Lemosho Route

8 days—The most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro

$2930-3450 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. We specialize in guiding on the Lemosho route. Most of our clients climb Kilimanjaro using this route, and they consistently report that they loved it.


About this tour

Tour type Custom, tailor-made, private
Main focus Hiking | trekking
Activity level Strenuous activity
Best months All months
Countries
Parks

Fine details

Safari highlights
  • Hiking | trekking
What’s included?
  • Accommodation
  • Airport transfers
  • All drinks
  • Meals
  • Park fees
What’s not included?
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Visas

Itinerary

DAY1 Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa

Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Distance: 6 km | 4 miles Habitat: RainForest We depart 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 which winds to the first campsite.

DAY 2 – Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp

Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft Hiking Time: 5-6 hours Distance: 8 km | 5 miles Habitat: Health We continue on the trail leading out of the rain 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. 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 Hiking Time: 5-7 hours Distance: 11 km | 7 miles Habitat: Health 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 Barranco camp

Moir Hut to Lava Tower Elevation: 13,800 ft to 15,190 ft Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Lava Tower to Barranco Camp Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft Hiking Time: 2-3 hours Distance: 7 km | 4 miles Habitat: Alpine Desert Distance: 3 km | 2 miles 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

DAY5 Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Distance: 5 km | 3 miles 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 Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Distance: 4 km | 2 miles Habitat: Alpine Desert We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to 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.

DAY 7 – Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft Hiking Time: 7-8 hours Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft Hiking Time: 4-6 hours Distance: 5 km 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.

DAY 8 – Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Distance: 10 km | 6 miles 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.

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