Lemosho route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west. It offers a chance to visit shira Plateau (Cathedral peak) and Shira Caldera. Lemosho route crosses from Shira Ridge to Shira 2 camp, in a pleasant hike. Climbers encounter low traffic until the route joins the Machame route. Afterwards, Lemosho follows the same route as Machame route trough Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu, known as the southern circuit. The minimum days required for this route is 7 days, but 8 days is recommended as it will give more chance to acclimatize and achieve the summit.
Scenically, Lemosho is measured the most varied and most beautiful because it begins in the rainforest, crosses the spectacular Shira Plateau and then combines with the Machame route to share its viewpoints around the southern circuit. Lemosho has low crowds until it combines with Machame. Lemosho is highly recommended and it has an abundance of wildlife such as elephant, buffalo, eland and lion which come over to forage during dry season from Longido game controlled area.
Day 0: Arrival day
When you arrive you will be met at the airport by our driver- with a sign bearing your name, then you will drive to Kibo Palace Hotel or Masai Land Hotel in Arusha for dinner and overnight. In the afternoon or evening your GMExpeditions Mountain Guide will meet you for a Kilimanjaro climb briefing and Kilimanjaro equipment check
Dinner on your own, overnight at Kibo Palace or Masai Land Hotel
Day 1: Londorossi Gate (2100m) – Forest camp (2650m)
After breakfast we will start to drive to Londorosi gate for registration (about 2 hours), we will drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho trailhead. We often have our lunch at the gate before starting to walk. It is an easy day of walking up a small path through the beautiful forest. This area has a variety of game, and you are likely to see monkeys and may even see elephants. When you arrive in camp you will see your tents set up and dinner being prepared for you. You will have warm water to wash up.
Dinner and overnight at Mti Mkubwa camp (Big Tree) (2650m).
Trekking time: 2-3 hours walking, depending on the weather and the fitness of the climbers, though we encourage “pole pole” climbing from the start.
Distance: 7km.
Habitat: Montane Forest.
Day 2: Forest Camp (2650m) – Shira 1 Camp (3610m)
After breakfast, while the porters pack up out camp, we start walking for about an hour and half, then we soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone. As we continue walking the trail climbs steadily with wide views as we reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. Along the trail it is easy to view the Shira Plateau, especially in afternoon if there is no rain or fog.
Dinner and overnight at Shira One camp (3540m).
Trekking time: 6-7 hours walking, with a packed lunch on the way.
Distance: 8km/5mi.
Habitat: Moorland.
Day 3: Shira 1 (3610m) – Moir Hut(4200m)
After breakfast you will start your trek to Moir hut camp.Just after Shira 2 Camp the Lemosho Route joins the Machame Route, and we will follow it for a short time. Expect to see other trekkers there. We’ll diverge from teh main trail and get to Moir Hut Camp which is located beneath the scenic Lent Hills. Arrive at the Moir camp for dinner and overnight.
Dinner and overnight at Moir Hut (4200m).
Trekking time: 6 – 8 hours.
Distance: 14km
Habitat: Semi desert
Day 4: Moir Hut(4200m) – Lava Tower (4600m) – Barranco Camp (3900m)
We will enjoy a morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moir hut behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch at Lava Tower, we will descend to the bottom of the Barranco Valley to camp. Lava Tower takes us up to (4600m), promoting acclimatization, as we then descend to sleep at 3900m.
Dinner and overnight at Barranco Camp (3900).
Trekking time: 6 – 8 hours walking
Distance: 10km
Habitat: Semi-desert
Day 5: Barranco Camp (3900m) – Karanga Camp (3995m)
A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads to the trail on the south-eastern side of Kibo, along the southern ice fields. You will enjoy the unique vegetation as you transition from the moorlands to the high alpine desert. The Barranco Wall does involve a fair bit of scrambling up the rock face, while not a technical climb, many see this a some of the most challenging terrain. From the top of the wall, there is only a short distance to our camp at Karanga.
Dinner and overnight at Karanga Camp (3995m), the last water point on the way to the summit.
Trekking time: 4-5 hours walking
Distance: 5km/3mi
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 6: Karanga Camp (3995m) – Barafu Hut (4673m)
After breakfast we follow an easy path on compacted earth, with wide views, as we gain altitude to reach the Barafu Hut for lunch. Then following a full briefing of what we need for summit (how to dress and how to pack) and a health and safety briefing, we have an early supper and try to get some sleep.
Dinner and overnight at Barafu (4673m).
Trekking time: 3 – 5 hours walking.
Distance: 4km/2mi.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Day 7: Summit attempt Barafu Camp (4673m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka (3100m)
We start our ascent at about midnight to 1 am, depending on the fitness and speed of the climbers, so that we can be up on the crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree and nice graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5756m), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. For those are still feeling strong we will continue with the two-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5895m), passing close to glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. Following ample time for pictures at the summit, we begin the descent back to Barafu for lunch, and after some refreshments, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite at Mweka Camp.
Dinner and overnight at Mweka Camp (3100m).
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down.
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down.
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit.
Day 8: Mweka Camp (3100m) – Mweka Gate (1640m)
A sustained descent on a well-constructed path takes us through a lovely tropical forest alive with bird-song, Our route winds down to Mweka gate at 1640m. We will have lunch at the Gate, a ceremony with the porters congratulating you as you receive your certificate, issued at the gate. We will then drive back to the Masai Land Hotel for a well-deserved shower.
Dinner on your own, overnight at the Kibo Palace or Masai Land Hotel. Trekking time: 3-4 hours, Drive: 2-3 hour.
Distance: 10km/6mi.
Habitat: ForestDay 9 – Departure Day
Our packages include departure day services. Enjoy breakfast and a morning sightseeing in the city or join us for one of our Safari Adventures. If you are returning home our driver will bring you to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to catch your flight home.
Price for 8 Days Lemosho Route is USD $2,455 per person, based on double tent occupancy