Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro 9 Days Lemosho Route Hike

 Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro 9 Days Lemosho Route Hike | Mount Kilimanjaro-Lemosho Route 9 Day Itinerary
Lemosho 9 Day Kilimanjaro Climb | Lemosho Route 9 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro | Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Climb
9 Days Climbing Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route | Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

This 9 day guided trek to the summit of Kilimanjaro follows the Lemosho Route, widely considered as the best hiking trail on the mountain. One of the main advantages of hiking along the Lemosho Route is the higher success rate in reaching the summit because the route is one of the longest which allows for more time to acclimatize.

In addition to maximizing your chances of standing on the Roof of Africa, the relatively new Lemosho Route is also one of the most beautiful and remote routes. Owing to the remoteness of this scenic route you will encounter less foot traffic along much of your hike.

The Lemosho Route begins from the west side of Mount Kilimanjaro, running just below the Shira Route. Approaching the majestic peak from the west this Kilimanjaro Hike passes through changing landscapes and vegetation zones, with the chance of spotting game lower on the slopes.

The scenery along the Lemosho Route is dramatic and the views from different sides of Kilimanjaro are spectacular. You hike across the Shira Plateau below the Kibo ice fields, before joining the Machame Route and making the ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest summit on Kilimanjaro.

Although Lemosho is becoming more popular due to its very high success rate, it still has slightly less foot traffic than other routes. Unlike the huts of the Marangu Route, you will sleep in tents, which will be transported by your porters. Meals are served in a dinner tent or on a blanket outside (weather permitting). 

In the 9 Day Lemosho itinerary below, you will spend an extra day exploring around the Barranco Camp, where you will spend the 2^nd night. This allows for more effective acclimatization and results in a higher success rate.  You can opt to take this additional night at Karangu Camp instead if you prefer.

Day 1: Londorossi Gate (7,380 Ft/ 2,250 M) to Hike Lemosho Glades (6,560 Ft/ 2,000 M) to Big Tree Camp (9,020 Ft/ 2,750 M)
Day 2: Big Tree Camp (9,020 Feet/ 2,750 Meters) Hike to Shira Camp 1 (11,485 Feet/ 3,500 Meters)
Day 3:  Shira Camp 1 (11,485 Feet/ 3,500 Meters) Hike to Shira Camp 2 (12,600 Feet/ 3,840 Meters)
Day 4:  Shira Camp 2 (12,600 Feet/ 3,840 Meters) to Lava Tower (15,190 Feet/ 3,950 Meters) Hike to Barranco Camp (12,960 Feet/ 3,950 Meters)
Day 5: Barranco Camp (12,960 Feet/ 3,950 Meters)
Day 6:  Barranco Camp (12,960 Feet/ 3,950 Meters) Hike to Karanga Camp (13,780 Feet/ 4,200 Meters)
Day 7:  Karanga Camp (13,780 Feet/ 4,200 Meters) Hike to Barafu Camp (14,930 Feet/ 4,550 Meters)
Day 8: Summit Day! Barafu Camp (14,930 Ft/ 4,550 M) to Uhuru Peak (19,340 Ft/ 5,895 M) to Mweka Camp (10,170 Ft/ 3,100 M)
Day 9: Mweka Camp (10,170 Feet/ 3,100 Meters) to Mweka Gate (6,500 Feet/ 1,980 Meters)

Day 1: Londorossi Gate (7,380 Ft/ 2,250 M) to Hike Lemosho Glades (6,560 Ft/ 2,000 M) to Big Tree Camp (9,020 Ft/ 2,750 M)

Following an early breakfast and briefing from your guide, our staff will drive you several hours from your hotel in Moshi to the western side of Kilimanjaro. You will stop at the Londorossi Gate, where your guides and porters will prepare your equipment and supplies.  Kilimanjaro Park registration will be completed here as well.

After registration, you will take a 45-minute drive to the Lemosho Glades where you will enter the rainforest and begin your ascent.  You will climb for 3 hours through dense rainforest.

Use your gaiters and trekking poles for stabilization when the path becomes sloppy with mud after rain.  Your trail will eventually lead you to the Mti Mkubwa, commonly referred to as “Big Tree” Camp.

When you arrive, you will find your camp and tent is already set up by the porters who ran ahead.  They will bring you boiled drinking water and washing water in preparation for dinner.

The hiking distance is 8 Kilometers and the Hiking Time is between 3 to 4 hours

Overnight at the Big Tree Camp
Meal Plan: {Lunch & Dinner}

Day 2: Big Tree Camp (9,020 Feet/ 2,750 Meters) Hike to Shira Camp 1 (11,485 Feet/ 3,500 Meters)

After breakfast, your long Day 2 trek begins again in the rainforest.  The trail slowly steepens as it enters into the vast heather moorland zone.

You then cross the Shira Ridge before dropping slightly into Shira Camp 1.  Your camp sits near a small stream on the Shira Plateau, which is actually the sunken remains of the first volcano which filled in with lava from later eruptions.

The hiking distance is 8 Kilometers and the Hiking Time is between 6 to 7 hours

Overnight at Shira Camp 1
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 3:  Shira Camp 1 (11,485 Feet/ 3,500 Meters) Hike to Shira Camp 2 (12,600 Feet/ 3,840 Meters)

Day 3 is another long one.  After an early breakfast, your trek begins with a long, easy walk across the Shira Plateau caldera. Your path eventually leads you to Shira Camp 2 which also sits near a stream that cuts through the moorland meadows.

For those that wish to add even more additional days, this is a great spot to take one because of the variety of walks available on the plateau.

Hiking distance is 10 Kilometers and the Hiking Time is between 4 to 5 hours

Overnight at Shira Camp 2
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 4:  Shira Camp 2 (12,600 Feet/ 3,840 Meters) to Lava Tower (15,190 Feet/ 3,950 Meters) Hike to Barranco Camp (12,960 Feet/ 3,950 Meters)

After breakfast and packing, you start your trek east up a steep path above the last bit of Kilimanjaro vegetation. After 5-6 hours, you reach the well-known landmark Lava Tower (15,190 Feet/ 3,950 Meters).

You will stop here for lunch and some bonus acclimatization before you descend for 2 hours below the Western Breach into the Barranco Camp. Day 4’s hike offers multiple terrific opportunities for photos, especially if the walls are covered with ice.

While you wait for your dinner, you will have a chance to experience one of the most memorable sunsets you have ever seen as the sun drops through the valley.

Pay attention to your body and keep your guide informed of any signs of altitude sickness.

The hiking distance is 13 Kilometers and the Hiking Time is between 6 to 8 hours

Overnight at Barranco Camp
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 5: Barranco Camp (12,960 Feet/ 3,950 Meters)

Most trekkers vote this as their favorite camp on this route, which is the reason we use it as an additional acclimatization day in our 9-Day Trek.

You will spend the day going on a short hike and exploring the area before returning to camp to rest and enjoy an encore of the beautiful Barranco sunset.

Overnight at Barranco Camp
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 6:  Barranco Camp (12,960 Feet/ 3,950 Meters) Hike to Karanga Camp (13,780 Feet/ 4,200 Meters)

After sleeping below the Great Barranco Wall, you get your chance to tackle this hurdle.  Don’t worry…It’s much easier than it looks. Continue up until you reach just below the Heim Glacier.

Then head down through the Karanga Valley.  This is the last place for your porters to gather water. They will collect all the water for the remainder of the ascent here.  You will settle in here at the Karanga Camp.

After lunch, you can spend the afternoon doing light exploring or resting while taking in the views of Mawenzi’s towering spires.

Hiking distance is 7 Kilometers and the Hiking Time is between 4 to 5 hours

Overnight at Karanga Camp
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 7:  Karanga Camp (13,780 Feet/ 4,200 Meters) Hike to Barafu Camp (14,930 Feet/ 4,550 Meters)

After breakfast, you’ll head east, crossing over multiple ridges and valleys until you join up with the Mweka Route and turn left to continue up the ridge for an hour to reach the Barafu Hut.

You will arrive at camp to find your tent pitched on a rocky ridge with high winds. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the camp before dark to be safe. Also, have your headlamp/flashlight handy if you need to leave the tent after dark.

You will prepare your equipment (replace batteries for headlamp and camera) before you go to bed by 1900 Hours and try to catch a few hours of shuteye before your summit attempt!

