7 DAYS Lemosho Western Breach - With overnight at Kilimanjaro Crater Floor

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via Lemosho Route: The route is one of less used which makes it to have its originality, unspoilt and beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro roof top. It can either be used to gain the Western Breach route or followed by the Kibo South Circuit to ascend by the easier Barafu Route. The route is one of the few where groups may be accompanied on the first day by an armed ranger, as the forests around the Lemosho Glades are rich in buffalo, elephant and other big game animals.

Lemosho route is the longest and most remote route to Kilimanjaro. After beautiful forests and moorlands it crosses the Shira Plateau to meet up with the Machame Route. The South Circuit is then followed, offering superb views of the Southern Ice fields, past the Barranco Hut then on to Barafu and hence the summit. Descent is by the Mweka Route. Accommodation on the mountain is in tents which the porters will pitch for you. You will need a sleeping bag, warm clothes and walking poles. This is a steep, tough trek within the limits of a fit individual used to walking in mountain areas.

If you are not accustomed to camping and mountain walking you could consider the Marangu Route as the most suitable. This follows easy angled paths through magnificent rain forests to the Mandara Hut. Shortly beyond it passes Maundi Crater, a fine view point located at the edge of the forest belt. Above you enter the moorlands with their fine giant heathers stands, groundsels, lobelia and other exotic tropical high altitude plants. The next hut is the Horombo Hut; soon after this hut you reach the Saddle, a high altitude desert separating the rugged Mawenzi summit from Kibo. The final ascent starts from the Kibo Hut and involves steep paths on loose scree. There is fresh running water at all the huts apart from Kibo where it will be carried by your porters. You will be accommodated generally in 4 person clean huts with mattresses.

The other routes are all more demanding as regards steepness and in places involve some scrambling. Accommodation is in tents and there is no running water at the campsites though warm water for washing is provided. The scenery more than compensates for these difficulties. Whichever route you choose it is essential to allow enough time for acclimatization to the altitude. Although Mt. Kilimanjaro can be climbed throughout the year it is worth avoiding the two rainy seasons (late March to mid-June and October to the beginning of December) when the route becomes slippery. Probably the best time to visit is January to February and September to October when there is usually no cloud.

Mount Kilimanjaro (19340’) (5895m) lies just 3 degrees south of the equator and is one of the highest volcanoes in the world. It rises some (15000’) (4572m) above the surrounding plains and savannahs. The Kilimanjaro National Park covers some 1864 sq. Km (720 sq. miles) the base of this immense mountain has diameter of 80 Km (48 Miles) and the outstanding features are its three major volcanic centers: Shira (4160m) in the west. Mawenzi (5280 m) to the east and the permanently snow-capped Kibo in the middle.

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via Lemosho, the terrain passes from a tropical to an artic climate in just a few days. The encircling rain forest ensures the fertility of the lower lying shambas and is rich in birdlife. Above the rain forest lies the Alpine Meadow, beautiful moorland, offering many splendid views. Exotic plants such as the giant Lobelia and the fork-like Groundsel are to be seen. The latter blooming once every 50 – 70 years. Leaving the Alpine Meadow we reach the Alpine Desert and eventually the ‘’snows of Kilimanjaro’’.  

7 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho route - Day 1
After breakfast transfer from your hotel to National Park Forest edge. From here walk through the undisturbed forest to Mti Mkubwa camp site for dinner and overnight. By luck you will be able to see colobus monkeys and signs of elephants.

7 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho route - Day 2
Take your time to walk through the forest sporting some of plentiful game and bird life. You will pass through montane forest and hagenia zone. Dinner and overnight at Shira camp.

7 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho route - Day 3
After breakfast hike up Lava Tower – The first introduction to the alpine zone. The only plant life being the hardest of grasses and Lichen. Here you will be able to have a spectacular view of final ascent route up to Western breach.

7 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho route - Day 4
With the Western breach ascent route in view, spend a few hours climbing to the base of the route where you will make a camp near Arrow Glacier. An afternoon hike further up the route before relaxing in camp will help you acclimatize and improve your performance the next day.

7 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho route - Day 5
Wind your way up the Western Breach non – technical climbing route about six hours to the crater rim. Explore the inner crater and ash pit before to pitching the camp at the crater floor.

7 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho route - Day 6
Summit day: Start your ascent to the summit early enough in the morning to put on the Summit by 10 a.m. After Uhuru peak descend via Barafu Hut and on down to Mweka Hut camp for dinner and overnight.

7 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho route - Day 7
It takes about 3 to 4 hours to make the descent to the road head. After your lunch bid bye to your porters and transfer to Moshi/Arusha for dinner and overnight.

Price: US $ 1500. per person

Price includes:

2 transfers from Moshi to Lemosho gate – return.

3 meals per day while trekking: Vegetarian/non-vegetarian.

7 days Kilimanjaro trek – Lemosho route.

6 nights accommodation in tents while trekking.

2 nights hotel accommodation bed & breakfast in Moshi before and after the climb.

All park entrance fees, and government levies.

English speaking mountain guide and assistant.

Porters – minimum of 2 per client.

First Aid Kit including Oxygen Kit.

Camping Equipments including sleeping tents, sleeping mats, dining tent, chairs and table.

You can pay using credit card during your arrival in Tanzania. We currently accept VISA CARD ONLY.