Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing 8 Days Lemosho Route Hike

  Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing 8 Days Lemosho Route Hike | 8 Days 7 Nights Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route | Lemosho Route best route to Climb Kilimanjaro | 8 Days Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Climb | Mount Kilimanjaro Climb Lemosho route | Kilimanjaro Climb Lemosho Route 8 Days 7 Nights | Mount Kilimanjaro-Lemosho Route 8 Day Itinerary
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing 8 Days Lemosho Route Hike; The most beautiful route on Mount Kilimanjaro. The Lemosho Route is widely considered to be the best route on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Not too long ago, there were only two main routes used to climb Kilimanjaro – the Marangu (Coca Cola) route and the Machame (Whiskey) route. But as Tanzania’s tourism industry flourished, the Kilimanjaro park authority created more trails to African’s highest peak. The Lemosho Route is typically completed in 8 days.

This is a great option if you want a longer trek for acclimatization. It connects with the Machame Route at Shira 2 Camp. The drive to the trailhead is about 4 hours.

Lemosho, a relatively new route, is preferred by reputable operators due to its beauty, remoteness, and success rate. In short, it maximizes the chances that a climber will reach the summit, and enjoy the experience overall.

Access to the trail begins with a long drive from Moshi or Arusha to Londorossi Gate. This can take three to four hours. Londorossi Gate is located at the western base of the mountain. Lemosho starts in the lush, fertile rainforest. It is the first ecological zone you encounter on Kilimanjaro (we will trek through four).

The route heads up and across the Shira Plateau, which used to be Kilimanjaro’s third peak before it collapsed. Then we make our way north to Moir Hut, which serves as a great acclimatization day due to short hikes that can be done in the nearby Lent Hills.

Next, we climb high up and over Lava Tower before dropping into Barranco Valley, one of the prettiest areas on the entire trail. We climb the intimidating Barranco Wall and then circle along the southern circuit to Karanga and high camp Barafu Hut.

The summit attempt is made from Barafu in the early morning hours, often during the full moon. This is the coldest, windiest section of your adventure. But once the sun comes up, so can most of your extra layers. After the summit, the descent follows the Mweka trail.

The Lemosho route is approximately 70 km/ 42 miles from gate to gate. It is designed for physically fit people with some hiking experience. However, we have many clients who tackle the route as their first real backpacking experience. They do very well.

Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Londorossi Gate, Hike to Mti Mkubwa Camp
Day 2: Hike Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
Day 3: Hike Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Day 4: Hike Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
Day 5: Hike Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Day 6: Hike Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Day 7: Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp
Day 8: Hike Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi 

Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Londorossi Gate (1830 M/ 6000 Ft), Hike to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2650 M/ 8700 Ft)

After breakfast and briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate (about a 3-hour drive).

From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.

Hiking distance 6 Kilometers/ 4 Miles and the hiking time is about 2-3 hours through Montane Forest.

Overnight at Mti Mkubwa Camp
Meal Plan: {Lunch & Dinner}

Day 2: Hike Mti Mkubwa Camp (2650 Meters/ 8700 Feet) Hike to Shira 1 Camp (3500 Meters/ 11,500 Feet)

After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone.

After several streams are crossed we continue over the Shira Ridge then gently downwards to Shira 1 camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.

Hiking distance 8 Kilometers/ 5 Miles and the hiking time is about 4 to 5 hours through Moorland.

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

Day 3: Hike Shira 1 Camp (3500 Meters/ 11,500 Feet) Hike to Shira 2 Camp (3850 Meters/ 12,600 Feet) 

After breakfast, a gentle hike across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of hikes are available on the Plateau, making this an excellent acclimatization day.

Hiking distance 8 Kilometers/ 5 Miles and the hiking time is about 4 to 5 hours through Moorland.

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

Day 4: Hike Shira 2 Camp (3850 Meters/ 12,600 Feet) Hike to Barranco Camp (4000 Meters/ 13,000 Feet)

From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo.

As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (4650meters/ 15,250 feet).

Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp.

Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Hiking distance 8 Kilometers/ 5 Miles and the hiking time is about 5 to 6 hours through Semi-desert.

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

Day 5: Hike Barranco Camp (4000 Meters/ 13,000 Feet) Hike to Karana Camp (4050 Meters/ 13,250 Feet)

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

Hiking distance 5 Kilometers/ 3 Miles and the hiking time is about 3 to 4 hours through Alpine Desert.

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

Day 6: Hike Karanga Camp (4050 Meters/ 13,250 Feet) to Barafu Camp (4700 Meters/ 15,350 Feet)

We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.

Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.

Hiking distance 4 Kilometers/ 2 Miles and the hiking time is about 3 to 4 hours through Alpine Desert.

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

Day 7: Hike Barafu Camp (4700 M/ 15,350 Ft) to Summit (5895 M/ 19,340 Ft), down to Mweka Camp (3090 M/10,150 Ft)

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim.

This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see.

Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit.

Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa! From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch.

You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.

Hiking up distance 5 Kilometers/ 3 Miles and the hiking time is about 5 to 7 hours through Stone scree and ice-capped summit. Hiking down distance 13 Kilometers/ 8 Miles and the hiking time is about 5 to 6 hours through Stone scree and ice-capped summit.

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

Day 8: Hike Mweka Camp (3090 Meters/ 10,150 Feet) Hike down to Mweka Gate (1680 Meters/ 5500 Feet), drive to Moshi

After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help.

Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village.

A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Hiking down distance 10 Kilometers/ 6 Miles and the hiking time is about 3 to 4 hours through Forest.

Remember to tip your guides and porters.

Meal Plan: {Breakfast}

Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing 8 Days Lemosho Route Hike Rates Includes:

Oximeters + Hut or camping fees + National Park gate fees + All meals on the mountain + Salaries for all crew members + Rescue fees (as required by the national park) + Certified, experienced, English-speaking guides for all routes + Tents, foam sleeping pads, cooking equipment, and eating utensils & Transport from Moshi to starting point on the mountain and return to Moshi

Notes

* Budget for extras 450 US Dollars to 650 US Dollars per person for gratuity
* Mount Kilimanjaro’s Lemosho route is a scenic hike favored by top Kilimanjaro operators

Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing 8 Days Lemosho Route Hike Rates Do Not Include:

* Drinks
* Laundry
* Travelers insurance
* Communication charges
* Sleeping bags and personal items
* Accommodation and meals in Moshi
* Tips or gratuity for guides and porters
* Visas, international airfares and airport taxes; meals
* Sightseeing not included in the package; optional activities
* Personal expenses such as transfers to/ from the airport (supplement airport transfer cost applies for tours starting from the airport)