8 Days Lemosho Route

Lemosho, a relatively new route, and perfect route due to its beauty, remoteness and success rate. In short, it maximizes the chances that a climber will reach the summit, and enjoy the experience overall.

The Lemosho route can be done in as little as six days (five nights) on the mountain. However, it is ideally tackled over eight days (seven nights) for a better altitude acclimatization schedule. The trek begins at Londorossi Gate, located in the western base of mountain, within its lush, fertile rainforest. The route heads across the Shira Plateau, before circling along the southern circuit halfway around the mountain, exposing the climber to great views from all angles. The approach to the summit is made from the east, and the descent follows the Mweka trail. With eight days (seven nights) on the mountain, your chances of reaching the “Roof of Africa” are very high, around 90%. The Lemosho route is approximately 70 km/ 42 miles from gate to gate. It is designed for physically fit people with some hiking experience.

Upon arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be meeting with our representative. After greetings you will be transferred to Moshi town to a designated accommodation for hot shower and overnight.

-Hike time: 4 hrs
-Elevation change: +650m
-Final elevation: 2650m
In the morning after breakfast you will meet your mountain guide for briefing about the mountain climbing and thereafter transferred to Marangu gate for park formalities before been transferred to Lemosho gate for starting climbing. A three hour drive from Moshi, around the mountain, brings you to the Londorossi Gate on the western side of Kilimanjaro. At the gate, you pick up a game ranger who will protect you from elephants and buffalo during the trek. After a short drive to the trail head at Lemosho Glades you will start your trek through the pristine rain forest. Today you will hike to Mti Mkubwa, which means ‘Big Tree; in Kiswahili. In the evening dinner and overnight at the camp.

-Hike time: 5 hrs
-Elevation change: +950m
-Final elevation: 3610m
After a good breakfast, you start the climb through the remaining rain forest toward the giant Erica moorland zone. You will enjoy a great lunch stop in a beautiful valley just outside the Shira Crater. Today you will get your first close views of the summit. Dinner and overnight at Shira one campsite.

-Hiking time: 6 hours
-Elevation change: +240m
-Final elevation: 3850m
After an early breakfast, you hike east across the Shira Plateau past the Shira Cathedral toward Shira Two camp. We only gain 240m in elevation which allows you to acclimatize slowly to the altitude. The views of the plateau are spectacular. Dinner and overnight at Shira Two Camp.

-Hiking time: 6 hours
-Elevation change: +700m
-Final elevation: 4650m
You will head up to Lava Tower, traversing the southern flank of Kibo. This is one of the most valuable days for acclimatization. If you prefer we can substitute Lava Tower for Barranco Camp, but this makes the walk a few hours longer.

-Hike time: 7 hrs
-Elevation change: -650m
-Final elevation: 4000m
After leaving Lava Tower, you descend into the stunning Barranco Valley which is adorned with giant lobelia and senecia plants. There are good views of Kibo peak from here. After the Barranco Wall, we descend down into the Karanga Valley, where we rest for the night before the hard climb to Barafu Hut.

-Hike time: 4 hrs
-Elevation change: +600m
-Final elevation: 4600m
This is a tough, steep, climb uphill to the rocky, craggy slopes at the camp. ‘Barafu’ means, ‘Ice’ in Swahili and it is extremely cold at this altitude. You will get a half day rest before you begin the final summit ascent at midnight.

-Summit time: 7 hrs
-Elevation change: +1300m
-Final elevation: 5896m
-Descent time: 5 hrs
-Elevation change: -2800m
-Final elevation: 3100m, 10,170 ft
This is a 17 hour day, commencing at midnight and hiking until the next afternoon. You will begin your summit ascent around midnight, and will arrive at the Kilimanjaro summit before sunrise. After the sunrise, you will head back down the mountain, stopping at Barafu Camp to rest, and heading to Mweka Camp, just a few hours from the gate.

-Descent time: 4 hrs
-Elevation change: -1250m
-Estimated distance: 10km
-Final elevation: 1828m
In the morning you will hike for about 3 hours through lush forest to the gate. After a welcome lunch, you will get your climb certificate and say goodbye to your crew and porters. After sign out to the park gate you will be transferred to a hotel in Moshi for hot shower probably dinner and overnight or otherwise in the evening you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport to connect with your flight back home.