the huge crater with its glacier. Less than an hour is left to Uhuru Peak, they highest point of the African continent. After taking memorable pictures and enjoying the precious moment at the summit we will return to Barafu Camp, where the porters will greet us dancing and singing. After a hot lunch we will continue our descent down to Millenium Camp or Mweka camp for dinner and well deserved sleep.
- hiking distance: 19 km / 11,8 miles
- hiking time: 13-14 hours
- altitude gained: 1,222m / 4,010 ft
- descended altitude: 1,945 m / 6,380 ft or 2,795 m / 9,170 ft
- habitat: arctic ice zone, alpine desert, moorland
- meals included: breakfast, hot lunch, hot dinner
DAY 8:
Millenium Camp (3,950 m / 12,960 ft) or Mweka camp (3,100 m / 10,170 ft) to Mweka Gate (1,633 m / 5,358 ft)
On your last trekking day we will descent through the jungle only downhill until we reach the Gate. There you will have the chance to get your muddy boots cleaned, take pictures with your team, have a last hot lunch and receive your summit certificate from your guide. We will pick you up with our vehicle, if you wish we can visit a nearby souvenir and handicraft market before we will drive you back to your hotel.
- hiking distance: 13 km / 8 miles
- hiking time: 5-6 hours
- descended altitude: 2,317 m / 7,600 ft or 1,470 m / 4,820 ft
- habitat: rainforest
- meals included: breakfast, hot lunch
LEMOSHO ROUTE (7 DAYS)
It will be the same route as the 8 days itinerary but on your second day you will hike a bit longer starting in the morning at Big Tree Camp (2,785 m / 9,137ft), have a break with hot lunch at Shira 1 (3,600 m / 11,496 ft) and then continue 8 km / 5 miles more until you reach Shira 2 Camp (3,895 m / 12,779 ft) for your overnight stay.
