Trekking 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 Trekking 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.

Trekking 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’’.  

6 Days Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho route - Day 1
Your day starts early with a briefing, followed by breakfast and a 2-hour drive from Moshi (910 m) to Londorossi Park Gate (2100 m). The guides and porters prepare and pack the supplies and your equipment in the village. You will receive a lunch pack and you can also buy mineral water in the village. From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades (2100 m, 11 km, 45 minutes). You will have a lunch break a about half way and then walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree campsite, 2750 m, 3 hours) Your porters (arriving at the camp site long before you) will have your tent set upon on your arrival. In the evening the porters will boil drinking and washing water and the cook will prepare dinner, before you retire to your tent for the night. Night temperatures can already drop to freezing point at this campsite.

6 Days Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho route - Day 2
You rise early at Mti Mkubwa camp and, after breakfast, you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. Several streams are crossed. A gentle walk across the plateau leads to Shira 2-camp on moorland meadows next to a stream (3840 m). By now you will be able to see, in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. The porters will boil drinking and washing water, before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing. Enjoy dinner and overnight.

6 Days Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho route - Day 3
The route now turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower where you reach an altitude of 4600 m after about a 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated are before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower (4600 m). Definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability and headaches. After lunch you descent again by almost 650m to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600 m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatization benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunsetwhite you wait for your dinner.

6 Days Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho route - Day 4
Make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1345 m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski stick and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 1900hrs and try to get some precious rest and sleep. Overnight at Barafu camp.

6 Days Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho route - Day 5
You will rise around 2330, and after some tea you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walks to Stella point is for many climbers, mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5685 m) you will stop for a short rest and then proceed to summit. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your live. The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka hut (3100 m). Overnight at Mweka Camp.

6 Days Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho route - Day 6
After an early breakfast, it is a short 3-hour and scenic hike back to the Park gate. It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely. From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village you will and drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations! Overnight in Moshi hotel.

Price: US $ 1300. per person

Price includes:

2 transfers from Moshi to Lemosho gate – return.

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

6 days Kilimanjaro trek – Lemosho route.

5 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.