Mount Kilimanjaro climb via Lemosho Route

The 8 day Lemosho variation is the ideal schedule for this route. On the 8 day Lemosho route, the trek from Barranco to Barafu is broken up into two days, allowing for a short day just prior to the summit attempt. This is important because summit day begins very early, around midnight, so climbers are sleep deprived going into the toughest day on the mountain. By having a short day beforehand, climbers can be better rested.

The 8 day Lemosho route is highly recommended and used by most prominent Kilimanjaro operators.

Day 1

  • Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp
  • Elevation (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft
  • Distance: 6 km
  • Hiking Time:3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Rain Forest

We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at trailhead, we eat lunch, then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.

DAY 2

  • Forest Camp to Shira Camp 1
  • Elevation (ft): 9,500ft to 11,500ft
  • Distance: 8 km
  • Hiking Time 5-6 hours
  • Habitat: Moorland

We continue on the trail leading out of the forest 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. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.

DAY 3

  • Shira Camp 1 to Shira 2 to Moir Hut
  • Elevation (ft): 11,500ft to 13,800 ft
  • Distance: 14 km
  • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
  • Habitat: Moorland

We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue 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 is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

DAY 4

  • Moir Hut to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
  • Elevation (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft
  • Distance: 7 km
  • Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
  • Habitat: Semi Desert

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

DAY 5

  • Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
  • Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
  • Distance: 5km
  • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.

DAY 6

  • Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
  • Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
  • Distance: 4 km
  • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

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

DAY 7

  • Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
  • Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
  • Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
  • Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
  • Habitat: Arctic

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. 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 Moshi
  • Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
  • Distance: 10 km
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi.

END

DAY 1:- MOSHI TOWN – LONDOROSI GATE TO MTI MKUBWA {3-4 hrs} (8,692 ft.)

A drive from your Hotel in Moshi brings you to the Londorosi Park Gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. At the gate, we pick up our game ranger who will accompany us, as we might encounter elephants and buffaloes during our trek. We drive to the trailhead at Lemosho Glades and start our trek through the rain forest. In places, the vegetation is so untouched that it grows right across the narrow track. The flora and fauna are richer here than on the other more popular routes through the rain forest. Our trek today will be along a little used track known as Chamber’s Route. In about 3-4 hours, we reach our camp in the rain forest at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) for the dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 2:- MTI MKUBWA TO SHIRA ONE CAMP {5-6 hrs} (11,841 ft.)

After breakfast, we start the climb cross the remaining rain forest towards the giant moorland zone. Today is a full day trek with an altitude gain of 2,000 ft. A great lunch stop is One, a beautiful valley just outside the Shira Crater at around 9,800 ft. After lunch, we cross into the Shira Caldera, a high altitude desert plateau that is rarely visited. Shira is the third of Kilimanjaro volcanic cones, and is filled with lava flow from Kibo Peak. The crater rim has been decimated by weather and volcanic action. Today you will get your first close views of Kibo – the dramatic summit of Kilimanjaro. Dinner and overnight stay at Shira one campsite.

DAY 3:- SHIRA ONE CAMP TO SHIRA TWO CAMP [5-7 hrs] (12,628 ft.)

After breakfast continue hike east across the Shira Plateau past the Shira Cathedral towards Shira Two camp. We only gain 700 feet in elevation – this allows us to acclimatize slowly to the altitude. The views of the plateau are nothing less than spectacular. Dinner and overnight stay takes place at Shira two campsites.

DAY 4:- SHIRA TWO CAMP TO  BARRANCO HUT [5-6 hrs] (12,956 ft.)

To day is the last of the “easy days”. It is about a 6-7 hour superb hike. We pass the Lava Tower, around the southern flank of Kibo, and slowly descend into the spectacular Barranco Valley, interspersed with giant lobelia and Seneca plants. After arriving at our most spectacular campsite, everyone stands in awe at the foot of Kibo Peak, looming high above, on our left. Our camp is only 465 feet higher than where we were last night, but during the day,  we will have climbed to just over 14,000 feet. This is one of our most valuable days for acclimatization. Dinner and overnight stay at Barranco camp.

DAY 5:- BARRANCO HUT TO KARANGA VALLEY [3-5hrs] (13,743 ft.)

On the eastern side of the valley, across the stream is the Barranco Wall – a 9,500 ft. barrier of volcanic rock.  Although it is tall and looks steep, it is very easy to climb.  This is our first challenge of the day. The views from the wall are nothing less than magnificent.  The rest of the day is spent skirting the base of Kibo peak over our left shoulder. We descend down into the Karanga Valley, where we rest up for the night before the tough climb up to Barafu camp. Dinner and overnight stay at Barafu camp.

DAY 6:- BARAFU TO  UHURU PEAK-5895M. [7hrs][19,300 ft.] To Mweka CAMP (9,540 ft.)

SUMMIT DAY.

Dress warmly, because we start climbing around midnight, on the steepest and most demanding part of the mountain. The moon, if out, will provide enough light, and we will reach the crater rim by sunrise, after a 7 hour hike, and welcome a new dawn.

From the crater rim, rugged Mawenzi Peak is a thrilling sight, with the Kibo saddle still in darkness beneath you, and the crater’s ice-walls looming ahead. We now continue to Uhuru Peak (1-2 hrs.) This is the highest point in Africa, and the world’s highest solitary peak (19,300 ft). It is the best view in Africa.

The descent is invigorating. It is a good idea to have a little rest once in awhile as you continue down back to Barafu camp (4 hours), and then down to Mweka camp (5 hours).Dinner and overnight stay at Mweka Camp.

DAY 7:- MWEKA TO THE GATE -1820M. –MOSHI.

Morning after breakfast, we walk down to the gate of Mweka. This takes about 4hrs. After a welcome lunch, it is time to say thanks and tipping the potters and guides, then drive to Moshi town for your next destination.

END

Our Mt Kilimanjaro Rates Includes the following:

  • All Tanzania VAT and Taxes.
  • All airport transfers.
  • Hotel accommodations for 2 nights in Tanzania with bed and breakfast.
  • Transfer from the hotel to the mountain and back.
  • All meals and water on the mountain.
  • All Kilimanjaro National Park fees, camping fees, hut fees and climbing permits.
  • Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees
  • Emergency oxygen.
  • First aid kit.
  • Qualified mountain guide, assistant guides, trustee porters and cook
  • Salaries for mountain crew as per guidelines set by the Park
  • Camping equipment such as tents, camp chairs, tables and e.t.c.
  • Comfortable Sleeping mattress
  •  Water for washing up daily
  • Porter to carry your duffel bag.
  • Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt
  • Pulse oxymeter to check oxygen level and heart beat while on the mountain.
  • Portable Chemical Toilet

Excluded:

  • Flights and airport taxes (visa)
  • Items of a personal nature.
  • Tips for the trekking team.
  • Health requirements (Yellow Fever compulsory if travelling to Tanzania recommended)
  • Highly recommended travel and medical insurance.
  • Personal hiking/trekking gear – we can rent some of the gear from our equipment store in Tanzania.
  • Meals & drinks not specified and snacks
  • Sleeping bag