7 Days | Climb Mount Kilimanjaro via Lemosho Route

Marimbo Expeditions offers a unique service throughout the climb:

Climbing Kilimanjaro is the ultimate challenge! You will be accompanied by professional guides, porters and a cook during your ascent to Uhuru Peak via the Marangu route. Our crew will take care of you and perform a health check every morning and evening to make sure everything is in order. In addition, the accompanying cook will serve you delicious food during this tour. The quality of the food is at the top of our priority list, as you depend on good food during the strenuous climb. If you would like to have a look at the menu in advance, we will be happy to send it to you.

Our customers experience climbing Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho route as an unforgettable experience! As soon as you have confirmed your booking with us, we will send you a comprehensive document to prepare for the trip.

How fit do you need to be to climb Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route?

Climbing Kilimanjaro is a real challenge due to the altitude, rate of ascent and different temperatures. During an average climbing day you will walk six to seven hours per day. If you are healthy and fit it is absolutely within reach. There are many things you can do to increase your chances to reach the summit and to make sure you enjoy the trek.

1. It’s important you take your time. Don’t hike too fast so your body has time to adapt and acclimatize.
2. Prepare. Being in good shape also makes the climb much easier. Go hiking a few months before the climb, especially multiple day hikes are excellent training. But also running and aerobic exercise are a good preparation.
3. Add an extra day. It is always difficult to predict who will be affected by altitude sickness. By adding one extra day to your climb, you will reduce this risk. Since you spread the climb over more days and your body gets more time to get used to the higher altitude. We do really advice to do this to increase the chance of making it to the top.

If you like advice on how to prepare yourself for climbing Kilimanjaro, you can always contact us or read our blog How to Prepare for climbing Kilimanjaro?

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro via Lemosho Route | 7 Days:

Route Descriptions

The Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route is the best ascent route which offers the complete Kilimanjaro experience and more acclimatization time.

Starting on the Western side of Kilimanjaro this ascent covers all of the most spectacular areas of Kilimanjaro. The trip is fully supported with spacious guest tents, a mess tent with lightweight tables and chairs and all cutlery. Our trips also include a toilet tent in camp and most importantly knowledgeable professional guides.

Highlights

THE MOST SCENIC KILIMANJARO ROUTE!

Lemosho ascent of Kilimanjaro, montane forest, Shira plateau, glacial valleys and alpine desert, views of Mawenzi, ascent of Kibo and possible views of Kibo caldera and ash pit. Glaciers and the roof of Africa!

Day 1: Lemosho gate to Big tree camp.

Elevation: 2100m (7,742 ft) to 2800m (9,498 ft)
Distance: 6 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest

From Arusha we drive fo 3 hours to Lendorossi gate, after completing the necessary registration formalities at the Lendorossi gate, we drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho road head. We often have our lunch in the glades before starting to walk. It is an easy day of walking up a small path through beautiful and lush forest. This area has a variety of game, including buffalo.

Day 2: Big tree Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Elevation: 2800m (9,498 ft) to 3850m (12,600 ft)
Distance: 18 km/11 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Heather and Moorlands

After an early morning breakfast, you will begin your ascent out of the rainforest and into the heather moorland zone. You will cross many streams and walk over a plateau that leads to Shira 2 Camp (3840m). At this campsite, you will be next to a stream and have a spectacular view of the Western Breach and its glaciers in the East. Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up prior to arriving at camp and the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this exposed camp.

Day 3:  Shira Two to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Elevation: 3850m (12,600ft) to 3950m (13,000ft)

Distance: 10km/6mi

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Semi-desert

Following an early morning breakfast, you will leave the moorland environment and enter the semi desert and rocky landscape. After 5 hours of walking east, you will be come face to face with the Lava Tower (4630m). Packed lunches are served at the Tower and hikers have the option of climbing the massive Lava Tower weather permitting. At this point of the hike, it is normal for hikers to start feeling the effects from the altitude including headaches and shortness of breath.

After lunch, you will descend from Lava Tower (4630m) to the Barranco Campsite (3950m). The 680m descent gives hikers a huge advantage to allow their bodies to adjust to the conditions of high altitude. The descent to camp takes around 2 hours to reach. It is located in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall (“Breakfast Wall”). Drinking and washing water and dinner will be served as hikers view the sun set.

Day 4:  Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation: 3950m (13,000 ft) to 3995m (13,106 ft)
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

This is a short hiking day meant for acclimatization. After an early morning breakfast, it is now time to conquer the Great Barranco Wall! Although it may look intimating at first glance, hikers state that this Class 2 hike is usually much easier than they anticipated. At the top of the Wall, you will have a view of Heim Glacier and will be above the clouds. The trail then winds up and down in the Karanga Valley. You will spend the night at Karanga Camp (3950m) and enjoy dinner and washing at the site.

Day 5:  Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation: 3995m (13,106 ft) to 4667m (15,331 ft)
Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, you will begin your ascent. The trail intersects with the Mweka Route, which is the trail used to descend on the final two days. As you continue hiking for an hour, you will reach Barafu Hut. This is the last water stop for the porters because there is no accessible water at Barafu Camp (4550m). The word “barafu” in Swahili means “ice” and this camp is located on a rocky, exposed ridge. Tents will be exposed to wind and rocks so it is important for hikers to familiarize themselves with the campsite before dark. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!

Day 6:  summit attempt: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka camp

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
Elevation: 4667m (15,331 ft) to 5895m (19,341 ft)
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic zone

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 5895m (19,341 ft) to 3100m (10,065 ft)
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

Your guide will wake you around 23:00 for tea, biscuits and porridge. You will then begin your summit attempt. The route heads northwest and you will ascend over stone scree  in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short breaks. During the ascent, many hikers feel that this is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the climb. Near Stella Point (5756m/18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the Africa continent, (5895m/19,341ft). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment!

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for short break and lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Day 7:  Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Elevation: 3100m (10,065 ft) to 1650m (5,180 ft)
Distance: 7 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest

Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return and drive to the hotel, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower and cold Kilimanjaro or Safari beer..!