Home Treks & Hikes Mt Kilimanjaro Hike via Lemosho Route

The Summary of the Kilimanjaro Trek via Lemosho Route

Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro via Lemosho Route is a trek that begins on the western side of Kilimanjaro, offering stunning views of Mt. Meru and the plains of Kenya’s Amboseli National Park. The trek starts with an easy few hours of hiking from Lemosho Gate to Forest Camp. The next day, you will walk for about five hours through the forest and up into the Hagenia zone, and the vegetation will begin to thin out as you approach the Shira Plateau. From Shira Camp, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Shira Needles and Mount Meru in the distance. On the third day, you will trek up a steep track through a savannah of tall grasses, volcanic rock, and bearded heather, encountering giant groundsels along the way. You will hike through an ethereal landscape of volcanic lava, caves, and foaming streams and arrive at your campsite in the afternoon.

The fourth day will take you up to the pass at Lava Tower (15,000 ft), where you will stop to have lunch before descending towards Barranco Camp. The Barranco Valley is an immense canyon with numerous waterfalls fed by streams coming from the mountain, converging here to form the Umbwe River. You will encounter a bit of a scramble at Barranco Cliff before climbing up and down the slopes of the mountain for most of the way to camp.

The fifth day involves hiking to Karanga Camp, which is on the same elevation as Barranco Camp. You will encounter a bit of a scramble at Barranco Cliff before climbing up and down the slopes of the mountain for most of the way to camp. You will have an opportunity to hike in the Karanga Valley in the afternoon, where giant senecios and lobelia grow. Rest as much as you can to prepare yourself for the climb ahead.

The sixth day will take you to Barafu Camp, which is mostly on alpine desert terrain, a mainly mineral environment with few lichens and mosses. Mawenzi Peak towers majestically to the right, and Kibo Peak seems just a stone’s throw away. Climbers who wish to attempt the summit should retire early tonight, as the next day is the longest of the whole climb.

The seventh day is the most challenging, and hikers should carry as little as possible. The climb starts at midnight, and temperatures range from -4 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Climbing steadily for about six hours, flanked by the Ratzel and Rebman glaciers, will bring you to the edge of the crater between Stella and Hans Meyer points. Another hour of climbing will bring you to the summit, Uhuru, which is the highest point on the continent of Africa.

The eighth day is the final descent to Mweka Gate, and you will get to appreciate the tropical rainforest once more. This descent can take anything from two to five hours, depending on trail conditions. After collecting your Certificate of Achievement, you will be met by your vehicle for the drive back to either the airport or the reserved lodge.