The route is one of less used which makes it
to have its originality, unspoilt and beautiful way up to the
Shira Plateau while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro roof top. It can
either be used to gain the Western Breach route or followed by
the Kibo South Circuit to ascend by the easier Barafu Route. The
route is one of the few where groups may be accompanied on the
first day by an armed ranger, as the forests around the Lemosho
Glades are rich in buffalo, elephant and other big game animals.
Lemosho route is the longest and most remote route to Kilimanjaro.
After beautiful forests and moorlands it crosses the Shira Plateau
to meet up with the Machame Route. The South Circuit is then followed,
offering superb views of the Southern Ice fields, past the Barranco
Hut then on to Barafu and hence the summit. Descent is by the
Mweka Route. Accommodation on the mountain is in tents which the
porters will pitch for you. You will need a sleeping bag, warm
clothes and walking poles. This is a steep, tough trek within
the limits of a fit individual used to walking in mountain areas.
If you are not accustomed to camping and mountain walking you
could consider the Marangu Route as the most suitable. This follows
easy angled paths through magnificent rain forests to the Mandara
Hut. Shortly beyond it passes Maundi Crater, a fine view point
located at the edge of the forest belt. Above you enter the moorlands
with their fine giant heathers stands, groundsels, lobelia and
other exotic tropical high altitude plants. The next hut is the
Horombo Hut; soon after this hut you reach the Saddle, a high
altitude desert separating the rugged Mawenzi summit from Kibo.
The final ascent starts from the Kibo Hut and involves steep paths
on loose scree. There is fresh running water at all the huts apart
from Kibo where it will be carried by your porters. You will be
accommodated generally in 4 person clean huts with mattresses.
The other routes are all more demanding as regards steepness and
in places involve some scrambling. Accommodation is in tents and
there is no running water at the campsites though warm water for
washing is provided. The scenery more than compensates for these
difficulties. Whichever route you choose it is essential to allow
enough time for acclimatization to the altitude. Although Mt.
Kilimanjaro can be climbed throughout the year it is worth avoiding
the two rainy seasons (late March to mid-June and October to the
beginning of December) when the route becomes slippery. Probably
the best time to visit is January to February and September to
October when there is usually no cloud.
Mount Kilimanjaro (19340') (5895m) lies just
3 degrees south of the equator and is one of the highest volcanoes
in the world. It rises some (15000') (4572m) above the surrounding
plains and savannahs. The Kilimanjaro National Park covers some
1864 sq. Km (720 sq. miles) the base of this immense mountain
has diameter of 80 Km (48 Miles) and the outstanding features
are its three major volcanic centers: Shira (4160m) in the west.
Mawenzi (5280 m) to the east and the permanently snow-capped Kibo
in the middle.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via Lemosho, the terrain
passes from a tropical to an artic climate in just a few days.
The encircling rain forest ensures the fertility of the lower
lying shambas and is rich in birdlife. Above the rain forest lies
the Alpine Meadow, beautiful moorland, offering many splendid
views. Exotic plants such as the giant Lobelia and the fork-like
Groundsel are to be seen. The latter blooming once every 50 -
70 years. Leaving the Alpine Meadow we reach the Alpine Desert
and eventually the ''snows of Kilimanjaro''.
6 Days / 5 Nights - Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
Lemosho route
Day 1: Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho
route
Your day starts early with a briefing, followed by breakfast and
a 2-hour drive from Moshi (910 m) to Londorossi Park Gate (2100
m). The guides and porters prepare and pack the supplies and your
equipment in the village. You will receive a lunch pack and you
can also buy mineral water in the village. From here a forest
track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades (2100 m,
11 km, 45 minutes). You will have a lunch break a about half way
and then walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree campsite,
2750 m, 3 hours) Your porters (arriving at the camp site long
before you) will have your tent set upon on your arrival. In the
evening the porters will boil drinking and washing water and the
cook will prepare dinner, before you retire to your tent for the
night. Night temperatures can already drop to freezing point at
this campsite.
Day 2: Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho
route
You rise early at Mti Mkubwa camp and, after breakfast, you climb
an hour or so to the top of the forest and then the trail gradually
steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. Several streams
are crossed. A gentle walk across the plateau leads to Shira 2-camp
on moorland meadows next to a stream (3840 m). By now you will
be able to see, in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with
its stunning glaciers. The porters will boil drinking and washing
water, before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will
even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping
to well below freezing. Enjoy dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho
route
The route now turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape
surrounding Lava Tower where you reach an altitude of 4600 m after
about a 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated are before
ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower (4600 m). Definitely
the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where
for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms
of breathlessness, irritability and headaches. After lunch you
descent again by almost 650m to the Barranco camping area and
after reaching the high altitude of 4600 m at Lava Tower, the
true acclimatization benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent
to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities
to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach
Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great
Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunsetwhite
you wait for your dinner.
Day 4: Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho
route
Make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before
dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further
1345 m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare
your equipment, ski stick and thermal clothing for your summit
attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp
and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available
as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water
in a thermal flask. Go to bed at around 1900hrs and try to get
some precious rest and sleep. Overnight at Barafu camp.
Day 5: Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho
route
You will rise around 2330, and after some tea you shuffle off
into the night. You will head in a northwesterly direction and
ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater
rim. This 6-hour walks to Stella point is for many climbers, mentally
and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point
(5685 m) you will stop for a short rest and then proceed to summit.
The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather
conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely
difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment
and a day to remember for the rest of your live. The walk back
to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will
have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest of your
gear, before heading down to Mweka hut (3100 m). Overnight at
Mweka Camp.
Day 6: Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho
route
After an early breakfast, it is a short 3-hour and scenic hike
back to the Park gate. It is strongly recommended not to pay your
porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the
gate safely. From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the
Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka
village you will meet your drive guide and drive back to Moshi
for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations! Overnight
in Moshi hotel.