Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route

The Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route is the best ascent route but this offers the complete Kilimanjaro experience, more acclimatisation time, more culture, more spectacular scenery and even a night in Kibo caldera. Note: this itinerary ascends via Stella Point and NOT the Western Breach and is for that reason considered to be a safer route.

 DAY 1: Londorossi Gate (2,250 m.) to Mti Mkubwa (2,620 m.)
Walking time: 4 hrs.; elevation change: +370 m.
Estimated distance: 7 km. 
A 3.5-hour drive from our hotel in Moshi brings us to the Londorossi Park Gate located on the western side of Mt. Kilimanjaro. At the gate is where your permit will be issued. Then, we will go to the starting point called Lemosho Glades (2,100 m.). We shall trek along rain forest in which we might encounter the sign of elephants, white and black Colobus monkeys and Blue monkeys. The flora and fauna are richer here than on the other more popular routes through the rain forest. In about 3-4 hours, we will reach our camp in the rain forest at Mti Mkubwa (2,620 m.)

 DAY 2: Mti Mkubwa (2,620 m.) to Shira One Camp (3,500 m.)
Walking time: 6-7 hrs.; elevation change: +880 m.
Estimated distance: 11 km.
After breakfast, we shall walk through the remaining rain forest to the giant moorland zone. This is a full-day trek with an altitude gain of 880 m. Lunch will be taken at about the halfway point, a beautiful valley just outside the Shira Crater. After lunch, we cross into the Shira Caldera, a high-altitude desert plateau that is rarely visited. Shira is among the Kilimanjaro volcanic cones, and is filled with lava flow from Kibo Peak. The crater rim has been decimated by weather and volcanic action. You also will be able to view the western side of the Mt. Kilimanjaro summit.

 DAY 3: Shira One Camp (3,500 m.) to Shira Two Camp (3,840 m.)
Walking time: 5-6 hrs.; elevation change: +340 m.
Estimated distance: 5 km.
After breakfast, we will continue walking east across the Shira Plateau, which is called the Cathedral Plateau (3,800 m.) for acclimatization. Then we will continue to Shira Two Camp. We gain only 340 m. in elevation, which allows you to adjust slowly to the altitude. The views of the Plateau can be seen easily with the naked eye. Overnight will be at Shira Two Camp.

 DAY 4: Shira Two Camp (3,840 m.) to Barranco Hut (3,950 m.)
Walking time: 6 hrs.; elevation change: +110 m.
Estimated distance: 6.5 km.
After breakfast you will start walking in moorland and enter the alpine desert which joins at a junction with the Machame Route. You then will reach the Lava Tower (4,600 m.), where lunch is normally taken. Also, you are advised to pass there for acclimatization; thereafter, you will go down to Barranco where along the way you will able to see Lobelia deckenii and Senecio lobelia. Overnight will be at Barranco Camp.

 DAY 5: Barranco Hut (3,950 m.) to Karanga Valley Hut (4,035 m.)
Walking time: 4 hrs.; elevation change: +85 m.
Estimated distance: 4.5 km.
After breakfast you will continue walking by climbing a very steep rock called “Breakfast Rock” for about one hour. Then you will walk for a short distance before dropping to Karanga Valley, which is the last water point. You will camp overnight at Karanga Valley.

DAY 6 – Summit Day: Karanga Valley Hut (4,035 m.) to Barafu Hut (4,600 m.), then to summit
Walking time: 4 hrs./6-7 hrs.; elevation change: +565 m./+1,295 m.
Estimated distance: 4 km./9 km.
After breakfast you will turn north and walk through semi desert to Barafu. Along the way you will be able to see the front side of Kibo Peak. After arriving at Barafu you shall rest a while and then you will walk 200 m. up the mountain and then return down to camp (for acclimatization). You then will prepare for trekking to the summit. Your trek to the summit will begin between 11:00 p.m. and midnight. You will walk in a northwesterly direction up to the Southeast Valley towards Stella Point, which is about 5,700 m. on the crater rim. You then will continue up to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m./19,340 ft.)

DAY 7: Barafu Camp (4,600 m.) to Mweka Hut (3,000 m.)
Walking time: 5 hrs.; elevation change: -1,600
Estimated distance: 6 km.
After reaching the summit, you will return to Barafu and rest approximately one hour. You then will take breakfast or lunch, depending on the time. You will pack your gear. Thereafter, we will descend via the Barafu Route to Mweka Camp for about five hours. Overnight will be taken at Mweka Camp.

DAY 8: Mweka Hut (3,000 m.) to Mweka Gate (1,450 m.)
Walking time: 4 hrs.; elevation change: -1550 m.
Estimated distance: 10 km.
After breakfast we will descend through natural forest for about 10 km. to reach Mweka Gate. After finalizing all issues at the Mweka Gate Park, our representative will return you to the Zebra Hotel.
Note
A Seven-Day Lemosho Route Itinerary also is available, which requires walking from Barranco Hut to Barafu Hut in one day.
About the Zebra Hotel
The Zebra Hotel has air-conditioned rooms and is located in a quiet environment in Moshi. Breakfast is included and is served on the first floor of the hotel.
Price
Please contact us for current pricing for this Itinerary.
Included in this Package

2 transfers between Moshi and Londorossi Park Gate/Mweka Gate

3 meals per day while trekking, either vegetarian or non-vegetarian

8 days’ Kilimanjaro trek on the Lemosho Route

7 nights’ accommodation in camps while trekking Lemosho (Peter Tours and Mountaineering supplies tents)

First and last night bed-and-breakfast accommodations at Zebra Hotel or equivalent

All park entrance fees and government levies

Not Included in this Package

Personal mountain gear

Meals outside the regular itinerary

Tips for guides and porters

Airfares and airport taxes

Double room supplement for hotel

International visas for Tanzania

Medical/evacuation trip insurance

Note that personal gear may be rented at a reasonable price.
Health Information
Most able-bodied persons aged 10 and older can hike Mt. Kilimanjaro; however, preparation, precaution and care must be made to ensure everyone’s safety.