8 days Lemosho route Kilimanjaro climbing

About 8 days Kilimanjaro climb Lemosho route

8 days Lemosho route Kilimanjaro climbing starts with a long drive from Moshi to the Lemosho gate, the hikes begin at the gate to Mti mkubwa camp, which is located in the forest zone. Its day begins with a few hours of walking at a low altitude, giving a high chance of acclimatization. The route begins from the west, crossing the Shira plateau with breathtaking panoramic views, and then continues beneath Kilimanjaro's southern ice field before summiting from the south east at Barafu camp. This is considered the most beautiful route on Kilimanjaro, but according to our research and experience, it offers the same scenery as the Machame route. This route is highly recommended because it has a high success rate and has a diverse beauty and amazing scenery, despite being more populated than the Machame route.

ARRIVE IN TANZANIA

• Driving distance: 55 km/miles
• Driving Time: 1hour
• Habitat: Cultivated zone
• Hotel: Bed and Breakfast

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged 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. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.

DAY 1: LONDOROSI GATE – MTI MKUBWA CAMP

• Distance: 8km/5miles
• Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
• Elevation: 7,742ft - 9,498ft
• Vegetation: Rain Forest

You will be picked up at your hotel at around 08:00 am and transferred to the Lemosho route at Londorosi gate which is located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. After the registration process, you will still start our climb steadily through the forests of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree camp where you will be spending the night.

DAY 2: MTI MKUBWA – SHIRA ONE

• Distance: 5km/3miles
• Hiking Time: 5-6hours
• Elevation: 9,498ft to 11,500ft
• Habitat: Heath

Today you will trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. Our destination for today is the Shira 1 Camp from where there are often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds. We gain a reasonable amount of altitude today and parts of the route are fairly steep.

DAY 3: SHIRA CAMP ONE – SHIRA CAMP TWO

• Distance: 8km/5miles
• Hiking Time: 6-8hours
• Elevation: 11,500ft to 12,631ft
• Vegetation: Heath

Today 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. Our destination today is the Shira 2 Camp. In the afternoon you will take an acclimatization walk then head back to camp for dinner and overnight.

DAY 4: SHIRA CAMP TWO – LAVA TOWER – BARANCO

• Distance: 10km/6miles
• Hiking Time: 6-8hours
• Elevation: 12,500ft to 15,190ft to 13,044 ft
• Vegetation: Alpine Desert

Your trek starts with an ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking into 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 5: BARANCO CAMP – KARANGA CAMP

• Distance: 5km/3miles
• Hiking Time: 4-5hours
• Elevation: 13,044 ft – 13,106 ft
• Vegetation: Alpine Desert

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 6: KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP

• Distance: 4km/2miles
• Hiking Time: 4-5hours
• Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
• Vegetation: Alpine Desert

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 the 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 7: BARAFU CAMP – UHURU – MILLENNIUM CAMP

• Distance: 15km/3miles and 7km/4miles
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours and 2-4 hours
• Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341ft and 12,434 ft
• Vegetation: Arctic to Heath

You will be awoken around 11:30 with hot tea and biscuits and will then begin the steep incline up the slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Your first checkpoint is Hans Meyer Cave where you will take a short break. The climb steepens as you approach Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters), which will be around 5-6 hours after departing School Hut. Take a moment to enjoy the approaching dawn and incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak, but remember you still have 2 hours trekking to reach Uhuru Peak so dig deep for the energy. The slope flattens as you head west around the crater rim and you should arrive at the summit at or just after sunrise. Your stay here will be brief so get as many pictures as you can of the incredible views and surrounding glaciers. You will then retrace your steps back around the crater rim to Stella Point (5,739 meters) where you will turn south and head down the heavily screed slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp (4,680 meters). Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing down to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) for your final night on the mountain. In total you will be trekking for 14-16 hours on day eight, so it is important to pace yourself, remain hydrated and keep your blood sugar levels up.

DAY 8: MILLENNIUM CAMP – MWEKA GATE

• Distance: 12km/7miles
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Elevation: 12,434 ft – 5,380 ft
• Vegetation: Rainforest

A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest 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 Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower then celebrate with cold drinks. Overnight at your arranged Hotel.

DEPART TANZANIA

This day left for your next destination. If you have a safari, then might be used to begin your safari or flying to Zanzibar or flying back home. Our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your time.