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7 Days
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6 Nights
Machame Route
Machame Gate, Machame Camp,Shira Cave Camp,Love Tower, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp,Barafu Camp, Mweka Gate
Tour Overview
Starting on the western slope of Kilimanjaro, the Lemosho route is available in three itineraries: six, seven, and eight days on the mountain. It’s a classic trail that has gained significant popularity in recent years – and deservedly so. It offers stunning views, an excellent acclimatization strategy, and some of the highest summit success rates among all routes.
One of Lemosho’s many highlights is Cathedral Peak, one of the highest points of the Shira Volcano at 3,872 m (12,703 ft). You’ll have the opportunity to take an acclimatization hike to Cathedral Peak and take in some of Kilimanjaro’s finest views. Another defining feature of the Lemosho route is the presence of enormous, otherworldly Dendrosenecio kilimanjari plants, which are found only on Mount Kilimanjaro.
The seven-day Lemosho itinerary begins at 3,414 m (11,200 ft), allowing for more time at altitude while requiring only short hikes during the first two days. This approach greatly enhances acclimatization and contributes to the highest summit success rates on Kilimanjaro.
Important Highlights
- Affordable
- Attracts 45% of trekkers
- Crowded in high season
- Moderately challenging
- Accessible all year round
- High summit success rate
- most beautiful and scenic
- Fully catered camping only
- Starts at 1,604 m
- Requires a minimum of 9 days
- Covers a total of 70 kilometers
- High guide to client ratio
Full Itinerary
Discover a Unique Difference
Arrival
Pick-up at the airport and drop-off at Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and completion of customs and immigration procedures, a member of our Airport Pick-up Service Team (APST) will be waiting to welcome you in the arrivals lounge with a warm greeting. First, they’ll take care of a few formalities to ensure a smooth transition.
Once everything is in its rightful place, you’ll be transferred to the hotel under the rate. Your briefing, in the course of which your guides will provide all the details of the forthcoming trek, takes place at the appointed time. They will answer your questions and make sure you are properly equipped for the trek, providing rental gear when necessary.
Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel
Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel is one of the first truly 4-stars boutique hotels in Moshi which provide great ambience and facilities. Located 4km from the Town of Moshi, 45 km away from Kilimanjaro National Park, 40km away from the Kilimanjaro International Airport. This hotel is ideally located for adventurers and business travelers alike.
Popular Facilities & Amenities
Drive to Londorossi Gate
Moshi to Machame Gate – Hike to Machame Camp
Hiking time and Elevation: 4.5 – 5 hours’ walking, from Machame Gate at 1,800 m to Machame Camp at 2,835 m.
Your personal guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning to meet you and hold a quick briefing session, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park’s entrance: Machame Gate. The first task for you will be to complete the registration formalities, before you start your trek.
You will also enjoy the introduction to your mountain team: assistant guides, porters and everyone else who will accompany you as you begin your trek.Today’s hike is a bit long: practically, you will gain around 1,035 metres of altitude over a distance of just under 11 km and can expect to be walking for between 4.5 and 5 hours.The beginning of the walk today is characterized by a wide track that winds its way up through dense forest, beautiful tall trees laden with green moss.
As the route becomes steeper and narrower, so the vegetation changes and the appearance of flowers such as impatiens kilimanjari and impatiens pseudoviola introduce some bright colors to the scenery. You will also be able to get your first glimpse of Kibo peak, away to the east. The birdlife around the camp is surprisingly rich, so look out for species such as olive thrush and stonechat. You hope to reach camp at around 17.00hrs, giving you a couple of hours of welcome rest before dinner is served.
Your trek continues to
Machame Camp to Shira Cave Camp
Hiking time and Elevation:6 hours’ walking, from Machame Camp at 2,835 m to Shira Camp at 3,750 m
You will begin your day with breakfast at the camp before you start trekking up to the second high-altitude camp, Shira Camp. On this day you will emerge from the rainforest and for the first time be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau laid out in front of you.
Technically speaking, trekking is not very difficult, but you may feel the changes in altitude, so pay attention to your body and remember that choosing the proper pace is extremely important for good trekking. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch and some rest, after which the group will go on an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp with a 400 m /1,312 f gain in altitude. Back down at Shira Camp, you will be served a hot dinner.
