Kilimanjaro

Lemosho Route

This route is gentle and slow ascent allows the body enough time to acclimatize to the high altitude and therefore giving excellent chance of reaching the summit.     

Lemosho Route Over view

Day 1:       Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa

Elevation: 2,359m / 7,742 ft to 2,894m / 9,498 ft

Distance: 6 km/4 miles

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes a drive of about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at trailhead, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site, Mti Mkubwa or “Big Tree”.

DAY 2:     Mti Mkubwa to Shira One  Camp

Elevation: 2,894m / 9,498 ft to 3,504m / 11,500 ft

Distance: 8 km/ 5miles

Hiking Time 5-6 hours

Habitat: Health

After a good breakfast, you start the climb through the remaining rain forest toward the giant Erica moorland zone. You will enjoy a great lunch stop in a beautiful valley just outside the Shira Crater. Today you will get your first close views of the summit. Overnight at Shira One camp-site.

Day 3:      Shira One camp to Shira Two camp

Elevation 3,504m / 11,500 ft to 3,610 m/ 12,500ft  

Hike time: 4 hrs

Distance: Approximately 6 km / 4 miles

Habitat: Moorland

After an early breakfast, you hike east across the Shira Plateau past the Shira Cathedral towards Shira Two camp. We only gain about 100m in elevation which allows you to acclimatize slowly to the altitude. The views of the plateau are spectacular. Overnight at Shira Two Camp.

Day 4:      Shira Two Camp via Lava Tower then down to Barranco Hut

Elevation: 3,610 m/ 12,500 ft to 4,650 m/15,190 ft the down to 3,901 m /  13,044 ft

Hike time: 7 hrs

Distance: Approximately 10.7 km / 6

Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast you will hike to Lava Tower. The Lava tower is a volcanic rock tower that was formed by the volcanic activity that happened on the mountain many years ago. It is around 90m tall from the base. In the previous years, the tower used to be a point of interest for rock climbers, who would scale it to enjoy what is a 360 degree view of the surroundings and the peaks; however, this practice has been banned for safety reasons. This is one of the most valuable days for acclimatization. After a short rest at Lava Tower you will descend to Barranco Camp (3,901m / 13,044ft).

Day 5:      Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation: 3901m / 13,044ft to 3,995m / 13,106ft

Hike time: 4-5 hrs

Distance: Approximately 5 km / 3 miles

Habitat: Alpine Desert 

Start with tackling the awesome looking obstacle, the Barranco Wall, a steep and exposed wall of around 300m.  The Barranco Wall is also known as Breakfast because it is the first thing you will tackle in the morning. The wall is near vertical, but the path cuts across it at a diagonal. The wall climb may take may be 1-2 hours of slow, relatively easy scrambling. After finishing the Barranco Wall you will reach elevation of 4,200m / 13,700 ft then you will cross ridges and valleys to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.

Day 6:      Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation: 3,995m / 13,106 ft to 4,600m / 15,331 ft

Hike Time: 4 hours

Distance: 4 Kms / 2 miles

Habitat: Alpine desert

It is another short hike meant for acclimatization, only taking just over 4 hours at a very modest pace. You will hike on ringing stones and the barren slope up onto a ridge. On the east across the saddle you will see Mawenzi, the second peak of Kilimanjaro, with its rough, jagged face.   You will take your lunch and then try to get some rest during the afternoon, before having an early supper around 5 pm. You will use the rest of the day to prepare for the summit hike.

Day 7:      Barafu Camp to the Summit and then to Mweka Camp

Elevation: 4,600m / 15,331ft to 5896m / 19,341ft down to 3,100 m /10,065ft

Summit time: 7 hrs

Descent time: 8 hrs

Distance: Approximately 4.5 km / 3 miles ascent and 10.8 km / 7 miles descent

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit, Alpine desert, moorland.

It is a 15 – 17 hour day hike, depending on your speed and endurance, commencing at midnight and until the next afternoon. You will be woken at 11.00pm to get ready for the summit attempt.  You could have some soup if you wanted, but you will get a cup of tea and biscuits on the way.  The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5739m / 18,800ft) , in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896m / 19,345 ft), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area to Uhuru “Independence” summit.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu (4,600m / 15,331 ft) for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. 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.

Day 8:      Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate  

Elevation: 3100m / 10,065ft to 1828m / 5,380ft

Descent time: 4 hrs

Distance: Estimated distance: 10km

Habitat: Montane forest.

After breakfast, you will have a short celebration with your guides and porters. This is the time you may consider to pay tips if you are well satisfied with the service of guides and porters.  Then you will hike for about 4 to 6 hour to the Mweka gate.

At Mweka gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5739m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates 

From the Mweka Gate you will drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower and celebrations!!