9 Days Lemosho Route via Northern Circuit

OVERVIEW

The Lemosho Route is one of our preferred routes due to its low traffic, beautiful scenery and high summit success rate.

This route starts off from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the lush rainforest to Shira Plateau.

After crossing the Shira Plateau the path veers north near Lava Tower, following the longer Northern Circuit instead of the more popular Southern Circuit via Barranco Valley. The route circles around the quieter northern slopes to the east side of the mountain. The Lemosho – Northern Circuit joins the Rongai route at Third Cave Camp. Approach the summit via Gilman’s Point and then descend via the Mweka Route.

This is also one of the longest routes on the mountain, giving you maximum time to acclimatize to the altitude and thereby increasing your chances of successfully summiting. The trek can also be attempted in 9 Days.

ITINERARY

ItInerary

DAY 1

Arrive in Moshi, at the base of Mt Kilimanjaro

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. The rest of your day will be free; you might want to explore the small and pretty town of Moshi, or you can just relax by the pool. Later on, our operations team and your mountain guide will meet with you and give you a thorough briefing in preparation for your trek. There will be an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear.

Meals

Dinner Included

Accommodation

Accommodation is either in Standard or Mid-Range hotels depending on your preference

DAY 2

Lemosho Glades (2385m) to Big Tree Camp (2780m)

You will be picked up at your hotel at around 08:00am and transferred to the Lemosho gate to kick off Day 1 of your 8 day adventure on Kilimanjaro – approximately 2-hour drive through farmland and plantations At the Londorossi National Park Gate on the western side of Kilimanjaro, you will register for your Kilimanjaro climb. Your guide will handle the formalities. A short 15km drive takes you to the drop off point and the trail head to start your Kilimanjaro Climb. Climb steadily through the rain forests of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree camp (2780m). The trail is short and moderately steep. Porters will assist throughout the trek carrying all of your luggage, except your day pack and the mountain crew, will have already set up your tents before you arrive. You can rest and enjoy the beautiful forest surroundings in which you will camp tonight.

Distance

7km / 4.3mi

Duration

4 hours

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

DAY 3

Big Tree Camp (2780m) to Shira 1 Camp (3500m)

The destination today is the Shira 1 Camp from where there are often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds. Start the day on a trail out of the rainforest, soon entering moorland terrain where Lobelia plants and Erica trees punctuate the landscape. Trek across this plateau of grassy moorland and heather, before climbing the northern slopes of Shira Ridge to arrive at Shira 1 Camp. Relax, put your feet up, enjoy your meal and sleep well, after gaining a fair amount of altitude today.

Distance

8.5km / 5.3mi

Duration

6-7 hrs

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

DAY 4

Shira 1 Camp (3500m) to Moir Camp (4175m)

Today we have the chance to view the Northern ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. The terrain during our steady climb will change from the moorland of the Shira Plateau to the broad upland desert beneath the Lent Hills with great panoramic views. Look out for the giant Senecio’s before the high alpine desert zone. Our camp is close to Moir Hut (4175m). After a short rest you can go on a recommended afternoon acclimatization walk towards the top of the ridgeline. The ridgeline is in the lower part of the Lent Hills (4300m) – about 2 km away and 130 meters higher than the camp. Dinner will be served on your return to camp.

Distance

10km / 6 mi

Duration

5 – 7 hours

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

DAY 5

Moir Camp (4175m) to Pofu Camp (4030m)

Today we trek North to Moir Valley – tackle the hardest part of the day at the beginning as you climb a bleak and imposing slope to the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375m. Strike eastwards around the Northern Circuit Trail, continuing up and down the undulating valleys on the northern face of Kibo, before finishing your trek day at Pofu Camp. Afternoon Acclimatization Hike recommended.

Distance

9.2km / 5.8 mi

Duration

5-7 hrs

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

DAY 6

Pofu Camp (4030m) to Third Cave (3900m)

The day starts with a climb up heading east through the remote valleys and around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3,800 meters. The trek is shorter than the day before and vegetation gets increasingly sparse, but by now you should be feeling well acclimatized to the altitude and enjoying the fact there are no steep passages to tackle today. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.