Your trek continues to
Shira Camp to the Lava Tower and descent to Barranco Camp
Hiking duration and time: 3.5 – 4 hours’ walking, from Shira 2 Camp at 3,610 m to Barranco Camp at 3,850 m.
Following breakfast, you will leave Shira Camp and start your way to the key point of the route: Lava Tower (4,600 m /15,088 f). This section of the route has a lot of ascents and descents that end in a camp at over 4,600 m /15,088 f.
Portions of the trek may be difficult, and it is common to experience some discomfort, but in order to successfully acclimate to the altitude you have to spend at least 1–2 hours here. For this reason, our groups enjoy lunch at the top of Lava Tower.
After lunch, you will descend to Barranco Camp. Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness! Next day you will be climbing it, but don’t worry: it features a very simple hiking trail is not intimidating at all.
Your trek continues to
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Hiking duration and time: 3.5 – 4 hours’ walking, from Barranco Camp at 3,900 m to Karanga Camp at 3,995 m
This day you will wake up early and enjoy a warm and hearty breakfast at the same time as yesterday before starting to climb Barranco Wall. We recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid crowds of the other groups, which can slow you down.
Hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. After the climb, you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano.This day you will wake up early and enjoy a warm and hearty breakfast at the same time as yesterday before starting to climb Barranco Wall.
We recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid crowds of the other groups, which can slow you down. Hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. After the climb, you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano.
Your trek continues to
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Hiking duration and time: 3.5 – 4 hours’ walking, from Karanga Camp at 3,995 m to Barafu Camp at 4,673 m
Another short day -in terms of distance – begins with your breakfast at the camp at 07.30hrs and another 08.30hrs departure. Today you will ascend about 670 metres in a distance of around 5 km/3 miles and walking time once again is between 3.5 and 4 hours.
You will be aiming to arrive at the Barafu Camp at 4,673 metres by 13.00hrs, when you will be rewarded with a cooked lunch. (With tomorrow being the summit day, it will be important to relax and prepare for the hard work ahead.) Dinner tonight is served at 17.30hrs, giving you time to get to bed early. After leaving Karanga, today’s stage climbs steadily, passing through barren, rocky landscape, with the Decken and Kersten glaciers visible away to your left.
At the top of the climb, the landscape remains bleak as you descend into a valley and you get your first sight of another glacier, Rebmann. At the end of this valley is today’s goal, the Barafu Summit Camp, at which you arrive after a short, steep scramble and a walk.
Your trek continues to
Summit Day
Hiking duration and time: 11-14 hours’ walking, from 4,673 m at Barafu Camp to the summit at 5,895 m, then down to 3,100 m at Mweka Camp.
Habitat: Arctic.
Today, as you may have already guessed, is the most demanding day of the climb – both physically and mentally. But with the challenge comes the great sense of achievement of reaching your goal – the summit of Kilimanjaro! Your schedule for ‘Summit Day’ is unlike any other on the mountain. You’ll rise at 23:00, have a light snack of tea and biscuits at 23:30, and set off at midnight for the final push to the top.
The day starts with the long, tough climb from Barafu at 4,673 metres to Stella Point at 5,756 metres; for some of this you will be walking on scree, making your trek more difficult. From Stella Point, there is still another 139 metres of ascent and 45 minutes’ walk to the summit. Your goal is to reach the summit by around 07.00hrs then celebrate reaching the Uhuru Peak, take some incredible photos and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak – the top of Mount Kilimanjaro and the final point of the climb on the Lemosho Route, you can descend to the nearest glacier, if desired. Then you will return to Barafu Camp for a 2-hour rest before continuing your descent to Mweka Camp (3,100 m / 12,959 ft).
PLEASE NOTE: Nearly 90% of all accidents occur during descent, often resulting in injuries such as broken arms and legs. Be mindful of your footing, as there is a significant risk of damaging your toenails.
Habitat: : Rain Forest.
Your trek continues to
From Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, then back to Primeland Hotel
Hiking duration and time: 3 hours’ walking, from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, descending from 3,100 m to 1,640 m.
