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Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route 7 Days

Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route 7 Days

Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

Price

$1,596.00

Duration

7 days

Max People

15

Min Age

15+

Tour Overview

The Lemosho route which is longer than others allowing climbers to acclimatize properly to the altitude is the most preferred one among climbers.

The Lemosho route 7 days is a very scenic hiking route, starting on the western slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro before merging with the Machame Route halfway through. It leads you through the lush rainforest, past the eerie forest, and up to the Barranco Wall. The altitude profile of the Lemosho Route is ideal for acclimatization, allowing climbers to hike to higher altitudes during the day than they’ll be sleeping overnight.

The Lemosho Route can be completed in 7 or 8 days. We mostly recommend the 8 days Lemosho Route over the 7-day Lemosho Route to allow more time to acclimatize to the high altitude.

Tour Highlights

  • Departure and Return Place: Moshi Town to Lemosho Gate and then back to Kilimanjaro International Airport (Google Map)
  • Departure Time: Please be ready by 8:15 AM for a prompt departure at 9:30 AM.
  • Return Time: Approximately 10:30 AM on the last day.
  • Dress Code: Casual. Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking shoes, hat, cold weather jacket, gloves, pants, and spare clothing.
  • Accommodation: Two nights of accommodations based on Bed and Breakfast at 3 stars hotel (upgrades on request).
  • Customizations: Can be customized upon request, to meet traveler's needs
  • Extensions: Trip Extensions are available on request.
  • Trip Availability: All year round.

Itinerary

Day 1 Londorossi Gate (2100m) – Mti Mkubwa camp (2750m)

After eating breakfast at your hotel, your guide will brief you on the day. You will drive two hours from Arusha (1400m) to Londorossi Park Gate (2100m). In the village near Londorossi Gate, you will receive a packed lunch and can buy mineral water for the hike. Then the final 45 minutes of the drive leading up to the gate will be on a bumpy forest track requiring 4WD vehicles. At the entrance gate, the guides and porters distribute the supplies and register with the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA). You are now ready to begin your 3-hour hike into the rain forest. Be on the look out for Colobus monkeys! Along the way, you will stop for an afternoon lunch break and arrive at Mti Mkubwa (“Big Tree”) Campsite (2750m) in the early evening. The porters, who arrive at the campsite before the clients, will set up your tent and boil water for drinking and washing. The chef will prepare a snack then dinner for the clients. At nighttime, mountain temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared!

Hiking time: 3 hours
Habitat: Montane forest

Day 2 Mti Mkubwa Camp (2750m) – Shira 2 Camp (3840m)

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.

Hiking time: 6.5 hours
Habitat: Moorland

Day 3 Shira (3840m) – Lava Tower (4630m) – Barranco Camp (3950m)

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 6800m 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 setting.

Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers
Habitat: Semi-desert

Day 4 Barranco Camp (3950m) – Karanga Camp (3950m)

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.

Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Distance: Approximately 5 kilometers
Habitat: Alpine desert

Day 5 Karanga Camp (3959m) – Barafu Hut (4600)

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!

Hiking time: 2-3 hours
Distance: Approximately 4 kilometers
Habitat: Alpine desert

Day 6 Summit attempt Barafu Camp (4600m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka (3100m)

Your guide will wake you around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The route heads northwest and you will ascend over stone scree. During the ascent, many hikers feel that this is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the climb. In about 6 hours, you will reach Stella Point (5685m), located on the crater rim. After enjoying the magnificent sunrise, you will continue ascending for about 2 hours on a snow-covered trail to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Barafu Camp takes about 3 hours. At camp, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Mweka Hut (3100m). The Mweka Trail will lead you through the scree and rocks to the moorland and eventually into the rain forest. Mweka Camp (3100m) is located in the upper rain forest, so fog and rain should be expected. You will have dinner, wash, and rest soundly at camp.

Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 7-8 hours to descend to Mweka
Distance: Approximately 7 kilometers ascent and 23 kilometers descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Day 7 Mweka camp (3100m) – Mweka Gate (1980m)

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. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Stella Point (5685m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, hikers will descend into the Mweka village for 1 hour (3 kilometers). And you will drive back to your hotel in Moshi.

Hiking time: 3 hours
Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers
Habitat: Forest

Pricing Includes/Excludes

  • Two way private airport transfers
  • All park fees collected by the National Park
  • Hotel ccommodations one night before and one night after the expedition
  • Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro
  • All meals on the hike
  • All group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery)
  • Oxygen cylinders and oximeters
  • Complete Expedition medical kits
  • Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park
  • Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.)
  • Government taxes
  • Crew salaries
  • Medical evacuations with AMREF Flying doctors
  • Purified water while on the mountain
  • Portable tented private flush toilet
  • Personal Climbing gears
  • Tanzania Visa on arrival
  • Mountaineering Insurance
  • Tips and Gratuities
  • Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)

FAQs

Do You Offer Private & Fully Customizable Climbs For Kilimanjaro?

Your Kilimanjaro dream climb is entirely your own to design. We will work with you to customize exactly the triumphant Tanzanian mountainous quest experience you want. You go with the people you choose. You leave on whatever day you wish. You decide on your preferred route option, pace, and the number of days you will take

I would like to book but I have group is large group, is this a problem?

We aim to keep the size of the public groups to a minimum, as we feel that a group that is much larger than ten trekkers is cumbersome and trekkers lose the sense that they are in a wilderness if there are too many people. That said, if you are a single, private group, then there is no problem accommodating you whatever the size of the group, as, of course, you will be aware before arriving in Tanzania of the number of people you will be trekking with.

