Overview
The Lemosho route, also referred to as the longest route, is one of the becoming popular route on Kilimanjaro and favorite for us. Lemosho route is one of the highest summit success rates given the topography and nature of the route which allows climbers to trek high and sleep low,. Hence making it a more favorable route for acclimatization.
This route offers some of the most spectacular scenery while on the mountain .the Lemosho route starts in the North West side of the mountain and proceeds steeply north, traversing the Shira plateau and eventually joining the Shira and Machame routes just after Shira II camp. The Lemosho route can be done in minimum 7 days but a 8 days trek is recommended to allow climbers been well rested and acclimatized before making the final ascent to the summit.
Day Activities
Day 0
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged Keys 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 gears. Mountain gear which is missing can be rented on this day. Hotel is bed and breakfast.
Hotel: Bed & Breakfast basis
Day One
Three hours drive from Moshi lies the gate to Lemosho route, where we complete park formalities, meet our crews of porters and start to trek! The first section of the route treks steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforest. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot. This day will be short and Enjoy the Flora and some Fauna, Montana Forest where White Colobus Monkey can be seen.
Distance: ~3.5km / 1.2miles
Trekking time: 3 hours
Zone: Rain forest zone
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day Two
Our route continues on up through the forest until we reach the steep slope ascent onto the Shira plateau and back of elephant, where there are rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, you will be able to see Mt Meru rising high above Arusha town in the distance and wheat farms, pine plantation.
Distance: ~7.9km / 4miles
Trekking time: 5 Hours
Zone: Heather & Moorland
Meals: Breakfast & lunch & Dinner
Day Three
Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek and it was the flattest trail. We traverse the North West side of Kilimanjaro. This day will trek to cathedral point (3950m) the day has been spent at altitude. But we have followed the mountaineering code of `walk high, sleep low` to aid your body`s acclimatization to altitude.
Distance: ~10km / 6miles
Trekking time: 6 Hours
Zone: Heather & Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & Dinner
Day Four
Our day starts by walking on low alpine where is short plants and landscape changes the entire character of the trek .We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the lava tower and the final section of the western breach and walk steep down to the Barranco camp. This day will be the best day for acclimatization and longest day for spent on high altitude (4600m).
Distance: ~10km / 6miles
Trekking time: 7 Hours
Zone: Alpine
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & Dinner
Day Five
Our day starts by descending into the start of great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exist 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 rising .Passing underneath the Heim and Kerstin glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valleys to our night’s camp at Karanga camp; set at 3995m.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.
Distance: ~6km / 3.5miles
Trekking time: 4 hours
Zone:Low Alpine
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & Dinner
Day Six
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 screw 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 well as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12 pm to start the climb to the summit.
Distance: ~4km / 1.6miles
Trekking time: 3 Hours
Zone: Alpine
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day Seven
We start off at around mid-night, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing screw 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 hours walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru peak (5895).We begin our descend by returning to Stella point and then descending on screw slope and track back to Barafu camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Mweka camp for a long well-earned rest.
Distance: ~16km / 9.6miles
Trekking time: 13 - 15 Hours
Zone: Alpine, Summit - Rainforest zone
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day Eight
A gentle trek takes us down through the rain forest to Mweka gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride. We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Arusha, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower then celebrate with cold drinks. Overnight at your arranged Hotel.
Distance: ~10km / 6.5 miles
Trekking time: 3 - 4 Hours
Zone: Rainforest zone
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.
