8 DAYS LEMOSHO ROUTE CLIMBING

Lemosho Route Overview

The Lemosho route is considered the most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro, granting panoramic vistas on various mountain sides. As one of the newer routes, Lemosho is a superb choice for your climb. It is our preferred route due to its ideal balance of low crowds, beautiful scenery, and a high summit success rate. Kilimanjaro Elite Tours specializes in guiding on the Lemosho route. Most of our clients climb Kilimanjaro using this route and consistently report that they love it. Thus, Lemosho is highly recommended. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west. beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rainforest to Shira Ridge. The Lemosho route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. Crowds are low until the route joins the Machame route near Lava Tower. Then the route traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1: MOSHI- LONDOROSSI GATE- BIG TREE CAMP

Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft Distance: 6 km/4 miles Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Rain Forest. We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at the trailhead, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first campsite.

Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) to Shira 1 Camp Elevation: 9,498 feet to 11,500 feet Distance: 8 km/5 miles Hiking Time: 5-6 hours Habitat: Health. We continue on the trail leading out of the rainforest 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. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.

Shira 1 Camp to Shira Camp 2 Elevation: 11,500 feet to 13,800 feet Distance: 11 km/ 7 miles Hiking Time: 5-7 hours Habitat: Heath. We explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadow towards Shira 2 Camp. Then we divert from the main trail to Moir Hut, a little-used site on the base of Lent Hills. Lent Hills offers a range of walking options, so this
An outstanding chance for acclimatization. One of the highest plateaus in the world is the Shira Plateau.

 

Elevation: 3950m to 3900m
Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Moorland

Today’s trek is relatively brief but crucial for acclimatization. In the morning, you’ll begin your ascent of the Barranco Wall, reaching an altitude of 4200m. This climb helps your body adjust to the thinning air. From there, you’ll traverse a series of ridges and valleys, eventually arriving at the Karanga campsite, where a hot lunch awaits. After a well-deserved break, you’ll embark on another short hike up the scree slopes toward the southern ice field to further aid in acclimatization. Finally, you’ll return to camp for a warm supper and a restful overnight stay.

Elevation: 3900m to 4620m
Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Today’s journey leads to the challenging Barafu Ridge campsite, where the high altitude presents a significant test. Though the distance is relatively short, the steep ascent demands a deliberate, slow pace to prevent exhaustion. As you climb through the alpine desert, expect to encounter a biting, cold wind gusting from Kibo Peak and its glaciers. At 4620 meters, you’ll enjoy a hearty dinner before settling in for rest. Afterward, you’ll take a brief break until midnight, when you’ll begin your summit attempt.

Elevation: 4620m to 5895m to 3100m
Distance: 15 km
Hiking Time: 10 – 12 hours
Habitat: Desert and Ice

Following a light breakfast at midnight, you’ll prepare for your exhilarating summit push. The goal is to reach Uhuru Peak just before or after sunrise, requiring an early start in the pre-dawn hours. The route consists of a series of switchbacks that lead up steep scree or, depending on conditions, snow, all the way to Stella Point on the crater rim, where you’ll arrive between 4 and 5 AM. From here, you’ll be treated to awe-inspiring views of the famous crater and its glaciers.

After a brief rest, you’ll continue along the Kibo crater rim, passing the iconic snow, before finally reaching the pinnacle of Mount Kilimanjaro—Uhuru Peak. At the summit, you’ll have time for photos, but your stay will be brief, depending on how you feel.

Once your summit activities are complete, you’ll descend back to the Barafu campsite for lunch and rest, gathering your gear before continuing downhill. The trail takes you through moorland and heath zones to the Mweka campsite, where you’ll enjoy a well-earned dinner and overnight stay.

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft Distance: 5 km/3 miles Hiking Time:
7-8 hours Habitat: Arctic. Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft Distance:
12 km/7 miles Hiking Time: 4-6 hours Habitat: Rain Forest. Very early in the morning (around
midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent but short breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the
continent of Africa. From the summit, we now make our descent, continuing straight down to the
Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu 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.

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft Distance: 10 km/6 miles Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Rain Forest On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we Continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back
to the hotel in Moshi

8 Days Lemosho Route Price

Inclusive and Exclusive

Include

  • PARK FEES, CAMPING FEES & RESCUE FEES 
  • 18% VAT ON TOUR FEE AND SERVICES
  • MOUNTAIN TENTS
  • SLEEPING MATS
  • TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM MOUNTAIN gate
  • PROFESSIONAL MOUNTAIN GUIDES, COOKS AND PORTERS
  • 3 MEALS DAILY WHILE ON THE MOUNTAIN
  • Fair pay for the Mountain Crew
    APPROVED BY THE KILIMANJARO NATIONAL
    PARK AUTHORITY (KINAPA), KILIMANJARO
    ASSOCIATION OF TOUR OPERATORS (KIATO)
  • SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN AND pulses OXIMETER
  • PRE AND POST SAFARi ACCOMMODATION (2 nights) at Moshi.

Exclude

  • International and Local flights  
  • Tips to Mountain Crew and Driver Guides
  • Item of Personal Nature
  • Any other activities not included
  • Laundry services
  • Health insurance
  • Portable Flash Toilet with a toilet tent is extra ($100 Per toilet + Toilet tent).
  • Visa
  • Travel Insurance
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