Climb Kilimanjaro: the Lemosho Route

The Lemosho route starts on the western side of the massif and leads the team gradually out of damp mountain forest onto the open Shira plateau. The trail then joins the southern circuit of Kibo and passes the Lava Tower, Barranco, Karanga and the Barafu assault camp.

The main acclimatisation element of the programme is the climb to the Lava Tower at 4,360 m followed by a descent to sleep at Barranco at about 4,000 m. The body receives an altitude stimulus but recovers lower down. That scheme is more useful than a direct daily gain, but it does not rule out acute mountain sickness.

The climb up the Barranco Wall looks technical, but on the standard trail it is not rock climbing. What matters is stability on uneven ground, no pronounced fear of exposure and a readiness to move at the group’s pace.

The summit push begins at night from Barafu. After reaching the crater rim the team continues to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m and descends south through Mweka. It is a long day: fatigue, cold and a large loss of altitude call for sustained attention and for following the guide’s decisions.

Before the trip you need to build endurance and get used to long days on foot. Follow the guidance on preparing for mountain ascents and study the signs of altitude sickness in advance.

For a more compact programme Machame is the alternative, and for nights in huts, Marangu.

The natural drama of Lemosho is built on contrasts. In the damp forest the air smells of earth and vegetation; on Shira the horizon opens for tens of kilometres; near the Lava Tower the landscape becomes almost extraterrestrial; and above Barranco the southern glaciers of Kibo appear. That is why the route stays interesting even on days without a large gain in altitude.

Lemosho is easy to combine with a safari after Kilimanjaro: a few hours after a cold summit night participants find themselves among the savannahs of northern Tanzania. If you would rather end the trip by the ocean, a stay on Zanzibar is the natural choice.

Day 1. Arrival in Tanzania.

Meeting at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Moshi. After check-in there is a briefing, a check of personal equipment and preparation of the duffel bag. Night at the hotel. In the evening the group meets the team and discusses for the first time the crossing of five high-altitude natural zones that lies ahead.

Day 2. Moshi to the western side of Kilimanjaro to the forest camp.

Drive to the western gate of the national park, registration and the drop-off at the start of the trail. The first stage passes through damp mountain forest and allows the gain in altitude to begin without a sharp pace. Night in tents. In the forest the air stays warm and humid, and the noise of the city gives way quickly to rustling leaves and the sound of mountain streams.

Day 3. Forest camp to Shira 1 to Shira 2.

The team leaves the forest for the heather moorland and the Shira plateau. After a rest in the Shira 1 area the stage continues to the Shira 2 camp at 3,810 m. Night in tents. On the open plateau Kibo appears whole for the first time, and behind you lie the ruined walls of the ancient Shira volcano.

Day 4. Shira 2 to the Lava Tower to Barranco.

The route climbs to the Lava Tower at about 4,360 m, then descends to the Barranco camp at about 4,000 m. The day puts into practice the principle of climbing high and sleeping low and plays a key part in acclimatisation. Night in tents. At the Lava Tower the green slopes disappear, and the road passes among dark lava, mist and the glaciers of the southern side.

Day 5. Barranco to the Barranco Wall to Karanga.

After descending into the gorge the team climbs the trail on the Barranco Wall and continues to the Karanga camp at 3,995 m. A day that is short in distance leaves time to recover. Night in tents. From the wall opens one of the main views of the route: the Karanga valley and the glaciers of Kibo above the clouds.

Day 6. Karanga to Barafu.

The stage to the Barafu assault camp at about 4,670 m. After check-in participants prepare clothing, head torches, water and food for the night departure. If everyone is feeling well, a short acclimatisation walk above the camp is possible. An early rest. Night in tents. Barafu looks severe and almost lifeless: from here the closeness of summit day is felt particularly clearly.

Day 7. Ascent of Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m, and descent to Millennium.

The departure begins at night. The team climbs to the crater rim and continues to the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m. The decision to continue is taken by the guide, taking account of the weather, the pace and each participant’s condition. After the summit the group descends to the Millennium camp at 3,820 m. Night in tents. The brightest moment comes at dawn, when the sun appears above the glaciers and the whole of East Africa opens up below.

Day 8. Millennium to the Mweka gate to Moshi.

The descent through forest to the Mweka gate at about 1,640 m, completion of the route formalities and transfer to Moshi. After check-in participants rest at the hotel. Night at the hotel. In a few hours cold volcanic desert gives way to warm forest, and only tiredness recalls the night on the summit.

Day 9. End of the programme.

Breakfast and transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport. The departure time is agreed against the confirmed flight. If you wish, the journey continues with a safari or a flight to the Indian Ocean.

• A Mountain Guide team leader with groups of four participants or more
• The services of a local English-speaking mountain guide
• The services of a cook and porters
• Meeting at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to the hotel
• Transfer from the hotel to Kilimanjaro International Airport after the programme
• All the road transfers set out in the programme
• Two nights in a 3* hotel in Moshi, twin occupancy, with breakfast
• The Kilimanjaro National Park permit and compulsory fees
• Accommodation in twin tents during the mountain part of the programme
• Full board during the mountain part of the programme – breakfast, lunch and dinner

• International flights to Tanzania and back
• The transfer between Nairobi and Moshi, if a participant chooses to fly via Kenya
• Medical insurance covering high-altitude trekking to 5,895 m and evacuation – compulsory for participation
• Entry visa where required for your nationality, payable separately at the current authority tariff
• Lunches and dinners at the hotel before and after the climb
• Single occupancy – the cost is confirmed separately
• Personal equipment and clothing
• Tips for the local mountain team – the recommended amount is confirmed before the trip
• Any costs arising from a departure from the programme