Lemosho Route Kilmanjaro trek
The starting point for the Lemosho route trek up Kilimanjaro is in the west, so you can already imagine what the sunsets will be like. This is one of the longer routes, and it boasts some fantastic scenic variation. It also offers more time to acclimatise, giving it the highest success rate of any of the main routes. You walk through Lemosho rainforest for two days on this route; camping in the luscious forest is a true treat on the first night. Then onto the more open, heather covered slopes that lead up to Shira Plateau – which involves a wonderful hike across the entire plain from west to east, on a relatively flat trail. Other routes intersect this Plateau, but this one embraces every bit of it and you pitch camp bang in the middle of it. Watching the mists fall over the plateau all around you is something else.
The next stop is Shira Cathedral, a highlight of the Lemosho route which is as dramatic as it sounds, with rocky spires and pinnacles that beckon hikers from across the plain. Lava starts to become a more prominent feature of the ascent, with features such as the dramatic Lava Tower rock mass. In glorious white contrast, the glaciers of the Western Breach come into view, as well as the Southern Icefields once you hit the SE flank of the Kibo cone on day five. From here on in, it is a steep, scree under toe trek to Barafu Ridge, with great views opening up to the east now, completing the wonderful west to east sweep of this route, and culminating in the final ascent to Uhuru Peak. The descent uses Mweka route heading due south.
The next stop is Shira Cathedral, a highlight of the Lemosho route which is as dramatic as it sounds, with rocky spires and pinnacles that beckon hikers from across the plain. Lava starts to become a more prominent feature of the ascent, with features such as the dramatic Lava Tower rock mass. In glorious white contrast, the glaciers of the Western Breach come into view, as well as the Southern Icefields once you hit the SE flank of the Kibo cone on day five. From here on in, it is a steep, scree under toe trek to Barafu Ridge, with great views opening up to the east now, completing the wonderful west to east sweep of this route, and culminating in the final ascent to Uhuru Peak. The descent uses Mweka route heading due south.
On the Lemosho route the Shira Cathedral and the Plateau are gorgeous. As well as the Barranco wall, which are highlights for me.![]()
– Andrew Appleyard, keen Kili trekker and expert from our leading Kilimanjaro supplier, Exodus.
The pros and cons of Lemosho
It is a longer route and so it tends to be a little more expensive, but the rainforest experience is a wonderful addition to your trek. As it is more expensive, it also has fewer trekkers on it, although it merges with the Machame Route at one point, so there are more people on this part of the trail. So don’t expect a totally solitary trek all the way. It is, however, a slow, gentle trek, making it a wonderful way to acclimatise and, therefore, the success rate is high on this route. The remote road to Lemosho’s Londorossi Gate can be pretty rough after the rainy season, so be prepared for an adventurous ride if this is the case.
Our Kilimanjaro Holidays
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Strenuous route up Africa's highest peak
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£3819 to £4555
12 days
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£2599 to £2799
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Lemosho route + Tanzania's stunning National Parks
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£3789 to £3999
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Challenging trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro
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£4719 to £5549
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Kilimanjaro Lemosho route & Meru trekking holiday
An incomparable African odyssey for the dauntless trekker!
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£4450 to £5000
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Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Climb
Eight days of trekking on Africa's highest mountain
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£4295 to £5245
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More about Kilimanjaro
The best time to climb Kilimanjaro if you want a reduced chance of rain and slightly warmer temperatures is in January, February and the first half of March.
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