Climb Mount Kilimanjaro 7 Days Lemosho Route Hike

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Climb Mount Kilimanjaro 7 Days Lemosho Route Hike; This guided trek to the summit of Kilimanjaro follows the Lemosho Route, widely considered as the best hiking trail on the mountain.

Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. People from all over the globe come to Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro, hoping to stand proudly at Uhuru Point – 19,341 feet high.

One of the main advantages of hiking along the Lemosho Route is the higher success rate in reaching the summit because the route is one of the longest which allows for more time to acclimatize.

In addition to maximizing your chances of standing on the Roof of Africa, the relatively new Lemosho Route is also one of the most beautiful and remote routes. Owing to the remoteness of this scenic route you will encounter less foot traffic along much of your hike.

This 7-day  Kilimanjaro’s Lemosho Route begins with a transfer from Arusha/ Moshi to Londorossi Gate at 2250m above sea level. This can take three to four hours. Londorossi Gate is located at the western base of the mountain.

Arriving at the gate you are registered by the National Park authorities. Then we continue along a bumpy track for 15km, heading into the dense rainforest where the starting point of the Lemosho Route is located.

The Lemosho Route starts below the Shira Route from the west side of Mount Kilimanjaro, allowing trekkers to more easily acclimatize before it crosses the Shira Plateau and then joins up with the Machame Route and then ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest summit on Kilimanjaro. After the summit, the descent follows the Mweka trail.

Starting much lower than Shira, climbers can gradually increase altitude and greatly reduce their chances of experiencing altitude-related symptoms from the start. Although Lemosho is becoming more popular due to its very high success rate, it still has slightly less foot traffic than other routes.

It eventually meets up with the Shira Route at Shira Camp 2.  Unlike the huts of the Marangu Route, you will sleep in tents, which will be transported by your porters.  Meals are served in a dinner tent or on a blanket outside (weather permitting). If you wish to add an extra day, it is best spent exploring around the Barranco Camp, where you will spend the 2nd night. 

This allows for more effective acclimatization and results in a higher success rate. The Lemosho route is approximately 70 km/ 42 miles from gate to gate.

Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro Londorossi Gate (1830 Meters/ 6000 Feet) Hike to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2650 Meters/ 8700 Feet)
Day 2 : Hike Mti Mkubwa Camp (2650 Meters/ 8700 Feet) Hike to Shira 2 Camp (3850 Meters/ 12,600 Feet)
Day 3 : Hike Shira 2 Camp (3850 Meters/ 12,600 Feet) Hike to Barranco Camp (4000 Meters/ 13,000 Feet)
Day 4 : Hike Barranco Camp (4000 Meters/ 13,000 Feet) Hike to Karanga Camp (4050 Meters/ 13,250 Feet)
Day 5 : Hike Karanga Camp (4050 Meters/ 13,250 Feet) Hike to Barafu Camp (4700 Meters/ 15,350 Feet)
Day 6 : Hike Barafu Camp (4700 Meters/ 15,350 Feet) to Summit, down to Mweka Camp (5895 Meters/ 19,340 Feet)
Day 7: Hike Mweka Camp (5895 Meters/ 19,340 Feet) Hike to Mweka Gate (1680 Meters/ 5500 Feet), Drive to Moshi/ Arusha

Day 1 : Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Londorossi Gate (1830 Meters/ 6000 Feet) Hike to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2650 Meters/ 8700 Feet)

After breakfast and briefing, you will be collected from the lodge and taken (about a 3-hour drive) to Londorossi Gate at 2250m above sea level. Arriving at the gate you are registered by the National Park authorities. Then we continue along a bumpy track for 15km, heading into the dense rainforest where the starting point of the Lemosho Route is located.

After lunch, we follow a moderately steep track through an amazing, unspoilt natural forest. We walk for about two and a half hours before reaching our first overnight stop on the trek up Kilimanjaro, the Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite at 2800m. Birds and wild animals, such as colobus monkeys, are often spotted here, so keep your eyes open.

Our hiking distance today will be 6 Kilometers/ 4 Miles. Hiking time will be 2 to 3 hours through Montane Forest.

Overnight at Mti Mkubwa Camp
Meal Plan: {Lunch & Dinner}

Day 2: Hike Mti Mkubwa Camp (2650 Meters/ 8700 Feet) Hike to Shira 2 Camp (3850 Meters/ 12,600 Feet)

After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone.

After several streams are crossed we continue over the Shira Ridge past the Shira 1 camp and on to the Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream.

Our hiking distance today will be 16 Kilometers/ 10 Miles. Hiking time will be 7 to 8 hours through Moorland.

Overnight at Shira 2 Camp
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 3: Hike Shira 2 Camp (3850 Meters/ 12,600 Feet) Hike to Barranco Camp (4000 Meters/ 13,000 Feet)

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (4650 meters/ 15,250 Feet).

Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Our hiking distance today will be 8 Kilometers/ 5 Miles. Hiking time will be 5 to 6 hours through Semi-desert.

Overnight at Barranco Camp
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 4: Hike Barranco Camp (4000 Meters/ 13,000 Feet) Hike to Karanga Camp (4050 Meters/ 13,250 Feet)

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

Our hiking distance today will be 5 Kilometers/ 3 Miles. Hiking time will be 3 to 4 hours through Alpine Desert.

Overnight at Karanga Valley Camp
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 5: Hike Karanga Camp (4050 Meters/ 13,250 Feet) Hike to Barafu Camp (4700 Meters/ 15,350 Feet)

We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.

Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. Our hiking distance today will be 4 Kilometers/ 2 Miles. Hiking time will be 3 to 4 hours through Alpine Desert.

Overnight at Barafu Camp
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 6 : Hike Barafu Camp (4700 Meters/ 15,350 Feet) to Summit, down to Mweka Camp (5895 Meters/ 19,340 Feet)

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim.

This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see.

Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1 hour ascent to the summit.

Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa! From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch.

You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain. Hiking up distance today will be 5 Kilometers/ 3 Miles.

Hiking time will be 5 to 7 hours through Stone scree and the ice-capped summit. Hiking down distance today will be 13 Kilometers/ 8 Miles.

Hiking time will be 5 to 6 hours through Stone scree and the ice-capped summit.

Overnight at Mweka Camp
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 7 : Hike Mweka Camp (5895 Meters/ 19,340 Feet) Hike to Mweka Gate (1680 Meters/ 5500 Feet), Drive to Moshi/ Arusha

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes).

Hiking down distance today will be 10 Kilometers/ 6 Miles. Hiking time will be 3 to 4 hours through Forest.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro 7 Days Lemosho Route Hike Rates Includes:

Oximeters + Hut or camping fees + National Park gate fees + All meals on the mountain + Salaries for all crew members + Rescue fees (as required by the national park) + Certified, experienced, English-speaking guides for all routes + Tents, foam sleeping pads, cooking equipment, and eating utensils & Transport from Moshi to starting point on the mountain and return to Moshi

Notes

* The seven-day Lemosho variation is preferred over the six-day option because it breaks up day two into two days, providing better acclimatization and a more gradual ascent
* The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is during the dry season. Those months include January, February, July, August, September, October. The rainy season months are March, April, May, June, November, and December.

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro 7 Days Lemosho Route Hike Rates Do Not Include:

* Drinks
* Laundry
* Travelers insurance
* Communication charges
* Sleeping bags and personal items
* Accommodation and meals in Moshi
* Tips or gratuity for guides and porters
* Visas, international airfares and airport taxes; meals
* Sightseeing not included in the package; optional activities
* Personal expenses such as transfers to/ from the airport (supplement airport transfer cost applies for tours starting from the airport)