8 Days Lemosho Route Climb

Overview

The Lemosho route is the most scenic and beautiful trail to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. This 8 days climb takes you to Africa’s highest peak, enjoying spectacular panoramic views along the way, from various sides of the mountain of all the routes to the top of Kilimanjaro, Lemosho is our favorite, because of its unique scenery, fewer crowds, and a higher summit success rate compared to other routes. Come experience an unforgettable and rewarding ascent!

After a long drive from Moshi, we get to Londorossi Gate, our trek starting point. From there, the adventure begins, following a route that approaches the mountain from the west. We spend the first two days, hiking through the rainforest until we get to the Shira Ridge. During these days, we will enjoy a pleasant hike on relatively flat terrain, crossing the Shira Plateau, from west to east. The route is not very crowded until we join the Machame route. From there, we will trek below Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field, before reaching Kilimanjaro’s summit from Barafu.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania

We will transfer you from Kilimanjaro Airport to your hotel in Moshi, Kilimanjaro. You can spend the rest of the day relaxing at the hotel or exploring the town of Moshi. We will brief you about the trek in the evening.

Day 2: Lemosho Glades (2385m) To Big Tree Camp (2780m)

You will be picked up at your hotel at around 08:00 am and transferred to the Lemosho gate on the western side of Kilimanjaro. After the registration process, you will still start our climb steadily through the forests of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree camp where you will be spending the night.

Day 3: Big Tree Camp (2780m) To Shira 1 Camp (3500m)

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.

Day 4: Shira 1 Camp (3500m) To Shira 2 Camp (3900m)

Today you will get the chance to view the Northern Ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. Our steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will help with acclimatization and we enjoy great panoramic views. Our destination today is the Shira 2 Camp. In the afternoon you will take an acclimatization walk then head back to camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Shira 2 Camp (3900m) To Barranco Camp (3960m)

Your trek starts with an ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking into 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.

Day 6: Barranco Camp (3960m) To Karanga Camp (3963m)

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.

Day 7: Karanga Camp (3963) To Barafu Camp (4640m)

After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up between 11 pm and 12 pm to start the climb to the summit.

Day 8: Barafu Camp (4640m) To Uhuru Peak (5895m) & Down To Millennium Camp (3790m)

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 Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.

Day 9: Trek Millennium Camp (3790m) To Mweka Gate (1630m)

A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a hot welcome shower.

Price includes:

• Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
• 2 nights of accommodation in Moshi in FULL BOARD (FB).
•  Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
• Park entry fees,
• Camping fees
• Crater fee (if any)
• Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees
• 18% VAT on tour fees & services
• 4 Season mountain tents
• Double layered Sleeping Mats 4 inches (10cm) thick
• Friendly and professional mountain guides, cooks, and porters
• 3 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
• Portable flush toilet with a toilet and tent
• Mountain climbing certificates

Price excludes:

• Drinks at your hotel before and after the climb.
• Travel Insurance
• Flights
• Laundry (Available at the hotel)
• Personal items and toiletries
• Tips for guides, porters, and cook