Lemosho Route 8 Days - Climbing Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro Climbing, Lemosho route approaches Kilimanjaro through forest and moorland from the west, crossing the caldera of Shira volcano and exploring the rock formations of the plateau, before traversing beneath the Southern icefields of Kibo.

We make our final ascent by the Barafu route. There are often stunning views of Kibo in the sharp light of morning and early evening.

The eight-day itinerary gives the absolute maximum possible acclimatization and also gives us an unusual view of the montane forest on Kilimanjaro. Lemosho is a little-used approach route and there is time to enjoy the unspoiled wilderness, and the breathtaking scenery, on Shira Plateau before the convergence with other routes in the later stages of the trip. Our Kilimanjaro trekking trip begins and ends at Moshi.

This is our first choice when choosing the Lemosho Route. It takes 8 days climbing Kilimanjaro and the climb begins and ends in Moshi.

Day 1

Arriving any time at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), there will be a private transfer waiting at the Airport to pickup you to the hotel in Moshi where is noted for overnight stay.

We will gather in the hotel for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check.
We will also check and confirm you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance.

Day 2

After breakfast at the lodge transfer straight to the gate and after completing the necessary registration formalities at Londorossi National Park gate, we drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho road head.

We often have our lunch in the glades before starting to walk. It is an easy day of walking up a small path through a beautiful and lush forest. This area has a variety of game, including buffalo.

We camp at Lemosho Forest camp (2,650 m/ 9,000 ft).

[2-3 hours walking, Distance 6 km/4 miles, Habitat – Rain forest zone].

Day 3

We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. There is a tangible sense of wilderness, especially if afternoon mists come in!

We camp in the centre of the plateau at “Shira One” (3,550 m/ 11,500 ft).

[6-7 hours walking, Distance 8 km/5 miles, Habitat – Heather and moorland zone].

Day 4

An easy day to help acclimatization, and to explore the volcanic rock formations of Shira Plateau. We walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral before reaching the next camp at Shira Hut (3,840 m/ 12600 ft).

This campsite has stunning views, close to the glaciated dome of Kibo and the jagged rim of Shira Plateau. The views from here of Mt. Meru floating on the clouds are simply unforgettable.

[4-5 hours walking, Distance 8 km/ 5 miles, Habitat – Heather and moorland zone].

Day 5

A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach.

After lunch near the Lava Tower junction (4,550 m/ 15,200 ft) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (3,900 m/ 13,000 ft.), sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below.

[5-7 hours walking, Distance 11 km/6 miles, Habitat – Alpine desert].

Day 6

A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Ice fields.

The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to our camp at Karanga (4,000 m/ 13,100 ft), the last water point on the approach to Barafu, in a narrow valley.

There is plenty of time to rest, or for a short optional acclimatization walk in the afternoon up the valley above the camp.

[4-5 hours walking, Distance 5 km/3 miles, Habitat – Alpine desert]

Day 7

A short but steep climb out of Karanga, on compacted scree with wide views. We then climb steadily to reach the Barafu campsite (4,600 m/ 15,300 ft).

The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before an early night.

[3-4 hours walking, Distance 4 km/2 miles, Habitat – Alpine desert].

Day 8

We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 12 am, so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5,735 m/ 18900 ft), in about five or six hours.

We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/ 19,340 ft), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area.

The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite (3,100 m/ 10,100 ft) at the edge of Mweka Forest.

[11-15 hours walking, Distance 13 km/8 miles, Habitat – summit zone]

Day 9

A sustained descent through lovely forest with lush undergrowth takes us to the National Park gate at Mweka (1,650 m/5,500 ft) and on through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village.

[4-6 hours walking, Distance 10 km/6 miles, Habitat – Rain forest].

After singing out at Mweka Gate drive back to Moshi and overnight at Moshi.

Day 10

Transfer back to Kilimanjaro airport and fly back home or join our safari.