8 Days Lemosho Route
ITINERARY FOR 8 DAYS LEMOSHO ROUTE
The Lemosho route is considered the most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro, granting panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. As one of the newer routes, Lemosho is a superb choice for your climb. It is our preferred route due to its ideal balance of low crowds, beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate. Picture Tanzania Safari specializes in guiding on the Lemosho route. Most of our clients climb Kilimanjaro using this route and they consistently report that they loved it. Thus, Lemosho is highly recommended.
ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT
Representative of Picture Tanzania Safari will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and escort you to tonight’s accommodations in Moshi/Arusha. As local Tanzania’s our guides know the country with unrivaled familiarity, so you’ll be in good hands from the moment you land to the moment you leave.
DAY 1: PICK UP FROM THE HOTEL TO LONDOROSSI GATE
Elevation: 7,742 ft. to 9,498 ft.
Distance: 6 km/ 4 miles
Hiking Time; 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Early morning after having your breakfast, the crew will pick you up from the hotel and you will all departurefrom Moshi to Londorossi Gate, it will takes about 4 hours where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead, upon arrival at trailhead, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site at Mti Mkubwa and overnight there.
DAY 2: MTI MKUBWA TO SHIRA 1 CAMP
Elevation: 9498 ft. to 11,500ft.
Distance: 8 km/ 5 miles
HikingTime: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Heath
In the morning after the breakfast, we will continue on the trail leading out of the rain forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we will reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau. Overnight at Shira 1 Camp.
DAY 3: SHIRA 1 CAMP TO MOIR HUT
Elevation: 11500ft. to 13,800ft.
Distance: 11 km/ 7 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Heath
After the breakfast, we explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadow towards Shira 2 Camp. Then we divert from the main trail to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
DAY 4: MOIR HUT TO LAVA TOWER
Elevation: 13, 800 ft. to 15, 190 ft.
Distance: 7 km/4 miles
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 15,190 ft. to 13,044 ft.
Distance: 3 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We begin the day climbing up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft. tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization. Overnight at Barranco Camp.
DAY 5: BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP
Elevation: 13,044 ft. to 13,106 ft.
Distance; 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One steeper climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.
DAY 6: KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP
Elevation: 13,106 ft. to 15,331 ft.
Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We leave to Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.
DAY 7: BARAFU CAMP TO UHURU PEAK
Elevation: 15,331 ft. to 19,341 ft.
Distance: 5 km/ 3 miles
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic
Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 19341 ft. to 10,065 ft.
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft.), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
DAY 8: MWEKA CAMP TO MWEKA GATE.
Elevation: 10,065 ft. to 5,380 ft.
Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel Moshi.The End……
Safari Package Includes:
• Portable toilet tent.
• 2 Nights Hotel accommodations in Moshi, a day before trek and a day after trek.
• Transportation to and from your selected route.
• Transfer from Airport/Bus station in Moshi on arrival and return to airport/Bus station after climb.
• Quality, Waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tent.
• Quality Mess tents with table and chairs.
• Certified, experienced, English speaking mountain guides.
• All Tanzanian National Park Fees.
• Government Climbing Taxes.
• Climbing permits.
• All hot Meals prepared by our cook while on Mountain.
• Guides, Porters and Cook Salaries.
• Fair and ethical treatment of Porters.
• Enough porters to carry your luggage:
-Safety Equipment
-Emergency Oxygen
-Pulse Ox meter
• Hot drinks at every meal.
• Water provided on climb, mineral water for the first day and boiled water every day.
• Emergency rescue fees.
• Personal Summit Certificate signed by the National Park and your Guide.
Safari Package Excludes:
• Personal items and toiletries.
• Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain.
• Tipping on Kilimanjaro from the trekking group (not per climber):