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8 Days
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7 Nights
Lemosho Route
Londorossi Gate, Londorosi Gate, Mti Mkubwa, Shira 1 Camp, Shira 2 Camp,Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp and 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 8% of trekkers
- Few crowd is expected
- Moderately challenging
- Accessible all year round
- High summit success rate
- most beautiful and scenic
- Fully catered camping only
- Starts from 2,100 m (6,889 ft)
- Requires a minimum of 10 days
- Covers a total of 70 kilometers
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.
The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: cozy rooms, hot shower, a restaurant with delicious choices, genial service team and access to the Internet. 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
Primeland Hotel in Moshi to Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa
Hiking time and Elevation:4 hours’ walking from Starting Point at 2,100 m to Mti Mkubwa Camp at 2,650 m.
Habitat: Rain Forest.
After an early breakfast, you will leave the Primeland Hotel in Moshi one hour later to arrive at the Londorosi Gate to acquire trekking permits, and in time to have your packed lunch around early afternoon. After having lunch, you will have a short drive to the start-point of today’s walk.
Today your walk will be a distance of 7 km/4 miles, with an expected 3.5 to 4 hours of walking time.Your starting altitude will be at 2,100 metres and you will finish at the first camp of the route: Mti Mkubwa Camp 2,650 metres. Your approach to the mountain using the Lemosho Route is from the western side that is highly considered to provide the best views of Kilimanjaro.
At the start of your walk, you may be lucky enough to spy some colobus or blue monkeys, though an encounter with buffalo or elephant – while possible – would be rare nowadays. Your walk, steadily upwards, is a wonderful experience, with fantastic forest and some really colourful flowers. When you reach the camp, your mountain support crew will take care of the necessities and prepare dinner.
Your trek continues to
From Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
Hiking time and Elevation: 4.5 – 5 hours’ walking, From Mti Mkubwa Camp at 2,650 M To Shira 1 Camp at 3,610 M.
Habitat: Moorland
You’ll soon get accustomed to the early 07:00hrs breakfast, with today’s departure set for 08:00 hrs. While the walking distance is only slightly longer than yesterday, the route takes you from 2,650 metres to the second high-altitude camp, Shira 1 Camp, at 3,610 metres.
Expect a longer trek, with a walking time of approximately 4.5 to 5 hours. Indeed, you will start climbing straightaway, to the top of a ridge as you head eastwards and upwards. Today, the trees of your first day thin out, you will eventually leave the forest environment behind as you move onto the moorland. From here, you are able to get your first view of both the Shira Plateau and mighty Kibo itself.
As always, you should maintain a steady pace to minimize any discomfort. Your direction is largely eastwards, with a picnic lunch served around 13:00 hrs. Climbing is steep at first following lunch, but then flattens and with the snow-topped Kibo ahead of you, you will descend slightly to the camp. Arriving at around 16.00hrs, there will be some welcome resting time before dinner, which will be served at 18.30hrs.
Your trek continues to
Hike from Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Hiking duration and time: 3.5 – 4 hours’ walking, from Shira 1 Camp at 3,610 m to Shira 2 Camp at 3,850 m.
Habitat: Moorland
Today you will potentially have less climbing to do than yesterday, so you celebrate (!) with a later breakfast, at the leisurely hour of 08.00 and a departure about one hour later. We say ‘potentially’ as your guide will explain that today you have the option of ascending Cathedral Peak – 3,872 metres, one of the highest points of the extinct Shira volcano.
Besides the captivating hiking experience, reaching the summit of Cathedral Peak on a clear day offers breathtaking views down into the valley. In our decade of experience arranging Kilimanjaro expeditions, the valley below resembling a lost world is among our favourite views. This is a straightforward hike with no technical challenges. Although the peak may be shrouded in clouds at times, there’s a stella providing an opportunity for a memorable photograph.
The standard walking distance you will cover today will be about 7 km/4 miles. It is a steady climb and you should expect about 3.5 to 4 hours of walk time in total. By this standard route, you intend to reach Shira 2 Camp at 3,850 metres by 13.00hrs, in time to be served a packed lunch. Dinner tonight will be at 18.00hrs.
Your trek continues to
Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
Hiking duration and time: 6.5 – 7 hours’ walking, from Shira 2 Camp at 3,850 m to Barranco Camp at 3,900 m.
Habitat: Moorland.
Today you are back to your early, 07.00hrs breakfast time, ready for 08.30hrs departure. You will have around 10 km/6 miles to cover, but although you will finish your day only 50 metres higher than you started it, in between you have to climb to the crucial point of the route: Lava Tower.
This section of the route has a lot of ascents and descents that end in a camp at 4,600 metres. 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, so this is where you will enjoy your cooked lunch.
Your trek continues to
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Hiking duration and time: 4-5 hours’ walking from Karanga Camp 3,995 m (13,106 ft) to Barafu Camp 4,673 m (15,331 ft).
Habitat : Alpine Desert.
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.
Then you will start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp at 3,995 metres, which features a lot of ascents and descents during the route, but don’t worry: your guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the party. After reaching the camp you will be offered warm lunch. Your overall altitude gain today will be only 95 meters.
Your trek continues to
Karanga Camp to Barafu 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.
Then you will start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp at 3,995 metres, which features a lot of ascents and descents during the route, but don’t worry: your guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the party. After reaching the camp you will be offered warm lunch. Your overall altitude gain today will be only 95 meters.
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.
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak, then to Millennium Camp
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 Millenium Camp (3,950 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
Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate – Back to Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel
The Millenium Camp is situated in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction of altitude and the satisfaction of reaching the summit.
After a warm breakfast, you will head for the park’s exit: Mweka Gate (1,640 m / 5,380 ft). After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates at Mweka Gate before transferring you back to the hotel in Moshi.
Your trek continues to
Departure
Trekking duration: 4-5 hours
Distance : : 12 km (7.4 miles)
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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