Lemosho route

Lemosho route

Lemosho route is a remarkable trail loved by main climbers and regarded as the most scenic trail of mountain Kilimanjaro, Lemosho route is one of the newly opened routes used to climb mountain Kilimanjaro and preferred by many climbers due to its ideal low crowds, beautiful scenery and high summit success rate from former climbers. Lemosho route offers panoramic views of the various side of mountain Kilimanjaro while on your climb/trek, this route leads to the summit of mountain Kilimanjaro from the west side starting with a fairly long drive from Moshi city to Londorossi gate. From the gate two days of are spent trekking through rain forest trees leading to Shira Ridge, the route crosses through the beautiful Shira plateau from west to east and with a low crowd this route joins the Machame route near Lava tower . Lemosho route traverses underneath the Southern ice Field of Kilimanjaro on a path referred to as the southern circuit before summiting from Barafu, descending this route is done via Mweka route.

CLIMBING ON LEMOSHO ROUTE

Climbing on Lemosho route takes 8 days to the summit of mountain Kilimanjaro that is Uhuru peak, trekking on this route starts from Londorossi gate and ending at Mweka camp. Below is the detailed scheduled of climbing Mountain Kilimanjaro using Lemosho route day by day of the whole adventurous experience.

Day 01: trek from Londorossi gate to Mti Mkubwa

The first and beginning day of the climbing of mountain Kilimanjaro using Lemosho route is from Londorossi gate to Mti Mkubwa, these two points are lie on the elevation of 7,742 ft – 9,498 ft. The trek takes approximately 3-4 hours covering a distance of 6 kilometers through a rain forest.

Today is the beginning of your climbing of mountain Kilimanjaro, the trek starts with departing from Moshi to Londorossi gate which takes approximately 4 hours. At the gate you will complete all the necessary formalities and drive to Lemosho trail head, at the trail head you will begin your hiking/trekking the mountain through the rain forests leading you to the campsite where you will spend the night.

Day 02: trek from Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 camp

The 2nd day of climbing mountain Kilimanjaro using Lemosho route is for trekking from Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 camp, these two points lie in the altitude range of 9,498 ft – 11,500 ft and this trek takes duration of 5-6 hours covering a distance of 8 kilometers.

Today’s trek starts with a continuation on a trail leading out of rain forest to a savannah tall grass, heather and volcanic rock with lichen beards. Still on the trek you ascend through a rush of rolling hills, cross several steams heading to Shira Ridge before slopping down to Shira 1 camp. At this point you are rewarded with a glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.

Day 03: trek from Shira 1 camp to Moir hut

The 3rd day of climbing mountain Kilimanjaro using Lemosho route is a trek from Shira 1 camp to Moir hut, this trek takes you through two points that is Shira 1 camp to Moir hut is are at a distance of 11 kilometers a part and at the elevation range of 1, 1500 ft- 13,800 ft and takes you through heath vegetation.

This day’s trek is a full day exploration of the Shira plateau, Shira plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth and the trek is a gentle walk in the moorland meadows on the east towards Shira 2 camp. Then divert from the main trail to Moir hut which is a little used site situated on the base of Lent hills, at Lent hills there is a variety of walks you can participate in which makes it an excellent acclimatization.

Day 04: Trek from Moir hut to Lava tower and from Lava Tower to Burranco camp

The 4th day of climbing mountain Kilimanjaro using Lemosho route is a trek from Moir hut to Lava tower and from Lava tower to Burranco camp, today’s hike involves trekking between 2 set of two points. The first trek is from Moir hut to Lava tower which is a trek of 7 kilometers taking approximately 4-5 hours, this trail lies between the altitude range of 13,800ft to 15,190 feet and it takes you through Alpine desert. The second trek is from Lava tower to Barranco camp which takes approximately 2-3 hours, these two points are in a distance of 3 kilometers and lie in the altitude range of 15,190ft – 13,044ft taking through Alpine desert.

