Kilimanjaro Trekking Lemosho Route
Lemosho route starts on the Western side of Mount Kilimanjaro at the Londorossi Gate and was introduced as an alternative to the Shira Route which begins at a higher, more challenging altitude. The western side of Kilimanjaro is still very wild and you may get lucky and spot large antelope, buffalo and maybe even elephant. The Lemosho Route joins the Machame Route at Lava Tower and heads down towards Barranco Valley via the Southern Circuit (see map below). As with the Machame Route, Lemosho trekkers need to transverse the Barranco Wall and then summit from Barafu Camp. Many professional climbers describe Lemosho as the most scenic route on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Lemosho route hikers descend through Mweka route, enabling them to see southern face of the Mountain as well.
ITINERARY, PRICE, INCLUDE & EXCLUDE :
Arrival:
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.
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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 TO BARAFU CAMP
•Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft
•Distance: 9km
•Hiking Time: 8-10 hours
•Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, 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 6: 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 7: 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.
7 days lemosho price per person(USD)
| 1 pax | 2-4 pax | 4-7 pax | 8++ pax |
|---|---|---|---|
| $ 2700 | $ 2500 | $ 2400 | $ 2300 |
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: MoorlandWe 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 havecompleted 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.
8 days lemosho price per person(USD)
| 1 pax | 2-4 pax | 4-7 pax | 8++ pax |
|---|---|---|---|
| $ 2900 | $ 2800 | $ 2700 | $ 2600 |
PRICE INCLUDES
Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
2 nights of accommodation in Moshi.
Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate.
Park entry fees.
Camping fees.
Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees.
18% VAT on tour fees & services.
4 Season mountain tents.
Double layered Sleeping Mats.
Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters. 3 hot 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.
PRICE EXCLUDES
Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
Travel insurance.
Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is available for extra charges $ 70 for the entire trek. Flights.
Laundry (Available at hotel).
Personal items and toiletries.
Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain).