LEMOSHO ROUTE KILIMANJARO
Lemosho Route
Kilimanjaro was once the area on the flanks of
Mt Kilimanjaro where you would see a lot of game; so much so that an armed ranger had to
walk with you. Sadly, there is nowhere near the numbers of game
on Lemosho route any more, but is
one of the more remote regions of Kilimanjaro. Lemosho is
a longer approach route than
others and so best done in 7-8 days to
allow your body to acclimatise to altitude. Lemosho
quieter route with a perfect balance of scenery, less people.
Lemosho route climbs Kilimanjaro from
the west at Londorossi gate, after a drive of about 3
hours. The route heads through the forest on an
unspoilt less popular trail up Shira Plateau. The route
then crosses Shira Plateau from west to east on a relatively
easy day, joining in with Machame route near Lava Tower. Then lemosho route traverses Lava Tower down to Baranco Camp descending in altitude. Then continuing on the southern circuit it
leads up through Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley and to Barafu Hut.
Lemosho can be done in as little as six days but yields lower success. The climb begins at Londorossi Gate
in a lush, fertile rainforest. Kilimanjaro Lemosho route starts at a higher altitude
than what you end on. Like Machame and Shira Route, Lemosho heads up Barranco Wall and then summits from Barafu. Descent is via Mweka route
Overview
Day-1: Arrive Kilimanjaro Airport
Day-2: Lemosho Glades (2200m) to Mkubwa Camp (2750m)
Day-3: Mkubwa (2750m) to Shira Camp 1(3500m):
Day-4: Shira Camp 1(3500m) to Shira Camp 2 (3840m)
Day-5: Shira (3840m)- Lava Tower (4630m)-Baranco (3950m)
Day-6: Barranco (3860m) to Barafu (4550m)
Day-7: Barafu (4550m)- Uhuru Peak (5895m)-Mweka (3100m)
Day-8: Mweka camp (3100m)- Mweka Gate (1980m)
Day-9: Depart
Fast Facts
Yes you do. We (Nomadic Adventures) do not allow anyone to climb with us unless they have adequate travel insurance. Adequate, means you must be covered for
1) trekking or hiking - this may sound strange, but many insurance list that as an exclusion.
2) altitude up to 6,000 meters. Most travel insurance providers do not include this under their standard option and often limit it to 3500m or less.
3) Sprains strains and physiotherapy - yes, many insurers exclude this, though ironically, this is what you will most likely need cover for.
4) personal accident - this is the horrible part of insurance. Yes, you need to be covered in the case of death. We are often told by clients - "if anything happens to me, just leave me there." Bodies need to be brought home or laid to rest overseas, and this can run into thousands of dollars, creating a huge burden on family members.
We will assist in helping you provide good cover.
If you need cover or simply a quote, follow the
details herewith:. Once you have done your initial quote, you will need to upgrade your cover to include altitudes up to 6000m.
Towards the bottom of the page you will see a
section called, Options: Upgrade your cover.
Click the link called 'View Adventure Sports Benefits'. A blue pop up screen will open. Look for the level of cover required for 'trekking to 6,000 meters' or 'hiking to 6,000 meters'. Depending on your country it is usually a level 1 or 2. Note: we are not insurance experts and it's your responsibility
to ensure you have correct and adequate cover. If you live in South Africa, we have other cover options
A link to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park website
Kilimanjaro National Park - UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Acute mountain sickness: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
Detailed Itinerary
Day-1: Kilimanjaro International Airport
arrival and transfer to hotel.
Day-2: Lemosho Glades (2200m) to Mkubwa Camp (2750m)
Elevation: 2200 metres to 2750 metresDistance: 6 kilometres
Trekking duration: 3 hours to 4 hours
Environment: Montane forest
This morning we stop briefly in Moshi and then drive about 5 hours to Londorossi Park Gate at 2200m . After completing park formalities for Lemosho Route, we drive for another 11km to Lemosho Glades at 2000m. From here, we trek about 3 hours to Mkubwa, our camp.
Day-3: Mkubwa Camp to Shira Camp 1 (3500m):
Elevation: 2750 metres up to 3500 metresDistance: 8 kilometres
Trek time: 5 to 6 hours
Environment: Moorland
After breaking camp, we hike to Shira Camp 1 located near a stream. We hike through moorland shrub taking in views of Mt Meru and this afternoon we have the chance to film incredible sunsets.
Day-4: Shira Camp 1(3500m) to Shira Camp 2 (3840m)
Elevation: 3500 metres to 3840m metresDistance: 6 kilometres
Trek duration: 2 to 3 hours
Environment: Moorland
The route is relatively easy trek across the plateau that leads to Shira Camp 2 on moorland meadow. A variety of walks are available on the plateau making this excellent for acclimatisation to the gains in altitude. Shira is one of the three volcanoes on the Kilimanjaro massif.
