Overview
Featuring captivating scenic vistas, pristine wildlife, excellent acclimatization opportunities, and low traffic of climbers, Lemosho is our personal first favorite for reaching the roof of Africa. After a 4-hour long drive from Moshi to Lemosho Gate you’ll find yourself on the western slope of Mt Kilimanjaro, from there the route will take you to the world-famous Shira Plateau. That’s where you’ll embark on your adventure through all climate zones – from alpine meadows to eternal ice. The climb is smooth and gradual, featuring the highest success rate of all routes on Kilimanjaro. Seven and eight-day programs are available, so you can choose depending on the time at your disposal. Longer programs are always recommended over shorter ones for better acclimatization
Itinerary
7 days Lemosho route
Day 1 - Kilimanjaro Airport - Arusha
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, our driver will be waiting for you. He will take you to Meru View Lodge in Usa River close to Arusha. The rest of the day is for you to relax and prepare for your upcoming trip. You can also visit the town of Arusha (taxi required). In the late afternoon, our Kilimanjaro team will meet you at the lodge to brief you on your upcoming trek and check your equipment.
Meals Provided: Dinner
Day 2 - Arusha - Starting Point Lemosho - Big Tree Camp
In the morning, you will be taken to Londorossi Gate (2,250m). After completing all the entry formalities and a final 15 km drive on a bumpy road, you will reach your starting point at the edge of the rainforest. You will enjoy lunch before setting out on the trail through the rainforest. Today’s walk is quite short, giving you time to appreciate the lush scenery that will drastically change over the course of your trek. You might even catch a glimpse of the thumbless colobus monkeys sitting in the branches above you. Your dinner and overnight stay await you at the beautiful Big Tree Camp.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Big Tree Camp - Shira Camp 2
You’ll bid farewell to the Kilimanjaro rainforest after breakfast, as your climb takes you gradually into scrubby moorland criss-crossed with quietly bubbling mountain streams.
You’ll cross over a vast plateau on your way to Shira 2 Camp, where you’ll have spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
Setting up camp here for the evening, you’ll find your path has now crossed with those on the Machame Route.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Shira Camp 2 - Lava Tower - Barranco Camp
After breakfast, you will start your ascent to Lava Tower through boulder-strewn terrain. In the distance, you will see Kibo, encouraging you to continue uphill. Upon reaching Lava Tower, you will rest and allow your body to acclimatize to the higher altitude. Following your rest, you will continue downwards to Barranco Camp. This method of climbing high but sleeping low helps your body adjust to the differing altitudes and gives you a good sense of how it reacts to changes in elevation. Along the way, the scenery changes once more, and you will soon be surrounded by giant senecios and smaller lobelias. After 6 to 7 hours, you will reach the beautiful and green Barranco Camp, which offers great views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains. After dinner, you will settle in for the night.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp
After breakfast, the famous Barranco Wall, which is probably the steepest part of the entire route, awaits you. Although no technical climbing is necessary, some spots require you to use your hands for a better grip and to pull yourself up. Your guide will be close by to assist you if needed. After navigating around the Kissing Rock, you will continue along the mountain ridge and through the Karanga Valley. You will also pass the last water spot before finally reaching Karanga Camp. After a well-deserved meal, it is off to bed.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp
Today, you will make your way to Barafu Camp. The landscape is very dry, and the ground cracks like glass under your boots. As you traverse the afro-alpine desert to the rocky Barafu Camp, a sense of excitement sweeps over you as your final stretch is only a few hours away. Barafu Camp, with its rocky scenery, offers stunning views of Mawenzi Peak and the summit path ahead. After an early dinner and some last-minute preparation for tomorrow, you will go to bed.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Barafu Camp - Uhuru Peak - Mweka Camp
At around midnight, you will be awoken with some hot tea and biscuits to get ready for today’s ascent. You will climb in a north-westerly direction through heavy scree toward Stella Point, arriving there in about 5 to 7 hours. At Stella Point (5,730m), you may rest if necessary before taking on another 1 to 2 hour stretch along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak – the highlight of your trip. A breathtaking view awaits you as you stand on the highest mountain in Africa. After taking as many pictures as your camera will allow, you will leave behind the glistening glaciers and snowy peaks and make your way back down to Barafu Camp. Here, you will have time to catch your breath before heading further down to Mweka Camp, an approximate 3-hour walk. A scrumptious dinner and a peaceful night’s sleep await you.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate - Arusha
At around midnight, you will be awoken with some hot tea and biscuits to get ready for today’s ascent. You will climb in a north-westerly direction through heavy scree toward Stella Point, arriving there in about 5 to 7 hours. At Stella Point (5,730m), you may rest if necessary before taking on another 1 to 2 hour stretch along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak – the highlight of your trip. A breathtaking view awaits you as you stand on the highest mountain in Africa. After taking as many pictures as your camera will allow, you will leave behind the glistening glaciers and snowy peaks and make your way back down to Barafu Camp. Here, you will have time to catch your breath before heading further down to Mweka Camp, an approximate 3-hour walk. A scrumptious dinner and a peaceful night’s sleep await you.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Climbing cost
Included
- Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- 3 Season mountain tents
- Double layered Sleeping Mats
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Professional mountain guides, cooks, and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Filtered water throughout the trek
- Pre & Post Trek accommodation at the Parkview Inn
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- 2- way private airport transfers
- Oxygen cylinder
- Oximeter
Excluded
- Flights
- Tips to mountain crew
- Items of a personal nature
- Laundry Services
- Travel Insurance