9 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing: Lemosho Route
Overview
The Lemosho route is one of the newer routes on Mount Kilimanjaro. The route begins in the west and rather than simply intersecting Shira Plateau (like Machame), Lemosho crosses it from Shira Ridge to Shira Camp. Climbers encounter low traffic until the route joins the Machame route. Afterwards, Lemosho follows the same route through Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu, known as the southern circuit.
The minimum number of days required for this route is six days, although eight days is ideal.
Lemosho is considered the most beautiful route on Kilimanjaro and grants panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. It is great route because it offers a great balance of low traffic, scenic views and a high summit success rate.
Cost per person based on 2 pax: from $2540
Included/Exclude
- 8 days climbing.
- Pulse oximeters
- Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents:
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides:
- Park fees
- Rescue fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Tips to driver, porters and guide
- Visas
- Insurance
- Items of personal nature
- Transfer to and from Kilimanjaro Airport ($30/person one-way)
- Transfer from Arusha per private car hire $100 one way
- Climbing gear – sleeping bags, shoes etc.
Tour Plan
Day 1: Arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the Springlands Hotel in Moshi for your overnight stay.
A 2hours drive from your hotel in Arusha brings us to the Londorossi Park Gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. At the gate you will sign in. We drive to the trailhead at Lemosho Glades and start our trek through the rain forest. In places, the vegetation is so untouched that it grows right across the narrow track. The flora and fauna are richer here than on the other more popular routes through the rain forest. Our trek today will be along a little used track known as Chamber’s Route. In about 3-4 hours, we reach our camp in the rain forest at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree)for the dinner and overnight stay at Mti Mkubwa Camp.
After breakfast, we start the climb cross the remaining rain forest towards the giant moorland zone. Today is a full day trek with an altitude gain of 2,000 ft. You will have hot lunch at the camp. After lunch we cross into the Shira Caldera, a high altitude desert plateau that is rarely visited. Shira is the third of Kilimanjaro volcanic cones, and is filled with lava flow from Kibo Peak . The crater rim has been decimated by weather and volcanic action. Today you will get your first close views of Kibo – the dramatic summit of Kilimanjaro. Dinner and overnight at Shira one campsite.
You will have breakfast, Thereafter, you will then continue to hike across the rocky ridge onto Shira Plateau, where you will be able to see the easterly side and the western breach with its dramatic glaciers. You are now on the west of Kibo Peak and it will take another short walk before reaching the Shira 2 Campsite. Shira 2 Camp is very exposed and will be much colder with temperatures dropping below freezing point.
Today is the last of the “easy days”. It is about a 6-7 hour superb hike. We pass the Lava Tower , around the southern flank of Kibo, and slowly descend into the spectacular Barranco Valley , interspersed with giant lobelia and senecia plants. After arriving at our most spectacular campsite, everyone stands in awe at the foot of Kibo Peak , looming high above, on our left. Our camp is only 465 feet higher than where we were last night, but during the day, we will have climbed to just over 14,000 feet. This is one of our most valuable days for acclimatization. Dinner and overnight at Barranco camp.
On the eastern side of the valley, across the stream is the Barranco Wall – a 9,500 ft. barrier of volcanic rock. Although it is tall and looks steep, it is very easy to climb. This is our first challenge of the day. The views from the wall are nothing less than magnificent. The rest of the day is spent skirting the base of Kibo peak over our left shoulder. We descend down into the Karanga Valley , where we rest up for the night before the tough climb up to Barafu hut. Dinner and overnight at Karanga camp.
After breakfast, you will leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects to the famous Mweka Trail. You will then continue along the rocky ridge for 1 to 2 hours before reaching Barafu Camp, which offers stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit from various angles. Your tents will be pitched along a narrow and rocky ridge with high winds. It’s therefore worth taking some time to familiarize yourself with your surroundings before it gets dark. Rest for the night at Barafu Camp and prepare for the upcoming hike to the summit.
Dress warmly, because we start climbing around midnight, on the steepest and most demanding part of the mountain. The moon, if out, will provide enough light, and we will reach the crater rim by sunrise, after a 7 hour hike, and welcome a new dawn. From the crater rim, rugged Mawenzi Peak is a thrilling sight, with the Kibo saddle still in darkness beneath you, and the crater’s ice-walls looming ahead. We now continue to Uhuru Peak (1-2 hrs.) This is the highest point in Africa , and the world’s highest solitary peak (19,300 ft). It is the best view in Africa . The descent is invigorating. It is a good idea to have a little rest once in awhile as you continue down back to Barafu camp (4 hours), and then down the Mweka route to Mweka camp (5 hours). This is where we spend our last night on the mountain. Dinner and overnight at Mweka Camp.
In the morning we walk down to the gate of Mweka. This takes about 4hrs. After a welcome lunch, it is time to say thanks and tipping the potters and guides, then drive to Moshi or Arusha for your next destination.
