8 Days Lemosho + Kosovo Camp
Overview
Lemosho route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west. It offers a chance to visit shira Plateau (Cathedral peak) and Shira Caldera. Lemosho route crosses from Shira Ridge to Shira 2 camp, in a pleasant hike. Climbers encounter low traffic until the route joins the Machame route. Afterwards, Lemosho follows the same route as Machame route through Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu, known as the southern circuit. The minimum days required for this route is 7 days, but 8 days is recommended as it will give more chance to acclimatize and achieve the summit.
Scenically, Lemosho is measured the most varied and most beautiful because it begins in the rainforest, crosses the spectacular Shira Plateau and then combines with the Machame route to share its viewpoints around the southern circuit. Lemosho has low crowds until it combines with Machame. Lemosho is highly recommended and it has an abundance of wildlife such as elephant, buffalo, eland and lion which come over to forage during the dry season from Longido game controlled area.
TOUR ITINERARY
Day 0: Welcome to Tanzania
When you arrive you will be met at the airport by our driver- with a sign bearing your name, then you will drive to Kibo Palace hotel in Arusha for dinner and overnight. In the afternoon or evening your GMExpeditions Mountain Guide will meet you for a Kilimanjaro climb briefing and an equipment check
Dinner on your own, overnight at Kibo Palace Hotel
Day 1: Londorossi Gate (2100m) – Forest camp (2650m)
After breakfast we will start to drive to Londorosi gate for registration (about 2 hours), we will drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho trailhead. We often have our lunch at the gate before starting to walk. It is an easy day of walking up a small path through the beautiful forest. This area has a variety of game, and you are likely to see monkeys and may even see elephants. When you arrive in camp you will see your tents set up and dinner being prepared for you. You will have warm water to wash up.
Dinner and overnight at Mti Mkubwa camp (Big Tree) (2650m). Trekking time: 2-3 hours walking, depending on the weather and the fitness of the climbers, though we encourage “pole pole” climbing from the start.
Day 2: Forest Camp (2650m) – Shira 1 Camp (3610m)
After breakfast, while the porters pack up out camp, we start walking for about an hour and half, and then we soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone. As we continue walking the trail climbs steadily with wide views as we reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. Along the trail it is easy to view the Shira Plateau, especially in afternoon if there is no rain or fog.
Dinner and overnight at Shira One camp (3540m).
Trekking time: 6-7 hours walking, with a packed lunch on the way.
Day 3: Shira I (3610m) – Shira II (3850m)
After breakfast we will have an easy day to help acclimatization and to explore the volcanic rock Here we will have the optional day to walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral (12,600 ft) before reaching the next camp at Shira Hut (12,800 ft). Or go direct from the Shira One to Shira Two. Once we get to the campsite we will enjoy nice views of the Shira plateau. The views from here of Mt. Meru floating on the clouds are simply unforgettable
Dinner and overnight at Shira II camp (3850m)
Trekking time: 5 – 6 hours walking, plus an optional short walk of 3 – 4 hours.
Day 4: Shira II – Lava Tower (4600m) – Barranco Camp (3900m)
We will enjoy a morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch at Lava Tower, we will descend to the bottom of the Barranco Valley to camp. Lava Tower takes us up to 15, 220 ft), promoting acclimatization, as we then descend to sleep at 12,790 ft.
Dinner and overnight at Barranco Camp (12,790 ft), Trekking time: 6 -7 hours walking
Day 5: Barranco Camp (3900m) – Karanga Camp (3995m)
A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads to the trail on the south-eastern side of Kibo, along the southern ice fields. You will enjoy the unique vegetation as you transition from the moorlands to the high alpine desert. The Barranco Wall does involve a fair bit of scrambling up the rock face, while not a technical climb, many see this a some of the most challenging terrain. From the top of the wall, there is only a short distance to our camp at Karanga.
Dinner and overnight at Karanga Camp (3995m), the last water point on
the way to the summit.
Trekking time: 4-5 hours walking
Day 6: Karanga Camp (3995m) – Barafu Hut (4673m) – Kosovo Camp (4850m)
- Distance: ~5km
- Elevation: 4850m
- Trekking time: 4-5 hours
- Zone: High alpine zone
Spend the morning climbing steadily up to Barafu Camp, which is Swahili for ice, and then continuing up a rocky slab to Kosovo. This small camp is located on the ridge below the summit cone. You have now completed the South Circuit, which offers views from many different angles. The walk will take around 4-5 hours, meaning you will arrive at Kosovo in time for lunch and a full summit briefing, before spending the afternoon resting. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.
Day 7: Summit attempt Kosovo Camp (4850m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Millenium camp (3790m)
We start our ascent at about midnight to 1 am, depending on the fitness and speed of the climbers, so that we can be up on the crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree and nice graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5756m), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. For those are still feeling strong we will continue with the two-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5895m), passing close to glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. Following ample time for pictures at the summit, we begin the descent back to Kosovo camp for lunch, and after some refreshments, we continue to descend to reach Millenium campsite.
Dinner and overnight at Millenium Camp(3790m).
Trekking time: 10 -12 hours walking (it is a very long day!)
Day 8: Millenium Camp (3790m) – Mweka Gate (1640m)
A sustained descent on a well-constructed path takes us through a lovely tropical forest alive with bird-song, Our route winds down to Mweka gate at 1640m. We will have lunch at the Gate, a ceremony with the porters congratulating you as you receive your certificate, issued at the gate. We will then drive back to the Kibo palace hotel in Arusha for a well-deserved shower.
Dinner on your own, overnight at the Kibo Palace Hotel.
Trekking time: 2-3 hours, Drive: 2-3 hour.
Day 8: Departure Day
After breakfast, for those who plan to join us on safari, we will be there for your safari departure, or transfer to the airport for your trip back home or to your next destination.
The price for 8 Days Lemosho route is: $2,650 USD per person
Included/Exclude
- National park permits
- Camping / hut fees
- Rescue service
- All meals while on the mountain
- Guides and Porters wages
- Round trip airport transfers between Arusha and JRO
- Round trip transfers between Arusha and mountain gates
- Hotel stays in Arusha for pre and post trek (2 nights in total) on bed and breakfast
- Sleeping mats 2-inch form
- Private portable toilet
- Wash basins with hot water each morning and evening
- Treated drinking water 3L or more everyday
- International or Local flights
- Rental gears
- Tips for guides, porters and other staff
- Meals and drinks at the hotel in Arusha
- Travel Insurance, Visa and Medical Insurance
