8-Day Lemosho Route Trek-African Landscape Adventures

8-Day Kilimanjaro Trek: Lemosho Route

8-Day Kilimanjaro Trek: Lemosho Route

Overview

Explore on the scenic Lemosho Route, one of the most beautiful and less crowded paths to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. This route offers a gradual ascent through diverse landscapes, starting with lush rainforests and transitioning into moorlands, alpine deserts, and rocky terrain. Key highlights include the Shira Plateau, the impressive Lava Tower, and the challenging Barranco Wall, each offering breathtaking views and unique experiences. With its well-paced itinerary, the Lemosho Route ensures optimal acclimatization, enhancing your chances of reaching the summit while immersing you in the stunning beauty of Kilimanjaro

Itinerary

Day 1-Arrival In Moshi

Welcome to Tanzania! A representative from African Landscape Adventures will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation in Arusha. Depending on your arrival time, you’ll have the opportunity to unwind and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime!

Day 2-Trekking From Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

A guide and the mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle (roughly 3-4 hours) to Kilimanjaro National Park’s western entrance: Londorossi Gate (2,250 m / 7,381 ft). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking towards the first camp of the route: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650 m / 8,694 ft). Raincoats are necessary on this day in particular, as you will be walking through a rainforest. By the time you reach the camp, our professional mountain crew will have prepared everything necessary, put up the tents, and begun preparing lunch. After lunch, the group will depart on an acclimatization hike towards Shira 1 Campthat features a 300 m (984 ft) gain in altitude, after which you will hike back down to Mti Mkubwa Camp, where a hot dinner will be served.

PLEASE NOTE: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances to climb Kilimanjaro successfully and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.

This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:

Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently);
To help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness, consider using a preventive measure like a high-altitude aid medicine. Many mountain climbers take such pills in the morning, before they begin their ascent, to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. Our managers will provide more specific details together with your travel itinerary. We recommend consulting your doctor prior to the trip to discuss any potential allergies or health concerns.

At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your breathing pattern at night, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and experience a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.

Acclimatization hike:

Change in Elevation:

Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650 m / 8,694 ft)

Destination point en route to Shira 1 Camp (3,095 m / 10,154 ft)

Hiking distance:

2 km (1.2 miles)

Hiking time:

1 hour

Trekking time:

3-5 hours

Distance:

6 km (3.7 miles)

Day 3-Trekking From Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp

On this day you will wake up early and enjoy a filling breakfast, then start trekking. Your group will reach an altitude of 3,610 m (11,843 ft). At that point, you will be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau and Kibo Volcano for the first time.

On the whole, the passage from Mti Mkubwa Camp to the second high-altitude camp, Shira 1 Camp (3,610 m / 11,843 ft), is rather easy and takes about 5-6 hours. This will allow you to start the acclimatization process gradually, which is a mainstay of good trekking. When you reach the camp, your team of specialists will cook lunch and you will have the chance to rest in your tent or walk around the nearby area.

Trekking time:

5-6 hours

Distance:

5 km (3.1 miles)

Day 4- Trekking From Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

On this day you will depart from Shira 1 Camp (3,610 m / 11,843 ft) and trek towards the second high-altitude camp: Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m / 12,631 ft). This trek is not difficult and you will be able to enjoy spectacular views of the African savannah, the unique flora of Kilimanjaro, and the surrounding area. Shira 2 Camp is the best place on the trip to see Mount Meru (the fifth summit of Africa and second-highest in Tanzania), weather permitting.

During the trek between camps, our guides will offer ascending Cathedral Peak – 3,872 m (12,703 ft), one of the highest points of the extinct Shira volcano. Besides the captivating hiking experience, reaching the summit of Cathedral Peak on a clear day offers breathtaking views down into the valley. In our decade of experience working on the mountain, the valley below resembling a lost world is among our favourite views. This is a straightforward hike with no technical challenges. Although the peak may be shrouded in clouds at times, there’s a stella providing an opportunity for a memorable photograph. If you prefer to skip this ascent or encounter unfavorable weather, heading directly to Shira 2 is an option. This choice doesn’t impact acclimatization since Shira 2 and Cathedral Peak stand at a similar elevation. Nevertheless, we believe the hike to Cathedral Peak is worth it and wholeheartedly recommend it.

