LEMOSHO ROUTE

Tour Highlights:

• Route: Lemosho Route, offering beautiful views and a more gradual ascent.
• Duration: 8 days, providing ample time for acclimatization and scenic exploration.
• Accommodation: Camping (tents), with meals provided by a cook and tents equipped with mattresses.
• Approach: Begins at Londorossi Gate in the west, traversing the southern circuit of Kilimanjaro and descending via the Mweka route.

Includes:

• Transport from/to park gate & airport transfer
• Pre & post climb accommodation (B&B) in Moshi/Arusha
• Park, camping & rescue fees
• Tents & mattress
• Professional English-speaking guide(s), porters & cook
• Water, tea, and coffee with meals
• Chemical portable toilet

Excludes:

• Flights, travel insurance, visa and passport fees
• Increases in park fees (if applicable)
• Personal equipment (sleeping bags, etc.)
• Tips for guides, porters & cooks
• Soda and alcoholic beverages

Itinerary Overview:

Day 1: Londorossi Park Gate to Mti Kubwa Campsite

• Elevation: 2,750 m (9,100 ft)
• Distance: 7 km
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Mti Kubwa Campsite

After arriving at Londorossi Park Gate and completing the registration, you’ll begin your hike through the Lemosho Glades, a rich rain forest area. After a 3-hour hike, you'll camp at Mti Kubwa (Big Tree) campsite, located in a beautiful forest setting.

Day 2: Mti Kubwa to Shira Camp 1

• Elevation: 3,505 m (11,500 ft)
• Distance: 7 km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Shira Camp 1

Today’s hike crosses streams and climbs through the giant heather zone. After crossing Shira Ridge, you will descend to Shira Camp 1, located at the southern edge of the Shira Plateau. From here, you’ll have great views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the plateau.

Day 3: Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2

• Elevation: 3,840 m (12,500 ft)
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Shira Camp 2

This day is focused on acclimatization. A gentle walk across the plateau leads you to Shira Camp 2, located on moorland meadows. You’ll have the option to take short acclimatization walks around the camp to prepare for the higher altitudes.

Day 4: Shira Camp 2 to Barranco Campsite

• Elevation: 3,950 m (13,044 ft)
• Distance: 11 km
• Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Barranco Campsite

The route heads east towards Lava Tower (4,630 m), a volcanic rock formation ideal for acclimatization. After reaching Lava Tower, you’ll descend to Barranco Camp. Although you will descend slightly, this altitude gain and loss is key for proper acclimatization.

Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

• Elevation: 3,937 m (13,106 ft)
• Distance: 5 km
• Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Karanga Camp

The day’s hike involves climbing the Barranco Wall, a non-technical scramble requiring all four limbs in some sections. From the top, you’ll have stunning views of Kilimanjaro's glaciers. You’ll descend into the Karanga Valley and camp beneath the Southern Glaciers.

Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

• Elevation: 4,600 m (15,331 ft)
• Distance: 4 km
• Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Barafu Camp

The day’s hike takes you to Barafu Camp, a high-altitude campsite with little vegetation. You will spend the afternoon resting and preparing for the summit attempt, with an early dinner followed by a short rest in preparation for the midnight summit push.

Day 7: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak, then down to Mweka Camp

• Elevation: 5,895 m (Uhuru Peak), descending to 3,100 m (Mweka Camp)
• Distance: 12 km (ascending + descending)
• Hiking Time: 6-7 hours (ascent), 4-6 hours (descent)
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Mweka Camp

After starting your ascent at midnight, you’ll reach Stella Point (5,739 m) at sunrise and continue on to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. After brief time at the summit, you’ll descend to Barafu Camp for rest and brunch, then continue down to Mweka Camp for the night.

Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

• Elevation: 3,100 m (Mweka Camp) to 1,640 m (Mweka Gate)
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

The final day involves a descent to Mweka Gate. After signing out at the gate and receiving your summit certificate, you’ll meet your driver for transfer back to the hotel.

Summary:

The Lemosho route offers the most scenic and varied experience on Mount Kilimanjaro. With less crowding and a higher summit success rate due to its longer duration and better acclimatization opportunities, it’s considered one of the best routes for those seeking a beautiful and rewarding climb. The route also gives trekkers the chance to experience Kilimanjaro's diverse ecosystems, from the lush rainforest to the alpine desert and the glaciers at the summit. It’s an excellent choice for those looking for a well-rounded and fulfilling Kilimanjaro experience.