THE LEMOSHO ROUTE: is considered the most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro, granting panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. As one of the newer routes, Lemosho is a superb choice for your climb. It is our preferred route due to its ideal balance of low crowds, beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate. Most of our clients climb Kilimanjaro using this route and they consistently report that they loved it. The Lemosho route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. Crowds are low until the route joins the Machame route near Lava Tower. Then the route traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route. Thus, Lemosho is highly recommended.

Itinerary:-

Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport – Arusha:

Welcome to Tanzania. On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport you’ll meet your company arranged driver who will transfer you to Arusha city to Green Mountain Hotel for dinner and overnight. Our driver will display your name on Mupana Tours signboard. These procedures ensure that you are picked up by the correct driver, rather than by some of the airport taxi drivers who are looking for business. You’ll get a chance for Mountain trekking briefing/introduction before your dinner.

• Meals: Dinner and Overnight (HB)
• Guide: Professional English speaking guide.

DAY 01: Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp

Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft

After tasty breakfast (07.00) in your hotel, you leave from Arusha town to Londorossi Gate, where you’ll complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at trailhead in time to have your picnic lunch, and then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site. Elevation (ft) 7,800ft to 95,00ft (3-4 hours walking on 6km).

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch and Dinner (FB)
• Guide: Professional English speaking guide.

DAY 02: Forest Camp to Shira 1 Camp

Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft

After early breakfast, you’ll depart from forest camp to shira 1 camp. Keep moving out of the forest and into a Savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As you keep ascending through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, you’ll reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing. Elevation 9,500ft to 11,500ft while we have (5-6 walking hours in 8km).

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch and Dinner (FB)
• Guide: Professional English speaking guide.

DAY 03:  Shira 1 Camp to Moir Hut

Elevation: 11,500 ft to 13,800 ft, 

Crossing the Shira Plateau – one of the highest plateaus on Earth – is one of the most scenic parts of this trip during your 3-4 hour hike across moorland meadows to the lunch point. After lunch you ascend to Moir camp, arriving in the mid afternoon. If you have the energy, a hike in the late afternoon is possible in the surrounding Lent Hills, which makes this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Dinner and overnight relaxation at Moir Hut.

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch and Dinner (FB)
• Guide: Professional English speaking guide.

DAY 04: Moir Hut to Barranco Camp

Elevation:13,800 ft to 15,223 ft (Lava Tower), down to 13,044 ft,

From Moir you traverse the slopes of Kibo. Here relatively little flora or fauna can survive the extreme temperature ranges and conditions that typify this zone. Lunch is normally taken close to a volcanic rock formation known as the Lava Tower. If you feel very strong there is an optional ascent of the 300-foot-tall Lava Tower before descending down to Barranco camp in the afternoon, passing through the strange yet beautiful ‘Garden of the Senecios’ (giant groundsel) which also features many giant lobelias. The Barranco Valley is one of the prettiest areas of the entire trail. Dinner and overnight relaxation at Barranco Camp.

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch and Dinner (FB)
• Guide: Professional English speaking guide.

DAY 05: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp.

Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,123 ft

You now have a relatively short day to reach Karanga Camp, after conquering the intimidating Barranco Wall. Be prepared to use all four limbs as you traverse the wall to the top of the Karanga Valley. From here, follow a path that sojourns through many inclines and declines to Karanga Camp, arriving in the late afternoon. Our selection of Karanga Camp is strategic – significant time at altitude is essential for safe acclimatization. Sunsets here are particularly spectacular with views of the southern glacial valleys and ice fields towering over 3000 feet above you. Dinner and overnight relaxation at Karanga Camp.

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch and Dinner (FB)
• Guide: Professional English speaking guide.

DAY 06: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp.

Elevation: 13,123 ft to 12,467 ft

Today is another half day ascending to Barafu Camp. Once again lunch is taken in this high camp, allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate alpine desert and, at times, strong winds rip over this camp, yet in the evenings splendid views of Mawenzi peak are the norm. A relatively early dinner is taken before resting for the evening. Dinner and overnight relaxation at Barafu Camp.

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch and Dinner (FB)
• Guide: Professional English speaking guide.

DAY 07: Barafu Camp to the Summit (Uhuru Peak) to Mweka Camp.

Elevation:12,467 ft to 5,380 ft

Depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence is the name of game to reach the summit, and this is the coldest, windiest section of your adventure. Most likely by dawn, as the first rays of light start to appear across the Tanzanian landscape, you arrive near the rim at Stella Point, at an altitude of 18,652ft. Here, you are rewarded with the most glorious sunrise you are ever likely to see, appearing over Mawenzi Peak. Ascending via Stella Point affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa! Take as many pictures as you can! After a short celebration at the summit, begin the ebullient trek down. Go slowly and enjoy the wonderful rainforest scenery as you head towards Mweka Camp, arriving before dusk. With every step the air has more and more oxygen so although your legs will be jelly your heart will be light. Dinner and overnight relaxation at Barafu Camp.

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch and Dinner (FB)
• Guide: Professional English speaking guide.

DAY 08: Mweka Camp to Arusha.

After breakfast you descend once again through montane forest and at around midday, after saying farewell to your crew. Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. You’ll continue another hour to Mweka gate,

Our vehicles will be waiting at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to Arusha City to your hotel for hot shower. It is time for celebration!