Lemosho Route Itinerary
Quest From the West – A Day-to-Day Travelogue on the Lemosho Route
All accommodation is included from the initial meeting point through to the end of the expedition, as listed on the itinerary. We always choose the highest quality hotels, even when travelling through more remote areas with less established infrastructures.
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be transferred to your accommodation where your guide will meet you for a full briefing and equipment check.
- Elevation: 2335m to 2780m
- Distance: 6 km
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest.
We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at the trailhead, we eat lunch, then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first campsite.
-Elevation: 2335m to 3900m
-Distance: 8 km
-Hiking Time 5-6 hours
-Habitat: Moorland.
We continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.
-Elevation: 3900m to 3900m
-Distance: 14 km
-Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
-Habitat: Moorland.
We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo's Glacier Peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on Earth.
-Elevation: 3900m to 4000m
-Distance: 7 km
-Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
-Habitat: Semi Desert.
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the southeast towards the Lava Tower, called the Sharks Tooth. Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
-Elevation: 4000 m to 4640m
-Distance: 9km
-Hiking Time: 8-10 hours
-Habitat: Alpine Desert.
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We 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 we camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
-Elevation: 4673 m to 5895m to 3950 m
-Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
-Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
-Habitat: Arctic
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (5756m), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting).
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. 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.
-Elevation: 3950m to 1630m
-Distance: 10 km
-Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
-Habitat: Rain Forest
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate 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 gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi.
Today you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport in time for your flight, or if you’ve decided to extend your Tanzanian adventure, begin the next part of your journey!
