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- +255, Moshi Tanzania
Lemosho is considered the most beautiful route on Kilimanjaro and grants panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. It offers a great balance of lesser traffic, scenic views and a high summit success rate. It is highly recommended for those looking for a leisurely climb with a great acclimatization profile. On average you can expect to hike for 6-8 hours per day, covering a distance of about 8-15 kilometers. The maximum daily vertical gain in a day is about 1,200 meters, with an average being 500-600 meters per day.
The Lemosho Route offers stunning views of the mountain’s forests, moorlands, and glaciers. It passes through several ecosystems, including tropical rainforest, alpine moorland, and arctic desert.
With a focus on acclimatization, the Lemosho Route is considered one of the safer options for climbing Kilimanjaro. This is because it allows climbers to adjust to the altitude gradually over the course of several day
The Lemosho Route is less crowded than other Kilimanjaro routes, making it a good option for those seeking a more remote and peaceful trekking experience
The Lemosho Route is considered to be one of the best routes for summit success, with a higher success rate than many of the other Kilimanjaro trekking routes.
The Lemosho Route offers a scenic descent via the Mweka Route, which provides a different perspective of the mountain and its ecosystems.
Day 1 – Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport,
Day 2 – Lemosho Gate(2,360 m) to Mkubwa Camp (2,820 m)
Day 3 – Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) to Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters) to Shira Camp2 (3,850 meters)
Day 4 – Shira Camp (3,850 meters) to Lava Tower (4,600 meters) and then Baranco Camp (3,900 meters)
Day 5 – Baranco Camp (3,900 m) to Karanga Camp (4,034 m).
Day 6 – Karanga Camp (4,034 m) to Barafu Camp (4,680 m).
Day 7 – Barafu Camp (4,680 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then Mweka Camp (3,100 meters)
Day 8 – Mweka Camp (3,100 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters) to the Hotel
Day 9 – Moshi/Arusha/Departure
Day 1 – Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport,
Day 2 – Lemosho Gate(2,360 m) to Mkubwa Camp (2,820 m)
Day 3 – Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) to Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters)
Day 4 – Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters) to Shira Camp 2 (3,850 meters)
Day 5 – Shira Camp (3,850 meters) to Lava Tower (4,600 meters) and then Baranco Camp (3,900 meters)
Day 6 – Baranco Camp (3,900 m) to Karanga Camp (4,034 m).
Day 7 – Karanga Camp (4,034 m) to Barafu Camp (4,680 m).
Day 8 – Barafu Camp (4,680 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then Mweka Camp (3,100 meters)
Day 9 – Mweka Camp (3,100 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters) to the Hotel
Day 10 – Moshi/Arusha/Departure
Day 1 – Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport,
Met our driver upon Arrival and transfer to hotel in Moshi,
Activities: Transfer
Accommodation & Meals: Salsalinero Hotel, B, B.
Day 2; Lemosho Gate (2,360 m) to Mkubwa Camp (2,820 m)
The Route begins Moshi The drive to Leshosho Gate takes approximately two hours from Moshi at Lemosho Gate (2,300 meters). Registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities occurs at the gate where walking starting. Most tour operators serve lunch here before the short first day trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) begins. You may get lucky and spot large wildlife like elephant and buffalo, blue Monkey, White and Black colobus that sometimes emerge from the rainforest onto the path as you trek towards your first camp. Dinner will be served when you reach Mti Mkubwa Camp.
Estimated Trekking distance: 5.5km / 3 miles
Estimated Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters). B, L, D.
Day 3 – Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) to Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters)
On day two you will spend the first hour trekking through the last section of rainforest path before entering the low alpine moorland zone which follows up onto the Shira Plateau. The trek is relatively short and gradual, ending at Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters).
Estimated Trekking distance: 7km / 5 miles
Estimated Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Zone: Rainforest zone/ Low Moorland Zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters). B, L, D.
Day 4 – Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters) to Shira Camp 2 (3,850 meters)
On day three the trek crosses the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2. Nine day trekkers usually spend the night at Shira Camp 2 where they will join trekkers from the Machame Route. At Shira Camp 2 it is worth trekking a little higher up the plateau to enjoy the stunning view across the valley below and Western Breach of Kilimanjaro above. The plateau is exposed so be prepared for a cold night with temperatures getting below zero. Note: Trekkers on an eight day hike will continue east up the Shira Plateau ridge and on to Lava Tower (4,600 meters) and then back down via the Northern Circuit to Moir Camp (4,200 meters).
Estimated Trekking distance: 10km / 8 miles,
Estimated Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest zone/ Low Moorland Zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Shira Camp 2 (3,850 meters) B, L, D
Day 5 – Shira Camp (3,850 meters) to Lava Tower (4,600 meters) and then Baranco Camp (3,900 meters)
On day three you will start trekking due east from the Shira Plateau, passing through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ which also features many giant lobelias. The landscape rapidly becomes desert-like as you approach Lava Tower and the Shark’s Tooth formation at 4,600 meters. You will have lunch at Lava Tower before joining the Southern Circuit trail which descends to Baranco Camp 3,900 meters where you will spend the night at a very similar elevation as the night before. Climbing high and sleeping low is a good way to acclimatize the body to altitude. Note: some tour operators offer variations of this route via Moir Camp just north of Lava Tower, before joining the Southern Circuit.
Estimated Trekking distance: 11km / 7 miles
Estimated Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Baranco Camp (3,900 meters). B, L, D.
Day 6 – Baranco Camp (3,900 m) to Karanga Camp (4,034 m).
After breakfast, we continue up a steep ridge to the great Baranco Wall, and then you climb this imposing obstacle, which turns out to be easier than it looks. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you can now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. With Kibo’s glaciers soaring overhead, you descend into the lush Karanga Valley to the Karanga Valley campsite for hot lunch. From the camp, you can look east and see the jagged peaks of Mawenzi jutting into the African sky.
