The Lemosho route is considered the most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro, granting panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. As one of the newer routes, Lemosho is a superb choice for your climb. It is our preferred route due to its ideal balance of low crowds, beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Arusha to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rain forest to Shira Ridge. The Lemosho route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. Crowds are low until the route joins the Machame route near Lava Tower.
| safari type : | Trekking / Climbing |
| You will visit: | Big Tree Camp, Shira 1 Camp, Shira 2 Camp, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp, Uhuru Peak, Crater Camp, Millennium Camp |
| Getting Around: | Walking |
| Start/End: | Arusha |
| Minimum Age: | 18+ |
After your long flight, you’ll be pleased to spend your first night in comfort at your hotel, the Planet Lodge in Arusha. You will be picked-up by Gifted Adventures driver, who will be waiting to meet and welcome you and take you to your hotel in Arusha to relax after your flight. Your adventure has begun!
Accommodation: Arusha Coffee Lodge
Meals: Dinner
Drinking Mineral Water only
You will be picked up at your hotel at around 8:00 am and transferred to the Lemosho gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. After the registration process, you will still start your climb steadily through the forests of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree Camp, where you will be spending the night and take rest.
Elevation: 6,600ft to 9,100ft
Distance:5 km
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat:Rain Forest
Today you will trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. Our destination for today is Shira 1 Camp, from where, there are often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds. We will be gaining a reasonable amount of altitude today and parts of the route are fairly steep.
Elevation:9,100ft to 11,500ft
Distance:8-9 km
Hiking Time: 7hours
Habitat:Moorland Zone
Today you will get the chance to view the Northern Ice Fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. Our steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will help with acclimatization and we enjoy great panoramic views. Our destination today is Shira 2 Camp. In the afternoon you will take an acclimatization walk then head back to camp for dinner and rest.
Elevation:11,500ft to 12779ft
Distance:7 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat:Moorland Zone
Your trek starts with an ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, hiking into the climatic zone of the upland desert and on the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. You will reach the distinct pinnacle of the Lava Tower (4640 m), our high point for the day and a great place to enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, we will make a steep descent to our camp for the night, located in the base of the Great Barranco Valley.
Elevation:12779ft to13,106 ft
Distance:10 km / 7 km
Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
Habitat:Alpine Desert
Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco. Then we will exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock; not technical but long and tiring. Passing beneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head toward the Karanga Valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga Valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3,963m. For those feeling strong, we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4,200m before descending back to camp for the night.
Elevation:13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Distance:5.3 km
Hiking Time: 8 hours
Habitat:Alpine Desert
After a good night’s rest and early breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.
Elevation:13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Distance:4 km
Hiking Time:4-5 hours
Habitat:Alpine Desert
Wake before dawn 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.
Elevation:15,331 ft to 19,300ft to 10,200ft
Distance:4KM
Hiking Time: 6-7hours
Habitat:Alpine Desert
In the morning after an 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.
Elevation:10,200ft to 10191ft
Distance:13 km
Hiking Time: 7-9 hours
Habitat:Alpine Desert
Today you will walk through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we will complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang with pride! We will then be met by our vehicles and return to your arranged hotel in Moshi.
Elevation:10191ft to 6,600ft
Distance:10 km
Hiking Time:3-4 hours
Habitat:Rain Forest
Today is the day that you say goodbye to our team. Congratulations, you just hiked the highest freestanding mountain on planet Earth and the tallest mountain in Africa. You will remember these memories for the rest of your life. Upon waking up today, your guide will be with you until you need to leave for Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Accommodation:Arusha Coffee Lodge
Meals:Breakfast
Drinking Mineral Water only
Kindly call us at +255 753 900 422 if you require any immediate assistance.
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