8 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Lemosho Route Overview

8 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Lemosho Route with Kiwoito Africa Safaris – Lemosho Route is considered one of the prettiest routes on Kilimanjaro. you start the trek from the west, climbing within the fertile rainforest until you reach the wildflowers in the healthy ecosystem. Approaching from the west, we cross one of the foremost beautiful areas on Kilimanjaro, the Shira Plateau before traversing the mountain along the southern circuit.

The 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 rainforest to Shira Ridge. The Lemosho route crosses the entire Shira Plateau, from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. Crowds are low until the route joins the Machame route near Lava Tower. Then the route traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern, Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route

8 Days Kilimanjaro - Lemosho Route

8 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Lemosho Route Itinerary

Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa

Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft

Distance: 6 km/4 miles

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: RainForest

Start Your First day of 8 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Lemosho Route by departing to Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at the trailhead, we begin hiking through an undisturbed forest that winds to the first campsite.

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp

Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft

Distance: 8 km/ 5miles

Hiking Time 5-6 hours

Habitat: Health

We continue on the trail leading out of the rainforest 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. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.

Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Moir Hut

Elevation: 11,500 ft to 13,800 ft

Distance: 11 km/ 7 miles

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Heath

We explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. Then we divert from the main trail 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 Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

Day 4: Moir Hut to Lava Tower

Elevation: 13,800 ft to 15,190 ft

Distance: 7 km/4 miles

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft

Distance: 3 km/2 miles

Hiking Time: 2-3 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We begin the day climbing up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at a higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.

Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft

Distance: 5 km/3 miles

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall, we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.

Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft

Distance: 4 km/2 miles

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section of Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.

Day 7: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft

Distance: 5 km/3 miles

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours

Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft

Distance: 12 km/7 miles

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: RainForest

Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft

Distance: 10 km/6 miles

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: RainForest

On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi/ Arusha.

INCLUDED

Safety Equipment:

  • Mobile phones – carried by the head guide and all assistant guides, for daily communications with our base in Arusha. For any emergency
  • Stretcher (and convertible litter)
  • Comprehensive medical/first aid kits

MOUNTAIN CREW:

  • Professional Mountain Guides, all head guides (at least 1 per trip) are currently certified by NOLS USA as WFR (Wilderness First Responder)
  • The ratio of at least one guide for every three guests, to ensure personalized attention.
  • Cooks and Porters

MOUNTAIN ENTRY FEES:

  • Park Fees
  • Campsite fees
  • Emergency Rescue Fees

CAMPING EQUIPMENT AND OTHER GEARS:

  • 4-season Mountain sleeping tents (a triple tent used as a double or single (with supplement), each tent with a custom-made ground sheet covering both vestibules, to allow clean & dry storage of gear, and keep water, mud, or dust from entering the tent.
  • Foam Camping Mat
  • Large weatherproof dining tent, at night the tent is lit with candlelight, This tent is used for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if the weather does not allow it.
  • Aluminum dining tables and chairs, for all meals.

MOUNTAIN MEALS

  • *Three meals a day, we produce and prepare delicious and energizing meals necessary for high altitude mountain trekking.
  • Snakes & bites
  • Tea and coffee
  • Mineral water

TRANSPORT

  • Transfer from the hotel to the starting point
  • Transfer from the last point to the hotel

NOT INCLUDED

  • Accommodation upon arrival and last day
  • Tips for a mountain guide recommended 15-20 per group per day
  • Porters 5 – 10$ per porter per group per day
  • Personal expenses
  • Personal items
  • Personal insurance/travel insurance
  • Personal medicines/first aid kit
  • Personal trekking gears
  • Sleeping bag

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