8 Days Lemosho Climbing
Trekking Details.
LEMOSHO ROUTE.
Lemosho Route 8 Days Climb Kilimanjaro. Lemosho Route is regarded as one of the prettiest route on Kilimanjaro. We begin trekking in the thick, fertile rain forest until we reach the wildflowers and shrubs of the heath ecosystem. Approaching from the west, we cross one of most beautiful areas on Kilimanjaro, the vast Shira Plateau, before traversing the mountain along the southern circuit. The Lemosho route is for those with previous backpacking experience.
The Lemosho Route is one of the most scenic and popular trails for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, offering a diverse range of landscapes and excellent acclimatization opportunities. Here are some key highlights:
Scenic Beauty
- Varied Landscapes: The Lemosho Route traverses through lush rainforests, heather moorlands, alpine deserts, and arctic summits, providing trekkers with a stunning variety of landscapes.
- Panoramic Views: The route offers spectacular vistas, including views of the Shira Plateau, Mount Meru, and the Western Breach. The wide range of perspectives ensures breathtaking sights throughout the trek.
Wildlife
- Rich Biodiversity: The initial days of the trek pass through the Lemosho Glades, home to diverse flora and fauna, including colobus monkeys and various bird species.
- Unique Ecosystems: The route allows trekkers to experience distinct ecological zones, each with its own unique plant and animal life.
Acclimatization
- Gradual Ascent: The Lemosho Route is known for its longer duration and more gradual ascent profile, which helps trekkers acclimatize better to the altitude, increasing the chances of a successful summit.
- Extra Days: Typically, the route is completed in 7 to 8 days, providing ample time for acclimatization compared to some other routes.
Low Traffic
- Less Crowded: Compared to the popular Marangu and Machame routes, the Lemosho Route sees fewer trekkers, offering a more solitary and serene trekking experience.
- Tranquil Campsites: The route features several scenic and quiet campsites, enhancing the overall wilderness experience.
Summit Success Rate
- High Success Rate: Due to the extended time for acclimatization and the gradual ascent, the Lemosho Route boasts one of the highest summit success rates among all Kilimanjaro routes.
- Experienced Guides: Many trekking companies provide highly experienced guides and porters for this route, further increasing the likelihood of reaching the summit.
Route Experience
- Shira Plateau: One of the key highlights is crossing the Shira Plateau, a high-altitude desert offering stunning views and a unique hiking experience.
- Western Breach: The route provides an option to approach the summit via the Western Breach, a steeper and more challenging path known for its dramatic landscapes.
- Barranco Wall: Trekkers will tackle the Barranco Wall, an imposing but manageable rock face that adds a sense of adventure to the climb.
Overall, the Lemosho Route offers a rich and rewarding Kilimanjaro climbing experience, balancing scenic beauty, wildlife, and excellent acclimatization opportunities.
Day 1: Arrive in Arusha.
Arrive anytime at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). We will arrange a private transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). To Arusha at lodge/Hotel , where the rest of the day is at leisure.
We will meet in the hotel/Lodge for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check.
Day 2: Lemosho Big Tree Camp (2,650 m); 3-4 hours walking.
Transfers from Arusha to The Londorosi gate, After completing the necessary registration formalities at Londorosi National Park gate, we drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho roadhead. The last section of the road is of poor quality and difficult to drive after rain, sometimes we start walking a kilometer or two below the roadhead. We often have our lunch at the roadhead before starting to walk. It is an easy day of walking up a small path through beautiful and lush forest. We camp at Lemosho Big Tree Camp.
Day 3: Shira One” (3,550 m); 5-6 hours walking.
We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. There is a tangible sense of wilderness, especially if afternoon mists come in! We camp in the centre of the plateau at “Shira One.
Day 4: Shira Hut (3,840 m); 3-5 hours walking.
We walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral before reaching the next camp at Shira Hut. This campsite has stunning views, close to the glaciated dome of Kibo and the jagged rim of Shira Plateau. The views from here of Mt. Meru floating on the clouds are simply unforgettable.
Day 5: Great Barranco valley (3,900 m); 6-8 hours walking
A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near the Lava Tower junction (4,550 m) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below near our campsite at Barranco valley.
Day 6: Karanga campsite (4,000 m); 4-5 hours walking
A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Ice fields. The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to our camp at Karanga (4,000 m), the last water point on the way to the summit.
Day 7: Barafu campsite (4,600 m); 3-4 hours walking
We follow an easy path on compacted scree with wide views that gains altitude unrelentingly to reach the Barafu campsite (4,600 m) for lunch. There is a short acclimatization walk to the plateau at the bottom of the South-East valley (4,800 m). The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night.
Day 8: Mweka forest camp (3100 m); 13-15 hours walking
We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5,735 m), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final Mweka forest camp.
Day 9: Mweka forest camp to Mweka Gate (1,650 m); 3-4 hours walking.
A sustained descent through lovely forest with lush undergrowth takes us to Mweka National Park gate and transfers to Arusha town
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