Lemosho Route 7 days / 8 days

A lesser-travelled route with breathtaking views. Particularly enjoyed by nature lovers


Do you want to go on a route to the summit of Kilimanjaro, which is only used by a few mountain hikers and still has a very original charm? Then the Lemosho route is probably the right choice for you. The first few days travel on secluded paths through lush rainforest, heath and moorland. From the Barranco Camp the tour is then identical to the Machame route. The tour is roughly level of challenge as the Machame route and requires a good physical condition and surefootedness. Due to its height profile, it also offers good conditions for acclimatization. The percentage of summit successes is the same as on the Machame route and higher than on the Marangu route.

 

We recommend the Lemosho route as a 8 day tour. This tour fully applies the rule "Pole Pole" (slowly, slowly) and an additional acclimatization day is an advantage for the successful ascent. We organize the tour also as a 7 day tour, the way leads you then to Shira Camp 2 on the second day.


Highlights:

Daily stages/walking times:


  • A very scenic and natural route
  • Ascent via the Lemosho route and descent via the Mweka route
  • Climbing passage in the Barranco Wall
  • Route profile offers very good conditions for acclimatization
  • Total distance about 74 km
Day Overnight stays in tents Hours Kilometers
1 Londorossi Gate (2250m) - Big Tree Camp (Mti Mkubwa) (2780m) 2-3h 7
2 Big Tree Camp (Mti Mkubwa) (2780m) - Shira Camp 1 (3500m) 4-5h 10
3 Shira Camp 1 (3500m) - Shira Camp 2 (3900m) 3-4h 8
4 Shira Camp 2 (3900m) - Barranco Camp (3960m)  5-6h 10
5 Barranco Camp (3960) - Karanga Camp (4035m) 3-4h 6
6 Karanga Camp (4035m) - Barafu Camp (4640m) 3-4h 4
7 Barafu Camp (4640m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Mweka Camp (3080m) 10-14h 19
8 Mweka Camp (3080m) - Mweka Gate (1630m)  2-3h  10

Itinerary

Day 1 Transfer from the hotel to Londorossi Gate (2250m) - Big Tree Camp (2780m)

After breakfast and a briefing (including a check of your equipment), we drive to Londorossi Gate, which is about 80 kilometers away. The journey takes about 2 hours and leads partly over bumpy slopes. After the formalities at the gate have been completed, the trail leads through lush rainforest where you can spot black and white colobus monkeys in the tree crowns. After a 2-3 hour hike, you will reach the Big Tree Camp (Mti Mkubwa Camp) - your first night camp on Kilimanjaro.

Lunch; Dinner

 

Day 2 Big Tree Camp (2780m) - Shira Camp 1 (3500m)

After breakfast you will soon leave the dense rainforest, and pass through heathland, the landscape starts to become more barren and is marked by lobelias. It travels up to the mountain

ridge that leads to the Shira Plateau. You will be rewarded here with a great view of the Kibo and Mount Meru. You then cross some quiet streams and descend over the Shira Ridge (3600m) to the

night camp at Shira Camp 1.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

 

Day 3 Shira Camp 1 (3500m) - Shira Camp 2 (3900m)

Today you leave the heathland as the path leads up through an open moorland landscape. Upon reaching the Shira Plateau, you can again enjoy the great view of the Kibo. At Shira Camp 2, where you will stay overnight, there is a warm lunch. Afterwards you can take a short excursion with your guide for better acclimatization.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

 

Day 4 Shira Camp 2 (3900m) - Barranco Camp (3960m)

Today's stage contributes very well to good acclimatization. You will pass huge boulders on your way to the Lava Tower (4600m), which you will reach approximately at the "half-time" of today's trek. Afterwards it descends to the foot of the Kibo peak down into the Barranco valley to the camp. Enjoy the magnificent view of the glaciers and snowfields of the Kibo and the reddish shimmering Barranco Wall at sunset.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

 

Day 5 Barranco Camp (3960m) - Karanga Camp (4035m)

Today's trek is somewhat shorter, so we can start a little later and enjoy the sun. First it travels through the Barranco Wall, where there is some light climbing where you must also use your hands to help. After you have reached the upper end, you can take a deep breath and once again enjoy the view of the Kibo. The next part of today‘s route will take you through small streams and the Karanga River to Karanga Camp where you will spend the night in your tent.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

 

Day 6 Karanga Camp (4035m) - Barafu Camp (4640m)

Today you can start your day a bit more relaxed. During the gentle climb, you will have great views into the Karanga valley and soon you will also see the Rebmann Glacier. After crossing a last valley, the trail goes over the Lava Ridge and up steeply to your today's destination, the Barafu Camp. The view of the second highest peak of Kilimanjaro, the Mawenzi, is spectacular. After an early dinner, you should settle into your sleeping bag to catch a little sleep, as at midnight we go to the summit !

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

 

Day 7 Barafu Camp (4640m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Mweka Camp (3080m)

You will be awakened around 11pm, and after a hot coffee or tea and a small snack, you start with

your trek to the summit. The climb is exhausting and requires a lot of will power in the cold of the night. At about sunrise you will reach the crater rim of the Kibo at Stella Point. Backed by the rising sun, you will reach the Uhuru Peak in just over an hour from now. The great views compensate you for the strenuous ascent, enjoy them! After you have taken a few summit pictures, it will be time for the descent. After a short break at Barafu Camp, you continue your

trek to Mweka Camp, where it is time to sleep properly.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

 

Day 8 Mweka Camp (3080m) - Mweka Gate(1630m) - Transfer to the hotel

After a last breakfast on the mountain you will walk for 2-3 hours through the rainforest to the Mweka Gate. Here you will have to say goodbye to your mountain team. On arrival at the hotel, a hot shower, a comfortable bed and clean clothes will await you. Later you will be visited by your guide, who will hand over your summit certificate and have a drink with you to celebrate your summit success.

Breakfast; Lunch


Prices / included services

Pricing for the Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route 7 days (per person)
1 Person 2 Persons 3-4 Persons 5-6 Persons 7 Persons and more
2250 USD 1970 USD 1800 USD 1760 USD 1740 USD

Pricing for the Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route 8 days (per person)
1 Person 2 Persons 3-4 Persons 5-6 Persons 7 Persons and more
2560 USD 2240 USD 2040 USD 1990 USD 1960 USD

Services included:

  • Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary
  • Professional, English-speaking guide
  • Mountain crew (cook & porters)
  • Overnight stays in tents
  • Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, tables, chairs, etc.)
  • Meals according to the itinerary
  • Drinking water, tea & coffee
  • All national park fees
  • Transfer from the hotel to the National Park gate and back

 

Not included services:

  • Alcohol and soft drinks
  • Sleeping bag
  • Flights
  • Visa fees
  • Tips
  • Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
  • Travel insurance