Lemosho Route
9 days / 8 nights
Lemosho is considered the most beautiful route on Kilimanjaro and grants panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. On this 8 day Lemosho route, the trek from Barranco to Barafu is divided into 2 days, allowing for a shorter period prior to the summit attempt so that climbers can rest properly. This route is a favorite pick because it offers a great balance of low traffic, scenic views and high summit-success rate.
Itinerary
DAY 1 :
ARRIVAL IN ARUSHA
& OVERNIGHT
You will be picked up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and driven to your accommodation in Arusha. Participants will be given a briefing for the climb that starts the next day. We’ll help you thoroughly check your kit and equipment. We also encourage you to get a good night’s sleep in the comfort of the SG Resort.
Meals: dinner
DAY 2: ARUSHA TO LONDOROSSI GATE (2250M) TO FOREST CAMP (2895M))
Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
After breakfast, we will depart for Londorossi Gate where we have to complete entry formalities. Afterwards, we will drive to start of he Lemosho trail where we will have our lunch and then commence through a pristine forest that winds all the way up to the first night's camp site.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 3:
FOREST CAMP (2895M)
TO SHIRA CAMP 1 (3500m)
Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time 5-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Today we continue walking along the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rocks 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. From here, you will witness an exhilarating view of Kibo from across the plateau.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 4:
SHIRA CAMP 1 (3500m)
TO SHIRA CAMP 2 (3890m)
Distance: 14 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland
We will explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east towards Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of walks are available on
Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 5:
SHIRA CAMP 2 (3890m) TO BARRANCO CAMP (3900m)
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Semi Desert
From the Shira Plateau, we will continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we will come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and spend the night. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 6:
BARRANCO CAMP (3900M)
TO KARANGA CAMP (4100M)
Distance: 5km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we will leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall all the way to the Karanga Valley campsite. This will be a short day of walking intended for acclimatization.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 07 KARANGA VALLEY CAMP (4100M) TO BARAFU CAMP (4673M)
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we will leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail and then continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you would have completed the South Circuit, which offers stunning views of the summit from various angles. The Karanga Valley is the last water stop on the route as there is no water available at Barafu camp. This is where we will camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit a few hours later.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 08: SUMMIT ATTEMPT
BARAFU CAMP (4673M)
TO UHURU PEAK (5895M)
TO MWEKA HUT (3100M)
Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak 6 to 8 hours to descend to Mweka Camp Distance: Approximately 4.5 km ascent and 10.8 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
At midnight we start our journey to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. We head in a northwest and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point, you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your one hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
The walk back to Barafu from the summit takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a short rest before heading down to Mweka hut. The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. This is our last night on the mountain so enjoy the last dinner and a well-earned sleep.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 9: MWEKA CAMP (3090M) TO ARUSHA (1500M)
Hiking time: 4 to 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 8.5 km
Habitat: Forest
It will be a short 4 to 6 hour scenic hike back to the Park gate. Some hikers do experience knee problems, which could make the descent longer than planned. At Mweka gate, successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5739m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates.
From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village where you will be served a delicious hot lunch. Our vehicle awaits us here to drive us back to the SG Resort in Arusha for a long overdue, hot shower, our celebratory dinner and a very comfy bed.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
