Lemosho is considered the most beautiful route on Kilimanjaro and grants panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. It offers a great balance of lesser traffic, scenic views and a high summit success rate. It is highly recommended for those looking for a leisurely climb with a great acclimatization profile. On average you can expect to hike for 6-8 hours per day, covering a distance of about 8-15 kilometers. The maximum daily vertical gain in a day is about 1,200 meters, with an average being 500-600 meters per day.
The route is less swarmed when contrasted with different routes making it perfect from first-time trekkers. The route because of its more extended timetable gives better acclimatization to the climbers, which augments the opportunity of an effective summit.
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.
After breakfast and a briefing, we drive to Londorossi Park Gate, which takes about a 3-hour drive. From here, a forest track accessible only by 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades. We embark on a hike along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.
Following breakfast, we continue our journey as the trail gradually steepens, entering the giant heather moorland zone. After crossing several streams, we advance over the Shira Ridge and then descend gently to Shira 1 camp, situated by a stream on the Shira Plateau.
After breakfast, a leisurely hike across the plateau leads us to Shira 2 camp, nestled on moorland meadows by a stream. The plateau offers a variety of hiking options, making it an ideal acclimatization day.
We depart from the Shira Plateau, heading east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. Continuing our journey, we change direction to the southeast towards the Lava Tower, known as the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Afterward, we descend to Barranco Camp. Although the day ends at a similar elevation as it began, it plays a crucial role in acclimatization to prepare for summit day.
Following breakfast, we ascend the Barranco Wall, a steep ridge, to the Karanga Valley and the junction connecting with the Mweka Trail.
Continuing our ascent, we reach the Barafu Camp, marking the completion of the South Circuit and offering panoramic views of the summit.
In the early morning hours, we begin our climb to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. The trek to Stella Point, followed by Uhuru Peak, offers breathtaking vistas. After reaching the summit, we descend to Mweka Camp for our final night on the mountain.
After breakfast, we descend to the Mweka Park Gate to receive summit certificates. From there, we transfer to a hotel in Arusha.
