Kilimanjaro climbing – Lemosho Route 6 days Itinerary 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.
Lemosho Route starts on the west side of Kilimanjaro from Londorossi Gate. After which the trek continues through the profound rainforest to Shira level throughout the following two days. The trail at that point moves eastbound of the Shira Plateau to the Lava Tower in a level climb. The route at that point heads down towards Barranco Valley by means of the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu.
It’s perfect for somebody looking to get off the beaten track! The six-day route is for those who don’t have time but who want to avoid the crowds you would find on Machame or Marangu.
Upon arrival at Arusha /Kilimanjaro Airport you will meet your Migration Seekers Expedition guide who will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi Tanzania (for budget hotels we recommend KILIMANJARO WHITE HOUSE HOTEL). Settle into your accommodation, relax and get used to the African atmosphere. Ready to start your 6 DAYS KILIMANJARO HIKING TOUR VIA LEMOSHO ROUTE the next day.
After breakfast you will be picked up at the lodge and taken to the Londorossi Gate at the height of 2,250 m. After the necessary registration has been completed, a bumpy drive will take you into the dense rainforest, from where your adventure commences. The moderately steep track makes its way through an unspoilt natural forest to the Big Tree Camp (2,780 m). You will be accompanied by an armed ranger for the first 2 days of your trek as wild game can be found in the area. You will spend the night in tents at Big Tree Camp.
•Elevation (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft
•Distance: 6 km
•Hiking Time:3-4 hours
•Habitat: Rain Forest
•Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
•Accommodation: Mti mkubwa Camp
You have a long trek ahead today on a small trail, passing through the rainforest. As you ascend, the forest gradually thins out and the landscape becomes drier and barer. On the moorland you will find lobelia and ericas dotting the landscape. You will pass Shira ridge before reaching Shira Camp 1 after 4 to 5 hours. Here you will have your lunch break and rest your limbs, enjoying the views of Mt Meru and the Rift Valley in the distance. You will trek for about another 3 hours, ascending 250 m. Walking on solidified lava, you will pass giant senecios, almost 9 meters in height, before finally reaching your destination of the day, the Shira Camp 2. You will enjoy an evening meal and with a little bit of luck you will be able to see the summit basking in the orange glow of the sunset.
•Elevation (ft): 9,500ft to 12,500ft
• Altitude: 3,010 m to 3,845m
•Distance: 18 km
•Hiking Time 8-9hours
•Habitat: Moorland
•Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
•Accommodation: Shira 2 camp
Today you will climb about 800 m but you will be camping at an elevation only slightly higher than the previous night. This will allow your body to acclimatize as a height of over 4,500 m will be reached over the next two days.
The trek begins with a long ascent above the Shira Plateau in the direction of the Lava Tower. From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft.
The vegetation becomes sparser as the landscape changes to an afro-alpine desert. The route passes through the sweeping Barranco Valley with its lobelia and giant senecio plants. After 6 to 7 hours, you will arrive at the most beautiful camp on the mountain – the Barranco Camp.
• Altitude: 3,845 m to 3,845m to 3,960m
• Distance Covered: 10 km
• Time to be used: 6-8 hours.
• Habitat: Semi Desert
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Barranco camp
Today’s stretch starts with the climb of the Barranco Wall. We leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. Safety is paramount and your guides will assist you wherever necessary. Following the ridge as it traverses up and down, you can enjoy the splendid views of the south glacier of Kibo.
In the Karanga Valley you will have lunch, followed by a 2 to 3 hours climb to Barafu Camp.
At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position. Once at the camp, you can relax, have dinner and call it an early night.
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Karanga camp to Barafu Camp
• Altitude: 3,960 m to 4,640 m
Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331ft
• Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331ft
• Distance Covered: 5km
Hiking time 4-5hrs
• Time to be used: 4- 5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
Accommodation: Barafu camp
After a cup of hot tea and a light snack, the climb begins at around midnight. We continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
•Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
•Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
•Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
•Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
•Distance: 5 km/3 miles
•Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Altitude: 4,640 m to 5,895 m •Altitude: 5,895 m to 3,080 m
•Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
•Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
•Habitat: Arctic
•Habitat: Rain Forest
>Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
>Accommodation: Mweka Camp
The final leg of your amazing adventure begins after breakfast with a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain crew. Then a gentle 2 to 3 hours’ descent through the rainforest continues to Mweka Gate, where your driver will be waiting for you. He will take you back and after a warm shower, the rest of the day is free to relax, relax at the pool or celebrate your achievement
Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration!
• Altitude: 3,080 m to 1,630m
• Distance Covered: 9.3km km down
• Time to be used: 2 - 3 hrs.
• Habitat: Rain Forest
• Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
_THE END OF TREK_
