Lemosho Route 8 days

Lemosho route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west. It offers a chance to visit shira Plateau (Cathedral peak) and Shira Caldera. Lemosho route crosses from Shira Ridge to Shira 2 camp, in a pleasant hike. Climbers encounter low traffic until the route joins the Machame route.

Price $ 2500

LEMOSHO ROUTE
Duration 8 Days
Tour Plan Similar Tours
Overview Day 1 Londorossi Gate and Starting Point to Mti Mkubwa
Day 2 Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp – Shira 1 Camp
Day 3 Hike Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Day 4 Hike Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
Day 5 Hike Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Day 6 Barafu Camp (15,331 ft.) to Summit (19,340 ft) to Mweka
Day 7 Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp
Day 8 Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Day 9 Departure Day

Overview 

Afterwards, Lemosho follows the same route as Machame route through Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu, known as the southern circuit. The minimum days required for this route is 7 days, but 8 days is recommended as it will give more chance to acclimatize and achieve to acclimatize and achieve the summit.
 Scenically, Lemosho is measured the most varied and most beautiful because it begins in the rainforest, crosses the spectacular Shira Plateau and then combines with the Machame route to share its viewpoints around the southern circuit. Lemosho has low crowds until it combines with Machame. Lemosho is highly recommended and it has an abundance of wildlife such as elephant, buffalo, eland and lion which come over to forage during dry season from Longido game controlled area.

Day 1 - Londorossi Gate and Starting Point to Mti Mkubwa

Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft
Distance: 7km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitant: Montane Forest
Leave in the morning from Arusha to Londorossi village were gate is located. The start of trail 2100m trek winds up through the lush forest zone on to the lower slopes of the northern side, going to Shira Plateau. Overnight at Mti Mkubwa 2650m.

Day 2 - Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp – Shira 1 Camp

Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3500m/11,500ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitant: Moorland
After breakfast you will follow a thin trail through the rainforest before leaving the green area behind heading into moorland. Erica and Lobelia plants will start to take over the landscape. After about 4-5 hours you will reach Shira One Camp where you will have your evening meal and overnight stay.

Day 3 - Hike Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Elevation: 3500m/11,500ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitant: Moorland
After breakfast you continue your trek, which today will be less tiring than the day before. You will cross Shira Ridge which will allow for great views of the Rift Valley and Mt Meru. The ever changing landscape will again surprise you with a different terrain- you will walk on ground where lava once flowed. You will also pass the big senecio that can grow to more or less 9 meters in height. Shira Camp 2 will be your destination for the night at (3850m), 350m more than night before. 

Day 4 - Hike Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp

Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 3900m/12,795ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitant: Semi-desert
After breakfast you will start your walk up to Lava Tower (4640m) with a long ascent above the Shira Plateau. You will climb quite a bit in altitude, roughly 790m. You will have a rest here before descending again. This is a so called acclimatizing day, where you will climb high but sleep low, giving you a good idea of how your body reacts to altitude. The landscape will once again change as you pass through the Barranco Valley with its big senecio and smaller Lobelia plants. After a long six to seven hours you will reach your beautiful camp for the night the Barranco Camp. The crew will be there waiting with a well deserve evening meal before settling in for the night.

Day 5 - Hike Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation: 3900m/12795ft to 3950m/12,959ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Hiking Time: 4 hours
Habitant: Alpine Desert
Straight after breakfast you will make your way up the famous Barranco Wall. This is most probably the steepest part of the entire route. Safety is very important to us so please follow the guideline of your guides who will get you to the top safely. You might have to use your hands every now and then to get a better grip but rest assured there are no alpine climbing passages. Once at the top you will walk along the mountain ridge and if the weather allows you will have a great view of the southern glacier of Kibo as the Kibo summit. After three to four hours you will reach Karanga Camp for your overnight. 

Day 6 - Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp 

Elevation: Karanga Camp 3,950m (12,959 ft) to Barafu Camp 4,673m (15,331 ft)
Distance covered: 4km
Time taken: 3 - 4 hours
You leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing up the Barranco Wall and through the Karanga Valley. From Karanga head up a moraine ridge where views can be spectacular. The final stage to Barafu is quite steep, and as always it’s taken it very slowly. In the evening your guide briefs you for the final ascent.(See Machame Route 7 dayes for optional acclimatization Day: Stay a night at Karanga Camp (13,100 ft) before continuing the next day to Barafu Camp. This gives you a little extra time to acclimate.)

Day 7 - Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp

Elevation: 4,673m/15,331ft to 5895m/19,340ft & Down to 3100m/10,170ft
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitant: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Your day will begin at 00:00. After hot tea and biscuits you will start your five to seven hours walk to Stella Point, the crater rim of Kilimanjaro. Here you will have a short rest if necessary before continuing another one to two hours to reach the highlight of the trip the Uhuru Peak (5895m). This is truly a once in a lifetime experience as you stand at the top of Africa watching the sunrise light up the surrounding summits and landscape. After taking much needed pictures you will make your way down back to Barafu Camp for a one to two hours rest. Once everyone is well, you will continue down to Mweka gate (3090m), an approximation of three hours walk. The rest of the evening is for you to relax, you’ll have a nice evening meal and a good night sleep.

Day 8 - Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Elevation: 3100m/10,170ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitant: Forest
Covering the last section of the mountain, the trek continues down through the forests to the gate where your vehicle will be waiting to transport you back to Arusha.
Day 9 - Departure Day
Our packages include departure day services. Enjoy breakfast and a morning sightseeing in the city or join us for one of our Safari Adventures. If you are returning home our driver will bring you to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to catch your flight home.