Mt Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route
7 Days Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro via Lemosho Route
From
$1740 USD
pp
Safari summary
The Lemosho route is considered the most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro, granting panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. As one of the newer routes, Lemosho is a superb choice for your climb. It is our preferred route due to its ideal balance of low crowds, beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate. Most of our clients climb Kilimanjaro using this route and they consistently report that they loved it. Thus, Lemosho is highly recommended. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Arusha to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rain forest 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.
About this tour
| Tour type | Set-date, set-itinerary, group | |
| Main focus | Hiking | trekking | |
| Activity level | Strenuous activity | |
| Best months | All months | |
| Countries | ||
| Parks |
What’s included?
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Park fees
What’s not included?
- Alcoholic beverages
- All drinks
- Hot air balloons
- Internal flights
- International flights
- Laundry
- Premium alcoholic beverages
- Private vehicle and driver
- Spa treatments
- Tips and gratuities
- Visas
Itinerary
Day 1
Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft Distance: 6 km/4 miles Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Rain Forest After breakfast depart from Arusha at 8:00am, drive to Londorossi gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at trailhead, you begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first campsite Mti Mkubwa for dinner and overnight.
Day 2
Kilimanjaro
DAY 2- Mti Mkubwa-Shira 1 Camp Continue to the trail leading out of the rain forest into a savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As you ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, reach the Shira Ridge before dropping down to Shira 1 Camp. Here you catch your first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau. 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
Day 3
Kilimanjaro
DAY 3- Shira 1 Camp-Moir Hut We explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. Then 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 1 Camp to Moir Hut Elevation: 11,500ft to 13,800ft Distance: 11 km/ 7 miles Hiking Time: 5-7 hours Habitat: Heath
Day 4
DAY 4-Moir Hut-Lava Tower-Barranco Camp Begin the day climbing up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower a 300ft tall. Descend to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful scenery Forest to an altitude of 13,000ft. Begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization. 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
Day 5
Kilimanjaro
DAY 5-Barranco Camp-Karanga Camp-Barafu Camp From the top of the Barranco wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization. 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 Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp Elevation: 13,106ft to 15,331ft Distance: 4 km/2 miles Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 6
Kilimanjaro
DAY 6-Barafu Camp-Uhuru Peak Around midnight, begin trek to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. Finally arrive at Uhuru Peak Enjoy last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep. 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: Rain Forest
Day 7
DAY 7-Mweka Camp-Mweka Gate-Arusha 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 drive back to Arusha at Mc Elly’s Hotel for night, Bed & Breakfast. Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft Distance: 10 km/6 miles Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Rain Forest
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