SHIRA/LEMOSHO ROUTE 7 | 8 DAYS
The Lemosho route is one of the newer routes on the mountain, and a superb choice for your climb. It is our preferred route due to its ideal balance of low traffic, beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rainforest to Shira Ridge.
Unlike the popular Machame route, which simply intersects the Shira Plateau, the Lemosho route crosses the entirety of the plain from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. An added bonus is that climbers will encounter low traffic until the route joins the Machame route. Afterwards, Lemosho follows the same route through Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu, known as the southern circuit. Descent is made via the Mweka route. Lemosho is considered the most scenic route on Kilimanjaro, and grants panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. Thus, Lemosho is highly recommended.
ARRIVAL DAY:
Pick up from Kilimanjaro international airport , you will be transferred to the one of hotel in Marangu Or Moshi
by our tour guide, who will also brief you on your upcoming trek and do equipment check to ensure every necessary mountain gears has been covered. This day is set aside to renting any missing gear.
Day 1: Londorossi gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp.
Climbers are taken to the gate at 2,000 metres at the entrance to the forest for entrance formalities, and then to the trailhead at Lemosho Glades at 2,200 metres. This is a long drive from Marangu – including the stop for gate formalities it often takes around 5 hours. The forest track to Lemosho Glades is also in poor condition, and vehicles often have to stop short of the trailhead, particularly in wet weather. From the trailhead, there is a 3 to 4 hour walk, ascending quite steeply through the forest, until a camp is made in a forest clearing dominated by a large tree – this is Mti Mkubwa camp at 2,800 metres.
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp.
Climbers emerge onto the moorland above the forest after about an hour, then detour northwards around the Shira ridge, through beautiful and rugged moorland with views northwards and westwards to the plains below the mountain. At the northern edge of the Shira ridge, the path turns eastwards and drops down onto the Shira plateau. Camp is made by a stream at Shira
One campsite at 3,500 metres. Total time is about 6 to 7 hours.
Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp.
The trail continues across the plateau towards Kibo. After about 2 hours, the edge of the plateau is reached and the path climbs up for about 40 minutes to Shira hut at 3800 metres. Total time is about 3 hours, therefore, if the direct route is taken. However, this day affords the opportunity to branch off the trail and climb Shira Cathedral and Shira Needle, the imposing hills on the southern side of the plateau, and to look down the Machame ridge from their tops. It is also possible to visit Cone Place, the centre of the extinct Shira volcano, and to look from there at the highest parts of the Shira plateau – Johnsell Point and Klute Peak on the western Shira ridge.
Day 4: Shira 2 to Barranco Camp.
The path continues through high altitude desert dir‐ ectly up the ridge towards Kibo. After about 4 hours, Lava Tower is reached at 4,600 metres. Climbers are now directly at the foot of the Great Western Breach of Kibo, the scene of a massive avalanche in pre-historic days which formed the Umbwe Valley. The path now forks to the right and descends into the Umbwe Valley, also called the Barranco Valley, and the night is spent at Barranco camp on the valley floor at 3985 metres.
Total time about 6-7 hours.
Day 5: Barranco to Barafu camp.
The path climbs out of the Barranco Valley via the Barranco wall. This is a steep 1 to 2 hour climb, ascending about 300 metres. The path then follows the gently undulating Kibo South Circuit. Wonderful views are to be had of Kibo’s southern glaciers if the weather is clear. After about 3 hours the Karanga valley is reached. There is a short but steep descent into the valley, which has a small stream running through it, and then a short climb up the eastern valley wall. At the top of the wall, at 4000 metres, is the Karanga Valley camp. Lunch is usually had here, and then the path climbs for about 3 hours to Barafu camp at 4600 metres. Total time is about 7 to 8 hours.
Day 6: Barafu camp to the top.
Climbers are woken at about 11pm. After dressing in all their warm clothing, they have a hot drink and then set off at midnight. The first part of the ascent is on a rocky ridge. This then turns into scree. The surface is loose and can be hard going. On its steepest sections, the path zig zags up the scree. It takes an average of 7 hours to reach Stella Point on the crater rim. On a fine morning, the views of the sun rising from behind Mawenzi are spectacular. Stella Point is at 5,750 metres. From here, the path goes around the crater
rim for a further hour to the summit at Uhuru Peak, 5896 metres. The descent back to Barafu Camp can take a further 3 or 4 hours. After a rest and a meal, the descent continues to Mweka Camp at 3100 metres, a further trek of around 4 hours. If climbers are very tired, or if it is late, camp can be made at Millennium Camp at 3800 metres – this simply increases the length of the following walking day by around an hour.
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
The path descends for around 3 hours through the forest to Mweka gate. Vehicles will be waiting to transport climbers and crew back to hotel.
Optional day 8.
An increasing number of climbers are now choosing to make an extra night’s camp at Karanga Valley. This breaks an otherwise very long day, immediately prior to the summit attempt, into 2 short and relaxed days.
These prices include:
- 2 nights hotel accommodation in Moshi (before & after climb)
- Group transport to and from Moshi to the trail head
- Kilimanjaro National Park permits, camping/hut fees, rescue fees and Value Added Tax (VAT)
- Expert guide, assistant guides, cook and porters
- Bottled oxygen, for emergency rescue only
- Private toilet
- Four season, 3 person mountain tents, double occupancy
- Sleeping pad, foam, 1.5 inches thick
- Mess tents, tables, chairs, lanterns
- Fresh, nutritious meals on the mountain
- Breakfast at hotel
Not included in price:
- Airfare
- Lunch or dinner at hotel
- Beverages at hotel
- Personal gear and equipment
- Tips