Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro
Lemosho 7 Days Route
Overview
The 7 Days Lemosho Route offers highly scenic journey to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, providing one of the best acclimatization profiles on the mountain. Known for its breathtaking landscapes and lesser crowds, the Lemosho Route is perfect for trekkers seeking a more remote and immersive experience on Africa's highest peak. Beginning on the western side of Kilimanjaro, the route takes you through dense rainforests, across the majestic Shira Plateau, and up to the dramatic Barranco Wall. The itinerary allows for a more gradual ascent, increasing your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak while enjoying diverse ecosystems and stunning vistas along the way. The extra time on the mountain also means better acclimatization, which is key to a successful summit attempt. This package is ideal for those looking to fully immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Kilimanjaro, with the added advantage of a more leisurely pace that enhances both the enjoyment and safety of the climb. With expert guides, well-trained porters, and comfortable camping arrangements, the 7 Days Lemosho Route promises an unforgettable adventure to the roof of Africa.
Map Route
Itinerary
Day 0
Arrive in Tanzania
- You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Arusha town (40 km / 24.9 mi, 30 minutes).
- You will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
Day 1
Arusha to Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp
- Elevation: 2100m to 2750m / 6890ft to 9022
- Distance: 6 km / 3.7 mi
- Hiking Time: 3 hours
- Habitat: Rainforest
After eating breakfast at your hotel, your guide will brief you on the day. You will drive two hours from Arusha (1400 m / 4593 ft) to Londorossi Park Gate (2100 m / 6890 ft). In the village near Londorossi Gate, you will receive a packed lunch and can buy mineral water for the hike. Then the final 45 minutes of the drive leading up to the gate will be on a bumpy forest track requiring 4WD vehicles. At the entrance gate, the guides and porters distribute the supplies and register with the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA). You are now ready to begin your 3-hour hike into the rain forest. Be on the look out for Colobus monkeys! Along the way, you will stop for an afternoon lunch break and arrive at Mti Mkubwa ("Big Tree") Campsite in the early evening. The porters, who arrive at the campsite before the clients, will set up your tent and boil water for drinking and washing. The chef will prepare a snack then dinner for the clients. At nighttime, mountain temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared!
Day 2
Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 2 Camp
- Elevation: 2750m to 3505m / 9022ft to 11.499ft
- Distance: 18km / 11.2mi
- Hiking Time: 8-9 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
After an early morning breakfast, you will begin your ascent out of the rainforest and into the heather moorland zone. You will cross many streams and walk over a plateau that leads to Shira 2 Camp. At this campsite, you will be next to a stream and have a spectacular view of the Western Breach and its glaciers in the East. Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up prior to arriving at camp and the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this exposed camp.
Day 3
Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco camp
- Elevation: 3505m to 4630 to 3950m / 11499ft to 15.190ft to 12.959ft
- Distance: 10km / 6.2mi
- Hiking Time: 7 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
Following an early morning breakfast, you will leave the moorland environment and enter the semi desert and rocky landscape. After 5 hours of walking east, you will be come face to face with the Lava Tower. Packed lunches are served at the Tower and hikers have the option of climbing the massive Lava Tower weather permitting. At this point of the hike, it is normal for hikers to start feeling the effects from the altitude including headaches and shortness of breath.
After lunch, you will descend from Lava Tower to the Barranco Campsite . The descent gives hikers a huge advantage to allow their bodies to adjust to the conditions of high altitude. The descent to camp takes around 2 hours to reach. It is located in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall ("Breakfast Wall"). Drinking and washing water and dinner will be served as hikers view the sun setting.
Day 4
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
- Elevation: 3950m to 3995m / 12.959ft to 13.107ft
- Distance: 5km / 3.1mi
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert
After an early morning breakfast, it is now time to conquer the Great Barranco Wall! Although it may look intimating at first glance, hikers state that this Class 2 hike is usually much easier than they anticipated. At the top of the Wall, you will have a view of Heim Glacier and will be above the clouds. The trail then winds up and down in the Karanga Valley. This is an ideal hiking day for acclimatization.
Day 5
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
- Elevation: 3995m to 4600m / 13.107ft to 15.092ft
- Distance: 4km / 2.5mi
- Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert
Following breakfast, you will leave Karanga Camp. The trail intersects with the Mweka Route, which is the trail used to descend on the final two days. As you continue hiking for an hour, you will reach Barafu Hut. This is the last water stop for the porters because there is no accessible water at Barafu Camp. The word "barafu" in Swahili means "ice" and this camp is located on a rocky, exposed ridge. Tents will be exposed to wind and rocks so it is important for hikers to familiarize themselves with the campsite before dark. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!
Day 6
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
- Elevation: 4600m to 5895m to 3100m / 15.092ft to 19.341ft to 10.171ft
- Distance: 7km / 4.3mi ascent and 23km /14.3mi descent
- Hiking Time: 8 hours to Uhuru Peak and 7-8 hours to descend to Mweka Camp
- Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Your guide will wake you around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The route heads northwest and you will ascend over stone scree. During the ascent, many hikers feel that this is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the climb. In about 6 hours, you will reach Stella Point (5685 m / 18652 ft), located on the crater rim. After enjoying the magnificent sunrise, you will continue ascending for about 2 hours on a snow-covered trail to Uhuru Peak. Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins.
The hike down to Barafu Camp takes about 3 hours. At camp, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Mweka Hut . The Mweka Trail will lead you through the scree and rocks to the moorland and eventually into the rain forest. Mweka camp is located in the upper rain forest, so fog and rain should be expected. You will have a dinner, wash, and rest soundly at camp.
Day 7
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to hotel in Arusha
- Elevation: 3100m to 1980m / 10.171ft to 6496ft
- Distance: 15km / 9.3mi
- Hiking Time: 3 hours
- Habitat: Rainforest
Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Stella Point receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates. You will be served a hot lunch then you will drive back to Arusha for long overdue showers and more celebrations.
Day 8
Departure
- If your time in Africa ends today our transfer team will drive you back to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your departure. If you have booked with us a safari or a few days to dissolve into the pristine sandy beaches and tropical waters of Zanzibar, we will be there to help you comfortably transition from your climb into your next Tanzanian adventure.
Ready for Your Adventure?
What you get
Included
- Your hotel stay - 1 night before and after the climb.
- Airport transfers.
- All necessary permits and fees for climbing Kilimanjaro.
- Rescue Fees for any potential rescue operations during the climb.
- Fresh meals and drinking water throughout the climb.
- Professional Mountain Guide.
- Porters to carry your gear and supplies.
- Comfortable two-room mountain tents for accommodation.
- Foam sleeping mattresses for each climber.
- Transportation to and from the mountain.
Excluded
- Sleeping bags and climbing gear (clothing, shoes, walking poles, headlamp, gloves, and other climbing essentials).
- Tips for the guides, driver and crew.
- Personal Expenses such as beverages, laundry, and other personal costs.
- Telephone, Faxes, Telexes, data or other communication services.
- Travel Insurance (you must be insured specifically for treks above 4500m)
- Flights to and from Tanzania.
- Visas or any other travel documentation.
- Snacks on the mountain.
- Your personal medicine.
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