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Kilimanjaro Trek: Lemosho Route

Overview

Lemosho Route is considered to be the most scenic trail on Mt Kilimanjaro – offering panoramic vistas from almost all sides of the mountain.

It is a popular choice for those who want to see it all, while keeping away from the more frequented routes up to the summit.
Set out over eight days, guests have more time to acclimatise to the high altitudes resulting in a higher summit success rate.

Tour Information

Duration

Availability

Year round

Tour Highlights

Advanced Difficulty Hike

Price

Starting from USD 3,249 per person sharing

Duration

8 Days

Day 1

Elevation (ft): 3,000 to 7,380 to 6,560 to 9,020
Distance: 18 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitation: Forest

Arusha – Londorossi Gate – Lemosho Glades – Mti Mkubwa Camp

After breakfast at your hotel in Arusha, you are greeted by our guide and transferred to Londorossi Park Gate in the Kilimanjaro National Park.
On arrival at Londorossi Gate, you have time to check in and register with the park guides and porters, before jumping into a 4×4 and taking the short drive to the Lemosho Glades
From here, we begin the three-hour walk through the beautiful forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (which means Big Tree) where we set up camp for the night

Day 2

Elevation (ft): 9,020 to 11,485
Distance: 12 km
Hiking Time: 5 hours
Habitation: Semi-Desert

Mti Mkubwa Camp – Shira Camp 1

Today, we head for the Shira plateau. Shira was once Kilimanjaro’s third and lowest volcanic peak, but has eroded to a high plateau in the aeons since it last erupted
Once we cross the Shira Ridge, we then make the small descent to Shira Camp 1 where we set up camp for the night and enjoy an evening under the starry African skies

Day 3

Elevation (ft): 11,485 to 12,600
Distance: 6km
Hiking Time: 2 hours
Habitation: Alpine Desert

Shira Camp 1 – Shira Camp 2

Today, we begin to walk across the plateau heading towards Shira Camp 2. While the walk is long, the gradient is very gentle – helping you to acclimatise before we begin our push to the summit
On our arrival at Shira Camp 2, you can see the magnificent views of the giant Kibo massif nearby before setting up camp for the evening

Day 4

Elevation (ft): 12,500 to 15,190 to 13,044
Distance: 15 km
Hiking time: 7 hours
Habitation: Semi-Desert

Shira Camp 2 – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp

After breakfast, we hike East up the steep ridge towards Lava Tower – an incredible 300ft tall volcanic rock formation set against a backdrop of desert landscapes and cloud formations
After lunch near the volcanic tower, we descend through the Senecio Forest to the lower cliffs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall in order to reach Barranco Camp
Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, this time spent at high altitude is beneficial for acclimatisation

Day 5

Elevation (ft): 13,044 to 13,106
Distance: 7km
Hiking Time: 4 hours
Habitation: Alpine Desert

Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp

Today, we begin the day by descending to the base of the Great Barranco Wall before beginning our ascent up its façade – while this is a steep climb, it is not technical
From the top of the wall, we cross a series of hills and valleys until we reach the Karanga Valley campsite
From the campsite, you can see the jagged peaks of Mawenzi soaring above the African sky and spend the afternoon relaxing and exploring your surroundings. This short day is important for your acclimatisation, as the following day we begin the final push to the summit

Day 6

Elevation (ft): 13,106 to 15,331
Distance: 13km
Hiking Time: 8 hours
Habitation: Alpine Desert

Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp

In the morning we set out over intertwining ridges and valleys in order to join the Mweka Trail
From here, we continue up to the rocky terrain to Barafu Camp, where we enjoy a well-earned lunch before making the camp ready for our short overnight stay and preparing for our summit the next day
Before it gets dark, be sure to look out and admire the two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo which are in perfect view from this vantage point

Day 7

Elevation (ft): 15,331 to 19,341 to 10,065
Distance: 7 km up and 23km down
Hiking time: 8 hours up and 7-8 hours down
Habitation: Scree and seasonal snow

Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp

We rise around midnight and head off into the night to push to the summit
This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of your trek, as we begin the six-hour climb through the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, traversing heavy scree to reach Stella Point on the crater rim
At Stella Point, we stop for a short rest and enjoy watching the sun slowly rise over the horizon
As we push on, we arrive at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa and the final stop on our ascent
You’ve reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro – the world’s highest free-standing mountain – and have the splendours of Africa at your feet
Weather conditions on the summit determine how long we are able to spend here before we begin our descent
We make our descent through rocky terrain, passing through Barafu Camp for lunch and continuing straight down to Mweka Camp
We arrive back to Mweka Camp in the late afternoon, to enjoy a well-earned rest and our last dinner on the mountain

Day 8

Elevation (ft): 10,065 to 5,380
Distance: 15km
Hiking time: 3 hours
Habitation: Forest

Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Arusha

After a leisurely breakfast, we begin the scenic three-hour hike back down to the park gate
Transfer to your hotel in Arusha for a hot shower, a well-earned rest and to revel in the glory of having completed your summit to the top of Mt Kilimanjaro!