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MOUNT KILIMANJARO LEMOSHO ROUTE

There are six established routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro – Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Shira, Rongai and Umbwe. The Marangu, Machame and Umbwe routes all approach from the south side of the mountain. The Lemosho and Shira routes approach from the west. The Ronga route approaches from the north near Kenya. Except for Marangu and Rongai, all routes descend through Mweka.

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho  route

As a newer route, it is more remote and arguably more beautiful, but a bit longer and more expensive. It starts at the Londorossi gate on the west side of the mountain, further from the city, and was introduced as an alternative to the Shira route.

After beautiful forests and moors, on Day 3 you cross the Shira Plateau to join the Machame Route at the Lava Tower and then down the South Circuit to the Barranco Valley. You may be lucky enough to see buffalo, elephant and other game. Since this route can be done over a longer period of time for acclimatization, the summit success rate is higher.

Duration: 7 or 8 days
Difficulty: Medium
Scenery: Excellent
Traffic: High

Upon arrival, you will be met at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to Panama garden hotel 4 stars B&B for one night. Your guide will meet you for your orientation, equipment check, and arrange for you to rent any equipment you may need.

DAY 1: LONDROSSI GATE – MTI MKUBWA CAMP: 4.8km /3mi | 3-4 hrs | Rainforest

Elevation: 2389m/7838ft to 2785m/9137ft
Altitude gained: 396m

Departing from Moshi a 3 hours drive will take you through welcoming mountainside villages to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.

DAY 2: MTI MKUBWA CAMP – SHIRA I CAMP: 7.9km/5mi | 4-6hrs | Moorland

Elevation: 2785m/9137ft to 3504m/11,496ft
Altitude gained: 719m

After a good nights sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, we leave the forest behind now, the trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. Temperatures begin to drop.

DAY 3: SHIRA I CAMP –SHIRA HUT: 6.9km/4.3mi | 5-7hrs | Moorland

Elevation: 3504m/11,496ft to 3895m/12,779ft
Altitude gained: 391m

We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little-used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

DAY 4: SHIRA HUT – LAVA TOWER – BARRANCO CAMP: 10.1km/6.3mi | 4-6hrs | Semi Desert

Elevation: 3895m/12,779ft to 3986m/13,077ft
Altitude gained: 91m

Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo peak before we then continue, South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev. 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to a second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier. We then continue to descend to overnight at Barranco Camp.

DAY 5: BARRANCO CAMP – KARANGA CAMP: 5.2km/3mi | 4-5hrs | Alpine Desert

Elevation: 3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft
Altitude gained: 48m

After breakfast, we continue on a steep ridge up to the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction, which connects, with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see the power, agility, and strength of your crew zip over this wall with what appears such ease. Overnight at Karanga Camp.

DAY 6: HIKE KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP: 3.3km /2 mi | 4-5hrs | Alpine Desert

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Elevation: 4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft
Altitude gained: 628m

We continue up toward Barafu Camp, and once reached you have now completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. An early dinner and rest as we prepare for summit night. Overnight at Barafu Camp.

DAY 7: BARAFU CAMP – SUMMIT: 4.86km /3mi up | 5-7hrs | – MWEKA CAMP: 11.5km /7.2mi down | 5-6hrs | Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit

Elevation: 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft
Altitude gained: 1233m
Descent to 3106m/10,190ft
Altitude lost: 2789m

Excitement is building as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

We continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers trying to stay warm and focused on the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here on your remaining 1 hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way.

Congratulations, one step at a time you have now reached Uhuru Peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa!

After photos, celebrations and maybe a few tears of joy we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. We begin our steep descent down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a very brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for uncooperative loose gravel and volcano ash terrain. Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Overnight Mweka Camp.

DAY 8: MWEKA CAMP – MWEKA GATE – MOSHI: 9.1km/6mi |3-4hrs | Rainforest

Elevation: 3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft
Altitude lost: 1473m

After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles.

From the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!

Overnight Panama Gurden Hotel B&B. before being transferred to your journey home, safari or a relaxing trip to Zanzibar.