Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route - Itinerary
Unlike other trails, the Lemosho Route starts at a very low altitude. It is a long and difficult route with very few people, until it converges with the Machame Route. Despite its remoteness and difficulty, it is favoured by many trek operators because it is an extremely beautiful route with low traffic.
Approaching the mountain from the west, the route begins with a long drive from Moshi. The minimum duration for this route is six days, but 8 days is ideal, so climbers get time to get acclimatized and enjoy the panoramic views from multiple sides of the mountain. During the first two days of the trip, trekkers traverse through beautiful rainforests, where small animals such as the Colobus and blue monkeys are visible. In comparison to the Machame route, which simply intersects the Shira Plateau, Lemosho crosses the Plateau from east to west, providing marvelous views of Kibo Peak.
Other attractions include the Lava Tower, where climbers get to enjoy panoramic vistas and the Great Barranco Wall, which presents a difficult and thrilling challenge. Climbers will rest overnight in tents and after reaching the summit, the descent is made on the Mweka Route (designated descent trail for the other routes). The Lemosho is a highly recommended route because of its stunning scenic views, relatively low traffic and high summit success rate. Moreover, after a few days of climbing, the Lemosho route merges with the Machame route all the way up to the summit and the descent down Mwaka. Due to the extra days on the lower altitudes, this is the best trek in terms of acclimatization.
| Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route - Climbing Facts | |
|---|---|
| Climb Difficulty: | Moderate to Difficult |
| Climb Duration: | 8 Days |
| Max Altitude: | 5,895 Meters |
| Accommodation: | Camping |
| Best Season: | All Year |
Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route - Itinerary
The below is a sample itinerary. It may vary slightly depending on the final trekking agency you choose to go with:
- Day 1: Moshe to Mkubwa Camp 2 – 4 hours
- Day 2: To Shira 1 Camp 4 – 6 hours
- Day 3: To Shira 2 Camp 1 – 3 hours
- Day 4: To Barranco Camp 5 – 7 hours
- Day 5: To Karanga Camp 3 – 4 hours
- Day 6: To Barafu Camp 7 – 9 hours
- Day 7: Summit Day and Mweka Camp 11 – 14 hours
- Day 8: Descend to Gate 3 – 5 hours - trek ends
Trekking facts for the Lemosho route in a nutshell
- Third most popular route -- 8% of climbers
- Moderately difficult route - it merges with the Machame route (difficult route also) higher up on Kilimanjaro and initially goes through steep rain forest trails also
- Relatively more expensive because it starts at a remote location
- The most scenic route