When you arrive at the camp you will have lunch, and after a two-hour rest, everyone will go on an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp that features a 300 m (984 ft) gain in altitude.

Acclimatization hike:

Change in Elevation:

Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m / 12,631 ft)

Destination point en route to Lava Tower (4,270 m / 14,009 ft)

Hiking distance:

2 km (1.2 miles)

Hiking time:

1-2 hours

Trekking time:

3-4 hours

Distance:

7 km (4.3 miles)

Day 5-Trekking From Shira 2 Camp to The Lava Tower and Descent to Barranco Camp

After breakfast you will leave Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m / 12,631 ft) and start your way to the key point of the route: Lava Tower (4,600 m / 15,091 ft). This section of the route has a lot of ascents and descents. Some parts of the trek might be difficult, and it is common to experience some discomfort, but in order to successfully acclimate to the altitude you have to spend at least 1–2 hours here, so this is where you will enjoy your lunch.

Then you will descend to Barranco Camp (3,900 m / 12,795 ft). There you will see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness! The next day you will be climbing it, but don’t worry: it features a very simple hiking trail that is not intimidating at all.

Trekking time:

6-8 hours

Distance:

12 km (7.4 miles)

Day 6-Trekking From Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

You will have an early start and a filling breakfast before beginning to hike the Barranco Wall. We recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid crowds of the other groups which could slow you down. Hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. After the climb, you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano.

Then you will start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route, but don’t worry: our guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the group. After reaching the camp you will be offered warm lunch. After a couple of hours, you will have to complete an acclimatization hike in the direction of Barafu Camp with a 200 m (656 ft) gain in altitude and then descend back down to the camp.

Acclimatization hike:

Change in Elevation:

Karanga Camp (3,990 m / 13,090 ft)

Destination point en route to Barafu Camp (4,270 m / 14,009 ft)

Hiking distance:

2.5 km (1.5 miles)

Hiking time:

1-2 hours

Trekking time:

4-5 hours

Distance:

5 km (3.1 miles)

Day 7-Trekking From Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

In the morning, after a warm and hearty breakfast, you will begin your hike to Barafu Summit Camp. This camp is the starting point for the final night summit to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m / 19,340 ft) – your end goal. Our team will set up camp ahead of time, so when you arrive your tents and sleeping bags will already be prepared, meaning you can just relax and rest when you reach Barafu Summit Camp. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before the night summit.

Trekking time:

4-5 hours

Distance:

6 km (3.7 miles)

Day 8-Ascent to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Millennium Camp

Your group will depart from Barafu Camp (4,673 m / 15,331 ft) at night and start the final summit toward the highest point of Kilimanjaro – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m / 19,340 ft). Technically speaking, the climb is relatively simple; however, given the high altitude, even normal physical activity can feel strenuous. For this reason, every two climbers will be paired with a personal guide for the entire ascent to monitor their physical and mental well-being more closely. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak – the top of Mount Kilimanjaro and the final point of the climb on the Lemosho Route, you can descend to the nearest glacier, if desired. Then you will return to Barafu Camp for a 2-hour rest before continuing your descent to Millenium Camp (3,950 m / 12,959 ft).

PLEASE NOTE:Don’t forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including most broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.

Trekking time:

8-12 hours

Distance:

15 km (9.3 miles)

Day 9-Descent From Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate

The Millenium Camp is situated in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction of altitude and the satisfaction of reaching the summit. After a warm breakfast, you will head for the park’s exit: Mweka Gate (1,640 m / 5,380 ft). After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates in our office and provide you with a transfer back to the hotel.

Day 10-Departure

This will mark an end to your Lemosho Route Trekking .

➔ Main Destination: KIA
➔ Meals & Drinks:Breakfast

➔No Accommodations

Prices Information For The Trip

2pax

4pax

6+pax

$ 2410

$ 2310

$ 2210

Includes &Excludes

Includes

Excludes

From $ 2210

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