Lemosho route 8 days

Short Overview

The Lemosho route is a beautiful trail starting on the western flank of Kilimanjaro. It is the longest route but allows gradual acclimatization. After three days the Lemosho route joins the trail of the Machame route. Accommodation is in tents. Climbs depart every second Sunday, except in the rainy season (November, April, May & June)

Itinerary

 

You’ll be picked up from your Moshi or Arusha accommodations and make the drive towards the Lemosho Gate.

Stopping along the way in a local village for lunch and to buy last minute supplies, you’ll then liaise with your guides and begin your ascent through the verdant rainforest that clothes the lower reaches of Kilimanjaro.

You’ll have a short three-hour hike through the forest today, but keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife such as Colobus monkeys as you make your way to Mti Mkubwa Camp to set down for the evening.

You’ll bid farewell to the Kilimanjaro rainforest after breakfast, as your climb takes you gradually into scrubby moorland criss-crossed with quietly bubbling mountain streams.

You’ll cross over a vast plateau on your way to Shira 2 Camp, where you’ll have spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.

Setting up camp here for the evening, you’ll find your path has now crossed with those on the Machame Route.

Today you will cross Shira Ridge with its rocky ground, low grasses, and shrubs. As the terrain is much flatter than the day before, your hike will seem more leisurely and you will enjoy fantastic views of the Great Rift Valley and Mount Meru. Beautiful and distinctive giant lobelias still dot the moor landscape. Walking on the ground where lava used to flow you will reach Shira Camp 2, where you will have your evening meal and overnight stay.

After breakfast, you will start your ascent to Lava Tower through a boulder-strewn terrain. In the distance, you will see Kibo encouraging you to continue uphill. Reaching Lava Tower, you will rest and allow your body to get used to the higher altitude, after which you continue downwards to Barranco Camp. This method of climbing high but sleeping low allows your body to acclimatize to the differing altitudes and gives you a good idea of how your body reacts to changes in altitude. Along the way the scenery changes once more and soon you are surrounded by giant senecios and smaller lobelias. After 6 to 7 hours you will reach the beautiful and green Barranco Camp, which offers great views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains. After dinner, you will settle in for the night.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Your first goal today will be the intimidating form of the Lava Tower (4,640m) and you’ll set off for this distinctive landmark immediately after breakfast.

After ascending 700m to the Lava Tower, you’ll descend gradually towards Barranco Camp at 4,500m.

Your trek again takes you through different vegetation zones and you’ll set up camp at the scenic Barranco Camp in the shadows of the imposing Barranco Wall. Considered the most beautiful of all of the camps on Kilimanjaro, Barranco will be your base for the evening.

 

After your breakfast, you’ll continue on for another 2-3 hours until you reach Barafu Camp.

Your hike takes you across an alpine desert, making for a truly otherworldly day of hiking.

As you’ll be summitting tomorrow, it’s important that you eat a full meal and drink plenty of fluids before turning in for the evening.

You’re starting your day early today – just after midnight, in fact!

Your climbing team will wake you with a cup of hot tea and a light snack for energy as you get dressed and prepare your daypack for the adventure ahead.

You’ll be hiking in utter darkness for the next 5-7 hours, so take it slow and you’ll arrive at Stella Point a few hours before dawn. From here, there’s another two hours of intense hiking before you reach your ultimate goal: Uhuru Peak.

 

Standing at 5,985m, you’ll be able to experience a spectacular sunrise and take in the panoramic view. You’ve done it!

After snapping your photos and soaking it all in, you’ll begin the descent back down towards Barafu Camp, where you’ll stop for lunch and some celebration.

 

After a bit of rest, you’ll continue down to Mweka Camp to overnight.

It’s a day of celebration today, as you’ll enjoy one last breakfast on the mountain before descending to the Mweka Gate.

Here, you’ll get to celebrate with your porters and guides, provide them with their tips for their hard work, and collect your certificate of completion.

 

Your driver will then whisk you away to your Moshi or Arusha hotel to get some well-earned rest.

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