Lemosho Route

 The Lemosho Route is relatively new. It starts on the Western side of Mount Kilimanjaro at the Londorossi Gate and was introduced as an alternative to the Shira Route which begins at a higher, more challenging altitude. The Londorossi Gate is a fair drive from the town of Moshi, and considerably further from Arusha. At the gate you will register with the authorities before being driven a further 12km to the starting point. The western side of Kilimanjaro is still very wild, and you may get lucky and spot large antelope, buffalo and maybe even elephant.  

Hiking time: 3 ½ hours
Distance: Approximately 5.4 km
Habitat: Montane forest

After breakfast at the hotel in Arusha, we drive approximately 2 hours through the rural countryside to the Londrossi Gate. For the necessary park registration formalities at the Londorossi National Park gate, we drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho road head. We start our ascent along the forest trail we camp at Lemosho Mti Mkubwa Camp. 

Hiking time: 8 hours
Distance: 15.6 km
Habitat: Moorland

You rise early at Forest camp and, after breakfast, you trek a hour or so to the end of the forest and then the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. Several streams are crossed. After 8.1 km we reach Shira 1 camp (3504m) located on the Western edge of the Shira Plateau where we stop for lunch.
After lunch we hike across the Shira plateau for another 7.5km to the Shira 2 Camp, situated on the moorland meadows (3875m). By now you will be able to see, in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. 

Hiking time: 8 hours
Distance: Approximately 10.3 km
Habitat: Semi desert

 The first part of the days trek is fairly steep as you climb up out of the jungle and into the moorland ecosystem dominated by Giant Heathers and a variety of grasses and wildflowers. You will first reach Shira Ridge before the trail continues slightly downhill across the broad expanse of the Shira Plateau to Shira 1 Camp for rest and lunch. We then continue on to Shira 2 camp across the Shira Plateau, and are able to admire the Western Breach if the skies are clear. Today's long day allows us more time to acclimatize at the higher camps with shorter days before our big summit day. 

Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: 6 km
Habitat: Semi desert

 A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the southern ice fields. The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to our camp at Karanga (4,100 m.). [4-5 hours walking] 

Hiking time: 3 hours
Distance: 3.4km
Habitat: Alpine desert

 Today consists of a challenging climb up the steep Barranco wall (some scrambling but not technically difficult), easily one of the highlights of the trek. You'll be able to admire the majestic views at the top before dropping into the Karanga Valley where we will break for lunch and spend the second half of the day resting and acclimatizing. 

Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend to Mweka Camp
Distance: Approximately 4.5 km ascent and 10.8 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

We start our ascent by torchlight at about 12 a.m. to be up on the crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zigzags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5,735 m.) in about five or six hours.

We rest there for a short time to enjoy sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.).

The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast and we continue to descend to reach our final campsite (3,100 m.) at the edge of Mweka Forest. [11-15 hours walking]

Hiking time: 4 to 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 8.5 km
Habitat: Forest

 From Mweka campsite it is a 4 to 5 hours descent through the forest to Mweka gate to collect certificates and meet the vehicle. Return to Moshi for the night and to have a final farewell dinner with your guides.