Estimated Trekking distance: 6.5km / 3 miles
Estimated Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Karanga Camp (4,034 m). B, L, D.
Day 7 – Karanga Camp (3,960 m) to Barafu Camp (4,680 m).
After breakfast, we leave the camp and continue to the Base camp (Barafu). The last water on the route is in the Karanga Valley; there is no water at Barafu Camp, even though Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice.” The famous snows of Kilimanjaro are far above Barafu Camp near the summit of the mountain. Your tent will be pitched on a narrow, stony, wind-swept ridge, so make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. Prepare your equipment and warm clothing for your summit climb, and drink a lot of fluids. After an early dinner, go to bed for a few hours of precious sleep.
Estimated Trekking distance: 4.5km / 3 miles
Estimated Trekking time: 3-5 hours
Zone: High alpine zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Barafu Camp (4,680 meters). B, L, D.
Day 8 – Barafu Camp (4,680 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then Mweka Camp (3,100 meters)
Today we starts at midnight with hot tea, biscuits and a long and zigzagging hike up the heavy scree that covers the steep slopes of Kibo. The going is slow and very tough. You will need to dig deep and ensure you maintain a consistent pace to push yourself up to the crater rim. After about 4-6 hours hiking you will reach Stella Point (5,739 meters) where you will have a chance to rest and watch dawn break across the Tanzanian landscape. It is a good idea to have some hot tea or hot chocolate at this point as you will need to muster the energy to continue for another 1-2 hours around and up the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters). Remember to keep your momentum moving forward, one step at a time. Over 60% of climbers stop at Stella Point but most can make it to the summit if they are able to find the metal strength to push through. Obviously if you are experiencing severe AMS symptoms you should descend immediately. Your time at Uhuru Peak will be brief. Take as many pictures as you can, savour your accomplishment and then start heading back to Stella Point. Many trekkers slide down the scree slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp, where you will have a chance to rest before continuing on to Mweka Camp (3,100 meters). In total you will be trekking between 12-16 hours on day 5 so it is really important that you pace yourself and remain hydrated.
Estimated Trekking distance: 5km / 3 miles ascent and then 11km / 7 mile descent
Estimated Trekking time: 6-8 hours to the summit and then 4-5hours to Mweka
Zone: Glacial zone and the all preceding zones
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Mweka Camp (3,100 meters). B, L, D.
Day 9 – Mweka Camp (3,100 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters) to the Hotel
The final day on the mountain is a short one, but nonetheless tiring as your body will be exhausted and your knees will likely be sore from the previous day’s descent. Go slowly and enjoy the wonderful rainforest scenery as you head towards Mweka Gate (1,640 meters). At the gate you will need to sign-out with the authorities and will also receive your certificate, either for Stella Point or for Uhuru Peak. It is expected to pay your tips to your trekking team before you depart back to your hotel in Moshi.
Estimated Trekking distance: 10km / 6 miles
Estimated Trekking time: 3-5 hours
Zone: Rainforest zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Salsanero Hotel, B, L.
Day 10: Transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for your return flight. or Proceed with safari with us.
Activities: Transfer
Accommodation & Meals: B.
Prices are quoted in $ per person | |||||
Number of people in a group | Days | 1Pax | 2-5Pax | 5-10Pax | 10Pax+ |
Validity: 01 Jan – 31 Dec, 2024 | 7 | 2,380 | 2,215 | 2,110 | 2,000 |
Validity: 01 Jan – 31 Dec, 2024 | 8 | 2,600 | 2,460 | 2,300 | 2,215 |
Optional: Add: Cost for Extra Night at any camp | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 |
Note:
You can leave extra luggage in Hotel in Arusha (if you leave any valuable items like cash, jewelry, etc) make sure you get a receipt for that.
*If you add that day, instead of just staying at the hotel, we can offer a day trip to the nearby Arusha National Park for game drives for $180pp inclusive of 1to 2 hours hiking on mount Meru. Starting from 4 pax in a group.
1. HOW DIFFICULT IS THE LEMOSHO ROUTE?
From the perspective of acclimatization and daily altitude gain, the Lemosho Route is considered one of the easiest routes to climb Kilimanjaro. The extra time and distance of this route helps acclimatize well and minimizes the risk of altitude sickness. However it still includes the challenging ascent up the Barranco Wall and a steep climb to the summit on the final night.
2. HOW LONG IS THE LEMOSHO ROUTE?
The exact trekking distance for the Lemosho Route is 71km or 43 miles fom start to finish. This is done over 7 or 8 days. The average daily altitude gain is about 500m mainly because of the much higher starting point at 2360m and the longer duration of the trek. On the summit night you will climb 1200m from Barafu camp to Uhuru peak.
3. WHAT IS LEMOSHO ROUTE’S SUMMIT SUCCESS RATE?
Due to its longer length, summit success rates on the Lemosho route are one of the highest on the mountain. Whilst there are no official statistics, the average success rate across all operators is 90% for the 8 day trek and a 85% success rate for the 7 day trek. However, we have a success rate of over 95% for the 8 day Lemosho route and a 92% success rate for the 7 day option.
4. HOW IS THE SCENERY ON THE LEMOSHO ROUTE?
The Lemosho Route is considered to be the most scenically beautiful of all the routes. The route takes trekkers from the west side of the mountain through lush rainforest before joining up with the Lemosho Route to cross the spectacular Shira Plateau. The route takes in the west and south of the mountain and the views are incredible, particularly from on the southern circuit.
The origin of the Name ellbark
E-Elephants
L-Lion
L-Leopard
Ba-Baffalo
R-Rhino
K-Kilimanjaro
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