8 DAYS:LEMOSHO ROUTE

8 DAYS:LEMOSHO ROUTE

The Lemosho route is regarded as one of the prettiest routes on Kilimanjaro. You begin from the west, trekking in the fertile rainforest until you reach the wildflowers of the heath eco-system. Approaching from the west, you cross one of most beautiful areas on Kilimanjaro, the Shira Plateau, before traversing the mountain along the southern circuit. The total time on the mountain is 8 days. We recommend hiking the 8 day Lemosho route as it provides plenty of time for acclimatization and it also keeps the daily hiking distances reasonable.

DAY 1:MOSHI HOTEL TO LONDOROSSI NATIONAL PARK GATE – FOREST CAMP

Elevation – 7,800ft to 9,500ft
Trekking – 3 to 4 hours
Distance – 6km
Zone – Rain forest

Transport from the hotel is arranged to the park entrance (2,000m). Here you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at the trailhead, you have lunch, then commence trekking through undisturbed forest which winds up at the first campsite. The climb goes through the rain forest. It is a 4 – 5 hours walk to the first camp, through verdant scenery. The forest is alive with bird life, and some elephant and other wildlife may be seen. Dinner and overnight at Mti Mkubwa camp.

DAY 2:FOREST CAMP TO SHIRA CAMP 1

Elevation – 9,500ft to 11,500ft
Trekking – 5 to 6 hours
Distance – 8km
Zone – Moorland

The trek to Shira One camp is about 7 miles and takes 4 to 5 hours. About half an hour after leaving Mti Mkubwa camp, you emerge from the rain forest on to alpine meadow. This is a stunning climb, with splendid views of the peaks and of the plains below. The vegetation is also quite spectacular, especially higher up, where giant lobelias may be seen. Higher still, the vegetation becomes thinner, and the effects of altitude, commonly experienced as shortness of breath, may begin to be felt. Dinner and overnight at Shira One (3,400m).

DAY 3:SHIRA CAMP 1 TO SHIRA 2 TO MOIR HUT / SHIRA HUT

Elevation – 11,500ft to 13,800ft
Trekking – 5 to 7 hours
Distance – 14km
Zone – Moorland

An easy day to help with acclimatization and explore the volcanic rock formations of Shira Plateau. You walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral before reaching the next camp at Shira Hut (12,600 feet). 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. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

DAY 4:MOIR HUT TO LAVA TOWER TO BARRANCO CAMP

Elevation – 13,800ft to 13,000ft
Trekking – 4 to 6 hours
Distance – 7km<br>
Zone – Semi desert

This is an acclimatization day. You walk from the camp up to Lava Tower at 4,600m before descending down to Baranco camp at 3,945m. From the Shira Plateau, you continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As you continue, your direction changes to the south east towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth”. Shortly after the tower, you come to the second junction which brings you up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. You continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here you rest, enjoy dinner and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

DAY 5:BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP

Elevation – 13,000ft to 13,100ft
Trekking – 4 to 5 hours
Distance – 5km
Zone – Alpine desert

After breakfast, you leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization. A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads you to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Icefields. The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to your camp at Karanga (13,100 feet), the last water point on the way to the summit.

DAY 6:KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP

Elevation – 13,100ft to 15,300ft
Trekking – 4 to 5 hours
Distance – 4km
Zone – Alpine desert

After breakfast, you leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. You continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here you make camp, rest, enjoy dinner and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the early morning final ascent.

DAY 7:BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT TO MWEKA HUT

Elevation – 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
Trekking – 7 to 8 hours ascent / 4 to 6 hours descent
Distance – 5km ascent / 12km descent
Zone – Arctic

You start the ascent by torchlight at about midnight so that you 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 (18,800 feet), in about five or six hours. You will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. If you are still feeling strong, you can make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (19,345 feet), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast from the summit as you now descend continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, you enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

DAY 8:MWEKA CAMP TO MOSHI

Elevation – 10,000ft to 5,400ft
Trekking – 3 to 4 hours
Distance – 10km
Zone – Rain forest

After breakfast, continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, a private vehicle transfers you back to the hotel in Moshi.