Information

Kilimanjaro climb Lemosho route is one of the newer routes on the mountain, and a superb choice for your climb. Kilimanjaro Lemosho route our preferred route due to its ideal balance of low traffic, beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate. Most of our clients use this route and love it. Lemosho route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rain forest to Shira Ridge.

Unlike the popular Machame route, which simply intersects the Shira Plateau, the Lemosho route crosses the entirety of the plain from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. An added bonus is that climbers will encounter low traffic until the route joins the Machame route. Afterwards, Lemosho follows the same route through Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu, known as the southern circuit. Descent is made via the Mweka route.

• 7 Days, Group: 2-7 people, Kilimanjaro

Tour Plan

• ARRIVAL DAY

  On the arrival day, 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: LEMOSHO GATE – BIG TREE CAMP

  The day begins with a long drive to Londrossi Park Gate (2100 m) for registration. Pass through village communities to the trailhead to start hiking on the route along a narrow forest path to reach Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) campsite (2800m).

  Trekking Time: 2-3 hours

  Distance: 5km

  Altitude Gain: 411m.

  Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  Accommodation: Camping at Big Tree

• DAY 2: BIG TREE CAMP - SHIRA HUT 1

  Leaving the forest, the trail gets steeper as it enters the moorland zone towards the valley. A gentle grade walk takes you across the high altitude Shira Caldera past Shira Cave (views of Arrow glacier) at 3500m and then gently downwards to Shira Hut 1 located near a stream on the Shira Plateau.

  Trekking Time: 3 hours

  Distance: 8km

  Altitude Gain: 719m.

  Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  Accommodation: Camping at Shira Hut 1

• DAY 3: SHIRA HUT 1 TO LAVA TOWER THEN BARRANCO CAMP

  Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. Traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach to reach Barranco camp (3900m). The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600m), but you will have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to avoid altitude sickness by aiding your bodies in acclimatization.

  Trekking Time: 6-8 hours

  Distance: 15km

  Altitude Gain: 382m

  Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  Accommodation: Camping at Barranco Camp

• DAY 4: BARRANCO CAMP- KARANGA VALLEY

  Start the day by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. Then exit steeply, up what has been termed the Breakfast Wall, which divides you from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It is a climb over rocks, although not technical. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, head towards the Karanga Valley (4000m) for overnight.

  Trekking Time: 4-6 hours

  Distance: 5km

  Altitude Gain: 100m

  Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  Accommodation: Camping at Karanga Valley

• DAY 5: KARANGA VALLEY - BARAFU CAMP

  The day is characterized by a short hike on terrain formed by scree. Walk through arid land towards Barafu Camp (4600m) where you have the entire afternoon to rest before ascending towards the summit.

  Trekking Time: 2-4 hours

  Distance: 4km

  Altitude Gain: 600m.

  Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  Accommodation: Camping at Barafu Camp

• DAY 6: BARAFU CAMP - UHURU PEAK - MILLENNIUM CAMP

  We avoid walking too long in the heat of the sun today by starting around midnight, walking steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. You will be climbing scree for 5 to 6 hours but you gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. You should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5750 m) as the first rays of the sun emerge. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround you and the views to Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walk takes you to your goal, the summit of Uhuru (5896 m), the highest point

  Uhuru means freedom in Swahili. After a quick celebration and photos at the top, you will begin the descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope back to Barafu Camp for breakfast and a short rest before finally heading down to Millennium Camp (3000m) for a well-earned rest. On the descent, you will have fabulous views of the plains and Mawenzi peak.

  Trekking Time: 6-8 hours

  Distance: 12km

  Altitude Loss: 2896m

  Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  Accommodation: Camping at Millennium Camp

• DAY 7: MILLENNIUM CAMP – MOSHI

  A gentle trek takes you down through the rainforest to the Mweka Gate (1640m), where park formalities will be completed, you will be met by our vehicles, and receive your certificate of ascent courtesy of the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority. Thereafter, drive back to Moshi where you can treat yourself to a well-earned shower and a cold beer or two.

  Trekking Time: 4-5 hours

  Distance: 10km

  Altitude Loss: 1360m

  Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch.

  Accommodation: Your Hotel