8 Days Lemosho Route
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8 Days Lemosho Route
Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Duration
8 Days
Tour Type
Hiking
Group Size
2-20 People
Languages
Any Language
Overview
The Lemosho Route is one of our preferred routes due to its low traffic, beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate. The Lemosho route starts off from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the lush rainforest to Shira Plateau. We recommend 8 days for better acclimatization and summit success. The Lemosho route joins the Machame route at Shira 2 Camp and then follows the same route through the southern circuit and descending at Mweka Gate.
Highlights
- The 8 days Lemosho Route is potentially the most scenic route on the mountain with ample time to acclimatize ahead of the always difficult summit day.
- It is still a new trail therefore you do not see too many climbers in the first 2 days.
- Generally, the trek is on good trails and is never very steep.
- Except for the summit day (which is very long) each of the trekking days is short, usually, just 4 to 5 hours of walking, which gives us the afternoons to take it easy.
Include / Exclude
Included
- Pick up at International Airport
- Transfer to Maridadi Hotel or Selig Annex Hotel in Moshi
- Professional mountain crew.
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- Kilimanjaro National Park permits Fees
- Camping/hut fees
- 3 meals daily
- Modern tents
- First aid kit
- Warm and comfortable sleeping matress (2 inches thick)
- Group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery, and cutlery)
- Meeting the group at the National Park exit and transfer to the hotel
- Accommodation before and after the climb
- International certificates for a successful ascent
- Return transfer to Kilimanjaro airport.
Excluded
- Flights tickets
- Visa fee
- Personal gear rental
- Items of a personal nature
- Laundry services
- Tips for the mountain Crew (Recommeded, $20-25/Guide/day, $15-17/Chef/day and $10/Porter/day)
- Portable Toilet Available for Extra cost (100 USD)
Tour Itinerary
01
Day 1 : Londorossi Gate, Hike to Mti Mkubwa Camp
- Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft
- Distance: 6km/4mi
- Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
- Meals: LD
- Budget Lodging: Mti Mkubwa Camp
After eating breakfast at your hotel, your guide will brief you on the day. You wil drive from Moshi town to Londorossi Park Gate (2100m). In the village near Londorossi where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at trailhead, we eat lunch, then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.
02
Day 2 Hike Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira I Camp
- Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3850m/12,600ft
- Distance: 16km/10mi
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Shira I Camp
We continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.
Day 2 Hike Shira I Camp to Shira II Camp
- Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3850m/12,600ft
- Distance: 16km/10mi
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Shira II Camp
This spectacular camp we will be going to today is located beneath the Northern Ice Fields of Kilimanjaro. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth
03
Day 3 : Hike Shira II Camp to Barranco Camp
- Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
- Distance: 8km/5mi
- Walking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Barranco Camp
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth†(level 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for the summit day
04
Day 4 : Hike Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
- Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Hiking Time: 34 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Karanga Valley Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
05
Day 5 : Hike Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
- Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
- Distance: 4km/2mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Barafu Camp
We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
06
Day 6 : Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp
- Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
- Down : 3090m/10,150ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
- Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa! From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
07
Day 7 : Hike Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Arusha or Moshi
- Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Forest
- Meals: B
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. Wild Vista Expedition vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha
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