Lemosho Route

Spectacular western approach crossing the Shira Plateau with scenic views of the vivid Shira Cathedral.
– Offers good acclimatization even though it starts at a higher altitude than other routes.
– Connects with the Machame route after Day 2.

DETAILED ITINERARY:
DAY 1: LONDOROSSI GATE to MTI MKUBWA
Elevation (m): 2360m to 2895m,
Distance: 6 km,
Time: 3-4 hours,
Habitat: Montane forest
A 4WD tour vehicle transfer to Londorossi Park Gate for registration. Our porters will prepare and assist packing your supplies and luggage before embarking to ascend along the forest trail to Mti Mkubwa (big trees) campsite at 2895m for an overnight stay.

 
DAY 2: MTI MKUBWA TO SHIRA 2
Elevation (m): 2895m to 3800m,
Distance: 15 km,
Time: 8-9hours,
Habitat: Moorland
The journey continues to the eastwards across the Shira Plateau with spectacular view of Shira Cathedral. Then trek cross the moorland meadow to reach Shira 2 camp for dinner and an overnight camping at 3800m. At this point one is able to see the stunning glaciers of Western Breach which is night colder than the previous night with temperatures possibly falling slightly below zero.


DAY 3: SHIRA 2 (LAVA TOWER) TO BARRANCO CAMP
Elevation (m): 3800m to 4600m to 3950m,
Distance: 12 km,
Time: 8 hours,
Habitat: Semi desert.
This is a day to ascend up to 4600m to the base of the Lava Tower for lunch and acclimatization. This is one of the challenging days so far and one may feel the altitude. After lunch trekkers descend by almost 650m to Barranco camp, following “walk high, sleep low” golden rule of acclimatization. The descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers a great opportunity to photograph the gripping Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall
 
DAY 4: BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP
Elevation (m): 3950m to 3930m,
Distance: 7 km,
Time: 4 hours,
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
This is a short fun day starting with trekking to the top of the Great Barranco Wall. Then traverse over to the Karanga Valley (3930m) beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers for an overnight stay.


DAY 5: KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP
Elevation (m): 3930m to 4600m,
Distance: 6km,
Time: 3 hours,
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After leaving Karanga campsite behind to the junction connecting with Mweka descent trail and which heads to the Barafu Hut. One will have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the scenic summit from different angles. While at the camp after one is assured of some rest, whilst enjoying a nice dinner in preparation for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are clearly seen from this position.

DAY 6: BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT TO MWEKA HUT
Elevation (m): 4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m),
Distance: 7km ascent / 23km descent,
Time: 6-8 hours ascent /7-8 hours descent,
Habitat: Stone screed, ice-capped summit.
Trekkers are a woken at 23:30 with a light meal tea and biscuits ready for the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers through heavy screed up to Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek. At Stella Point (5732m) the voyage rests and hopefully be in time to witness the magnificent sunrise (weather permitting). It is only an hour away from the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro. From the summit, one descends down to the Mweka Hut camp site, via Barafu for lunch. Trekking poles will be needed for the loose screed going down to Mweka Camp (3100m). Later in the evening, one enjoys last dinner on the mountain and a well-deserved sleep.

DAY 7: MWEKA CAMP TO MWEKA GATE
Elevation (m): 3100m to 1800m,
Distance: 10 km,
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours,
Habitat: Forest
This is the final day on the trek, departing after breakfast to descend 1300m to the Mweka Park Gate to collect a memorable summit certificates to record ones effort. Transfer back to hotel.

This is one of our highly recommended routes, not only for its beautiful scenery but also the high summit success due to the longer and steadier walk which is ideal for acclimatization. The first two days of the route have low traffic and are quite unexploited, however, thereafter it connect with the Machame route to the summit. Starting from Londorossi Gate, the first two days are spent trekking through rainforest, where you may see wild game. It then traverses up to Shira Ridge, Kilimanjaro’s third summit. From here one will ascend and cross the expansive Shira Plateau with incredible view of Shira Cathedral. The descent is via the Mweka Route. The minimum time taken for the Lemosho route is 7 days, but again an extra day to acclimatize is recommended to improve the chances of summiting.