Lemosho Route 6 Days Climb – Mt. Kilimanjaro Trekking
Here is a detailed program for 6 Days Lemosho route – trekking Mount Kilimanjaro, also 8 days option is available.
Considered to be the most scenic of all the Kilimanjaro routes, Lemosho is a newer and less-travelled route. It’s perfect for somebody looking to get off the beaten track! The six-day route is for those who don’t have time to waste but who want to avoid the crowds you would find on Machame or Marangu.
After a 4-hour long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate you’ll find yourself on the western slope of Mt Kilimanjaro, from where the route will take you to the world-famous Shira Plateau. That’s where you’ll embark on your adventure through all the climate zones – from alpine meadows to eternal ice. The climb is smooth and gradual, featuring the highest success rate of all routes on Kilimanjaro. Featuring captivating scenic vistas, pristine wildlife, excellent acclimatization opportunities and low traffic of climbers, Lemosho route is one among our favorite route for reaching the roof of Africa.
Day 1 – MOSHI – LONDOROSSI GATE – MTI MKUBWA CAMP
- Elevation: 7800ft – 9500ft
- Distance: 6km
- Hiking time: 3 hrs
- Habitat: Rain Forest
We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at trailhead, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.
Day 2 – MTI MKUBWA CAMP – SHIRA 2 CAMP
- Elevation: 9500ft-12500ft
- Distance: 18km
- Hiking time: 8-10 hrs
- Habitat: Moorland
This is the longest day on hiking, from Mti Mkubwa it steeper then start gradual from Shira camp 1 to Shira camp 2.
Day 3 – SHIRA CAMP – LAVA TOWER – BARRANCO CAMP
- Elevation: 12500ft – 13000ft
- Distance: 10km
- Hiking time: 6-7 hrs
- Habitat: Semi Desert
After breakfast, you will hike east up a steepening path above the highest vegetation toward Kilimanjaro looming mass. After several hours, you walk through a rocky landscape to reach the prominent landmark called Lava Tower at 4,630 m/15,190 ft. This chunky remnant of Kilimanjaro earlier volcanic activity is several hundred feet high, and the trail passes right below it. For extra credit, the sure-footed can scramble to the top of the tower. After a lunch stop near Lava Tower, descend for 2 hours below the lower cliffs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall to Barranco Camp at 3,950 m/12,960 ft. There are numerous photo opportunities on this hike, especially if the walls are festooned with ice. Barranco Camp is in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Walls, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for your dinner. On this day, be careful to notice any signs of altitude sickness.
Day 4 – BARRANCO CAMP – BARAFU CAMP
- Elevation: 13000ft-15000ft
- Distance: 9km
- Hiking time : 8-9 hrs
- Habitat: Alpine desert
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.
Day 5 – BARAFU CAMP – UHURU PEAK – MWEKA CAMP
- Elevation: 15000ft-19345ft (And down to 10000ft)
- Distance: 5km ascent and 13 km descent
- Hiking time: 7-8 hrs ascent and 4-5 hrs descent
- Habitat: arctic
Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Day 6 – MWEKA CAMP – MOSHI
- Elevation: 10000ft-5400ft
- Distance: 10km
- Descent time: 3-4 hrs
- Habitat: Rain forest.
On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.
