9 days Kilimanjaro Climb – Lemosho Route

Lemosho Route, Kilimanjaro

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Duration

9 Days

Tour Type

Specific Tour

Group Size

15 people

Languages

English

Overview

Lemosho Route approaches Kilimanjaro from the West, just like Shira and newly established Northern Circuit Route. The start of the route is Londorossi Gate, which takes you on two days trek thru lush rainforest, followed by a range of rolling hills.

The rest of the trek is classic mountain scenery, with camps where we setup our tents. Lemosho is usually 7, 8 or 9 days trek, and it joins Machame Route when reached Barranco Camp. This is the most scenic of all the Kilimanjaro routes, and has the highest success rate.

Lemosho is meant for people that are able to trek difficult terrain, and to sleep in the small tents for several days, but also for those who wish to explore superb wilderness. Descend is at the Mweka gate.

Itinerary

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From your hotel we set out in vehicles to the starting point of our Kilimanjaro climb, the Lemosho trail. Here you meet the rest of your crew and set off at a leisurely pace into afro-montane forest. Lunch is taken on trail and camp is reached mid afternoon. Overnight Forest Camp (breakfast- lunch – dinner)

From the forested slopes of Lemosho you ascend through Podocarpus and Juniper forest and break out of the forest on to the heath zone and the Shira Plateau. Lunch is taken on trail and you arrive in camp mid afternoon. Overnight Shira 1 Camp (breakfast- lunch – dinner).

After a relatively long hike and significant altitude gain, today is a short day and you arrive in Shira 2 camp in time for lunch. A good day for acclimatisation with the option of an afternoon walk with your guides. Overnight Shira 2 Camp (breakfast- lunch – dinner).

Day 4: Shira Two Camp to Lava Tower Camp

The route to Lava Tower takes you out of the heath zone in to the alpine desert zone. Here relatively little flora or fauna can survive the extreme temperature ranges and conditions that typify this zone. A half day where lunch is taken in camp. In the afternoon, dependant on weather conditions, there is an option to scramble to the top of the nearby Lava Tower. Overnight Lava Tower Camp (breakfast- lunch – dinner)

After 2 half days you now have a relatively long day to Karanga camp. The selection of Karanga camp is strategic – significant time at altitude is essential for safe acclimatisation and in the late afternoon you arrive in camp. Sunsets here are particularly spectacular with views of the southern glacial valleys and ice fields towering 1000 meters (over 3000 feet) above you. Overnight Karanga Camp (breakfast- lunch – dinner)

Today is another half day ascending to Barafu camp. Once again lunch is taken in camp allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate alpine desert and at times strong winds rip over this camp and yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi volcano are the norm. Overnight Barafu Camp (breakfast- lunch – dinner)

Unlike other routes with a night time ascent, your hike selection affords you a day time ascent to Kibo crater. The going is slow but with constant encouragement from your climb team the rim of Kibo is reached before descending a little way into the caldera to Crater camp. The afternoon is spent relaxing and short walks can be taken with one of your guides. Overnight Crater Camp (breakfast- lunch – dinner).

After a night in the crater you now have the shortest final summit bid of any route. With such a short distance to the summit from the crater (around 1 hour) means that timing arrival with the sunrise is much easier and quite spectacular. The summit of Kilimanjaro is the top of the highest freestanding mountain in the world. After your summit bid you then descend for a final night on the mountain at Mweka Camp passing back through the heath zone. Endemic Proteas, pollinated by Malachite Sunbirds are plentiful. Overnight Mweka Camp (breakfast- lunch – dinner)

After breakfast, your 8 days northern circuit route clim on mount Kilimanjaro comes to an end as you descend straight to the gate, a trek of about 2-3 hours. On arrival at the exit gate you will be awarded Kilimanjaro climbing certificates, thereafter drive to Kindoroko Hotel in Moshi.