Lemosho Route
The Lemosho Route is one of the most recent itinerary on Kilimanjaro .
In summary, at the beginning Lemosho route starts on the west side, then it joins the Machame Route and finally, a long, but pleasing, path lead us till the summit of the mountain. The first part of the route is rather crowded while, after the reconnection with the Machame route, Lemosho route follows the path through Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu.
The minimum number of days required for this route is six days, although eight days are ideal.
It is considered the most beautiful route in Kilimanjaro and offers breathtaking panoramas on different sides of the mountain. It is our favorite route because it offers an excellent balance between number of climbers, views and a high success rate.
For any information you can check our guide.
Lemosho Route: day by day program
Day 1 – Pick up at Kilimanjaro
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro airport, one of our guides will welcome you and bring you to the Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel in Moshi. The rest of the day is free time till the evening when you will attend the trekking briefing during which the guide will check your equipment and give you all the necessary information to undertake this incredible adventure.
Day 2 – Moshi – Londorossi Gate (2,100m) – Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,750m)
Hiking time: 3-4 hours.
In the morning you will leave for the Londorossi Gate which will be reached in about 4 hours. After completing the administrative formalities, you will start walking through the dense rainforest reaching the Camp in around 4 hours.
Day 3 – Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,750m) – Shira Camp 1 (3,500m)
Hiking time: 5-6 hours.
In the third day you will keep climbing the path till you will be out of the rainforest. You will cross hills, several streams and finally you will reach the Shira ridge before going down to the Shira 1 camp, where you will be able to admire the Kibo glacier for the first time.
Day 4 – Shira Camp 1 (3,500m) – Moir Hut (4,160m)
Hiking time: 5-6 hours.
This day it dedicated to the exploration of the Shira plateau, one of the highest worldwide. It is an easy walk on the moorland meadows towards the Shira 2 Camp. You will then move from the main path to Moir Hut, a little known location at the base of the Lent Hills, where you can take several walks, making it an excellent acclimatization opportunity.
Day 5 – Moir Hut (4,160m) – Lava Tower Hut (4,640m) – Barranco Camp (3,960m)
Hiking time: 6-8 hours.
Today you will go up for about 300 m but the Camp for the night will be slightly higher than the day before. This will allow the body to acclimatise. The trek begins with a climb in the direction of the Lava Tower. Vegetation becomes scarcer as the landscape changes in an Afro-Alpine desert. After 6-8 hours, you will arrive at the most beautiful camp on the mountain – the Barranco Camp.
Day 6 (optional day) – Barranco Camp (3,960m) – Karanga Camp (4,035m)
Hiking time: 3-4 hours.
Acclimatization day. The Barranco Wall is the wall to climb. Some phases require the use of the hands for a better grip, but climbing is not necessary. You will be always under the control of the guide. The path with its many climbs and descents allows further acclimatization.
The trek will take between 3 and 4 hours, leaving enough time to rest at Karanga Camp.
Day 7 – Karanga Camp (4,035m) – Barafu Camp (4,640m)
Hiking time: 3-4 hours.
Today, the destination is Barafu Camp and you will spend most of the day walking on a very dry desert field with the Kibo always present on the left side. After 3-4 hours you will reach Barafu Camp, where you will have dinner rather early as the most important part of the trip is only a few hours away…
Day 8 – Barafu Camp (4,640m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Mweka Camp (3,080m)
Hiking time: 12-14 hours.
Today is the big day. It will start in the middle of the night. The moon and torches will be the only light sources during the climb towards Stella Point (5,730 m), reaching the edge of the crater in about 5-7 hours. A couple of hours more separate us from Uhuru Peak, where you can finally enjoy the sun rising over the African landscape.
The descent to return to Barafu Camp is along the same route, where you can rest and relax a bit before heading to Mweka Camp for the last night on Kilimanjaro.
Day 9 – Mweka Camp (3,080m) – Mweka Gate (1,630m) – Arusha
Hiking time: 2-3 hours.
Once again the descend will be through the rainforest, with the possibility to spot colobus monkeys, reaching the Mweka gate of Kilimanjaro National Park at the end. Once got to the park entrance, we will carry on with a private vehicle with final destination the Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa in Arusha.
Day 10 – Arusha – Kilimanjaro
After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro airport. Alternatively, you can extend your trip with a safari or a relaxing beach holiday.
