Mt Kilimanjaro Trek – Lemosho Route 8 Days
Overview
The Lemosho route provides stunning panoramas of the mountain’s many faces, making it the most spectacular trail on Kilimanjaro. Lemosho, one of the most new routes, is an excellent choice for your ascent. It is our favorable route because it offers the perfect balance between fewer crowds, beautiful surroundings, and an excellent probability of summit success. The Lemosho trek is one that Bughez Travel prefers in guiding. The majority of our clients ascend Kilimanjaro using this route, and they repeatedly express their appreciation for it. Lemosho is therefore highly advised.
Tour Itinerary
Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Distance Covered: 6 km | 4 miles
Vegetation Type: Rain Forest
We depart Arusha/Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at the trailhead, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first campsite.
Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Distance Covered: 8 km | 5 miles
Vegetation Type: Health
We continue on the trail leading out of the rainforest 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 reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.
Elevation: 11,500 ft to 13,800 ft
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Distance Covered: 11 km | 7 miles
Vegetation Type: Health
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.
Moir Hut to Lava Tower
Elevation: 13,800 ft to 15,190 ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance Covered: 7 km | 4 miles
Vegetation Type: Alpine Desert
Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Distance Covered: 3 km | 2 miles
Vegetation Type: 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 a higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.
Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance Covered: 5 km | 3 miles
Vegetation Type: 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
Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance Covered: 4 km | 2 miles
Vegetation Type: Alpine Desert
We leave 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.
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Distance Covered: 5 km | 3 miles
Vegetation Type: Arctic
Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Distance: 12 km | 7 miles
Vegetation Type: 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.
Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Distance Covered: 10 km | 6 miles
Vegetation: Rain Forest
Still thrilled by your achievement, breakfast is taken at 07.00hrs and at 08.00hrs you can take the chance to reward your trekking team at the ‘Tipping Celebration.’
Although you still have 9km to walk, departure is at a leisurely 09.00hrs and you descend down to the Mweka Gate which sits at an altitude of 1640 metres. There, you will be served a cooked lunch at midday and be presented with your hard-earned certificate.
Your vehicle transport will be waiting to return you back to your Hotel in Arusha, where you can choose to relax – or, if you have any energy left, to celebrate!
End of trek!
