Kilimanjaro Hike - Lemosho Route

The Lemosho Route is the longest of the major routes up Mount Kilimanjaro. This 9 day Kilimanjaro Hike has a remote the trailhead and on your first day of hiking you will see plenty of game.

Trekking up Kilimanjaro on the Lemosho Route greatly increases your chances of achieving the summit due to the extra days for acclimatizing.

This route is definatly one of the most scenic routes to the "Roof of Africa". The first couple days of Lemosho start well west of the other routes, but on day 4 it merges with Machame and becomes the same from there on out. And just as most Machame groups descend on the separate Mweka Route, Lemosho groups typically do as well.

Experience the unforgettable achievement of standing on top of Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain, on this guided Lemosho Hike!

Day 1 Arrival in Moshi

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport in Tanzania, you will be greeted by our transfer driver and taken to your hotel for the night – the Keys Hotel in Moshi. The rest of the day will be yours to do as you please; you may choose to relax at the hotel or perhaps explore the small town of Moshi, which is a short taxi drive away. You will have a preliminary talk in preparation for your trek the following days.

Dinner

Day 2 Moshi – Londorossi Gate (2250m) – Big Tree Camp (2780m) 

In the morning, you will be collected from your hotel and taken to Londorossi Gate at 2250m - a 2½-hour drive away. Here, you will be registered by the National Park authorities. A further 15 km drive follows over a bumpy track into the dense rainforest to the drop off point where your trek begins. You will follow a moderately steep track, which leads you through an amazing and unspoilt natural forest until the Big Tree Camp (2780m). This camp is approx. 2½ hours away and is your destination for today. This region is home to wild game, such as elephants and buffaloes. For better safety, an armed ranger will eventually accompany you on your trek up to the Shira plateau of the Kilimanjaro. Overnight stay in tents.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 3 Big Tree Camp (2780m) – Shira Camp 2 (3900m)

Today’s long trek starts on a small trail which passes through the rainforest. As one climbs, the forest gradually thins out and the landscape turns again into a heath and moorland where the plants of Erica and Lobelia start to dominate the landscape. You will cross the Shira Ridge (ca. 3600m) and after 4 to 5 hours of trekking, you will reach the Shira Camp 1. Here you will stop for lunch, relax for a while and enjoy the fantastic views of Mt Meru and the Rift Valley. For the last part of the climb (approximately 3 hrs), you will climb another 250 meters in altitude. The landscape will once change again; your will walk on ground that once was a lava flow and just before reaching Shira Camp 2, you will pass the giant Senecias that can grow to almost 9 meters in height. At Shira Camp 2, you will camp for the night and with a little luck, enjoy the wonderful view of the Kibo summit in a warm evening sun.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 4 Shira Camp 2 (3900m) – Lava Tower(4640m) – Barranco Camp (3960m)

Today, you will climb approximately 700m but you will camp the next night at an elevation only slightly higher than the previous night. This will allow your body to acclimatise, as a height of over 4500m will be reached before descending again. In doing so, you will be able to see how your body reacts to such an altitude. The trek begins with a long ascent above the Shira Plateau in the direction of the Lava Tower Hut (4640m – 15,220 ft). The vegetation becomes more sparse as the landscape moves toward an afro-alpine desert. The climb passes through the spacious and sweeping Barranco Valley with its giant Senecias and Lobelia plants. After 6 – 7 hours walking, you will arrive at perhaps the most beautiful camp on the Kilimanjaro- the Barranco Camp. Here you will stay for the night.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 5 Barranco Camp (3960m) – Karanga Camp (4035m)

Today’s trekking leg has many ascents and descents. Shortly after the start, you will tackle the steepest part of the entire route – the Barranco Wall. Every now and then, you may need your hands to hold on tight - but no fears: there are no alpine climbing passages. Safety is paramount and your guide will secure you with a safety line upon agreement whenever necessary. After that, you will walk along the mountain ridge with a fantastic view of the southern glacier of Kibo as well as an amazing sight of the Kibo summit. Walking time will be 3 to 4 hours.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 6 Karanga Camp (4035m) - Barafu Camp (4640m)

You will walk along a trail that passes through the afro-alpine dessert until you reach the destination of today – the Barafu Camp. This camp is situated at an altitude of 4640 meters (15,220 ft) and will be reached in about 3 to 4 hours. After a filling evening meal, you can relax and take an early night in preparation for tomorrow’s early climb.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 7 Barafu Camp (4640m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka Camp (3080m)

After a hot tea and a light snack, the climb begins at midnight in which you will climb the scree and ash paths of the Kibo by torchlight. After 5 -7 hrs of climbing by night, you will arrive at Stella Point, the crater rim of the Kilimanjaro. Another 1 - 2 hrs climb along the crater ridge will lead you to the summit of Uhuru Peak (5895m). From “Africa’s Roof”, you will be able to see the surrounding summits and landscape being lit up and warmed by the suns first rays – a truly liberating experience. After having a short break and taking many pictures, you will return to Camp Barafu just before midday where the rest of the climbing crew is waiting for you. Upon your return, you will have a warm meal and a well-deserved break of 1 – 2 hrs before you will hike back to the Camp Mweka (3080m) which is approx. 3 hours away. At Camp Mweka, you will have an evening meal followed by a relaxing evening and a good night’s sleep.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 8 Mweka Camp (3080m) – Mweka Gate (1630m) - Moshi

The final leg of your adventure begins after breakfast with a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain guides. Then, a gentle 2 -3 hrs descent follows through the rainforest to Mweka Gate where your driver waits for you and takes you back to the Keys Hotel in Moshi. Once there, you may choose to relax and stay at the pool or just idly doze away an hour or two with thoughts of the roof of Africa – the Kilimanjaro.

Breakfast; Dinner 

Day 9 Moshi – Additional Services

After breakfast the Kilimanjaro Hiking Tour comes to an end and you can continue with your travel plans; taking a transfer to the Kilimanjaro Airport.

Breakfast

Trek Itinerary: Lemosho Route

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