Trip Introduction

This itinerary covers the Lemosho route which is one of the relatively new routes on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is classified as difficult and long and kicks off from the western side of the mountain. The variations offered here are in either 6, 7 or 8 days. The route has smaller crowds and diverse scenic views. It also has a high success rate as compared to the more strenuous routes like Umbwe Route.

Generally you are driven to the park gate where the trail starts off with two long days in the tropical rain forest. This means it affords climbers great opportunities for acclimatizing. Just like the Rongai route, the starting point is far from Moshi and therefore attracts additional costs.

The descent is down Mweka which is similar to the Machame route itinerary. Think route requires additional levels of fitness because of the distance covered and the steep sections one is expected to encounter. That not withstanding it has one of the most beautiful scenery of all the routes. As far as crowds go, one is not expected to encounter them until you combine with the Machame route.

Why the Difference in days on the Lemosho Route?

The Lemosho route has 10 possible stops but this does not mean you will set up camp on any one of these. Even though the details of the Itinerary will highlight seven days, the trail is generally the same with minor differences as follows:

• Those on the 6 day itinerary do not spend a night at Shira 1 Camp, instead from Mti Mkubwa we do a long trek all the way to Shira 2 camp. We will not pass through Moir Hut on this 6 day Itinerary.
• A variation to the 6 day itinerary has climbers spending the night at Shira camp 1 but bypassing Karanga camp only stopping for lunch and a short rest.
• Those on the 7 day Itinerary will spend a night at Shira 1 Camp and but not Karanga Camp. We will stop for lunch at Shira 2 camp and spend the night at Moir Hut (optionally spending a night at Shira 2 camp and bypassing Moir Hut).
• Those on the 8 day itinerary will bypass Shira 2 camp with just a stopover for lunch and head on to spend the night at Moir Hut.

With that said, we will be covering the full Lemosho route 8 day itinerary below to give you a feel of the entire route.

Day 01: Londorossi Gate (2,100m / 6,890ft) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (Forest Camp) (2,821m / 9,255ft)

Time: 4 – 5 hours

Today we depart Moshi for a two hour road trip to the Londorossi Gate to get all the necessary preparations with supplies with the porters and guides out of the way. After registration and other formalities are completed we again jump into the vehicle to take us up to the Lemosho trail head (2244m) which takes about another 1 to 1.5 hours. In wet conditions the road may be inaccessible leaving the climbers to start trekking earlier than expected. With that in mind it is generally expected that teams might reach Forest Camp after sunset so headlamps should be kept close.

Todays trek is virtually in the Montane forest zone with possibility of seeing wildlife including antelopes and monkeys. You will arrive into camp in time for a well deserved rest refreshments and dinner. Overnight in a Forest Camp

Included meals: Lunch Dinner

Day 02: Forest Camp to Shira Camp 1 (3,505m / 11,450ft)

Time: 3 – 4 hours

After breakfast its another one hour or so to reach the end of the forest then up the steeper slopes into the giant heather moorland zone with tall grasses, lichen beards and rolling volcanic rock. This day sees us cross several streams and enjoyment of Kibo from across the Shira plateau before reaching Shira 1 Camp in time for lunch and afternoon rest and recuperation. Overnight in a Moorland Camp.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 03: Shira Camp 1 to Moir Hut (4,200m / 13,780ft) via Shira 2 Camp (3,850m / 12,630ft)

Time: 5 – 7 hours

Today’s trek sees us take the trail which cuts through the Shira plateau to the next camp. Today is a gentle walk further east for another 7.5km to the Shira 2 Camp where we break for lunch. Then we continue to Moir Hut, at the base of Lent Hills. This is where we will spend the night. Climbers here are able to explore the Lent Hills as an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Temperatures in this hut drop to well below freezing at night. Overnight in a mountain hut.

Note: On shorter Itineraries climbers normally spend the night at Shira 2 Camp and bypass Moir hut on the next leg of the climb

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 04: Moir Hut to Barranco Camp (3,900m / 12,795ft) via Lava Tower (4,600m / 15,090ft)

Time: 4 – 6 hours

Here we traverse the long trail eastward through the Shira plateau through the Senecios fields passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. We then head South East towards Lava Tower and the Shark’s Tooth rock formation at 4,630 meters (Not to be confused with Shark’s fin on Mount Meru in India Himalayas). We then back down via the Southern Circuit to Barranco Camp. Today’s climb has the special purpose of helping climbers acclimatize by climbing high and sleeping low. This is one of the best ways to help the body into acclimatizing for high altitude without the increased risk of altitude sickness.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 05: Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley Camp (3,960m / 12,992ft)

Time: 4 – 5 hours

The day starts off early with an immediate challenge of scaling the Barranco Wall. This is a 360 meter rock face that leads up to the Karanga valley. From there you get more stunning views of the mountain neighborhood as well as close ups of Kibo. The day is spent traversing ups and declines through the valley finally get to Karanga with one last big push through a river gorge.

Trekkers on the six days Machame package will stop here for lunch before proceeding to Barafu Camp. Those on the Seven day Machame package will settling in here for the dinner and good night’s rest. Those who spend the night at Karanga have the added benefit of an extra day for the all important acclimatization process.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 06: Karanga Valley Camp to Barafu Camp (4680m / 15,354 ft)

Time: 4 – 5 hours

After an early morning hearty breakfast the Trek continues off through the value steadily gaining altitude. Here climbers continue to experience the effects of cooler temperatures and thin air. Here the steady decline in vegetation continues to hold true as climbers snake through the high alpine zone where towards the end vegetation is virtually non existent.

Trekkers arrive at Barafu Camp to settle in for lunch and to get some afternoon rest. Dinner is served early in this camp and trekkers are advised to get some sleep in preparation for the summit push which begins at around midnight.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 07: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (5,895m / 19,341 ft) then descend to Mweka Camp (3,100m / 10,170 ft)

Time: 10 – 12 hours

This leg of the trip takes Trekkers through the Glacial zone to the Uhuru peak (the Summit) through Stellar point and quickly down all the preceding zones. Trekkers will be woken up at 11:30pm for hot tea and biscuits. After a quick gear check, the trek in the dark starts off at midnight.

The route is steep and slow. There are sporadic freezing winds and not much to see until dawn when the sun begins to rise over Mawenzi and the Tsavo plains in Kenya.

It takes about 6-8 hours to reach the top of the crater rim where you will see the sign for Stella Point (5,739 meters). After a brief rest at Stellar point, you then have another 156 meters of altitude to gain as you walk around the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters).

From the summit there is another 5 – 8 hours of trekking to Mweka with a quick stop over at Barranco to pick up your stuff and have a quick breakfast. This is where you will notice the richness of oxygen and moisture in the air as well as increase in warmth.

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 08: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (1,640m / 5,380 ft)

Time: 3 – 4 hours

Today’s trek takes you down the rainforest down to the gate. The walk is easy but with potential stress on ankles and knees as you descend as well as effects of descending on the previous day from the summit. Upon reaching the gate and signing out there will be the subsequent presentation of climbing certificates for those who reached either Stellar of Uhuru.

It is then customary to give out gratuities to the guides and porters before bidding them farewell and being transported to the respective hotels in Moshi and Arusha. Depending on your onward travel arrangements, you will be transferred to the airport at the appropriate day and time or transferred by road to Nairobi as your final destination or to catch your onward flight back home.

Included meals: Breakfast

Total distance covered is 70.2 Km /43.6 miles