Lemosho Route

You’ll be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel/lodge in Arusha.

The Lemosho Route departs from the far West side of Mount Kilimanjaro. Getting to Londorosi Gate (2,100 meters) takes approximately 2hrs drive to the gate. At the gate you will register with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities before getting back into vehicles to be transported to the starting point which is a further 12km from Londorosi. During the wet season the track can be very inaccessible to vehicles, and you may need to walk the last few miles to the starting point. Most tour operators provide lunch at this point before starting the short trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters). Spotting large wildlife like elephant and buffalo is possible on this stretch of the mountain and you will likely be accompanied by an armed guide in case one of the big five gets too close for comfort! Dinner will be served when you reach Mti Mkubwa Camp.

After breakfast, your Day 2 trek begins again in the rainforest. The trail slowly steepens as it enters into the vast heather moorland zone. You then cross the Shira Ridge before dropping slightly into Shira Camp 1. Your camp sits near a small stream on the Shira Plateau, which is the sunken remains of the first volcano which filled in with lava from later eruptions.

Today after an early breakfast, you trek begins with a long, easy walk across Shira Plateau caldera. Your path eventually leads you to Shira Camp 2 which also sits near a stream that cuts through the moorland meadows. Here you will join trekkers from the Machame Route whilst enjoying stunning view across the valley below and Western Breach of Kilimanjaro above. The plateau is exposed so be prepared for a cold night with temperatures getting below zero.

On day three you will start trekking due east from the Shira Plateau, passing through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ which also features many giant lobelias. The landscape rapidly becomes desert-like as you approach Lava Tower and the Shark’s Tooth formation at 4,600 meters. You will have lunch at Lava Tower before joining the Southern Circuit trail (see map above) which descends to Baranco Camp 3,900 meters where you will spend the night at a very similar elevation as the night before. Climbing high and sleeping low is a good way to acclimatize the body to altitude. Note: some tour operators offer variations of this route via Moir Camp just north of Lava Tower, before joining the Southern Circuit.

On day four you will be presented with the relatively steep Baranco ‘Breakfast’ climb, a 257-meter scramble up the Baranco Wall. Be prepared to use all four limbs as you traverse the wall to the top of the Karanga Valley. From here you will follow a path that sojourns through many inclines and declines to Karanga Camp (3,960 meters). For those on an eight-day hike, this will be your camp for the night. Seven-day trekkers will stop here for a brief lunch before continuing through the barren desert landscape that leads to the Mweka trail and up to Barafu Camp (4,680 meters). At Barafu you will have an early dinner and then ‘hit the sack’ for some much-needed rest before your summit attempt which begins at midnight. Please make sure that you have organized all your gear for the summit. You will be awoken in the dark and searching for your headlamp or camera at this time is not a good way to start your summit attempt.

Day five starts at midnight with hot tea, biscuits and a long and zigzagging hike up the heavy scree that covers the steep slopes of Kibo. The going is slow and very tough. You will need to dig deep and ensure you maintain a consistent pace to push yourself up to the crater rim. After about 4-6 hours hiking you will reach Stella Point (5,739 meters) where you will have a chance to rest and watch dawn break across the Tanzanian landscape. It is a good idea to have some hot tea or hot chocolate at this point as you will need to muster the energy to continue for another 1-2 hours around and up the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters). Remember to keep your momentum moving forward, one step at a time. Over 60% of climbers stop at Stella Point but most can make it to the summit if they are able to find the metal strength to push through. Obviously if you are experiencing severe AMS symptoms you should descend immediately. Your time at Uhuru Peak will be brief. Take as many pictures as you can, savour your accomplishment and then start heading back to Stella Point. Many trekkers slide down the scree slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp, where you will have a chance to rest before continuing to Mweka Camp (3,100 meters). In total you will be trekking between 12-16 hours on day 5 so it is important that you pace yourself and remain hydrated.

The final day on the mountain is a short one, but nonetheless tiring as your body will be exhausted and your knees will likely be sore from the previous day’s descent. Go slowly and enjoy the wonderful rainforest scenery as you head towards Mweka Gate (1,640 meters). At the gate you will need to sign-out with the authorities and will also receive your certificate, either for Stella Point or for Uhuru Peak. It is customary to pay your tips to your trekking team before you depart back to your hotel.

Today you’ll be transferred back to the airport and catch your flight back home.