Kilimanjaro trekking on Lemosho route

BOOK NOW

8 day PRIVATE trek

Kilimanjaro climbing on Lemosho route starts with a

rough 4X4 drive through western Kilimanjaro to Lemosho gate for registration. Pass through village communities before leaving the vehicle to start hiking in the forest. Lemosho is a quiet, remote and spectacular Kilimanjaro route with dramatic gorges and views of west Kilimanjaro.

The Lemosho route joins the south circuit trail (Machame) for the summit ascent, after a weather exposed hike on Shire Plateau. Taking eight days to climb makes Lemosho a good route for acclimatizing in preparation for a successful summit. Descent is via Mweka route.

We only run private treks on Lemosho route.

How to Book:

Is Lemosho the route for you? - select the link under 'Book Now' (opens in a new window) - select dates and any options - add your details - submit your booking.

Lemosho route: 10 days / 9 nights (8 trek days)

Day 1: Arrive into Kilimanjaro airport and transfer to your Moshi hotel for overnight. (Dinner and airport transfer not included.)

Day 2: The day begins with a long drive to Lemosho Gate (2100m) for registration. Pass through village communities to the trail head to start hiking along a narrow forest path to reach Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite (2,750m. 3 to 4 hrs).

Day 3: An early start. Leaving the forest, the trail gets steeper as it enters the moorland zone towards Gane and Marshall One Valley, followed by a more gentle grade trek across the high altitude Shira Caldera to Shira Cave Camp (with views of Arrow glacier) (3,500m - 6 to 7 hours).

Day 4: Hiking eastwards, Lemosho route crosses the moorland meadows of Shira Plateau and Shira Cathedral to reach Shira Camp 2 for dinner and overnight camping (3,840m).

Day 5: Continue on a rocky and rugged eastward path to ascend to the base of the Lava Tower (4,630m - 5 to 6 hrs) for lunch. This is a short distance ascending hike to help acclimatization. From the Lava Tower there is a 680m descent to Barranco camp site (3,950m - 2 to 3hrs) and your tent. The camp is situated in a valley below the Western Breach and Great Barranco Wall.

Day 6: The route starts as a scramble up Baranco Wall (which is easier than it looks) to top out just below the Heim Glacier. The route then heads to the Karanga Valley where you will stay overnight. This is a short hiking day of 2 to 3 hours to help your body to acclimatize to the high altitude. Dinner and overnight camping (Karanga – 4000m).

Day 7: After breakfast, leave Karanga Camp to begin hiking through alpine vegetation, which becomes more sparse as the trail ascends. If there is no cloud cover you may get a good view of Mawenzi peak. After 4 to 5 hours hiking reach Barafu camp site. After dinner you will be briefed on the summit ascent before retiring to your tent for rest (Barafu 4,550m).

Day 8: The final ascent is started around midnight while the scree (small stone) is still frozen. There is a steep climb to Stella Point. The route then flattens along the crater rim before ascending again to reach the ice-capped summit. Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) can be reached 1 to 2 hrs. After a short rest and celebration photos on the peak begin the descent and return to Barafu camp for breakfast and a short rest before heading down the trail to Mweka campsite (3100m).

Day 9: After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 4 to 5 hour scenic hike, on a rocky path, back to Mweka national park gate to pick up your certificates before joining the waiting vehicle for the journey back to your hotel in Moshi (B&B).

Day 10: Transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for departure (not included) or continue onto another program.

Included in the quoted prices:

Two hotel nights ( B&B, based on 2 sharing)
Transfers to/from the national park gate
Mountain crew and salaries (guide, chef, assistants, porters)
Three mountain meals daily and water (bottled on first day, boiled and filtered thereafter)
Camping equipment - tents, sleeping pad, dining
Kilimanjaro entry fees and camping fees
Lemosho forest fees
Kilimanjaro rescue fees
All government taxes.

Airport transfers extra charge (from US$25 per person)

Take a look at our Kilimanjaro Climbing Service

Fitness Preparation for successful Kilimanjaro climbing is essential

Return to Kilitrekking programs page

Page update 05/05/2013