The Lemosho Route is one of the most beautiful and secluded routes up Mount Kilimanjaro. Climbers choose this route since it is so scenic, remote and has a high success rate. This route starts at the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro and offers great views of the valleys and wildlife. The trail is unspoiled and a beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus in the world. After a few days the Lemosho Route joins the Machame Route at Lava Tower. On this 8-days Lemosho Route, the trek from Barranco to Barafu is broken up into two days, so climbers can get more rest prior to the summit attempt.
DAY 1: Londorossi Gate (2,100m/6,890ft) – Big Tree Camp/ Forest Camp (2,750m/9,023ft)
Today your driver picks you up and drives you to Londorossi Gate, to arrange the paperwork (entry formalities). Then drive about 1 hour to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at trailhead, we eat lunch, before we start walking for about 3 hours through forest, to the first camp site. This charming camp is situated under a big tree and with plenty of monkeys and birds around.
DAY 2: Big Tree Camp (2,750m/9,023ft) – Shira Camp 1 (3,480m/11,420ft)
Early in the morning we set off to the next camp and hike through forests, savannah and heather. Halfway we stop to have lunch and enjoy the great views of the Shira ridge. After a long hike we reach the Shira Plateau, one of the highest altitude plateaus in the world. If you stand on the plateau you can see Kilimanjaro’s impressive Kibo Peak. We gentle descent to Shira 1 Camp.
DAY 3: Shira Camp 1 (3,480m/11,420ft) – Shira Camp 2 (3,860m/12,600ft) – Moir Hut (4,206m/13,800 feet)
Enjoy the amazing views this morning and try to spot wildlife, such as antelope, jackal and buffalo. We hike for about 4 hours through the alpine heather zone towards Kibo’s Peak, across the Shira Plateau to Shira Camp 2 in the moorland fields. We continue to Moir Hut, a spot on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills which gives your body time to acclimatize to the altitudes of Kilimanjaro.
DAY 4: Moir Hut (4,206m/13,800 feet) – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft)
We leave the camp in the morning, to hike for about 3 hours to the Lava Tower. This is a large rock formation that was formed from lava, when Kilimanjaro was still an active volcano. We now descend the valley to Barranco Camp, located below the Great Barranco Wall. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Your day starts and ends at the same elevation to give your body time to acclimatize and prepare for the summit day.
DAY 5: Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft) – Karanga Camp (4040 m/13255 ft)
This is one of the best and most adventurous parts of the route. After breakfast, we start with a descent to the base of the Barranco Wall and continue climbing up a steep cliff. Enjoy the amazing sightings of Kibo and Mount Meru. We leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day to give your body time to adapt and acclimatize.
DAY 6: Karanga Camp (4040 m/13255 ft) – Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft)
After breakfast, we leave Karanga and continue up to the Barafu Hut for about 2-3 hours. At this point, you have views of the summit from many perspectives. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy early dinner and prepare for the summit at midnight. This is the last night before we summit the mighty Kilimanjaro. You can already see the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo from this location.
DAY 7: Barafu Camp (4,600 m./ 15,100ft) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m./ 19,340ft) – Mweka Camp (3,110 m./ 10,170ft)
At midnight we start the most challenging part of the hike. It begins with a rocky part and zigzag to the crater rim at Stella Point (18,600 ft). From Stella Point it’s just another hour to Kilimanjaro’s summit (Uhuru Peak). If you reach the summit on time, you can see the most beautiful sunrise ever. Enjoy the overwhelming sense of achievement. It’s time for a short celebration and to take awesome pictures. From the summit, we make our descent to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. This is a tough climbing day (8-14 hours) from Barafu Camp to the summit and back to Barafu Camp. The last challenge is another 2-4 hours downhill from Barafu Camp to Mweka Camp.
DAY 8: Mweka Camp (3,110 m./10,170 ft) – Mweka Gate (1,830 m./ 6000 ft)- Arusha/Moshi
This last hike down takes you through the forest to the Mweka Park Gate where you receive your summit certificates. At this lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear. From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka Village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi/Arusha.
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