KILIMANJARO TREK – LEMOSHO ROUTE

Duration: 7N/8D of trekking
Start point: Lemosho Gate
Activity: Trekking
Difficulty: Medium
Max Height: 19,340 ft. | 5,895 m
Min. age: 13

Kilimanjaro Trek – Lemosho Route overview:

The Kilimanjaro Lemosho route takes you to the west of the mountain, winding through scenic forests and alpine deserts, with views of stunning glaciers, deep gorges, mountain ranges, and more. It’s one of the newer, more scenic routes that isn’t very crowded, making it ideal for beginners and those looking for thinner crowds on their treks.

You’ll also cross the Shira Ridge and Shira Plateau on the Kilimanjaro Lemosho route, adding additional thrill to your hike. The trek across the plateau is flat and simple and offers sprawling views of the region on both sides.

Please note that a minimum of 2 travellers are required to book this trip.

Kilimanjaro Trek – Lemosho Route highlights:

The Kilimanjaro Lemosho route offers sufficient acclimatisation time
Relatively new trail with excellent views from the west of Mt. Kilimanjaro
Far less crowded than the rest of the Kilimanjaro routes
98% summit success overall on this Kilimanjaro route
Trek to the Shira Ridge and Shira Plateau while on the Lemosho route

Pick up point:

Kilimanjaro International Airport

How to get there:

The most convenient airport to arrive to for the Kilimanjaro Lemosho route trek is the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Our driver and/or guide will be at the airport to greet you upon arrival and drive you to your hotel. Please refer to the itinerary for the accommodation arrangements.

Inclusions:

- Pre climb comprehensive briefing
- Meals as described in the itinerary
- Airport & mountain transfers
- Two-night Moshi accommodations (double occupancy)
- VAT, all government & camping, conservation fees
- Emergency oxygen tank
- Private toilet
- Sleeping tents and mattresses
- All camping equipment and gear
- Crew including guide, asst. guide, cook, waiters, and porters

Exclusions:

- International Airfare
- Visas
- Personal spending money
- Extra day(s) on mountain
- Helicopter evacuation
- Personal gear
- Personal medical kit
- Travel insurance
- Emergency transport costs
- Tips to crew (Industry recommendation: $20-$25 / day Head Guide, $15-$20/day Asst. guide, $35/day Cook & Waiter and $8 - $10 /porter/ day)

Sketch itinerary:

- Day 0:Arrive in Moshi, Tanzania
- Day 1:Drive to Lemosho Gate; trek to Forest Camp
- Day 2:Trek from Forest Camp to Shira 1 Camp
- Day 3:Trek from Shira 1 Camp to Moir Camp
- Day 4:Trek from Moir Camp to Barranco Camp; acclimatisation day
- Day 5:Trek from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp; acclimatisation day
- Day 6:Trek from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp; acclimatisation day
- Day 7:Trek to Uhuru Peak via Stella Point; descent to High Camp via Barafu
- Day 8:Trek from High Camp to Mweka Gate

What to expect:

- Traversing through one of world’s highest plateau – Shira Plateau
- High chance to spot and observe different flora and fauna species
- Multiple acclimatisation options
- Trekking through five different climate zones

What to carry in the daypack:

- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
- A day pack.
- Rain cover for your bag
- One 1Lt / 32oz water bottle and 2lt camel Pak.
- Snacks
- Insect repellent
- Poncho (rain jacket)
- Headlamp or torch
- Trekking pole
- Basic first aid kit
- Medication (if required to carry any)
- Toiletries
- Passport
- Valuables.

When to go:

Dec – Feb and June – Oct. It is also possible to go during March – May and November, but chance of rain is very high.

Photos

Itinerary

Day 0 of the Kilimanjaro Trek – Lemosho Route: Arrive in Moshi, Tanzania

On your first day, you will meet a Kili Treks Tanzania staff member at the Kilimanjaro International Airport upon arrival. You’ll then be transferred to your hotel. Today, you rest after your travels and recharge for the upcoming trekking days.

Overnight: Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel
Meals included: Full board

Day 1of the Kilimanjaro Trek – Lemosho Route: Drive to Lemosho Gate; trek to Forest Camp (9,200 ft. | 2,800 m)

Your day starts with a drive to the Lemosho Gate, where you’ll enter the beautiful rainforest and hike at a comfortable pace. You will likely hear the many exotic birds in the canopy above and may see a rare black & white Colobus monkey swing from the canopy during the hike.

Overnight: Forest Camp
Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Meals included: Full board

Day 2of the Kilimanjaro Trek – Lemosho Route: Trek from Forest Camp to Shira 1 Camp (11,500 ft | 3,500 m)

Today, after a hearty breakfast, you will leave the rainforest zone and enter the short shrubbery of the heath zone. The transition from rainforest to heath zone on the Lemosho route is a sight to behold. The hike today will take you to the edge of Shira Plateau.

Overnight: Shira 1 Camp
Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Meals included: Full board

Day 3Hiking Mileage: 5 miles

Trek through the unique flora of the heath and moorland, leading to the expansive savannah desert. Soon, you’ll reach the Moir Hut in the alpine zone. For acclimatization, you can walk around to the higher lands around the camp, with superb views of the surrounding region.

Overnight: Moir Camp
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Meals included: Full board

Day 4of the Kilimanjaro Trek – Lemosho Route: Trek from Moir Camp to Barranco Camp (12,850 ft. | 3,950 m); acclimatization day

Today is an important day for acclimatization. Follow the instructions of your guide to make sure you’re well-acclimatized to the altitude and don’t end up with altitude sickness. Your trek today takes you to one of the highest points on the Lemosho route, the Lava Tower (15,190 ft | 4,630 m), where you will break for lunch. Your day will end in the Great Barranco Valley, after crossing shining glaciers, towering cliffs, a farmland of giant senecios and sloping valleys.

