6 Days Kilimanjaro Climb – Lemosho Route

Lemosho Route is the most dramatic and beautiful route up to Kilimanjaro. Older websites list this as remote and seldom used, but it is now among the busiest routes. it traverses some of Kilimanjaro’s most striking landscapes, including the base of Kibo Peak and the dramatic but quickly diminishing south-facing glaciers. Lemosho Route has added benefits of trekking across the Shira Plateau a World Heritage Site trekking 180 degrees around Kilimanjaro. Lemosho Route, in general, is very well laid out for acclimatization. But the 6 days itinerary does not give very as much time for acclimatization. This route is longer than other 6 days itineraries, so  it is not recommended for those who have doubts about their fitness level. 

ACCOMMODATION AND ITINERARY
You will sleep in the mobile tent and would be shared in the mountain with two persons per tent. -If you have an odd number of people in your group, one person will have a tent to themselves. Otherwise, a personal tent can also be provided based on a request – this will increase the number of porters used or the trek.

Day 1: To Mti Mkubwa Camp 2650m

After breakfast at your hotel, we will drive approximately  2 to 3 hours to the Londorosi Gate where registration procedures are handled. Then, we drive again for one hour to Lemosho starting point where you will get off from the vehicle and stop for a picnic lunch. 
Your hike will start by crossing a rainforest for about 2 to 3 hours to cover the distance of 7km to Mti Mkubwa Camp. On the way, you will see a lot of beautiful flowers like impatiens Kilimanjaro, and if you are lucky, you might see black and white colobus monkeys and other forest wildlife.

Day 2: To Shira 1 to Moir Hut 4200m

This day will be one of your beautiful and longest hikes. For the first sessions, you will walk for 3-4 hours (7 km)  to Shira 1 Camp. You will have lunch and short break. After lunch, you will hike for about 4 to 5 hours to cover the distance of 9km. You will also cross the middle of Shira Plateau, a World Heritage Site through the moorland zone, and arrive at the beautiful overnight camp located at the base of an old massive lava flow.

Day 3: To Barranco Camp 3940m

You will keep walking in the Alpine desert for 9 km for about 6-8 hours. You will start by climbing over steep hills and rocks, then steady uphill climb to the Lava Tower  at an altitude of 4600m. Lav Tower is a 150 meters high volcanic plug. You will stop for lunch around noon.
From this point, from here onwards, some start feeling symptoms of altitude sickness – headaches and nausea. From Lava Tower, you will descend for about two hours through the dust and rock trail to have overnight rest at Barranco Camp.

Day 4: To Karanga Camp To Barafu Camp 4673m

After breakfast, you will leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley Campsite,  5 kilometers and 4 – 5 hours trekking time. You will have lunch at Karanga and acclimatize for few minutes before continue up to the Barafu Hut.
At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here you can make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position. You will cover the distances of 4 kilometers about 4 – 5 hours and you will be in the alpine desert.

Day 5: To Summit 5895m and Descend to Mweka Hut 3100m

You will wake up around 11:00pm, have some tea and snacks and dress up warm for the summit. You will start your summit around 12:00am starting with steep rocks for about 2 – 3 hours, and then you will start crossing the zigzag area and keep moving to the crater rim and finally Stella Point, 5756 meters around 06:00am. At Stella Point, you will meet people from other routes like Marangu and Rongai Routes and join them heading to Uhuru Peak about 1 hour more from Stella Point. You will be able to see the sunrise at Stella Point or on your way to Uhuru Peak 5895m. You will stay for 10 – 15 minutes for pictures and view from the summit, and after, descend to Barafu Campsite for resting brunch and later on descend down to Mweka Camp. You will ascent for 5km and descent for 12km, the hiking time will be 7-8 hours ascent and 4-6 hours descent to Mweka Hut 3100m

Day 6: Mweka Camp to Moshi

After breakfast, you will continue the descent down to the Mweka Gate (1640m) to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the Mweka Gate our vehicle will be ready to drive you back your hotel in Moshi for hot shower and rest. The descent distance will be 10km spending 3-4 hours hiking through the rainforest.