Overview
The Lemosho route is a beautiful trail starting on the western flank of Kilimanjaro. It is the longest route but allows gradual acclimatization. After three days the Lemosho route joins the trail of the Machame route. Accommodation is in tents. Climbs depart every second Sunday, except in the rainy season (November, April, May & June
Itinerary
8 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 1
As you walk along the thin trail through the rainforest, you will notice the vegetation becoming scarcer until you finally reach moorland filled with lobelia and erica plants. Ascending through rolling hills, you will reach Shira Camp 1 in about 3 to 4 hours. From your camp, you can look over the Shira Plateau and see the unmistakable snow-capped summit of Kibo. A hearty evening meal and a last glimpse at the starry sky will bring the day to a close.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Shira Camp 1 - Shira Camp 2
Today, you will cross Shira Ridge with its rocky ground, low grasses, and shrubs. As the terrain is much flatter than the day before, your hike will feel more leisurely, allowing you to enjoy fantastic views of the Great Rift Valley and Mount Meru. Beautiful and distinctive giant lobelias still dot the moor landscape. Walking on ground where lava once flowed, you will reach Shira Camp 2, where you will have your evening meal and overnight stay.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - 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 6 - 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 7 - 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 8 - 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 9 - 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