THE LEMOSHO ROUTE: is considered the most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro, granting panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. As one of the newer routes, Lemosho is a superb choice for your climb. It is our preferred route due to its ideal balance of low crowds, beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate. Ultimate Kilimanjaro specializes in guiding on the Lemosho route. Most of our clients climb Kilimanjaro using this route and they consistently report that they loved it. Thus, Lemosho is highly recommended.
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rain forest to Shira Ridge. The Lemosho route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. Crowds are low until the route joins the Machame route near Lava Tower. Then the route traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.
DAY 01: Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha.
Distance: 43 Km
Welcome to Tanzania.On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport you’ll meet your safari guide/driver who will transfer you to Arusha city to Green Mountain Hotel for dinner and overnight. Our driver will display your name on an Mupana Tours signboard. These procedures ensure that you are picked up by the correct driver, rather than by some of the airport taxi drivers who are looking for business. You’ll get a chance for safari briefing or introduction before your dinner.
- Meals: Dinner and Overnight
- Professional English speaking guide
DAY 02: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa
Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft
Distance: 6 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
After tasty breakfast(07.00) in your hotel, you leave from Arusha town to Londorossi Gate, where you,ll complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at trailhead in time to have your picnic lunch, and then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site. Elevation (ft) 7,800ft to 95,00ft (3-4 hours walking on 6km).
- Meals:Breakfast-Lunch and Dinner
- Overnight: Mti Mkubwa camp (95,00ft)
- Professional English speaking guide
DAY 03:Forest Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft
Distance: 11 km/ 7 miles
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
After early breakfast, you’ll depart from forest camp to shira 1 camp. Keep moving out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As you keep ascending through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, you’ll reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing. Elevation 9,500ft to 11,500ft while we have (5-6 walking hours in 8km).
- Meals:Breakfast-Picnic Lunch and Dinner
- Overnight: Shira 2 Camp (3,840ft)
- Professional English speaking guide
DAY 04:Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 13,800 ft to 15,190 ft
Distance: 14 km/8 miles
Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
Distance: 3 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Following an early morning breakfast(01.00), you’ll leave the moorland environment and enter the semi desert and rocky landscape. After 5 hours of walking east, you’ll be come face to face with the Lava Tower (4630m). Packed lunches are served at the Tower and hikers have the option of climbing the massive Lava Tower weather permitting. At this point of the hike, it is normal for hikers to start feeling the effects from the altitude including headaches and shortness of breath.
After picnic lunch, you’ll descend from Lava Tower (4630m) to the Barranco Campsite (3950m). The 6800m descent gives hikers a huge advantage to allow their bodies to adjust to the conditions of high altitude. The descent to camp takes around 2 hours to reach. It is located in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall (“Breakfast Wall”). Drinking and washing water and dinner will be served as hikers view the sun setting.
- Meals:Breakfast-Picnic Lunch and Dinner
- Overnight: Barranco Camp (3,950ft)
- Professional English speaking guide
DAY 05: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 13,077 ft to 13,235 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After early breakfast today you’ll begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then you’ll start to climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall you’ll cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization. Rest in your camp for Dinner and Overnight.
- Meals:Breakfast-Picnic Lunch box and Dinner
- Overnight: Karanga Camp (13,106ft)
- Professional English speaking guide
DAY 06:Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast you’ll leave Karanga where you’ll hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. Then you’ll 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. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position. Dinner and Overnight at Barafu Camp
- Meals:Breakfast-Picnic Lunch box and Dinner
- Overnight: Barafu Camp (15,331ft)
- Professional English speaking guide
DAY 07:Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic
Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Today early in the morning (around 01.00 Midnight), you’ll began begin to summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. You’ll ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you’ll be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, you arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point as our target peak on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
DESCENT.
From the summit at Uhuru Peak, you’ll now start descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, you’ll enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well rest in the camp.
- Meals:Breakfast-Picnic Lunch box and Dinner
- Overnight: Mweka Camp (10,065ft)
- Professional English speaking guide
DAY 08:Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Arusha
Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
After breakfast, complete the trek with a descent to Mweka Gate. Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. You’ll continue another hour to Mweka Village, watch your step during the descent as the trail can be slippery.Our vehicles will be waiting at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to Arusha City to your hotel for hot shower.
- Meals:Breakfast-Picnic Lunch box and Dinner
- Accommodation: Green Mountain Hotel
- Professional English speaking guide
DAY 09 :Departure to Kilimanjaro International Airport
After breakfast your driver will transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport where you’ll board your flight back to your lovely country.
TOUR INCLUDES.
Mupana Tours – Transport:
Coaster Bus
Mupana Tours – Trip Crew:
* Mupana Tours mountain guide
* Mupana Tours mountain chef
* Mupana Tours mountain porters
Mupana Tours Treat
9 Breakfast, 8 Lunch & 7 Dinner
Treated Drinking Water
Accommodation:
2 night in Arusha, 8 nights on the Mountain
Park Entrance Fee:
Park Fee
Camp Fee
Camping Equipment:
* Sleeping Tents
* Dinning Tents
* Sleeping mattress
* Utensils
* Tables and chairs
Emergency Oxygen
Mupana Tours Trip Safety: AMREF Flying Doctor Insurance
Award:
Certificate of Achievement if you reach Gilman’s point(5681M), Stella point(5685M) or Uhuru point(5895M).
TOUR EXCLUDES.
Flight:
International Flights
Visa:
$100 per person for US Nationals and $50 per person for other Country Nationals
Drinks:
All type of soft and hard drinks
Personal items:
* Laundry
* Toiletries
Tips
- Mountain guide: $15 US per day / per guide / per group.
- Mountain Chef: $10 US per day / per group.
- Mountain Porter: $8 US per day / per porter.