Who are your operators in Tanzania?

We are. We are not agents for anybody, but run the treks ourselves through our own Tanzanian company. So you can rest assured that whoever you speak to in our company has climbed Kilimanjaro – and probably many times.

Are there charging stations on Mount Kilimanjaro?

There are no charging stations on Mount Kilimanjaro. We recommend bringing Power Banks and spare batteries. There are charging ports in our safari vehicles.

Do we tip the hiking crew?

Yes, it is expected and much appreciated. The amount depends on the number of days, but can range from $150 and $300 per hiker. Tips are pooled and shared amongst the crew. Bring US dollar bills.

What will I eat - I am a vegetarian?

You will eat normal food: potatoes, rice, pasta, vegetables, eggs, sandwiches, cheese, and fruit. When you book a trek, let your tour operator know about food allergies or medical conditions that require special diets. Non-vegetarians will be served sausages, chicken, and meat. Tea, coffee, and hot chocolate will be available as well.

How long is the hike?

There are at least six routes to the top, Uhuru peak. You will hike between 53 and 73km depending on which route you choose. The shortest and toughest is the 5-day Umbwe route. Allowing extra days will help you to acclimatize better and improve your chances of reaching the summit. The easiest and most popular route is Marangu (which can be done in five), but we use six days for this route.

What kind of experience do I need?

None, but previous hiking or climbing experience will help. You need to be fit and healthy and have a good pair of worn-in hiking boots. The fitter you are the more you are likely to enjoy it.

How high is Kilimanjaro?

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain in the world and the highest mountain in Africa. Its highest point is Uhuru Peak on the Kibo crater at 5895m above sea level.

Where is Kilimanjaro?

The mountain is in Tanzania, East Africa, about 350km from the equator. The nearest towns are Moshi and Arusha.

What about solar protection?

Tanzania is very near to the equator. So the sun is always at its acme for most of the day. The sun can be fierce and cause sunburns and sunstroke. Wear a hat, shades, and use SPF sunblock lotion

What travel documents do I need?

You will need a passport that is valid at least six months beyond your dates of travel with an entry or re-entry visa, duly endorsed.

Who are your operators in Tanzania?

We are. We are not agents for anybody, but run the treks ourselves through our own registered Tanzanian local company.

What are the Kilimanjaro accommodations like?

Your mountain camps are set up and broken down each day by expert camp porters. You’ll stay in double occupancy all-weather tents with full-ground pads to keep you and your gear dry. Private toilet tents, solar-lit dining tents with tables and chairs, and basins of hot water for washing are provided in every camp. Grand Traverse treks include upgraded solar-lit walk-in-height sleeping tents with mountaineering beds and mattresses for additional comfort.

What kind of food will I eat?

Highly-trained chefs prepare three hot nutritious meals daily, as well as trail snacks and afternoon tea each day. You’ll eat all your meals in a solar-lit dining tent with your fellow trekkers and head guide. Delicious vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other specialty meals can be provided (with advance request). We’re happy to send you a sample menu—just ask!

Will I see wildlife?

Prior to the climb, you’ll enjoy an acclimatization day with wildlife viewing and nature walks. Trekking through the rain forest, you’re likely to spot black-and-white Colobus monkeys, tropical birds and more.

How many hours will I trek each day?

On most routes, you’ll trek 4-7 hours most days. On certain routes you’ll trek as many as 10-15 hours on the longest days.

Do You Offer Crater Camp Option On Kilimanjaro Climbs

An overnight stop at Crater Camp is an optional extra on any customized Kilimanjaro climb , usually lasting eight actual mountain days or more on the Shira, Lemosho, Umbwe and Machame routes. Possibly the most bizarre place you will ever see, it is visited by less than 5% of the 40,000 to 50,000 people who annually ascent Kilimanjaro on a distinct highlands voyage in northern Tanzania

Do You Offer Private and Fully Customizable Climbs For Kilimanjaro

Your Kilimanjaro dream climb is entirely your own to design. We will work with you to customize exactly the triumphant Tanzanian mountainous quest experience you want. You go with the people you choose. You leave on whatever day you wish. You decide on your preferred route option, pace, and the number of days you will take.

When is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?

Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed anytime throughout the year. Most travelers prefer climbing during the dry seasons: December to March, June to October. Many consider the best months to climb Kilimanjaro to be January, February, and September.

Other Tour Details

Tour Pricing

Number of People Cost Per Person in US($) Budget Package Cost Per Person in US($) Standard Package
1 Person $1,906 $2,550
2 People $1,838 $2,120
3 People $1,720 $2,095
4 People $1,666 $2,050
5 People $1,656 $2,000
6 People $1,652 $1,990
7 People $1,636 $1,985
8 People $1,616 $1,965
9 People $1,600 $1,945
10 People + $1,596 $1,920

Tour Accommodations

Classic Package Deluxe Package
2 nights Accommodations at your own choice of hotel according to your budget 2 nights Accommodations on BB at either of the following Panama Garden resort or Ameg Lodge

Tour Map

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We are a well-established business, founded in 2016 by Daniel Mlangwa (Managing Director) who worked as a tour guide before founding the company.

We are locally owned and based in Tanzania and Kenya.

We also operate our own fleet of vehicles and employ our own drivers and guides which makes our prices competitive as it eliminates commission to third parties.

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CCM Mkoa Building,  Taifa Road.
Moshi Kilimanjaro Tanzania.

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