Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route

Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route is the best ascent route, but this offers the complete Kilimanjaro experience, more acclimatization time, more culture, more spectacular scenery and even a night in Kibo caldera. Note: this itinerary ascends via Stella Point and NOT the Western Breach and is for that reason considered to be a safer route.

Highlights: THE MOST SCENIC KILIMANJARO ROUTE! Lemosho ascent of Kilimanjaro, afromontane forest, Shira plateau, glacial valleys and alpine desert, views of Mawenzi, ascent of Kibo and possible views of Kibo caldera and ash pit. Glaciers and the roof of Africa!

Departure from
Arusha
Maximum Altitude
5,895 metres
Best season
All year round
Transportation
Vehicle, Trekking
Fitness level
Easy to Moderate
Meals
All meals during the trek
Tour type
Eco-Tour, Hiking, Trekking
Language
English, Spanish, French, Italian
Accomodation
Hotel first night and last after the trek, Camping while trekking
Destinations
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania Safari Tours
Activities
Mountain Climbing and Trekking, Hiking, Trekking
Trip Type
Mountain Climbing, Family Holiday, Nature Friendly, Photography Safari
Difficulty
Medium

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Map

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Map

Overview

Highlights

The most scenic Kilimanjaro route.
Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route is the best ascent route.
Views of Mawenzi, ascent of Kibo and possible views of Kibo caldera.
Ascend via Stella Point and NOT the Western Breach and is for that reason considered to be a safer route.

Day 1 :

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) - Transfer to Arusha

Welcome to Tanzania! Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) you will be met by your driver/guide and transferred to Arusha for overnight. The rest of the day is free, enjoy the accommodations tranquil natural setting as you settle in for your first night in Tanzania. Take a stroll, enjoy the sights and sounds. Get plenty of rest tomorrow will be huge! Dinner and overnight at Maura Apartment.

Day 2 :

Arusha - Londorossi

Drive to Londorossi Gate, approximately two hours. After completing the necessary registration formalities at Londorossi Gate, we drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho trail head. Here we will meet our local Tanzanian staff, most of whom are Chagga tribe from the area around Kilimanjaro. It is an easy day of walking up a small path through beautiful and lush forest. Start: Lemosho trailhead 2,100 m/6,750 ft. End: Big Tree Camp 2,850 m/9,200 ft. Elevation gain: 750 m/2,440 ft. Time: 4 hours on average Distance: About 5 km/3 miles Dinner and overnight at Big Tree Camp/Mti Mkumbwa Camp.

Day 3 :

Shira Camp

Big Tree/Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira I Camp. We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. This is perhaps the most unique of the different ecological zones on Kilimanjaro. The trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. There is a tangible sense of wilderness, especially if afternoon mists come in. We camp in the center of the large Shira Volcanic Plateau at Shira I. Start: Big Tree Camp 2,850 m/9,200 ft. End: Shira I Camp 3,505 m/11,500 ft. Elevation gain: 700 m/2,300 ft. Time: 7 hours average Distance: About 9 km/5.6 miles Dinner and overnight at Shira 1 Camp.

Day 4 :

Moir Camp

Shira 1 Camp to Moir Camp, 13,500 ft. (4,114 m). Moir Camp is tucked away at the end of a large gorge, below a giant lava flow. We travel through the upper range of the moorlands zone, crossing the large Shira Plateau, and ascend gradually on easy terrain. Here we are on the northwest side of the mountain, above Kenya. This spectacular camp is located beneath the northern ice fields of Kilimanjaro. Start: Shira I Camp 3,505 m/11,500 ft. End: Moir Camp 4,114 m/13,500 ft. Elevation gain: 600 m/2,000 ft. Time: 6 hours average Distance: About 10 km/6 miles Dinner and overnight at Moir Camp.

Day 5 :

Lava Camp

We ascend through the upper moorland zone into the alpine desert zone arriving at Lava Tower Camp (15,090 ft.). As noted, this day takes us out of the heath zone and into alpine desert. This is a shorter day, where we are very close to the dramatic western face of the mountain. We sleep at just over 15,000 ft., critical for acclimatizing to the elevation of our High Camp, which we will reach on climb Day 6. There is time for short acclimatization walks for those that are interested. Very scenic mountain views. Start: Moir Camp 4,114 m/13,500 ft. End: Lava Tower Camp 4,600 m/15,090 ft. Elevation gain: 490 m/1,500 ft. Time: 3.5 hours average Distance: About 5 km/3.1 miles Dinner and overnight at Lava Camp.

Day 6 :

Karanga Camp

We descend 2,000 ft. through dramatic scenery to the Barranco Valley before ascending the famous Barranco wall to Karanga Valley Camp. This is one of our longer days, but excellent for acclimatization. From camp we can see some wonderful sunsets and have views of the glacier valley and ice fields above. Start: Lava Tower Camp 4,600 m/15,090 ft. End: Karanga Camp 4,053 m/13,300 ft. Elevation gain: 442 m/1,450 ft. Elevation loss: 762 m/2,500 ft. Time: 7 hours average Distance: About 11 km/7 miles Dinner and overnight at Karanga Camp.

Day 7 :

Kosovo Camp

From the Karanga River we climb about five to six hours to our camp at Kosovo (15,600 ft.). As we wind through beautiful and rarely traveled regions, we enter a high desert plateau, littered with volcanic boulders. Looking south we view the desert plains as the pinnacles of Mawenzi Peak tower before us. Another night above 15,000 ft. prepares us for sleeping in the crater. At Kosovo we prepare for the summit attempt. We spend our time resting and preparing for our departure the next morning. There will be a detailed summit briefing covering the climb and the crater camp with options to sleep lower than the crater if needed. Start: Karanga Valley 4,055 m/13,300 ft. End: Kosovo Camp 4,760 m/15,600 ft. Elevation gain: 700 m/2,300 ft. Time: 5-6 hours Distance: About 5 km/3 miles Dinner and overnight at Kosovo Camp.

Day 8 :

Uhuru Peak 5,896 m/19,344 ft.

Summit day and Crater Camp. Awake early in the morning and prepare for the ascent, leaving at approximately 6 a.m. Following a distinct ridge, we approach the crater’s rim, then traverse northwest along the rim to the main summit, Uhuru Peak (19,344 ft.). From here we view the Bismarck Towers, rock pinnacles along the rim, and the hanging Rebman Glaciers. After enjoying the view from the top, we descend down to the crater to camp for the day and night. There are options to visit the tiny Furtwangler Glacier in the crater floor, as well as climb up to the ash pit rim to look down into the blow hole of the volcano. High Camp to Summit Start: Kosovo Camp 4,760 m Summit: Uhuru Peak 5,896 m/19,344 ft. Elevation gain: 1,136 m/3,726 ft. Time: 7-9 hours average Distance: About 7 km/3.4 miles Descent Start: Uhuru Peak 5,896 m/19,344 ft. End: Crater Camp 5,600 m/18,700 ft. OR Kosovo Camp 4,760 m/15,600 ft. Elevation loss: 200 m/1,100 ft. Time: 1-3 hours Dinner and overnight at Crater Camp.

Day 9 :

Mweka Camp

The sunrises are exquisite as we awaken in the crater. After breakfast, we descend down from the crater all the way to Mweka Camp at 10,000 ft. on the edge of the forest zone. We enjoy views of the towering mountain above us as we descend through the heather to our last night on the mountain. Start: Crater Camp 5,600 m/18,700 ft. End: Mweka Camp 3,000 m/10,000 ft. Elevation loss: 3,000 m/9,344 ft. Time: 7-8 hours descent Distance: About 14.2 km/9 miles Dinner and overnight at Mweka Camp.

Day 10 :

Mweka to Arusha

We descend the lush green landscape of the Mweka route into the thickest jungle we have yet encountered. The environment becomes primordial, with 40-ft. fern trees creating a prehistoric atmosphere. After reaching the Mweka Gate, we have a celebration lunch and drive to Arusha, clean up at the hotel, and enjoy a celebratory dinner. Start: Mweka Camp 3,100 m/10,200 ft. End: Mweka Gate 1,800 m/5,580 ft. Elevation loss: 1,300 m/5,900 ft. Time: 4 hours average Distance: About 7 km/4 miles Dinner and overnight at Maura Apartment.

Day 11 :

Transfer from Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport

It’s the final day in mainland Tanzania, depending with the time of your flight departure, be sure to grab any last minute souvenirs you may want and say one last goodbye to the the new friends you made in Tanzania before. Our drive will come to the hotel to pick you up for trip to the Airport to catch a flight back home. Or else a trip to the beaches at Zanzibar is a good way to recuperate. We can also arrange many reasonably priced safaris before Mount Kilimanjaro trek to help with acclimatization. Kwa heri ya kuonana – (Good bye and see you again).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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How fit do I need to be to do this trek?

Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will too, you can.

How long do we walk every day when doing Annapurna Base Camp trekking?

On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.

What is the highest altitude reached in this trek?

The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.

What about battery charging and hot shower facilities?

Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.

Are there ATMs on the way to Annapurna Base Camp?

No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.

What about internet access?

Yes. The Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. The Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.

Is it necessary to hire Guides/trekking agency for Annapurna Base Camp trekking?

Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason.

It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.

How much do guides and porters cost?

For the Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Map

Overview

Highlights

Itinerary

Cost

The Cost Includes

The Cost Excludes

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Map

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