Overview of the Lemosho route
The Lemosho route is considered the most scenic route on Kilimanjaro and is more enjoyable due to its panoramic views of the mountain from various sides. Lemosho approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the West, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rainforest to Shira Ridge.
The Lemosho route joins the Machame route near Lava Tower after Shira 2 Camp and proceeds to Lava Tower. It then heads down towards Barranco Valley via the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu and descending through the Mweka route. For better acclimatization and summit success, Hilbas Tours recommends 6, 7 or 8 days on this route, but 8 days are preferable for better acclimatization.
6 Days Lemosho Route Itinerary
Arrived in Tanzania
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) where you will meet Hilbas representatives, be picked up and transferred to the hotel for hot showers, comfortable beds, a briefing, and gear checks. We will also arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need.
Day 1- Londorosi Gate to Mti Mkubwa
Elevation: 2,360m/7788ft to 2,820m/9306ft
Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest
The driver will pick you up from the Hotel at Londorossi Gate, which takes 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. You will drive again through varied farmland with open views of the plains to reach the start point. Here, you will have lunch before your walk. As you walk through tropical rainforests, you can spot the footprints of large wildlife such as elephants, buffalo, etc. Dinner will be served at Mti Mkubwa Camp.
Day 2- Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Elevation: 2,820m/9,306ft to 3,600m/11,880ft to 3840m/12672ft
Distance: 18 km
Hiking time: 8-9 hours
Vegetation Zone: Health/Moorland
After an early breakfast, we leave rain forest behind and pass through moorland, heather, and across several streams. We reach Shira Ridge, enjoying the views of Shira plateau and Mt Meru before descending to Shira 1 camp for hot lunch. Then, we proceed through the moorland to Shira 2 Camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 3- Shira 2 Camp to Laval Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 3840m/38403ft to 3900m/12870ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Vegetation Zone: Moorland
This is another long day. After breakfast, we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction toward Kibo peak before changing direction to the South East toward the Laval Tower (4600m/15180ft). Hot or packed lunches are served at the Tower. This is a very helpful area for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day. After that, we proceed down to Barranco Camp which takes 2 hours. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight.
Day 4- Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 3900m/12870ft to 3930m/12969ft to 4670m/15411ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 7-8 hours
Vegetation Zone: Moorland
The day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine, and then taking a steep exit up the Great Barranco Wall to the top. Here you will see Heim Glacier, some spectacular views of Kilimanjaro and be above the clouds. The trail then winds up and down in the Karanga Valley, after a hot lunch at the camp, we walk to Barafu camp, across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around, steep walk to Barafu, the remainder of the day is spent resting as we prepare for the final ascent before an early night summit walk. The camp usually offers stunning views of the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.
Day 5- Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4670m/15411ft- 5895m/19453ft to 3100m/10230ft
Distance: 19 km
Hiking time: 15 hours
Vegetation: Alpine Desert/Arctic to Moorland
This is your special day when your dream comes true, your guide will wake you around 23:00 for tea and biscuits, Summit will begin through a steep over loose volcanic scree with some well-graded switchbacks and a slow but steady pace will lead us towards Stella Point on the crater rim (5696m/18800ft) for about 5 to 6 hours.
After a short rest, you will continue hiking for about 1 hour to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Here you will have a short time to take photographs around the summit. The Barafu campsite descent is fast. After lunch, we proceed to descend through the moorland to reach the final Mweka Campsite for dinner and overnight for the last day on the mountain.
Day 6- Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 3100m/10230ft to 1700m/5610ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest
This is another big day when your staff sing and dance for you. After all, the descent will be on a well-maintained trail through lovely rainforest with many birds, tall trees, flowers, and many interesting things. Our route will end at Mweka Gate which will require all hikers to sign out and receive certificates of completion. Driver from Hilbas tours will drive back to Hotel. On the way back, you will pass through coffee and banana farms around Mweka village.
Departure or onwards travel
After an early breakfast, transfer to Safari or Kilimanjaro airport for your home departure flight.
Mountain Climbing Clothes
If you are packing for your climb it is important to really plan your clothing appropriately and we recommend choosing wool or synthetic options, like polyester or nylon, instead. Fabrics: Cotton takes a very long time to dry and is a poor insulator, so it should always be avoided in mountaineering climbs.
This is why we recommend that you pack the following:
Top Base Layer and Bottom Base Layer for climbing.
3-4 Pairs of Underwear
2-3 Short Sleeve
1 Insulated Trekking Pants
1-2 Long Sleeve Hiking Shirts
1-2 Pairs of Hiking Trousers
1 Insulated Winter Jacket
1 Polar Tec Fleece Jacket
1 Hard Shell Jacket
1- Gaiters
A hat to keep the sun off of your face
Good socks, preferably made out of merino wool
Shoes or boots that have good traction.
Bras, A pullover sports bra without any clasps.
1- Day backpack – between 20 – 35 litres. Large enough to carry your water, camera, raincoat, lunch pack, snacks & warm clothing
1- Duffel bag, (waterproof recommended), large enough for all climbing gear, to be carried by the porters. An extra bag is to be left at the hotel with extra gear.
1-Mittens or warm gloves and an inner one.
1-Sleeping bag, warm, four seasons
2- Water bottles – (total capacity at least 3 or 4 litres)
Price includes:
Transport:
– Pick-up at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Transfer to a hotel in Moshi/Arusha and back to the airport.
-Transfer to the trailhead – entry gate to Kilimanjaro National Park;
– Pick up at the exit from Kilimanjaro National Park and transfer to the hotel in Moshi/Arusha.
Accommodation:
Standard twin-sharing (double beds in one room) in a three-star hotel (Moshi town) before and after the expedition; these hotels provide everything you need for a comfortable stay.
Accommodation in huts. An average hut fits 6-8 people. National park rangers allocate huts. We will do our best to arrange separate huts for our groups. However, during the busy months, you may share huts with climbers from other groups. Marangu Huts have bunk beds.
Please note:
All accommodation is shared (i.e. you will share a twin/double room in the hotel and a tent during the hike with your travel companion).
If you travel alone, we will match you with a same-sex adventurer).
Entry fees and salaries
-All park fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park, -Camping fees, Vehicle fees, Rescue fees, and all Government taxes.
-Guides, porters, waiters, cooks accommodation, Entry fees on the mountain and Salaries
Climbing crew:
-Professional / Experienced English-speaking Mountain guides licensed by –Kilimanjaro National Park.
-All our guides hold Wilderness First Aid certifications.
-Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp masters, porters, cooks, etc.).
Meals:
– Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;
-3 standard meals a day on the mountain (breakfast, lunch & dinner).
-All drinks on the hike (Coffee, tea, Milo tea, water, etc).
Hiking and safety equipment:
-All group equipment (spacious and comfortable dining tent, camping table and chairs, crockery and cutlery);
-Oxygen cylinders and Oximeters;
– Medical kits
Price excludes:
Insurance:
Travel insurance is not covered by the tour price. You can arrange travel insurance with your preferred insurance company.
Airline tickets;
Visa fee, passport, vaccinations, and medicines.
Flying Doctors;
Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the ascent);
Personal gear rentals;
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, souvenir money)
A tip of between 250 and 400 dollars per person is recommended for the mountain crew.
Additional Notes:
If you have booked your climb through an agent that gives you different tip information, please tip according to the agent’s information.
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