7 Days Lemosho Route

Tour Overview

Lemosho route is one of the best routes for acclimatization. The route is less used and a beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau.
The route is one of the few where groups may be accompanied on the first day by an armed ranger, as the forests around the Lemosho Glades are inhabited by buffalo, elephant and other wildlife.
The minimum duration for the Lemosho route is 6 days, however we strongly recommend hiking the route in 7 days. The additional 7th day will give your body more time to acclimatize, reducing the effects of altitude sickness and give you more time to rest before attempting the summit.


1
Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
Activities: Hiking
Starting & Ending Point: Arusha
Languages English
TOUR INCLUDES
  • Transport to/from the mountain gates
  • All park entry fees
  • All camping and hut fees
  • All camping gears
  • Rescue fees
  • Oxygen cylinder & Oxmiter machine
  • Guide, chef and porters salaries
  • Meals( 3 times per day)
  • Cook and kitchen utensils
  • Daily briefing
  • Boiled/Purified drinking water
  • Sleeping pads
  • English speaking guide (certified as a Wilderness
  • First Responder & Emergency Medicine Adult and CHild CPR)
  • Special Language Guide (for $20 per guide,per day)
  • Mobile Communications (for emergency only)
  • First Aid & Injury prevention kits
  • Personal Summit Certificate stamped and signed by the National Park and your Guide
TOUR EXCLUDES
  • International or Local Flights
  • Optional activities
  • Alcoholic and soft drinks
  • Visa fees
  • Tips
  • Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
  • Travel insurance

Tour Itinerary

  • 1
    Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania

    Direct arrival at a lodge in Arusha. This evening you will have a pre-climb briefing with your guide and a consultant.

  • 2
    Day 2 : Hotel to Mti Mkubwa Camp

    After breakfast and briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate (about a 3-hour drive). From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.

  • 3
    Day 3 : Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 2 Camp

    After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams are crossed we continue over the Shira Ridge past the Shira 1 camp and on to the Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream.

  • 4
    Day 4 : Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp

    From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

  • 5
    Day 5 : Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

    After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

  • 6
    Day 6 : Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

    We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.

  • 7
    Day 7 : Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp

    Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
    From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
    From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.

  • 8
    Day 8 : Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel

    After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
    Our vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha.