LEMOSHO ROUTE 8 DAYS CLIMB

The Lemosho Route is a camping route that is widely considered to be the best route on Mount Kilimanjaro, the route if famous for its beauty, remoteness and its high summit success rate. In short, it maximizes the chances to reach the summit. The route approaches the mountain from the west giving you a great chance to view the mountain from all angles.

Itinerary

Day 1– Arrive
Arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. You will be met at the airport with our driver holding signboard with group name/ leader name with company logo to avoid confusion and transferred to the hotel in Moshi, if you will be arriving before 4pm then we will conduct thorough pre climb briefing with your mountain guide who will double check the climbing gears and itinerary also will answer all the question you may have.

Day 2 – Moshi to Mti Mkubwa first camp.
Hiking distance; 6 km
Hiking time; 3-4hrs
Depart your hotel in Moshi by 8am then we start driving toward the western side of the mountain for almost 3 hours to Simba forest gate make a stop then drive for another 30 minutes to Londorosi gate for registration and weighing luggage, the process can take upto 1hrs so possibly you will have boxed lunch at the gate, drive again for 45min to trail head and start hiking under the rain forest for 3-4 hours before arriving at Big tree campsite (Mti mkubwa).

Day 3 – Mti mkubwa campsite to Shira one campsite.
Hiking distance; 8 km
Hiking time; 5-6hrs
Today you will trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. The route is fairly steep for the most of the hike, today you will start to see the Kibo peak from the clouds, today you will have lunch at the camp and take a rest as we will have acclimatization before getting to camp.

Day 4 – Shira one campsite to Moir hut/campsite.
Hiking distance; 11 km
Hiking time; 6-7hrs
Today you will be hiking in gentle shira plateau hills on the moorland vegetation with the clear view of the mountain from sunshine, here is where we make difference from other trekker/outfitters as they go straight to Shira 2 campsite we go a bit further to overnight at Moir hut, other hikers will spend night at 3986m (Shira 2 campsite) while we overnight at 4200m moir hut this will give you an extra chance to experience the altitude and acclimatize very well.

Day 5 – Moir hut/campsite Via Lava tower to Barranco camp
Hiking distance; 10 km
Hiking time; 6-7hrs
A big acclimatization day, you start a day from Moir hut at 8am and trek toward the southern east ridges they you will make a stop at 300m tall volcanic tower for lunch and acclimatization then you proceed down to Barranco camp.

Day 5 – Barranco camp to Karanga camp.
Hiking distance; 5km
Hiking time; 4-5hrs
After breakfast, we continue up a steep ridge to the great Barranco Wall, then you climb this imposing obstacle, which turns out to be easier than it looks. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you can now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is and here we will take very fun pictures if clouds won’t be the obstacle. With Kibo’s glaciers soaring overhead, you descend into the lush Karanga Valley to the Karanga Valley campsite.

Day 6 – Karanga camp to Base camp/Barafu campsite
Hiking distance; 4km
Hiking time; 4-5hrs
We leave Karanga campsite normally after outdoor breakfast around 8 am hike through rocky and stone scree and pebbles trail until we hit the junction which connects Mweka Trail (Descending trail). We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. After arriving at the camp have lunch and rest and expect an early dinner then you will have final preparation meeting for the night summit hike.

Day 7 – Summit Night
Hiking distance; 6km (Barafu camp to Uhuru peak)
Hiking time; 6-7hrs
Hiking distance; 11km (Uhuru peak via Barafu to Mweka camp)
Hiking time; 4-5hrs
This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek, the ascend normally will start around mid night, the wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (5,685 m) , you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see , At Stella point will make not long break for pictures and hot drink before we proceed to Uhuru peak, here you may encounter snow on your remaining hike along the rim to Uhuru Peak depending on the weather situation, At Uhuru peak time we spend on top is not more that 10-15min depending with the weather and the crowd but we guarantee you will take your lifetime memorable pictures at the top then you will start your descent from the summit back to Barafu Camp, here you will have almost 1hours stopover for resting and branch , collect your gear, and hike down on a step rock trail to Mweka forest Camp (3,100 m).

Day 8 – Mweka Camp to Hotel in Moshi.
Hiking distance; 11km
Hiking time; 3-4 hrs
After a well-deserved breakfast, we will conduct tip ceremony sing and dance together while one representative from the climber will say few words to supporting team and shake hands, hand over the tips money the start descending through the heavy rain forest to Mweka gate. At the gate you will sign out at the park registry book and guide will collect your achievement certificate then load the van drive back to hotel through the nourishing colorfully coffee farms and cheerful villagers, you may stopover for some souvenirs, at the hotel you will meet company representative who will sort out and arrange your next schedule weather its Safari or airport drop-off, and agree pickup time.

Day 9– Departure
If you are catching late evening flight you may arrange some short day trips with our office representatives, please make sure you leave the hotel 3 hours before your flight.