Tour Overview
The Lemosho route is considered the most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro, granting panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. As one of the newer routes, Lemosho is a superb choice for your climb. It is our preferred route due to its ideal balance of low crowds, beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate. Most of the clients climb Kilimanjaro using lemosho route and their feedback on this route is excellent. We highly recommend the Lemosho route to our clients. The climb begins at Londorossi Gate at an altitude of 2360 metres, with an approach far to the west of the mountain. It then circles around Kilimanjaro to the south, passing through the majestic rainforest where some of the region’s most unique wildlife can often be seen. The route continues up to the mountain’s third summit at Shira Ridge.
The minimum days for the summiting is 7 days, but 8 days is recommended as it will give more chance to acclimatize and achieve the summit. but 8 days is recommended as it will give more chance to acclimatize and achieve the summit. As Lemosho passes through some of the most spectacular landscapes like the rain forest at the beginning, the spectacular Shira Plateau and together with Machame it shows some of the best view points of the Southern Circuit, it is considered to be one of the scenically most beautiful routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro.
About Crater Camp on Kilimanjaro
Crater camp is not a route in its own right but a challenging extension which in principle can be added to any route. It involves sleeping overnight in the bowl of the crater. An amazing experience enjoyed by only a few of the most adventurous climbers. The time period depends on the route. Camping at the crater is a bit expensive since it’s charged extra by park authority and also the crew wages are paid in extra.
Itinerary / Tour Schedule
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. Here, you will meet your Wild Wonders Expedition guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and perform a thorough equipment check. Any missing gear can be rented on this day to ensure you are fully prepared.
Depart your hotel at 08:00 am for the Lemosho gate on the western side of Kilimanjaro. Following registration, begin a steady climb through the lush forests of the Lemosho glades. Your first night on the mountain is spent at Big Tree Camp, surrounded by vibrant rainforest life.
Distance covered: 7 km / 4.3 mi
Approximate time taken: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Today’s trek moves across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. As we gain a significant amount of altitude, you will catch your first glimpses of Kibo Peak floating above the clouds. The route is fairly steep in sections, leading to the scenic Shira 1 Camp.
Distance covered: 8.5 km / 5.3 mi
Approximate time taken: 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
A steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau provides excellent acclimatization and panoramic views. You will have a chance to view the Northern Ice fields from the western side of the mountain. In the afternoon, your guide will lead an acclimatization walk before returning to Shira 2 Camp for dinner.
Distance covered: 8 km / 5 mi
Approximate time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Enter the upland desert zone, walking along lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. You will reach the Lava Tower (4640m), our high point for the day and an essential stop for acclimatization. After lunch, make a steep descent into the Great Barranco Valley, a camp sheltered by towering cliffs with extensive views of the plains below.
Distance covered: 10 km / 6.2 mi
Approximate time taken: 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
The day begins with the exciting scramble up the Great Barranco Wall. Though not technical, it is a long climb over rock that rewards you with views of the Heim and Kersten glaciers. After crossing the Karanga Valley, you reach Karanga Camp. Strong climbers may opt for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek to 4200m.
Distance covered: 5.5 km / 3.4 mi
Approximate time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Set off across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation, where the altitude makes the steep walk increasingly challenging. Upon arrival at Barafu Camp, the afternoon is spent resting and hydrating. You will have an early dinner and try to sleep, as the final push begins around midnight.
Distance covered: 3 km / 1.9 mi
Approximate time taken: 3 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
A unique day in your journey: reach Uhuru Peak in the early afternoon when the summit is quiet. Instead of descending immediately, you will make a short descent into the bowl of the volcano to Crater Camp. Sleeping near the famed Furtwangler Glacier is an extraordinary experience enjoyed by only the most adventurous climbers.
Distance covered: 3 km to Summit / 1-2 hours to Crater
Approximate time taken: 7-8 hours total
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
After an early breakfast in the crater, begin the long descent. You will return to Stella Point and then descend the scree slopes, passing Barafu Camp for a short break. The trek continues down to Millennium Camp for a well-earned rest and a night in the thicker air of the lower elevations.
Distance covered: 13.4 km / 8.3 mi
Approximate time taken: 12-15 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
The final leg of the journey takes you through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate. After completing park formalities and receiving your gold certificates, Wild Wonders Expedition vehicles will meet you and return you to your hotel in Moshi for a celebration.
Distance covered: 12.1 km / 7.5 mi
Approximate time taken: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
The day is free to wind down before your flight. You may explore Moshi for souvenirs or relax at the hotel. Wild Wonders Expedition also offers add-ons for Safari in the Serengeti or a trip to Zanzibar if you wish to continue your Tanzanian adventure.
Meals: Breakfast Included
Package Pricing
Pricing
Above Cost Includes
- Two nights accommodation in Hotel
- Private transport to / from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your hotel in Moshi
- Qualified guides with mountain crew
- National park fees
- 18% VAT on tour fees and services
- All camping equipment; mountain tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats
- Transport
- Rescue fees
- All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Guides and porters’ accommodations and their entry fees on the mountain
- Pulse oximeter
- First aid kit
- Emergence oxygen
- Katady filtered water through the trek
- Fair wages to guides and porters as approved by Kilimanjaro National Park Authority
Cost Does Not Include
- Lunch & dinner in Moshi pre/post climb
- International and Domestic Airfare
- Tips for Guide, Porter and Chef
- Travel insurance and medical coverage
- Tanzanian Visa Fee
