Lemosho Route – 10 Days
$3,226
The Lemosho route is considered the most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro, offering panoramic views on various mountainsides. It is our favourite route due to its ideal balance of beautiful scenery, a high summit success rate, and low traffic.
This package includes seven nights on the mountain, one before the trek and the final night after. Lemosho is the longest route after the Northern Circuit Route, so it’s slightly more expensive, but the experience is worth it.
Why choose the Lemosho route?
- It is the most beautiful route that offers comprehensive vistas from the mountain
- The ups and downs – help the body to acclimatize better
- Grant you an opportunity to visit Shira Cathedral – one of the three peaks in Kilimanjaro with spectacular views of the mountain
- Travelling from the western base, trekkers encounter less traffic until the route meets the Machame route.
- With an 10-day itinerary, the chances of reaching the summit are as high as 90%.
Detailed Itinerary
Arrive, Travel to Arusha
Upon arrival at JRO, you will meet our representative, who will take you to your hotel in Arusha. Before the climb, your guide will gather you for a pre-climbing briefing to share essential details and check your mountain gear to ensure you have everything you need. If something needs to be added, your guide can help rent it.
Mt. Meru Game Lodge
Mount Meru Game Lodge & Wildlife Sanctuary is the lodge designed for both wildlife and nature lovers. The game sanctuary was established to offer refuge to orphaned and injured animals and to prepare them for their return to the wild. The lodge has 15 double or twin ensuite bedrooms and family suites.
Trekking from Londorossi Camp to Forest Camp
Londorossi Gate (2,250m/7,800ft) to Mti Mkumbwa (2,650m/8,694ft)
Hiking Distance: 6km
Hiking Time: 3-4hrs
Habitat: Montane Forest
You depart Arusha to Londorossi Gate, which takes about 3.5 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then, drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at the trailhead, you eat lunch and then commence hiking through the pristine forest that winds up to the first campsite.
Overnight: Forest Camp (3 Meals)
Trekking from Forest Camp to Shira 1
Forest Camp (2,650m/8,694ft) to Shira 1 (3,610m/11,843ft)
Hiking Distance: 5km
Hiking Time: 5-6hrs
Habitat: Moorland
You continue on the trail leading out of the forest and venture into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock adorned with Beard lichens. Ascending through the lush rolling hills, crossing several streams, and finally reaching the Shira Ridge before gently dropping down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is genuinely breathtaking.
Overnight: Shira 1 Camp (3 Meals)
Trekking from Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp Via Cathedral point
Shira Camp 1(3,610m/11,843ft) to Shira 2 (3,850m/12,795ft) via Cathedral point (3,872m/12703)
Hiking Distance: 7km
Hiking Time: 3-4hrs
Habitat: Moorland
You explore the Shira plateau for a day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciated peak across the plateau, which leads to Shira 2 Camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth. You will cross Shira Cathedral for acclimatization, and if the weather permits, Mount Meru (the fifth summit of Africa) can be seen from Shira 2.
Overnight: Shira 2 Camp or Moir Camp (3 Meals)
Trekking to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower
Shira 2 (3,850m/12,795ft) to Barranco Camp (3,900m/12,960ft) via Lava Tower (4,600m/15,190ft)
Hiking Distance: 12km
Hiking Time: 6-7hrs
Habitat: Moorland
Continuing from the Shira Plateau, you proceed to the east along a ridge, passing the intersection leading to the summit of Kibo. Then, you travel southeast to the Lava Tower, also called the “Shark’s Tooth.” After the tower, you take the second intersection to the Arrow Glacier at 16,000 feet. You will then proceed to the Barranco Hut at nearly 13,000 feet, where you can take a break and prepare before summit day.
Overnight: Barranco Camp (3 Meals)
Trekking Barranco Wall to Karanga Camp
Barranco Camp (3,900m/12,960ft) to Karanga Camp (3,995m/13,100ft)
Hiking Distance: 5km
Hiking Time: 4-5hrs
Habitat: Alpine Desert
In the morning, you will make your way down into a deep gorge at the foot of the impressive Great Barranco Wall. Next, you will ascend a nearly 900 ft steep cliff that doesn’t require technical climbing skills. After reaching the top of the Barranco Wall, you will traverse a series of hills and valleys before descending steeply into Karanga Valley. Another steep ascent will bring you to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day designed to help you acclimate to the altitude.
Overnight: Karanga Camp (3 Meals)
Trekking from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Karanga Camp (3,995m/13,100ft) to Barafu Camp (4,4667m/15,300ft)
Hiking Distance: 5km
Hiking Time: 4-5hrs
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Today, you begin your journey to Karanga and reach the intersection that leads to the Mweka trail. You proceed upwards to the Barafu Hut. Upon reaching this point, you have finished the South Circuit, providing various perspectives of the summit. Here, you will take a break, have dinner, and prepare for the summit day. You can see the two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo from this location.
Overnight: Barafu Camp (3 Meals)
Summit Day!
Barafu Camp (4,667m/14,930ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) down to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft)
Hiking Distance: 15.5km
Hiking Time: 8hrs up and 7-8hrs down
Habitat: Ice Cap
The climb to Stella Point on the crater rim is the most challenging section of the ascent. Depending on the time of year, there may be snow along the trail to Uhuru Peak. Once you reach the summit, enjoy your accomplishment before returning to Barafu Camp. After a brief break, you will descend to Mweka Camp via rocky and gravelly paths and enter the forest.
Overnight: Mweka Camp (or Millennium Camp) (3 Meals)
Descend to Mweka Gate
Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) to Mweka Gate (1,980m/6,500ft)
Hiking Distance: 12km
Hiking Time: 3hrs
Habitat: Montane Forest
The final day on the Mountain involves descending to the Mweka Gate for registration and your summit certitificates according to the climbers’ accomplishments. After that, the journey proceeds to Mweka Village for a celebratory lunch with the Mountain Crew before heading to the hotel in Arusha. Upon reaching the hotel, a full-body massage will help relax muscles and achieve profound relaxation after the adventurous nights on Mount Kilimanjaro!
Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge
Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge has been adapted from an early colonial farmhouse built in the early 20th century and is one of the oldest family lodges in Arusha, set in lush gardens amid forest and crystal-clear waters on the slopes of Mount Meru. This Lodge offers 10 Garden Rooms, 2 Main House Suites and a Farm Cottage with 3 bedrooms.
Departure Day
Savour a relaxed morning and a satisfying breakfast. Afterwards, our representative will pick you up for the airport transfer to ensure you make it in time for your departing. If your flight schedule permits, there are numerous activities to enjoy in Arusha. It’s a mix of emotions as we bid you farewell, but we look forward to your return!