TREKS
Lemosho Route
We offer a seven day and an eight day climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro using the Lemosho route. Both offer good acclimatisation and wonderful views enroute. This route has a beautiful approach through the forest on the first day through the Lemosho Glades from the west before joining the Machame trail at the Shira Plateau and contouring around the dramatic southern flank of the mountain via Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp and then on to Barafu camp for the summit push. The descent is via Millennium Camp and through Mweka Gate.
Tour ref. no
Lemosho 8
Departure / return location
Arusha
Departure time
08:00 AM
Return time
04:00 PM
Safari type / style
Hiking / Trekking
Wear
See our recommended packlist
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival to Tanzania
Arrival
Arrive in to Kilimanjaro or if travelling overland arrive into Moshi. This is the start date for the Kilimanjaro climb advertised above.
Relax and overnight stay in hotel.
Relax and overnight stay in hotel.
Day 2
Arusha 1400m - Londross Gate 2385m - Big Tree Camp 2700m
3 hours walking
We leave the Hotel and drive to the Londorossi Gate (2385m), which can take 3 hrs and if there has been a lot of rain the last section is on foot due to poor roads. Meet the team of porters, guides etc and upward to Big Tree Camp (2700m), 3 hours through forest.
Day 3
Big Tree Camp 2780m - 3500m Shira Plateau 1
4 hours walking
We make our way further through the forest then out on to open heath land reaching camp at Shira Plateau 1.
Day 4
Shira Plateau 1 3500m - Shira Plateau 2 3840m
3 hours walking
Relatively short day from Shira Plateau 1 to Shira Plateau 2 but a good day in terms of rest if you have any fitness concerns, or are new to mountaineering.
Day 5
Shira Camp - Barranco Camp 3950m
7 hours walking – 15km
Shira Camp to Barranco Camp traversing the mountain over two valleys and skirting the base of the summit massif. High desert environment with amazing rock formations, quite exposed to the weather, dropping into the Barranco Valley right beneath the Western Breach. This day ascends a maximum of 700 metres but the net gain is only about 100 metres.
Day 6
Barranco Camp - Karanga Valley
5 hours walking – 6km
Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley, starting with a scramble over the Barranco Wall and over a further two valleys to get to this open campsite with great views of the Heim Glacier. Another up and down day but no net gain in height, which is all good for acclimatisation.
Day 7
Karanga Valley Camp - Barafu Camp 4550m
4 hours walking – 7km
Karanga Valley to Barafu Camp, now heading more directly upwards towards the open rock and colder temperatures. This is the average freezing level on the mountain and Barafu means ‘ice’.
Camping in amongst the rocks and an early night.
Camping in amongst the rocks and an early night.
Day 8
SUMMIT DAY
7 hours up – 4 hours down – 18km
Night-time ascent on rock and scree, occasional snow, to the crater rim and the summit. Cold temperatures with windchill. Final slope to the crater rim is steeper and has loose scree. Descend in sunlight to Barafu for early lunch, and then walk to Millennium Camp, normally arriving mid-afternoon.
Day 9
Exit Mount Kilimanjaro
4-6 hours walking – 13km
Descending through the lush forest to Mweka Gate where you sign out and pick up the summit certificate.
Meet Castro at the gate for transport back to the hotel, arriving normally at about 2pm. The gate is where tips are handed out and you say goodbye to the mountain staff.
A hot shower and an afternoon relaxing before an overnight in the hotel.
Meet Castro at the gate for transport back to the hotel, arriving normally at about 2pm. The gate is where tips are handed out and you say goodbye to the mountain staff.
A hot shower and an afternoon relaxing before an overnight in the hotel.
