Lemosho Route Overview
Learn about the Lemosho route Kilimanjaro
The Lemosho Route stands out as a picturesque trail up Mount Kilimanjaro, often hailed as the most beautiful among all the trekking paths. It spans the entire Shira Plateau, traversing from west to east, offering a relatively flat and pleasant hike. Until it merges with the Machame route near Lava Tower, the crowds along this route are notably low.
Lemosho Route, Kilimanjaro SummitIt’s among the newer trails on the mountain and shares some portions with the Machame route. However, it presents distinct advantages that make it a compelling choice, especially for travelers with additional time to spare.
Commencing from the western slopes at Londorossi Gate, the Lemosho Route meanders through one of the mountain’s more secluded sections. It leads trekkers through enchanting rainforests where wildlife sightings are possible, including black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, small lizards, and diverse bird species. Moving onto the Shira Plateau, the trail extends over relatively level terrain from west to east.
The initial days on the Lemosho Route promise solitude, given its lower foot traffic compared to the Machame and Marangu routes. This exclusivity enhances the trekking adventure, creating moments when you might feel like you have the entire mountain to yourself.
Eventually, the Lemosho route merges with the Machame route, and the trail experiences increased traffic. Nevertheless, for those seeking tranquility during the initial climb, this route proves an excellent choice.
While journeying along the Machame Route segment, the Lemosho Route offers unique views of the surrounding landscapes during the first few days. Trekkers have the opportunity to explore pristine rainforests and ascend to the Shira Plateau, where stunning vistas unfold above the tree line.
Due to its remote nature and extended path, the Lemosho Route requires a few additional days for trekking. Most individuals opt for a seven or eight-day trek, significantly boosting the success rate. If aiming to maximize the chances of summiting the mountain, this route emerges as one of the top choices, particularly over the Machame and Marangu routes. Despite its higher success rate, it’s important to note that the Lemosho Route demands more physical exertion than the “Whiskey” and “Coca-Cola” routes.
Certain sections of the trail are steeper and more challenging, requiring trekkers to spend additional nights in tents. However, the distinct advantages of this route make it a standout option, increasingly favored among adventurous travelers.
Golden Kit Tours and Safaris offers the Lemosho route as a 7-day or 8-day climb. The seven-day variation combines days five and six, skipping the stay at Karanga Camp.
For a detailed itinerary overview and specific day-to-day breakdown, the Lemosho Route unfolds as follows:
Day 1 – Lemosho Glades:
Embarking from your lodge, the journey leads to the Londorossi gate on the western side of Mt. Kilimanjaro, a few hours’ drive from Arusha. We commence the hike at the Lemosho trailhead. Note that during rainy or muddy conditions, vehicles might not reach the true trailhead, requiring some extra hiking. After a picnic lunch, we hike for about four hours to the forest camp. The forest presents exotic moss and flowers, possible sightings of Black and White Colobus monkeys, and traces of elephants that traverse this area. We’ll overnight at Forest Camp.
Hiking: 3-4 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~9,498 feet
Day 2 – Shira Plateau:
As we leave the Montane Forest and enter the Hagenia zone, vistas of the Kibo peak unfold. Ascending and descending several ridges, our highest point of the day reaches 11,500 feet before descending to Shira 1 Camp. This trek serves as good acclimatization. We’ll spend the night at Shira 1 Camp.
Hiking: 6-9 hours
Overnight Altitude: 11,500 feet
Day 3 – Moir Camp:
Traversing the Heath zone of the Shira Plateau, we ascend the western slope of the Kibo Massif. A picnic lunch at Scott Fisher memorial camp precedes our journey into the upper heath zone towards Moir camp. Weather permitting, late afternoon acclimatization hikes can be arranged.
Hiking: 5-6 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~13,650 feet
Day 4 – Barranco Camp:
Exiting the heath zone, we enter the alpine zone, trekking 4-6 hours past Lava Camp (reaching around 14,300 feet) and descending to the picturesque Barranco Valley for our campsite.
Hiking: 4-6 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~13,044 feet
Day 5 – Karanga Camp:
Ascending the Great Barranco Wall, we witness Kilimanjaro’s ice fields. Our journey involves hiking up and down across small valleys, leading to Karanga Camp.
Hiking: 3-5 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~13,106 feet
Day 6 – Barafu Camp:
A 3-5 hour hike to Barafu Camp involves ups and downs across small valleys. After settling in, we’ll receive a safety equipment demonstration before an early supper and rest in preparation for the summit ascent.
Hiking: 3-5 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~15,100 feet
Day 7 – Summit and Mweka Camp:
Summit day! Starting the ascent around 11:00 PM or midnight, our aim is to reach the peak (19,340 feet) at sunrise. Using headlamps, we ascend 6-7 hours to Stella Point and then 1-2 hours to Uhuru Peak. After celebrating at the summit, we descend to Barafu camp for lunch and then to Mweka camp for overnight rest.
Hiking: Highly variable duration; typically 12-17 hours
Summit Altitude: 19,341 feet
Overnight Altitude: 10,448 feet
Day 8 – Mweka Park Gate:
The final descent to the trailhead takes about 3-5 hours. We’ll have lunch at the gate, bid farewell to our mountain crew, and depart from Mount Kilimanjaro, reaching your lodge by late afternoon.
Hiking: 3-5 hours
FAQs Specific to the Lemosho Route:
How difficult is the Lemosho Route?
The Lemosho route is considered one of the less challenging routes on Kilimanjaro due to its longer itinerary that allows for better acclimatization. However, it includes ascending the Barranco Wall and steep climbs on summit night. No technical climbing is required, but a good fitness level is highly recommended.
What is the distance of the Lemosho Route, and how many days does it take?
The total trekking distance for the Lemosho Route is approximately 71 kilometers or 43 miles. While the shortest trek duration is 7 days, considering arrival and departure days, it extends to 10. However, for a more effective climb, an 8 or 9-day trek is advisable.
What is the Lemosho Route Summit Success Rate?
The Lemosho route boasts one of the highest summit success rates on the mountain due to its longer duration profile. While official statistics are unavailable, the average success rate across all operators is around 90% for the 8-day trek and 85% for the 7-day trek.
What is the Scenery like on the Lemosho Route?
Considered the most scenically beautiful among Kilimanjaro’s routes, the Lemosho Route journeys from the mountain’s west side through lush rainforests, eventually joining the Lemosho Route to cross the stunning Shira Plateau. The views, especially from the southern circuit, are breathtaking.
