The Lemosho Route is widely considered to be the best and most scenic route on Kilimanjaro. The route features all the benefits, offerings, and success ratio of the Machame route by starting a little further round to the west. It leads you over the spectacular Shira Plateau and avoids the clumsiness of the early parts of the Machame route at the same time.
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Lemosho Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rainforest to Shira Ridge, before crossing the Shira Plateau. The route then heads cross the famed Shira plateau and see the beautiful Shira Cathedral before reaching the Shira Camp on day three.
The descend is via the Mweka route, where you will most likely encounter other trekkers who ascended via the Shira, Umbwe, or Machame routes.
If you have both time and enough budget, consider taking the 8 days Lemosho route, which is certainly one of the most enjoyable ways to do Kilimanjaro.
The seven days of the Lemosho route are split into two easier days and offer a better success rate. Experienced and already acclimatized mountaineers may opt for the more difficult 7-day ascent along this route.
Start in the morning from the lodge in Moshi; you will make a way to the Lemosho gate on the Western side of Mt. Kilimanjaro (the drive takes 3 hours). Arrive at the gate then complete all the park entry formalities. Enjoy lunch which will be served before you begin the trek through the rainforest.
In the forest, exotic moss and flowers delight the eye while bird calls entertain the ear. You may see Black and White Colobus monkeys as well as signs of the elephants that travel in this area.
The walk on this day is going to be quite short compared to the forthcoming days and will take about 3 to 4 hours.
As you walk along the thin trail through the rainforest, you will notice the vegetation becoming scarcer and scarcer until you finally reach moorland filled with Lobelia and Eric plants. Ascending through rolling hills, you will reach Shira1 Camp in about 4 – 5 hours.
Reach Shira 1 camp is a good acclimatization hike, as you go up and down several ridges along the way to you highest point of the day before descending for lunch. Enjoy your lunch before proceed to Shira 2 Campsite for dinner and overnight.
After having your breakfast, you’ll start an important day for acclimatization by ascent to Lava Tower Today. In the distance, you can get sightings of Kibo which will encourage you to continue uphill. After making it to the Lava Tower at 4600 meters, you’ll have lunch break and acclimatize properly with the altitude. Then a downward journey to Barranco Camp will follow.
This method of climbing high but sleeping low allows your body to acclimatize to the differing altitudes and gives you a good idea on how your body reacts to changes in Altitude.
As you ascend, you’ll notice a sharp change in scenery and suddenly you’ll be surrounded by giant Senecias and relatively smaller Lobelia plants.
The Trek will lead you to beautiful and green Barranco Camp. From here, you can get a good view of the surrounding snow-capped mountains.
Today the Barranco Wall stands before you to conquer. Some stages will require you to use your hands for a better grip, but no actual climbing is necessary and your guide will be with you every step of the way to provide a helping hand.
The route with its numerous ascents and descents allow you a chance for further acclimatization, before reaching the mountain ridge. Walking along the ridge you can take in the beautiful landscape with its stunning contrasts of desert and vegetation, before finally reaching the cloudy Karanga Camp. Your trek will take between 4 to 5 hours, leaving more than enough time to rest and play a game of rummy.
Awakening to the sunlight dancing off the Kibo Summit, you will enjoy an energetic breakfast before setting out to today’s destination – the Barafu Camp. Most of the day will be spent walking through very dry deserted terrain, with Kibo ever present on your left side.
After 3-4 hours you will reach Barafu Camp, where you will have an early dinner and overnight as the highlight of your trip is only a few short hours away.
You will start early, around 11 pm or midnight. Ascend to the Stella Point which is located at the rim of Kilimanjaro’s crater. From there, you can see the sun rise over the peak of Mawenzi, and after a short break, you’ll ascend further to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.
Descending from the peak will lead you to Barafu camp for a short rest, after the meal and some rest, and then continue down to Mweka camp to sleep overnight.
Depends with how you will be feeling, you will sleep at Millennium camp instead, so less descent today, but means more descent tomorrow.
The final ascend of your amazing Kilimanjaro trekking adventure begins after your last breakfast on the mountain followed by a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain crew. Then a gentle 3 to 4 hours’ descent through the rainforest continues to Mweka Gate, where your transferring driver will be waiting for you to drive back to the Hotel accommodation in Moshi and after a warm shower, the rest of the day is free to rest, relax at the pool or celebrate your achievement.
$1950/p
Moshi, Kilimanjaro
+255 782 866 398
+255 782 866 398
info@safariexperttanzania.com
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