KILIMANJARO CLIMB: 8 DAY LEMOSHO ROUTE
THE DETAILS:
Starting the western flanks of Mount Kilimanjaro at the Londorossi Gate, the Lemosho Route wanders its way up one of the more remote sections of the mountain.
This route is often considered the most beautiful of all the trekking trails as it 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.
LEMOSHO ROUTE
THE BUDGET:
From $X,XXX USD per adult
Price is an estimate only and is dependant on group size, age of children, time of year and your choice of camps.
Anytime of year
RECOMMENDED DATES
You are accompanied by professional guides, porters and cooks who monitor your health and safety during the climb and prepare delicious meals for you.
GUIDES, PORTERS AND COOK INCLUDED
MAKE IT EXTRA SPECIAL:
Reward yourself after your climb with a relaxing trip to Zanzibar. Explore the rambling streets of Stonetown or find the perfect palm-fringed beach to unwind.
PRE-CLIMB
Welcome to Moshi
On the day of your arrival, you will be met by us at the airport and driven to the lodge. After breakfast, you will meet your Kilimanjaro guide and receive a briefing on your climb. A great opportunity to ask any last-minute questions and for you and your guide to double check your clothing and equipment. You will enjoy 2 nights pre-climb accommodation at Chanya Lodge.
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Optional Extras: Tour of coffee farm and village life, shopping tour, waterfall hike
ACCOMODATION:
Chanya Lodge
DAY 1
Lemosho Trailhead to Big Tree Camp
This morning you will drive from Moshi to the Londorossi gate, taking approximately 3 hours. Here you will complete entry formalities. From Londorossi your drive continues for around 1 hour to the Lemosho trailhead along a 4WD track. Upon arrival at the trailhead, you will eat lunch and then commence trekking through lush undisturbed forest where you may be lucky enough to see Colobus monkeys. The path undulates, steeply in places, to arrive at Big Tree Camp (Mti Mkubwa Camp).
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Approximate Walking Time: 3 - 4 hours
ELEVATION GAIN:
Lemosho Trailhead (2,000m/6,600ft) to Big Tree Camp (2,800m/9,100ft)
+800 metres / 2,500 feet
DAY 2
Big Tree Camp Camp to Shira 1 Camp
Today your trek will begin in the forest; however, you will soon leave this ecosystem behind taking a steep track into a zone of giant heather and volcanic rock. This is a full day ascending through the lush rolling hills below the Shira Plateau. Shira is the third of Kilimanjaro’s volcanic cones. It is filled with the lava flow from Kibo and its rim has eroded and been blasted away by weather and volcanic action. Finally, the trail begins to ease as you reach the edge of the plateau. Tonight’s camp, Shira One, offers magnificent views of Kibo from across the plateau.
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Approximate Walking Time: 7 - 8 hours
ELEVATION GAIN:
Big Tree Camp (2,800m/9,100ft) to Shira 1 Camp (3,500m/11,500ft)
+700 metres / 2,400 feet
DAY 3
Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Your third day on the mountain consists of a trek across the Shira Plateau with an optional climb to Shira Cathedral (3,880m). Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth. The day finishes with a gradual climb to Shira 2 Camp.
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Approximate Walking Time: 3 - 4 hours
ELEVATION GAIN:
Shira 1 Camp (3,500m/11,500ft) to Shira 2 Camp (3,800m/12,500ft)
+300 metres / 1,000 feet
DAY 4
Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower
Your climb today will take you steadily up and over the expansive ridgelines of high desert to Lava Tower. The trek to the base of Lava Tower is about 4 hours. This tower is a 300-foot-high volcanic plug. If time and energy allow, you can scramble to the top of Lava Tower for fabulous panoramic views. From Lava Tower we begin our steep descent into the Barranco Valley. The scenery is dotted with large flowering plants, senecios, that look like trees. This is good practice for your descent from the summit in a few days and will take 1-2 hours. Although you will end your day at almost the same elevation as you started, today is very important for acclimatisation and will help your body prepare for summit day. Barranco Camp is in a beautiful, sheltered valley below the imposing Barranco Wall.
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Approximate Walking Time: 6 hours
ELEVATION GAIN/LOSS:
Shira 2 Camp (3,800m/12,500ft) to Barranco Camp (3,850m/12,650ft) via Lava Tower (4,550m/14,900ft)
Gain: +750 metres / 2,400 feet
Loss: -700 metres / 2,250 feet
DAY 5
Barranco Camp to Karranga Camp via Barranco Wall
After breakfast, we leave Barranco Camp and begin our climb up the Barranco Wall. This is an impressive scramble where you will be rewarded with fantastic views back towards camp. The porters climbing the wall are also an impressive sight. From the top, at 4,200m, you will follow an undulating path around the mountainside. On a clear day there are spectacular views of Kibo to your left and Mount Meru to your right. After descending into the Karranga Valley your climb takes you up a short steep path to Karranga Camp.
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Approximate Walking Time: 6 hours
ELEVATION GAIN/LOSS:
Barranco Camp (3,850m/12,600ft) to Karranga Camp (3,950m/13,000ft) via the Barranco Wall (4,200m/13,800ft)
Gain: +350 metres / 1,150 feet
Loss: -250 metres / 820 feet
DAY 6
Karranga Camp to Barafu Camp
Today you will spend the morning climbing steadily on to Barafu, which is Swahili for ice! This camp is located on the ridge below the summit cone. You have now completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. You will arrive at Barafu in time to spend the afternoon resting and enjoy an early dinner in preparation for the summit climb. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.
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Approximate Walking Time: 3 hours
ELEVATION GAIN:
Karranga Camp (3,950m/13,000ft) to Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft)
+650 metres / 2,150 feet
DAY 7
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
In the early hours of the morning, you will begin your final ascent to the summit of Uhuru Peak. This part of the climb takes approximately 6-8 hours. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day and therefore you will want clothing for both extremes. Just when you think you’ve had enough of climbing in the dark, the sun will rise and you will be rewarded with a rich red sky framing Mawenzi. At Stella Point (5,750m), you join the crater rim. From here, climb gently to Uhuru Peak which is the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. From the summit the descent will take you straight down to Mweka Hut, with lunch served on the way. This part of the descent takes about 6 hours. Later in the evening, enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
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Approximate Walking Time: 12 hours
ELEVATION GAIN/LOSS:
Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,300ft) then descending to Mweka Camp (3,110m/10,200ft)
Gain: +1,295 metres / 4,200 feet
Loss: -2,785 metres / 9,100 feet
DAY 8 + POST-CLIMB
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Descend straight to the gate through lush forest, looking for monkeys along the way. Drive to your accommodation from Mweka Village. Enjoy 1 night post-climb accommodation at Ngare Sero Lodge. Our absolute favourite lodge in the Arusha region, this is the ultimate place to relax after conquering Kilimanjaro.
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Approximate Walking Time: 2 - 3 hours
ELEVATION LOSS:
Mweka Camp (3,110m/10,200ft) to Mweka Gate (1,830m/6,000ft)
-1,280 metres / 4,220 feet
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ACCOMODATION:
