Kilimanjaro Climb – Lemosho-Mweka Route. With its beauty, remoteness, and high success rate, it ensures a memorable experience. Start your journey in the lush rainforest and conquer the mountain with improved acclimatisation.
Overview
Kilimanjaro Climb: The Lemosho-Mweka Route is widely considered to be the best route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Not too long ago, there were only two main routes to climb Kilimanjaro: the Marangu (Coca-Cola) route and the Machame (Whisky) route. Tanzania’s tourism industry flourished, and the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority created more trails to Africa’s highest peak to distribute climbers to more areas of the park. This reduced bottlenecks at certain points and also made for a more pleasant experience by limiting crowds. Additionally, these latter trails were more thoughtfully designed to improve acclimatisation for the climber by incorporating longer distances, longer times on the mountain, and shorter elevation gains. Lemosho, a relatively new route, falls into this category.
The Lemosho route is preferred due to its beauty, remoteness, and success rate. In short, it maximises the chances that a climber will reach the summit, and enjoy the experience overall. Access to the trail begins with a long drive from Moshi or Arusha to Londorossi Gate. This can take three to four hours. Londorossi Gate is located at the western base of the mountain.
The trail
Lemosho starts in the lush, fertile rainforest. It is the first ecological zone you encounter on Kilimanjaro (we will trek through four). The route heads up and across the Shira Plateau, which used to be Kilimanjaro’s third peak before it collapsed. We make our way north to Moir Hut, which serves great acclimatisation. The short hikes can be done in the nearby Lent Hills. Next, we climb high up and over Lava Tower before dropping into Barranco Valley, one of the prettiest areas on the entire trail. We climb the intimidating Barranco Wall and then circle along the southern circuit to Karanga and high camp Barafu Hut. The summit attempt is made from Barafu in the early morning hours. This is the coldest, windiest section of your adventure. But once the sun comes up, so can most of your extra layers. After the summit, the descent follows the Mweka trail.
The Lemosho route is approximately 70 km/ 42 miles from gate to gate. It is designed for physically fit people with some hiking experience. However, we have many clients who tackle the route as their first real backpacking experience. They do very well. This is considered to be the ideal Lemosho route variation.
Day 1: Nairobi – Moshi.
We pick you up from your hotel to join a shuttle to Moshi via Namanga and Arusha. Lunch will be sourced en route, reaching Moshi town at 16:00 hrs. Check-in at our hotel for overnight. We will gather in the evening at 18:00 hrs. for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check. We will also confirm you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance.
Meal plan: Dinner, Breakfast.
Day 2: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa
Elevation: 2,360m – 2895m, Distance: 6km, Hiking Time: 3-4hrs.
We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive another 12km to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at the trailhead, we begin hiking through the undisturbed forest, which winds to the first campsite.
{Meals plan = Lunch, Dinner}
DAY 3: Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp
Elevation: 2,895m – 3,500m, Distance: 8km, Hiking Time 5-6hrs.
We continue on the trail leading out of the rainforest 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. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.
{Meals plan = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner}
DAY 4: Shira 1 Camp to Moir Hut
Elevation: 3,500m – 4,200m, Distance: 11km, Hiking Time: 5-7hrs.
We explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. Then we divert from the main trail 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 acclimatisation opportunity. Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
{Meals plan = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner}
DAY 5: Moir Hut to Lava Tower
Elevation: 4,200m – 4,630m, Distance: 7km, Hiking Time: 4-5hrs
Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 4,630m – 3,980m, Distance: 3 km, Hiking Time: 2-3hrs
We begin the day by climbing up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower, an over 90-metre-tall volcanic rock formation. We descend to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at a higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatisation.
{Meals plan = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner}
DAY 6: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 3,980m – 4,000m, Distance: 5km, Hiking Time: 4-5hrs
We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall, we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. Today’s hike is short and meant for acclimatisation.
{Meals plan = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner}
DAY 7: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 4,000m – 4,670m, Distance: 4km, Hiking Time: 4-5hrs
We leave Karanga and hit the junction, which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section of Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.
{Meals plan = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner}
DAY 8: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
Ascent – Uhuru Peak
Elevation: 4,670m – 5,895m, Distance: 5km, Hiking Time: 7-8hrs
Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. magnificent sunrise awaits you at Stella Point (5,760 m) over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
Descent – Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 5,895m – 3,070m, Distance: 12 km, Hiking Time: 4-6hrs
A short photo session before we embark on the descent. Proceed straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for 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, where 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.
{Meals plan = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner}
DAY 9: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 3,070m – 1,640m, Distance: 10km, Hiking Time: 3-4hrs
On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate, where you collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, the trail can be wet and muddy. An hour’s walk from the gate will take us to Mweka Village. Our vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us to Arusha for dinner and overnight.
{Meals plan = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner}
Day 10: Arusha – Nairobi
After early breakfast, you will be picked up and transferred to the Nairobi-bound shuttle terminal, which departs at 8:00 am. Expected to arrive in Nairobi at 4:00 pm.
Options are, of course, many and varied, and in many cases, we can be flexible about the itinerary for accommodation facilities and the extension of the safari destinations.
Meal plan: Breakfast.
Mountains have their own climate on account of their height. Rain clouds can appear without warning and be gone hours later. An early morning frost is possible at any time of the year, and guests should bring a fleece and light rain jacket, although, during the heat of the day, shorts and T-shirts should suffice.
Sleeping bag: one rated for four (4) seasons is fine. The bag should be a snug fit since if it is too large, there will be more cool air for the body to warm
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- Rain Trouser
- Rain Jacket [Poncho]
- Balaclava [Hat Woollen]
- Warm Clothes down jacket
- Thermal underwear
- Fleece Jacket
- Hiking Boots
- Gloves
- Walking Sticks
- Head Torch
- Sunglasses
- First Aid box
- Ruck Suck 65L (duffel bags are unacceptable) to be carried by porters
- Day Pack 35 [For your personal effects]
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- Optional comfort accessories;
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Walking poles, hot water bottle, Bivy bag
Wet wipes; ideal for those who want to stay fresh but are unable to bear dips in the freezing mountain weather
4: Passport/Identification Card {ID}
5: Personal travel/ medical insurance
Options are, of course, many and varied, and in many cases, we can be flexible about the itinerary for accommodation facilities and the extension of the safari destinations.