Overnight: Barranco Camp
Trekking time: 4-6 hours
Meals included: Full board

Day 5 of the Kilimanjaro Trek – Lemosho Route: Trek from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (13,100 ft | 3,970 m); acclimatization day

The day begins with a scramble up the steep ‘Breakfast Wall’, enjoying gorgeous views of the waterfall below and the imposing glaciers that crown Kilimanjaro above. Reach the Karanga Camp in time for a hot lunch.

Overnight: Karanga camp
Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Meals included: Full board

Day 6of the Kilimanjaro Trek – Lemosho Route: Trek from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (15,200 ft | 4,600 m); acclimatization day

The Barafu Camp is the last campsite on the Kilimanjaro Lemosho route before your summit attempt. It is set on a small, exposed flat area on a ridge where temperatures decline, and landscapes grow sparse.

Overnight: Barafu Camp

Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Meals included: Full board

Day 7 of the Kilimanjaro Trek – Lemosho Route: Trek to Uhuru Peak (19,340 ft. | 5,895 m) via Stella Point; descent to High Camp (12,500 ft | 3,810 m) via Barafu

As dawn breaks, start trekking uphill on the scree- and rock-laden path to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. After about 6 hours of trekking, you will come to the edge of the crater – Stella Point – at 18,900 ft (5,795 m). At the rim of this crater is the end of your steep trail, followed by an easier climb to the Uhuru Peak. After some celebratory moments at the summit, you will descend back to Barafu, and onwards to High Camp, your campsite for the night.

Overnight: High camp
Trekking time: Barafu Camp to Uhuru peak 6-8 hours | 2 hours to High camp
Meals included: Full board

Day 8 of the Kilimanjaro Trek – Lemosho Route: Trek from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Today, you begin your descent to the end point of your trek, the Mweka Gate. Bid goodbye to your fellow trekkers and trekking team before retreating to you day room where you can shower and relax before your evening flight home.

Overnight/day room: Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel / AMEG Lodge.

Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Meals included: Full board

FAQ

I’m a beginner – am I still eligible for the Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route trek?

Yes! The Lemosho route is a fairly new route that is well-maintained and paced out. You’ll have enough time to acclimatize and easy climbs with a few tricky patches. Make sure that you are aware of the conditions, seasonal climates, and requirements to prepare yourself for this trek, and prepare and train well in advance.

How can I prepare for the Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route trek?

You will need to start preparing for your Kilimanjaro climb at least 3 to 4 months in advance. We recommend exercises that help build your stamina, control your breathing, increase your endurance, and get you accustomed to climbing on inclines. You can choose to include hiking up and down hills with weight to make your body accustomed to different terrains and hiking with a full backpack. Try to build up from 3 hour to 8 hours hikes once a week. Taking regular and increasingly longer hikes will help develop the muscles that you need when the day comes for climbing Kilimanjaro. You can also train with cardio exercises, yoga, and frequent runs.

Write to us at info@kilitrekstanzania.com or visit our preparation page for more training recommendations.

When is the best time to go on the Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route trek?

The best months to go are from December to February and June to October. Though the trek remains operational for the rest of the year, there is a high probability of rain, adding to the difficulty of your trek.

What kind of accommodation will be provided on the Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route trek?

During the Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route trek, you’ll stay in double occupancy all-weather tents with full-ground sheets to keep you and your gear dry. These tents will be set up each day by our expert crew. Toilet tents, dining tents with tables and chairs, and basins of hot water for washing are provided at every campsite.

How to do I get to the start or pick up point of the Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route trek?

The best way to reach Kilimanjaro is to fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). The airport is frequented by many international airlines from across the world. From the airport, we will transfer you to your hotel (which, as with the transfer back to the airport at the end of your trek, is included in the price of your trek).

How many hours will I trek each day on the Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route trek?

On the Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro trek, you’ll trek between 3 – 7 hours most days. The summit day is a bit longer day, with trekking hours going up to 8-12 hours.

What gear is needed while on the Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route trek?

No specialty mountaineering gear is needed (i.e., ice axe, crampons, helmet, etc.) to climb Kilimanjaro. However, basic trekking gear like hiking boots, base layers, fleece hats and gloves, a fleece sweater, etc are required. Once you’ve joined a Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route trek, you’ll receive a detailed packing list and rental gear list to help you prepare.

What kind of food will I eat on the Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route trek?

Our highly trained chefs prepare three hot nutritious meals daily, as well as trail snacks and afternoon tea each day. Enjoy your meals in our dining tents with fellow trekkers and guides. We are also equipped to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other specialty meals with advance request.

Where can I get drinking water throughout the Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route trek?

We provide clean drinking water each night for you to fill up your water bottles for the trek. A trained porter will purify and filter water for you. We recommend you bring two to three 1-ltr bottles.

Will there be network on the Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route trek?

Cellular network is extremely inconsistent on the Lemosho route. You can check with your guide or porters to know when the occasional signal pops up, but that, too, is infrequent.

What medication should I carry on the Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route trek?

It is important to consult your doctor before departing for the trek for the types of medications you need to carry with you. Make sure you carry any prescription medicines you need. Though all our guides carry a first aid kit, make sure you carry one yourself in case you need immediate help. Carry enough medication to last you the duration of the trek and a few extra in case your trip gets extended.

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