8 Days Lemosho Route – Greenman Tours and Adventure

Mt. Kilimanjaro Trek - Lemosho Route Itinerary

Featuring captivating scenic vistas, pristine wildlife, excellent acclimatization opportunities and low traffic of climbers, Lemosho is our personal first favorite for reaching the roof of Africa.

After a 4-hour long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate you’ll find yourself on the western slope of Mt Kilimanjaro, from there the route will take you to the world-famous Shira Plateau. That’s where you’ll embark on your adventure through all climate zones – from alpine meadows to eternal ice. The climb is smooth and gradual, featuring the highest success rate of all routes on Kilimanjaro.

Seven and Eight-day programs are available, so you can choose depending on the amount of time at your disposal. Longer programs are always recommended over the shorter ones for better acclimatisation.

6 and 7-day Lemosho programs start from a high-altitude drop-off: you’ll be transferred to the elevation of 3,500 m/ 11,500 f by an off-road vehicle and start the hike from there. This is meant to maximize acclimatization transition – the higher you start, the easier your adaptation will be.

Day 1: Arusha(1400m)- Londrosi Gate(2100m)- Mti Mkubwa Camp(2750m)

After breakfast, you drive for 3 hours from Arusha to Londrosi Park Gate. At the gate, the guides and porters distribute the supplies and register with Tanzania National Park Authority (TANAPA). After registration you are ready now to begin your trek into the rain forest. Be on the lookout of Colubus Monkey! You will arrive at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Campsite (2750 m) in the early evening. The porters who are always ahead of you, will set up your tent and get ready to welcome you when you get to the camp. The Chef will prepare you some snacks, then dinner.

At night time , mountain temperature may drop to freezing so be prepared!

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa (2750)- Shira Camp 1(3600m)

After breakfast, you will trek to Shira Camp 1(3505m), as you trek the trail gradually steepens, enter the giant heather moorland zone, then cross the Shira Right at 3600m/11810ft and drop gently to Shira Camp 1 located by as stream by Shira Plateau.

Day 3: Shira Camp 1( 3600m)- Shira Camp 2 (3840m)

The Shira 2 camp is not far away from Shira Camp 2, a gentle walk across the plateau lead to Shira Camp 2 on Moorland meadows by stream. A variety of walks are available on the plateau making this an excellent acclimatization day.

Day 4: Shira Camp 2-(3840m)- Lava Tower(4630m)- Barranco Camp(3950m)

After breakfast, you will hike east up a steepening path above the highest vegetation towards Kilimanjaro looming mass. After several hours, you walk through a rocky landscape to reach the prominent land mark called Lava Tower at 4630m/15190ft. Hot-lunch will be served at the Tower and you have the option of climbing the massive Lava Tower if the weather will be friendly. At this point of the hike, it is normal for hikers to start feeling the effects from the altitude including headache, nausea, rapid pulse, and shortness of breath with exertion. After lunch, you will descent from Lava Tower (4630m) to the Barranco Campsite 3950m. The 6800 m descent gives hikers a huge advantage to allow the bodies to adjust to the conditions of high altitude. The descent to Camp takes about 2 hours. The Barranco Campsite is located in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall (“Breakfast Wall”).

If you are lucky to have good weather at this camp, you will have the chance to have a memorable sunset when you wait for your dinner!

Day 5: Barranco Wall(3950)- Karanga Camp(3959m)

Leave Barranco after breakfast for Karanga Valley, the hike begins with you the ultimate challenge for you to conquer the Great Barranco Wall, You will have a 1.5 hour scramble up Barranco Wall. This is the hardest part of the day and in some places you will have to use your hands to pull your body up. After reaching the top the wall, you will have a view of Heim Glacier. The trails then winds up and down in the Karanga Valley. This is an ideal hiking day for acclimatization. You will spend a night at Karanga Camp (3950m) and enjoying dinner and washing at the site.

Day 6: Karanga Camp(3959)- Barafu Camp (4600m)

In the morning, you hike east over intervening ridges and valleys to join the Mweka Route, which will be you descent route. You turn left towards the mountain and hike up the ridge through a sparse landscape for another hour to the Barafu hut where you will receive a hot lunch. The last water on the route is in the Karanga Valley; there is no water at Barafu Camp, even though Barafu is Swahili word for ice. The famous snows of Kilimanjaro are far above Barafu Camp near the summit of the Mountain. Your tents will pitched on a narrow, stony, wind –swept ridge, so make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. Prepare your equipments and warm clothing for your summit climb, and drink a lot of fluids. After early dinner, go to bed for few hours of precious sleep.

Day 7: Summit Night!! Barafu Camp (4600m)- Uhuru Peak (5895m)- Mweka(3100m)

Your guide will wake you 23:30, and after some steaming tea and snacks. You will then begin your summit attempt. The route heads northwest and you will ascend over stone scree. During the ascent, many hikers feel that this is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the climb. In about 6 hours, you will reach Stella point (5685m), located on the crater rim. After enjoying the magnificent sunrise, you will continue ascending for about 4 hours on a snow-covered trails to Uhuru Peak(5895m). On the summit , you can enjoy your accomplishment and know that you are creating the day that you will remember for the rest of your life. After your 3- hour descent from the summit back to Barafu camp, you will have a well earned but short rest, collect your gears, and hike down a rock and scree path into the moorland eventually into the forest to Mweka Camp. This camp is in the upper forest, so you can expect mist, or rain in the late afternoon. Dinner, and washing water will be prepared.

Day 8: Mweka Camp (3100m)- Mweka Gate (1980m) - Arusha

A final descent of 4500 ft brings you down to Mweka Gate, on the way to the gate you will go through the moorland, rain forest zones and enjoy the last views of the mountain. At the gate you will say goodbye to our mountain stuff before heading to Lake Duluti for scrumptious and fresh lunch by the beautiful lake itself.

Lake Duluti is a volcanic formed lake located some Kilometers away from Arusha town. The beautiful lake is a paradise for birds and reptiles.

After lunch we will be proceed to the lodge near/in Arusha for a farewell dinner and either overnight or day room and departure.

(This sort of arrangement is exclusively for big groups and those who are on honeymoon holiday, marriage anniversary or any special occasion that needs to be celebrated!

For small groups with no special occasion to celebrate, after reaching Mweka Gate, you will drive down to Moshi town for hot lunch at one of the restaurants, and then you will be heading to Arusha for long overdue shower and more victorious celebration at your lodge.

Price Includes:

Arrival and departure Kilimanjaro airport transfers
Transport from the hotel to the mountain and back to the hotel
Accommodation as indicated
Sleeping tent and mattresses on the mountain
Dining tent on the mountain
Meals as indicated above (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Transport from your hotel to the mountain, and back to your hotel.
Group average of 4~6 climbers, maximum of 10.
Portable toilets
All park fees, including mountain rescue fees, government taxes and all applicable fees and taxes.
Services of a Professional Leading Guide who is medically trained, certified, licensed and English speaking.
Services of English-speaking assistant guide (s) and enough number of porters for your luggage, food, and water, and a skilled cook.

Price does not Include:

Accommodation in Town
International airfare
Items of a personal nature such as passport, and visa,
Climbing gears (can be rented on arrival)
Tips (recommended in USD, Cash)
Medical Equipment which can be rented well in advance for the following costs: $250/group for hyperbaric chamber, $210/group for an emergency Oxygen cylinder and $140/group for a stretcher. Please note these prices include a porter to carry the equipment.