This day’s trek starts early in the morning with climbing up a ridge and head to southeast towards the lava Tower, Lava tower is a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. From this point you descend down to Burranco camp through from the beautiful forest  at the altitude of 13,000ft.

Day 05: Trek from Barranco camp to Karanga camp

The 5th day of your climbing mountain Kilimanjaro using Lemosho route is a trek from Burranco camp to Karanga camp, these two points of hike lie in the elevation range of 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft. The trek between these two points takes a duration of 4-5 hours covering a distance of 5 kilometers and today’s hike takes you through Alpine desert.

This day’s trek begins early in the morning with descending into the ravine to the base of the great Barranco wall, from this point you a 900 ft non-technical steep cliff and from the top of the Burranco wall the trek continues with crossing a series of hill and valleys until you descend into the sharp Karanga valley. This day is a shorter day of the trek and this day involves a steeper climb which leads to Karanga camp where you will have dinner and spend the night.

Day 06: Trek from Karangu camp to Barafu camp

The 6th day of climbing mountain Kilimanjaro using Lemosho route is a trek from Karanga camp to Barafu camp, these two points are in a distance of 4 kilometers apart taking approximately 4-5 hours of hike. Karangu camp to Barafu camp lies at the elevation range of 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft and this route takes the climber through Alpine desert.

On this day you will leave Karangu camp, hit the junction connecting with Mweka trail continuing to the rocky section of Barafu hut. At this point of your trek you have completed the southern circuit of climbing mountain Kilimanjaro and offers spectacular views of the summit from various angles, also at this point two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are very visible. At Barafu camp you will have early diner and sleep as you prepare for the next day’s trek.

Day 07: Trek from Barafu camp to Uhuru peak and from Uhuru peak to Mweka camp

The 7th day of climbing mountain Kilimanjaro using Lemosho route is considerably the most challenging day of the trek physically and mentally, on this day you climb from Barafu camp to Uhuru peak and from Uhuru peak to Mweka camp where you will spend the night. Barafu camp to Uhuru peak is a distance of 5 kilometers which is approximately 7-8 hours of hike and lies in the elevation range of 15,331ft to 19,341 ft. from Uhuru peak to Mweka is a distance of 12 kilometers taking about 4-6 hours of hike, the whole hike between the two points lies at the elevation range of 19,341ft – 10,065 ft. 

Today’s trek to the summit starts as early as midnight in the darkness of the morning, since this point is at high altitude coldness is extreme which requires you have warm clothes. During your trek you will take breaks of resting and refreshment, by sun rise you will be near Stella point at the elevation of 18,900 ft and at this point you will be rewarded by the most stunning view of the sun rise as it reflects all over Mawezi peak. You will continue your trek until your reach Uhuru peak which is the highest point of mountain Kilimanjaro and the highest point of Africa as the whole continent.

From the Uhuru peak you will descend the summit down to Mweka hut camp site, amidst your hike you will make a stopover at Barafu camp for lunch. from Barafu camp you trek to Mweka camp where you will spend the night, this trail is quite hard on your knees as a climber due to rocky terrain that is why you need trekking poles are very essential. Mweka camp is situated in the upper forest and because of its location mist and sometimes rainfall are expected in the late afternoon, at the camp you will have dinner and stay overnight.

Day 08: descend from Mweka camp to Mweka gate

The 8th and last day of climbing mountain Kilimanjaro on Lemosho route you descend from Mweka camp to Mweka gate, the two points from Mweka camp and Mweka camp lies in the elevation range of 10,065 ft – 5,380 ft and the process of descending takes approximately 3-4 hours covering a distance of approximately 10 kilometers.  On this beautiful last day of the adventurous climbing of mountain Kilimanjaro you will descend from Mweka camp where you spent the night through the rugged terrain dominated by rain forest trees to the lowest point, the lowest point to Mweka gate is at times wet and muddy.

At Mweka gate you will collect your summit certificates and from the gate you will embark on your one hour’s journey to Mweka village where you will meet your safari driver and transfer to your hotel in Moshi which marks the end of your adventure of climbing mountain Kilimanjaro.

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