Lemosho Route
The Lemosho route start off from the west side of Mount Kilimanjaro. From Arusha there is a long drive to Londoros Gate. We recommend a minimum of 7 days but 8 days is preferable for better acclimatization and summit success. Lemosho 7 day route skips the third day of the itinerary below with climbers beginning day 2 at Big Tree Camp and finishing at Shira 2 Camp.
Itinerary
Day of arrival.
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by an Omura representative who will transfer you to your hotel. There, you will be given time to settle in before a meet and greet with your guides. In this meeting, we will brief you on what to expect on Mount Kilimanjaro and answer any last-minute questions you may have. After the briefing, we recommend an early night for an early pick-up the following day.
Day 1.
After breakfast, you will be collected from your hotel around 8:00 am and you will be driven to Lemosho Gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. After the registration process, you will still start our climb steadily through the forests of the Lemosho Glades to reach Big Tree Camp where you will be spending the night. During dinner, you will be briefed for the following day by your head guide.
Camp: Lemosho Glades to Big Tree Camp
Elevation: 2,360m (7,742ft) to 2,895m (9,498ft)
Distance: 7km (4.3 miles)
Trekking Time: 4 hours
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest
Day 2.
Your climb continues as you trek across the rainforest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. We gain a reasonable amount of altitude today and parts of the route are fairly steep. Our destination for today is Shira 1 Camp where there are often views of Kibo Peak.
Camp: Big Tree Camp to Shira 1 Camp
Elevation: 2,895m (9,498ft) to 3,505m (11,500ft)
Distance: 8.5km (5 miles)
Trekking Time: 6-7 hours
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest
Day 3.
Today is a light trekking day as we depart from Shira 1 Camp towards the second high-altitude camp, Shira 2 Camp. This trek is not difficult and you will be able to enjoy spectacular views of Africa and the unique flora of Mount Kilimanjaro and the surrounding area. On a clear day, Shira 2 Camp is the best camp to see Mount Meru (the fifth summit of Africa). When you arrive at camp you will have lunch, and after a two-hour rest, everyone will complete an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp that features a 200m gain in altitude.
Camp: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Elevation: 3,505m (11,500ft) to 3,810m (12,500ft)
Distance: 8km (5 miles)
Trekking Time: 5 hours
Vegetation Zone: Low Alpine
Day 4.
Your day starts with an ascent reaching panoramic views and walking through the upland desert and on the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. You will reach the distinct pinnacle of the Lava Tower (4600m), our high point for the day and a great place to enjoy your lunch. In the afternoon we make a steep descent to our camp for the night, located in the base of the Great Barranco Valley sheltered by towering cliffs with extensive views of the plains below.
Camp: Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 3,810m (12,500ft) to 3,976m (13,044ft)
Distance: 10km (6.2 miles)
Trekking Time: 7 hours
Vegetation Zone: High Alpine
Day 5.
After an early breakfast, we start the steep climb of summiting Barranco Wall. Whilst hiking up the gorge, experience the kissing rock alongside spectacular views of the valley. After the climb, we take a short break allowing you to take photos in front of the Kibo volcano. After the break, you start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route.
Camp: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 3,976m (13,044ft) to 3,995m (13,106ft)
Distance: 5.5km (3.4 miles)
Trekking Time: 5 hours
Vegetation Zone: High Alpine
Day 6.
Today you trek to Barafu Summit Camp, the starting point for a night summiting Uhuru Peak (5,895m). You will climb steep desolate slopes before reaching base camp. After regaining strength, you have to complete an acclimatization hike towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp (4,800 m) and then back to Barafu Camp. After an early dinner, we recommend resting and sleeping before being awoken at 11 pm to prepare for the summit climb.
Camp: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 3,995m (13,106ft) to 4,673m (15,331ft)
Distance: 3km (1.9 miles)
Trekking Time: 3 hours
Vegetation Zone: High Alpine
Day 7 (Summit Day).
We start the summit climb at midnight and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing slowly but gain incredible height over a short distance. We will reach the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of sunlight begin to show. Here we will take a short break to watch the sunrise over Africa. You will have spectacular views of the ice cliffs within the crater surrounding us and views of Mawenzi Peak. We continue for another hour up to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending down a separate track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast. After a short rest, you will continue to descend to Mweka Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Camp: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4,673m (15,331ft) to 5,895m (19,341ft) to 3,068m (10,065ft)
Distance: 16km (9.6 miles)
Trekking Time: 13-15 hours
Vegetation Zone: Glacial, High Alpine, Low Alpine, Rainforest
Day 8.
A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and present you with a certificate confirming you summited Mount Kilimanjaro. We are then met by our vehicles and transferred back to your hotel for a well-earned rest and celebration with your guides.
Camp: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 3,068m (10,065ft) to 1,640m (5,380ft)
Distance: 9km (8 miles)
Trekking Time: 6-7 hours
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest
Final Day.
After breakfast, a vehicle will transfer you to your next destination. If you have additional time we recommend you extend your stay. Omura offers safari packages to see nature at its finest or maybe a relaxing beach trip to Zanzibar.