Still thrilled by your achievement, breakfast is taken at 07.00hrs and at 08.00hrs you can take the chance to reward your trekking team at the ‘Tipping Celebration.’
Although you will still have 10 km/6 miles to walk, departure is at a leisurely 09.00hrs and you will descend down to the Mweka Gate which sits at an altitude of 1,640 metres.
There, you will be served a cooked lunch at midday and be presented with your hard-earned certificate. Your driver will be waiting to bring you back to Chanya Lodge, where you can choose to relax – or, if you have any energy left, to celebrate!
Your trek continues to
Departure
Moshi to Kilimanjaro Int’l Airport
After a good night’s rest at Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel in Moshi, you will take breakfast ready for the scheduled check-out by 10.00hrs. In case you need a late check-out because of an evening flight, there is the option to extend your hotel stay for an extra fee.
After enjoying your breakfast at the hotel, one of our APST drivers will personally escort you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight, unless, of course, you’re continuing your adventure with us on safari!
Transfer to Kilimanjaro Int’l Airport
End of Your Trek
Price Starts From
INCLUDES
- Transfers
- Pickup from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Primeland Hotel in Moshi
- Transfer from Primeland Hotel to the trailhead for your trekking adventure
- Return transfer from the trail’s exit point (Mweka Gate) back to Primeland Hotel
- Final transfer from Primeland Hotel to Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Hotel before and after the Trek
You’ll spend one night at the 4-star Primeland Hotel both before your climb and the night after your descent.
Note: Rooms are shared with a travel partner or a same-sex solo traveler. If you require a single room, please request a single supplement in advance, as availability is limited. Additional charges apply for extra nights in the event of an early descent. Our guides will provide a briefing at the hotel prior to the climb, and you will be picked up from there to commence your Kilimanjaro expedition.
- Camping Equipment
- Professional Mountain Crew
- Qualified English-speaking guides
- Mountain porters
- Experienced mountain chef
- Mount Kilimanjaro National Park entry fee
- Kilimanjaro National Park permits, camping / hut fees
- All fresh and nutritious meals on the mountain
- Rescue fees
- Purified drinking water
- High quality four seasons, sleeping tent – double occupancy
- Sleeping mat
- Medical equipment (pulse oximeter and emergency oxygen tank)
- Arrangement of any rental equipment
- Climb certificate
You will receive a Kilimanjaro certificate if you reach any of the three Kilimanjaro summits i.e., Gilman’s Point, Stella Point or Uhuru Peak.
EXCLUDES
- Traveler’s Insurance
It is highly recommended to purchase traveler’s insurance for your Kilimanjaro adventure, as it provides protection against unforeseen circumstances. Your insurance policy should cover the following categories:
- Delayed, cancelled or interrupted flights and other delays
- Overseas medical expenses
- Emergency rescues
- Lost or damaged luggage
A travel Insurance for hiking up to an elevation of 6,000 meters is an important requirement.
- International flights
- Meals at the hotel
- Tanzania Visa
It costs $100 per person for US citizens and $50 for all other Nationalities. You can visit Tanzania’s ambassador office in your country or visit www.eservices.immigtation.go.tz to apply online.
- Your Personal Gear
- Mostly your outfit (cloths for climbing)
- If you wish to rent some or all of your gear, please note that these expenses are not included in your package price, and additional charges will apply.
- Gratuities for the Trekking Crew
Tipping on Mount Kilimanjaro is a vital gesture of appreciation for the services provided by the crew. We recommend an amount of $250 to $300 per person, to be shared among the entire team. You are welcome to adjust this amount based on your satisfaction with the service.
- Personal & Medical Items
- Your international Flights
- Any changes done by you during safari
- Laundry services at your booked hotel
- Single supplement
- Personal gear rentals
Opting for a Private Trek?
Private tour packages include shared airport transfers for your group, with additional charges for individual transfers. To avoid extra costs, we recommend coordinating your group’s arrival and departure times. Our team is always available to assist with any questions you may have. Get in touch with us to plan your Kilimanjaro trek.
PLEASE NOTE: Check-in starts at 2:00 PM
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