Hike to Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route route is traditionally one of the quieter and lesserknown routes on the mountain. Its also the newest and probably the most diverse in terms of the ecological systems and landscapes it passes through. The first two days of this route take you through lush rainforest before you emerge into heath and moorland then join the Machame Route on the third day. This narrow trail, which begins on the Western side of Kilimanjaro, has some very steep and undulating sections. Arriving day Kilimanjaro airport to Moshi
Itinerary
Day 0: Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this [[Not allowed]]: No Meals Included.
Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Londorossi Gate, Hike to Mti Mkubwa Camp
Distance covered: 7km / 4.3mi
Approx. time taken: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
After breakfast and briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate for park registration and check the bags. (About a 4-hour drive). After doing everything at Londorossi gate. Then drive back to starting point here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho starting point. For the lunch then start Walking along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.
Day 2: Hike Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Distance covered: 16.5km / 10.3mi
Approx. time taken:[[Not allowed]]hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Today you will cover a lot of ground as you trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. We will trek through Shira 1 Camp from where there are often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds as we head towards our destination which is Shira 2.. We gain a reasonable amount of altitude as we head towards Shira 1 and parts of the route are fairly steep. As you proceed towards Shira 2 you will get the chance to view the Northern Ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. Our steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will help with acclimatization and we enjoy great panoramic views.
Day 3 : Shira 2 Camp (3900m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)
Distance covered: 10km / 6.2mi
Approx. time taken: 7 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Your trek starts with an ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking in to the climatic zone of the upland desert and on the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. You will reach the distinct pinnacle of the Lava Tower (4640 m), our high point for the day and a great place to enjoy your lunch. In the afternoon we make a steep descent to our camp for the night, located in the base of the Great Barranco Valley (3960 m), sheltered by towering cliffs but with extensive views of the plains below.
Day 4 : Barranco Camp (3960m) to Karanga Camp (3963m)
Distance covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.
Day 5 : Karanga Camp (3963) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
Distance covered: 3km / 1.9mi
Approx. time taken: 3 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.
Day 6: Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Millennium Camp (3790m)
Distance covered: 13.4km / 8.3mi
Approx. time taken:[[Not allowed]]hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Day 7: Trek Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)
Distance covered: 12.1km / 7.5mi
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). Your team will be waiting for at the gate as they will receive with the Kilimanjaro songs plus traditionally songs while receiving your certificate from Kilimanjaro National park.
African Traces vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes)