Distance

8km / 5mi

Duration

5-7 hours

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

DAY 7

Third Cave (3900m) to School Hut Camp (4750m)

We begin today with a steady incline up and over the Saddle which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. Although you should be acclimatizing by now, make sure to drink lots of water and stick to your guide’s slow pace. You could feel the weight of altitude today as you climb steadily higher up Kilimanjaro. Take a few breaks to rest when possible and enjoy stunning views across the saddle to Mawenzi. In preparation for you summit attempt, you will be served an early dinner after arriving at School Hut, before going to bed for an attempt at some shut-eye and rest. Remember to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks and headlamp before going to bed, as you will be awoken before midnight to start your summit attempt.

Distance

4.8 km / 3 mi

Duration

4-5 hours

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

DAY 8

School Hut (4750m)↑ to UHURU PEAK (5895m) ↓to Millenium Camp (3790m)

Today is “The Big Day” – the summit stage. Your guide will wake you around midnight for a hot beverage and snacks before you begin your final ascent which will be long, slow and strenuous ascent. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you should reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1 – 2 hours, you will pass Stella Point (5730m) to reach the highest summit on Kilimanjaro – Uhuru Peak at 5895m.
Witness the awe-inspiring views from the highest point on the African continent, take your pictures to document your achievements and revel in an unforgettable experience. Your descent to School Hut, will be fast and dusty, but a warm meal and short rest awaits you, before proceeding downwards 3-4 hours to Horombo Hut.

Distance

5.9km / 3.7mi ascent & 8.4km / 5.2 mile descent

Duration

6-8 hours ascent and then 4-6 hour descent

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

DAY 9

Trek Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)

After breakfast the final day of your adventure begins, with a gentle trek down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! Our vehicles and driver will meet us at the gate to take you to your accommodation in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower, a cold swim (and a cold beer or two!) before a big evening celebration. Overnight in Moshi

Distance

12.1km / 7.5mi

Duration

4-5 hours

Meals

Breakfast & Lunch Included.

Accommodation

Accommodation is either in Standard or Mid-Range hotels depending on your preference.

DAY 10

Depart Kilimanjaro

The day is left free to rest and relax after a long, challenging week of trekking. You will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport to fly home, or you can continue with your further travel plans, perhaps setting off on safari or relaxing on white sandy beaches of one of our islands.

Meals

Breakfast Included

INCLUDES

Tours Include:

Park fees, camping fees & rescue fee
18% VAT on tour fees & services
Accommodation in tents complete with sleeping mats.
Sleeping Bags (-15oC Limit) *If clients have warmer sleeping bags they are advised to bring their own.
Transportation to & from the mountain gate
Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
3 meals daily while on the mountain
Katadyn filtered water throughout the trek
Pre & Post Trek accommodation in Moshi town on Half Board Basis
Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
Tree donation in support of our environmental conservation projects
2-way airport transfers - 1 on arrival and 1 on departure
Supplemental Oxygen & Pulse Oximeter

EXCLUDES

Tours Exclude:

Visa
Tips to mountain crew – See Tipping Guidelines for more details
Items of a personal nature
Laundry Services
Tanzanian mountain doctor
Single Supplement Request - $100
Travel Insurance (Recommended – Travel insurance with medical cover of 6,000m and above)
Spending a night in the crater - $200 per person
Western breach approach without a night at the crater camp - $100 per person
Tanzanian mountain doctor - $200 per group per day
Portable chemical toilet - $150 per toilet (including tent & porter)

Prices start from

Starting From $2,400 (£1,885) Per Person

MAP

ACCOMMODATION

Standard Accommodation Includes: Weru Weru River Lodge and Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel

Mid-Range Accommodation Includes: Panama Garden Resort and Stella Maris Lodge

Lemosho Route Inquiry Form

Start an inquiry today and we will get back in touch with you within 24hrs with further details about your Kilimanjaro expedition package details.