Day-5: Shira (3840m)- Lava Tower (4630m)-Barranco (3950m)
Elevation: 3840 metres up to 4630 metres then down to 3950 metresDistance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 6 hours - 8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, you hike though the moorland scrub and enter into a moonscape of semi-alpine desert, while you hike constantly upwards toward Lava Tower. As you approach an altitude of 4200m, you may start to feel a shortness of breath as the effects of altitude take hold. After Lava Tower, you trek into a beautiful valley to Barranco camp where you spend the night at a lower altitude than Lava Tower. Today follows the golden principle of climb high and sleep low on Lemosho Route.
Day-6: Barranco (3860m) to Barafu (4550m)
Elevation: 3860 metres up to 4550 metresDistance: 13 kilometres
Trek time: About 7 hours
Early morning at around 07h00, the Barranco Wall lies ahead which you climb, to bring you out to a great spot with incredible views over Moshi and the clouds below. The route then descends down through the Karanga Valley and eventually come out at Karanga Valley Camp. Barafu Hut is another 2 hours trek higher up towards Kibo Crater.
Day-7: Barafu (4550m)- Uhuru Peak (5895m)-Mweka (3100m)
Elevation: 4600 metres to 3100 metresHighest point: 5895 metres (Uhuru Peak)
Distance: 30 kilometres (7 kilometres ascent, 13 kilometres descent)
Trek duration: 13 to 16 hours (6 - 8 hours ascent, 7 - 8 hours descent)
Environment: Stone scree / ice-capped summit
Rising before midnight, you start your climb into the night in a North westerly direction. The route will take you towards Stella Point (5685) on the crater rim. It can take anything from 5 - 6 hours and is physically challenging. After a short rest at Stella Point the trek to Kilimanjaro summit is another altitude gain of 200m, taking anywhere from 1-2 hours. After reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak, you hike down to Barafu and then down to Mweka Camp
Day-8: Mweka camp (3100m)- Mweka Gate (1980m)
This morning is a short 3-hour scenic hike to Mweka. Climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates for your Lemosho Route on Kilimanjaro.Day-9: Depart
Today you are transferred to Kilimanjaro airport for your flight home.End of services
What's Included
Price includes
Return Kilimanjaro airport transfers
Three meals a day on trek except for last day of trek
All park entry fees
All porter, guide and cook fees
Kilimanjaro emergency rescue fees
Kilimanjaro Lemosho Park permit for 7 days
Camping fees for Lemosho Route
Tents on Kilimanjaro
Dining tent, chairs, utensils etc.
Sleeping mattresses for Kilimanjaro
Two night's bed and breakfast at Moshi Springlands Hotel twinshare
Price Excludes
Mandatory travel and medical insurance
Tips, baggage and porterage
Laundry
Bottled water
Meals other than those indicated
Visa's and vaccinations
International flights
Costs for giving up the expedition (no refunds applicable)
Costs incurred for returning to the hotel earlier than expected (From $70 per night)
Additional transfer across to Londorrosi Gate
Video of Machame
Route Profile Map
Lemosho Route query
Book your Lemosho Climb
40 minutes drive to Machame Gate
Scenic but steep
Good acclimatisation
Starts in forest and joins Lemosho and Shira routes
Summit via Barafu Hut and Stella Point
Two man Tents
Descend down Mweka Route
Machame Route
3 hour drive to Park Gate
Scenic and quiet
Great for acclimatisation
Starts in forest and joins Lemosho and Machame routes
Summit along Barafu Hut and Stella Point
Overnight in Tents
Descent route is Mweka
Shira Itinerary
4 hours of driving to Park Gate
Quieter
Need to add a day for acclimatisation
Starts near Kenyan Border
Route joins Marangu Route
Summit via Kibo Hut and Gilman's Point
Tents overnight
Descend on Marangu Route
Rongai Route
30 minutes road to Marangu Gate
Busy route
Less scenic - same ascent and descent
Need to add a day for acclimatisation
Route joins Northern Circuit and Rongai Route
Summit through Kibo and Gilman's
Sleep in Huts
Descend Marangu Route
Marangu Route
4 Hour drive to Shira Gate
Few people
Less scenic but longer approach
Start higher but route is good for acclimatisation
Route joins Rongai and Marangu Routes
Summit through Kibo Hut and Gilman's Point
Sleep in Tents
Descend via Marangu Route
Northern Circuit Route
40 Minute drive to Umbwe Gate
Least used route
Very steep and fast approach
Poor chances for acclimatisation
Route joins Shira, Lemosho and Machame Routes
Summit via Kibo Hut and Gilman's Point
Sleep in Tents
Descent route is Mweka
Umbwe Route
These treks are designed for people with less time available or who do not want to go for summit. They range from 1 to 4 days on the mountain
Kilimanjaro Short Treks
Mount Meru
Meru is a great pre-acclimatisation trek before Kilimanjaro or a stand alone trek. These treks are 3-4 days
Meru page
There are several options to add on a safari tour in either Tanzania or Kenya after your
Kilimanjaro trek. The shortest safari is 3 days up to around 9 or longer if you prefer.
Safari Tours
Frequently Asked Questions