Lemosho Route
The Lemosho Route is a Kilimanjaro favorite because of its longer acclimation time (eight days) and gentler slope. The Lemosho Route starts at the Londorossi Gate on the West side of the mountain. You will spend your first day climbing to Mti Mkubwa Camp ("Big Tree Camp"). On the way to your first camp, you will walk on the cultivated and native forests. You will likely see white and black Colobos monkeys, as well as blue monkeys. The slope for day one is gentle, with relatively little difficulty. Just a few hills here and there.
During Day Two, the terrain becomes steeper, but there is no "monkey business" (scrambling). You will start in the forest and break out into the moorland zone after one and one-half to two hours. As you climb, you will see vast wheat and potato plantations, Mount Meru, and other beautiful views of Tanzania below you. You will spend the night at Shira I Camp. If the skies are clear, you will have a spectacular view of Mount Kilimanjaro to the northwest. You will also have the pleasure of hearing your Kilimanjaro staff regale you with songs and dance. Participation is encouraged!
On Day Three, depending on your preference, you will have a choice of venturing to Moir Hut or Shira II Camp for the night. On the way, you will walk in open space. The terrain slopes gradually upward if you head to Shira II Camp, and if you elect Moir Hut, you will encounter a challenging steep slope for the last two hours or so. If you elect to go to Shira II, you will pass the Shira Cathedral, and this will also be your first opportunity to really start acclimating to high altitude by climbing high and sleeping low.
Day Four will also employ the high altitude acclimation technique with the "climb high, sleep low" methodology. After breakfast, you will head from either Shira II or Moir Hut up to Lava Tower for a lunch stop. This will be the highest altitude you have reached thus far in your trek, so you will likely start feeling the effects. After lunch, you will drop down to Barranco Camp, where you will have additional entertainment from your professional staff. On the way to Barranco, look for the Senesio trees and waterfalls, as well as your first views of the Great Barranco Wall. Jambo!
Day Five will start with some "monkey business" (Class 3 scrambling) up the Great Barranco Wall. Don't worry--your guides will take good care of you to assist you on this fun portion of the trip. Like on Day Four, climbing Barranco brings you to a higher elevation as part of "climb high, sleep low," after which you will descend sharply and then ascend sharply into Karanga Camp. Karanga Camp also affords spectacular views, where you can see Moshi Town again, with Kilimanjaro behind. You will be amazed to see how far away the clouds are below!
Day Six involves a trek to Barafu Camp, which will be your base camp for the summit bid. Barafu sits at a little more than 4,000' below the Uhuru Peak summit. After reaching Barafu, you will eat lunch, receive instructions to prepare for summit night, take a nap, and eat a light dinner after your nap. After dinner, your guide will give you your final instructions to prepare for summit night. Depending on you and your group's progress, your staff will wake you around 11:00 pm to midnight, with your summit bid starting once your guide clears you for departure.
On Day Seven, you will climb to Stella Point, followed by an approximately one-hour hike to Uhuru Peak at 19,341'. After celebrating and taking pictures of the beautiful glaciers and views, your guides will take you down through the scree back to Barafu Camp. Depending on your guide's advice, you may eat lunch and rest a short time at Barafu. Then you will prepare to descend to Millennium (High Camp) or Mweka Camp, depending on your guides' advice and assessment.
On Day Eight, you will wake and eat breakfast and enjoy your staff's rendition of the Kilimanjaro and Jambo songs. After that, this is the proper time to tip your staff. (See our "Tipping Guidelines".) Make sure you show your appreciation for the excellent service and their hard work! You will then start your final descent to Mweka Gate. At Mweka Gate, you will eat a hearty lunch, drink Kilimanjaro beer and/or soft drinks, and have the opportunity to gift some of your gear and clothing to the staff.
Following lunch, you will receive your certificate if you successfully summited, and we will provide transportation back to your hotel, after which you can arrange for safari, an excursion to Zanzibar, or something else tailored to your needs.
LEMOSHO
At-a- Glance
Day 1: lONDOROSSI Gate to MTI MKUBWA Camp
Day 2: MTI MKUBWA CAMP TO SHIRA I CAMP
Day 3: Shira I Camp SHIRA II OR MOIR HUT
Day 4: SHIRA II OR MOIR HUT TO LAVA TOWER TO BARRANCO CAMP
Day 5: BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CamP
DAY 6: KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP
Day 7: BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT TO MILLENIUM OR MWEKA CAMP
Day 8: MILLENIUM OR MWEKA CAMP TO MWEKA GATE