Overview
Featuring captivating scenic vistas, pristine wildlife, excellent acclimatization opportunities and low traffic of climbers, Lemosho is one of the best kilimanjaro routes. Besides it is our personal favorite one for reaching the roof of Africa.
After a 3-hour long drive from Moshi to Lemosho Gate you'll find yourself on the western slope of Mt Kilimanjaro, from there the route will take you to the world-famous Shira Plateau. That's where you'll embark on your adventure through all climate zones - from alpine meadows to eternal ice. The climb is smooth and gradual. Lemosho route success rate is the highest among all the routes of Kilimanjaro.
Six, seven and ten-days programs are available, so you can choose depending on the amount of time at your disposal. Longer programs are always recommended over the shorter ones for better acclimatization.
Arrive in Tanzania
Pickup at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town, afterward your guide will come to brief you about the trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Then overnight in the hotel.
Day 1 - Lemosho Gate (2100m) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2650m)
Distance covered: 7 km
Approximate time taken: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Your day starts early with breakfast from the hotel, followed by a 2-hour drive from the hotel (910m) to Londorossi Park Gate (2100m). The guides and porters prepare and pack the supplies and your equipment at the park's gate and registration. You will start trekking through the rainforest until completes this day by entering our first camp where your tent is set up with your personal belongings inside. Overnight at Mti Mkubwa Camp (2650m).
Day 2 - Mti Mkubwa Camp (2650m) to Shira I Camp (3600m)
Distance covered: 7 km
Approximate time taken: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Rainforest/Moorland
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
After breakfast you will start your trek across a plateau of grassy Mooland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formalities. Today some parts of the route are fairly steep, and you will have a good view of KIBO and Shira plateau. Then overnight at Shira I Camp (3600m).
Day 3 - Shira 1 Camp (3600m) to Shira 2 Camp (3900m)
Distance covered: 8 km
Approximate time taken: 5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Today is one of shortest days and it is not as steep as other days. You will have a chance to view the northern ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some good views of Kibo. You will have a hot lunch at the camp and around 4:00 pm you will take some tea followed by an acclimatization walk; then head back to camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 - Shira 2 Camp (3900m) to Lava Tower Camp (4600m)
Distance covered: 5 km
Approximate time taken: 7 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
The moorlands soon come to an end. The trek will take us into the alpine desert up to lava tower camp (4600m). This offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photos of the Western Breach and Barranco wall. The campsite is situated in a valley below the lava rocks which should provide you a memorable sunset while waiting for dinner and overnight at Lava Tower Camp (4600m).
Day 5 - Lava tower Camp (4600m) to Arrow Glacier Camp (4900m)
Distance covered: 1 km
Approximate time taken: 1 hour
Habitat: Alpine desert
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
This is another favorite day whereby after breakfast you will leave the campsite and start to make your way to Arrow camp that ends up at the fort of the Hein glacier. It will take you 1 hour to reach Arrow glacier (4900m).
Day 6 - Arrow Glaciers camp
Acclimatization Day
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Today you will have a short hike for one hour and get back to the camp for relaxation.
Day 7 - Arrow Glaciers (4900m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) and then Crater Camp (5790m)
Distance covered: 8 km
Approximate time taken:6 hours
Habitat: Glacier zone
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Wake up around 5 am to start your summit approach. You'll reach Uhuru Peak in the early afternoon, when few groups are around. A short descent brings you to Crater Camp, set in soft sands near the famed Furtwangler Glacier. Crater camp is not a route in its own right but a challenging extension which in principle can be added to any route. It involves sleeping overnight in the bowl of the crater. An amazing experience enjoyed by only a few of the most adventurous climbers.
Day 8 - Crater Camp (5790m) to Millennium Camp (3950m)
Distance covered: 13 km
Approximate time taken: 3 hours
Habitat:Glacier/Moorland
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
In the morning after early breakfast, we begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope passing Barafu camp for a short break before heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Day 9 - Millenium Camp (3900m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)
Distance covered: 14 km
Approximate time taken: 5 hours
Habitat: Glacial zone and all preceding zones
Meal: Breakfast, and lunch included
The final day is a short hike through the dense montane rainforest from Millennium Camp (3950m) to Mweka Gate (1630m). At the gate you will need to sign-out with the authorities, who will also provide you with your official certificate – a green certificate for those who made it to Gilman’s Point and a gold certificate for those who reached Uhuru Peak.
Then - Depart Tanzania/ other destination in Tanzania.
Later in the evening or the next day you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport to board your home-bound flight. Also, Habari Adventure can organize an affordable safari trip to one of the best wildlife parks in Tanzania such as Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater or Serengeti National Park.