Mount Kilimanjaro is approached from the west on this route. It provides the opportunity to see Shira Plateau (Cathedral Peak) and Shira Caldera. In a nice climb, the Lemosho Route connects Shira Ridge and Shira 2 Camp. Climbers will experience little traffic until they reach the Machame path. Following that, Lemosho takes the same path as Machame Route, through Lava Tower, Barranco, and Barafu, known as the southern circuit. The minimum number of days necessary for this route is seven, however eight days is suggested because it allows you extra time to acclimate and reach the summit. This, like Machame, is a scenically stunning and interesting path.
Day by Day Itinerary
Moshi to Londorosi Gate to Big Tree Campsite
Elevation: 1,200 m to 1,950 m to 2,850 m
Distance: 9 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
After breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel your hotel and transport you to Londorosi Gate for registration. After this formality, you board the vehicle and drive again to Lemosho Glade. From this point you will start the trek across undisturbed montane forest decorated with black and white colobus monkeys to the camp where dinner and overnight will take place.
Big Tree Campsite to Shira One Campsite
Elevation(m): 2850m to 3500m
Distance: 13km
Hiking time: 8 hours
Habitat: Moorland and heather land
This is an acclimatization trek because you will gain over 650m by starting walking across a beautiful valley outside Shira’s caldera rim (3600m). After few hours you will reach into Shira Caldera. A high altitude desert, Shira is the one among the three peaks which erupted in Kilimanjaro ecosystem. The peak later collapsed and formed a crater which eventually became filled with the lava flow from Kibo Peak. Its rim is eroded and blasted away by weather and volcanic action. Camp and overnight at 3500m elevation at the Shira One Cmpsite.
Shira One Campsite to Shira Two Campsite
Elevation: 3500m to 3800m
Distance: 7km
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland and rocky
This day you will trek to east across Shira Plateau visiting Cathedral Peak (3850m) for acclimatization. Arriving at this peak you will find spectacular views of Mt. Meru and Kibo Peak. We then continue trekking to Shira Two Camp where we will stay for dinner and overnight place.
Shira Two Campsite to Barranco Campsite
Elevation: 3800m to 3950m
Distance: 13km
Hiking time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Moorland
This is long acclimatization day. You will have an early breakfast then trek east to a junction leading to Lava Tower Rock 4600m for acclimatization. Afterwards, you will descend down to Barranco Campsite for dinner and overnight.
Barranco Campsite to Barafu Campsite
Elevation: 3950m to 3900m
Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours.
Habitat: Moorland
Today is long day walk. In the morning you will start climbing Barranco Wall and reach 4200m for acclimatization and continue crossing ridges and valleys to Karanga Campsite for hot lunch. After lunch you will proceed to Barafu Campsite for dinner and overnight before the midnight ascent to the summit.
Barafu Hut Campsite to Uhuru Peak to Crater Campsite
Elevation: 4620m to 5895m to 3650m
Distance: 10km
Hiking time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Desert and ice
After breakfast you will departure for the summit switchback up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Stella Point on the crater rim (5,861 m/18,640 ft) At this point you will be having the views of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you. Then after 1 hour of hiking along the Kibo’s crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro true summit, Uhuru Peak here you will spend some minutes for taking photos. After your summit activities, you will descend down to Crater Camp for your dinner and overnight.
Crater Campsite to Ash Pit to Mweka Hut Campsite
Elevation: 5650m to 5750m to 3100m
Distance: 12km
Hiking time: 7 -8 hours
Habitat: Desert, ice, moorland, and forest.
After breakfast you will firstlascend 100m to the rim of Ash Pit then descend back to the Barafu Huts Campsite, for lunch, and continue down through moorland and heath zone to Mweka Huts Campsite. Dinner and overnight at Mweka Hut Campsite.
Mweka Hut Campsite to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 3100m to 1700m
Distance: 9k
Descending time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane forest
Today is your last day on the mountain. After breakfast, you will descend down to Mweka Gate walking across montane forest. This descent will take 3-4 hours. At the gate you will sign out and board the vehicle, ready for the transfer back to your hotel for your certificate presentation and celebration.
WHAT'S
- Accommodation as per the itinerary
- Professional Mountain guide
- Professional mountain cook
- Transfer to and from the mountain gate
- All Park entrance fees
- Rescue fees
- Porter’s allowance
- All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinking water on all days
WHAT'S
- International flights (from/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tipping
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Alcohol drinks
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We only had 2 days for the safari and a very limited budget. Thanks to David and his team, we got a lot of positive emotions, saw a lot of animals in Tarangire and Arusha National Parks (including 4 of the big 5) and just had a great time. Many thanks to Sia who turned out to be a very professional good guide, good driver and just a good guy. I recommend Kili Slope to everyone.
It was the best experience so far. We met David and he helped us with a lot of informations. Kili Slope and tours is the best agency, Jackson ,the driver, is very kind and professional.I sent my request to at least 10 agencies but I chose Kili Slope. We changed several times the dates, the schedule because of the pandemic but everything went well. I would highly recommend it.
David was instrumental in ensuring that every details of our 4 day itinerary was looked after with professionalism. Everything went as planned. Thanks to Our driver Stuart, who was knowledgeable, familiar with the landscape; we saw the big 5. The accomodations were all very good. I Strongly recommend them for your next safari. Asante Sana guys!
