9 Days Lemosho Route

LEMOSHO ROUTE

KILIMANJARO

9 Days / 8 Nights

OVERVIEW

The Lemosho route is one of the newer routes on Mount Kilimanjaro. Climbers are likely to encounter low traffic until the route joins the Machame route. Afterwards, Lemosho follows the same route through Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu, known as the southern circuit.

The minimum number of days required for this route is six days, although eight days is ideal. Lemosho is considered the most beautiful route on Kilimanjaro It is our favorite route because it offers a great balance of low traffic, scenic views and a high summit success rate.

ARRIVE - ARUSHA/MOSHI

Upon arrival you will be met by our representative who will later transfer you to a hotel in Arusha or Moshi for overnight stay.

Londorossi Gate 7,742 to Mti Mkubwa 9,498 ft

Distance: 6 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

We depart Moshi or Arusha for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho starting point. Upon arrival at trailhead, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.

Mti Mkubwa 9,498 ft to Shira 1 Camp 11,500 ft

Distance: 8 km/ 5miles
Hiking Time 5-6 hours

We continue on the trail leading out of the rain 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. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.

Shira 1 Camp 11,500 ft to Moir Hut 13,800 ft

Distance: 11 km/ 7 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

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. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

Moir Hut 13,800 ft to Lava Tower 15,190 ft - Barranco Camp 13,044

Moir Hut to Lava Tower
Distance: 7 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Lava Tower ft to Barranco Camp
Distance: 3 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours

We begin the day climbing up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.

Barranco Camp 13,044 ft to Karanga Camp 13,106 ft

Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.

Karanga Camp 13,106 ft to Barafu Camp 15,331 ft

Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.

Barafu Camp 15,331 ft to Uhuru Peak 19,341 ft - Mweka Camp 10,065 ft

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

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 10,065 ft to Mweka Gate 5,380 ft

Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

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 or Arusha