Overview
Featuring captivating scenic vistas, pristine wildlife, excellent acclimatization opportunities y, and low traffic of climbers, Lemosho is our personal first favorite for reaching the roof of Africa.
After a 4-hour long drive from Arusha to Londorosi Gate you'll find yourself on the western slope of Mt Kilimanjaro, from there the route will take you to the world-famous Shira Plateau. That's where you'll embark on your adventure through all climate zones - from alpine meadows to eternal ice. The climb is smooth and gradual, featuring the highest success rate of all routes on Kilimanjaro.
Six and eight-day programs are available, so you can choose depending on the amount of time at your disposal. Longer programs are always recommended over the shorter ones for better acclimatization.
6 and 7-day Lemosho programs start from a high-altitude drop-off: you’ll be transferred to the elevation of 3,500 m/ 11,500 f by an off-road vehicle and start the hike from there. This is meant to maximize acclimatization transition - the higher you start, the easier your adaptation will be Kilimanjaro Climbing Tours.
- Parking
- Concierge service
- Gift shop
- Meeting/Banquet facilities
- Wheelchair accessible
- Restaurant
- Express check out
- Air-conditioned
- Babysitting/child services (surcharge)
8 days | 7 night | age 10+ |
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Destination: | Kilimanjaro Climbing |
Departure: | Flexible (at any time) |
Language: | English, French, Italian, German and Spanish |
The route from your drop-off point to your first high-altitude camp Shira 2 features a moderate gain in altitude and is not too physically challenging. Due to this, you will be able to properly begin the process of acclimatization. By the time you reach the camp, our professional mountain crew will prepare everything necessary, put tents, and cook dinner for you.
This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:
Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine
Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently)
Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctobeforeto before in case of potential allergies.
At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.
ELEVATION 3,500 m to 3,900 m/HIKING TIME 5-6 hours/DISTANCE 11 km/DIFFICULTY Low/HABITAT Meadows
Then you will descend to Barranco Camp (3,960 m). Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness! The next day you will be climbing it, but don't worry: it features a very simple hiking trail.
Note: If one or more participants feel sick, the group may refrain from passing the Lava Tower and adjust the route, following instead the road for porters. In this, case you will not reach an altitude of 4,630 meters, getting up only to a maximum of 4,400 meters.
ELEVATION 3,900 m to 4,630 m 4,630 m to 3,960 m/HIKING TIME 6-8 hours/DISTANCE 12 km/DIFFICULTY Medium/HABITAT Moorland
Then you start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route, but don't worry: our guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the group. After reaching the camp you will be offered warm lunch. After a couple of hours you will have to complete an acclimatization hike in the direction of Barafu Camp with a 300-meter gain in altitude, and then descent back down to the camp.
Note: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.
Acclimatization hike:
Change in Elevation: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) — Destination point on route te to the Barafu Camp (4,270 m)
HIKING distance: 2.5 km/HIKING time: 1–2 hours/ELEVATION 3,960 m to 4,035 m/HIKING TIME 4-5 hours/DISTANCE 5 km/DIFFICULTY Medium/HABITAT Moorland.
Acclimatization hike:
Change in Elevation: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) — Kosovo Camp (4,800 m)
Hiking distance: 2 km/Hiking time: 1–2 hours/ELEVATION 4,035 m to 4,640 m/HIKING TIME 4-5 hours/DISTANCE 6 km/DIFFICULTY Medium/HABITAT Alpine desert.
Note: Don't forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including all broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.
ELEVATION 4,640 m to 5,895 m 5,895 m to 3,820 m/HIKING TIME 8-12 hours/DISTANCE 15 km/DIFFICULTY High/HABITAT Arctic.
ELEVATION 3,820 m to 1,640 m/HIKING TIME 4-5 hours/DISTANCE 12 km/DIFFICULTY Low/HABITAT Rainforest.