Hiking distance is 5 Kilometers and the Hiking Time is between 3 to 4 hours

Overnight at Barafu Camp
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 8: Summit Day! Barafu Camp (14,930 Ft/ 4,550 M) to Uhuru Peak (19,340 Ft/ 5,895 M) to Mweka Camp (10,170 Ft/ 3,100 M)

Wake at 11:30 PM for tea or coffee and biscuits and then depart Barafu on your bid for the peak. You will climb 6 hours through thick scree following multiple switchbacks between the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers until you reach Stella Point (18,650 feet/ 5,685 meters).

You have just completed what most climbers consider to be the most challenging part of their trek.  Depending on your pace to this point, you may get the chance to enjoy the majestic sunrise during your short rest here.

Although you will be fatigued, it is important to keep moving due to the extreme cold.  At Stella Point, you have joined up with the last bit of the Marangu Route.

You will hike along the rim for another 1-2 hours until you reach your ultimate goal of Uhuru Peak.  Congratulations, you are now standing on the roof of Africa!

You will have time to take pictures with the world-famous Uhuru Peak sign, but it is important to begin your descent soon to allow yourself enough time to rest at the Barafu Camp.

After a 3-hour descent down sliding scree, you will reach Barafu to have a short rest while you collect your gear and then continue down the path back into the forest camp of Mweka.

You might experience a little rain in the afternoon, so be sure to have your rain gear in your daypack.  Enjoy some dinner and some well-deserved sleep. At Mweka Camp, the office sells bottled water, soft drinks, candy bars, and beer.

Hiking up distance is 7 Kilometers and the Hiking Time is between 8 hours

Hiking down distance is 22 Kilometers and the Hiking Time is between 9 to 10 hours

Overnight at Mweka Camp
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 9: Mweka Camp (10,170 Feet/ 3,100 Meters) to Mweka Gate (6,500 Feet/ 1,980 Meters)

Wake up for breakfast, as usual, pack, and descend through a short, scenic, 3-hour hike to Mweka Gate.  Wait until you and all of your gear have reached the gate before you tip your staff.

After registering at the gate, you will wait to receive your summit certificates (green for those who reached Stella Point and gold for those who reach Uhuru Peak).

From the gate, if the road is too muddy for vehicles, you will continue your hike for 1 hour to the Mweka Village, 3km away. There you will enjoy a hot lunch before being driven back to Moshi where this extraordinary Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro 9 Days Lemosho Route Hike comes to an end.

Hiking down distance is 10 Kilometers and the Hiking Time is between 3 to 4 hours

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Final Day in Moshi: If you will be leaving us today, our transfer staff will drive you back to the airport (Extra Cost). If you have purchased a Safari or Zanzibar package with African Spice Safaris, we will help you seamlessly transition from your trek into your next Tanzania adventure.

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro 9 Days Lemosho Route Hike Rates Includes:

Camping/ Hut fees + Mountain rescue fees + Guides/ Porters salaries + All season mountain tents + All meals on the mountain + Kilimanjaro National Park permits + Mess tents, tables, chairs for parties of two or more + Private toilet for the party on all climbs (except for Marangu) + Foam sleeping pad (unless you opt to bring your own instead) + Group transport to and from Moshi to ALL Kilimanjaro park gates & No additional transport fees will be charged to the Northern or Western route gates

Notes

Items Not Included in the Tour Price; Single Tent for the 9 Day Hike 126 US Dollars

* This tour does not take children
* Scenery:  The Lemosho route is considered the most scenic route in Kilimanjaro
* Traffic:  Traffic is low on the Lemosho route, although both of the Western routes are growing in popularity
* Comfort:  You will sleep in tents. Your comfort is really determined by your level of tolerance for camping
* Success Rate:  Lemosho route has one of the highest success rates due to better acclimatization, especially if you do 8 days or more
* Lemosho is easier than Shira due to the lower altitude of its starting point.  Other than that they are equal in difficulty because they utilize the same route for the majority of the climb

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro 9 Days Lemosho Route Hike Rates Do Not Include:

* Drinks
* Laundry
* Tips or gratuity
* Travelers insurance
* Communication charges
* Personal gear/ equipment
* Tips for porters and guides
* Visas, international airfares and airport taxes; meals
* Sightseeing not included in the package; optional activities
* Bottled oxygen, strictly for rescue/emergency use only, per trip
* Personal expenses such as transfers to/ from the airport (supplement airport transfer cost applies for tours starting from the airport)