Lemosho Route – Kilimanjaro

The trailhead is at Londorossi Gate, situated at around 2,100 meters, where you enter the western rainforest of Kilimanjaro. Unlike more popular routes, Lemosho is a calmer approach, which means you’ll be able to experience the landscape transitions in less time.

During the first two days, you’ll go through dense rainforest, quickly ascending towards the Shira Plateau. The path dodges through thick vegetation, which means a shady and cool microclimate before it opens up to the Shira Plateau.

The Shira Plateau, at approximately 3,800 meters, will be the first time you see proper panoramic views of the mountain. Here, the ecosystem transforms from forest to alpine desert, a beautiful contrast. You will spend a day exploring the plateau, as it is a crucial acclimatization point.

From here, the Lemosho Route – Kilimanjaro intersects with the Machame Route near the Lava Tower, a 300-foot volcanic rock formation standing at 4,630 meters. This section follows the critical mountaineering principle of “climb high, sleep low,” which will improve your chances of successfully reaching the summit.

Next up is the Barranco Wall, a near-vertical rock face that requires some scrambling. This is one of the most exhilarating sections of the trek. In the 7-day variant, you will combine certain stages, typically merging the Barranco and Karanga camps to reduce overall time. Despite the compressed timeline, the wall is still an exciting climbing experience with incredible views of the landscape.

Summit attempts begin from Barafu Camp at 4,673 meters. You will start your final push around midnight. This means a sunrise summit at Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters), the highest point in Africa. The early morning ascent is an otherworldly experience, as you hike the glacial zones under starlight and witness the sunrise from the roof of Africa.

The descent follows the Mweka Route, giving you a different perspective of the mountain and helping to minimize trail erosion. This path takes you through multiple ecological zones, from alpine desert to rainforest, which rounds out your view of Kilimanjaro’s ecological diversity.

With a success rate of around 80-85% for 7-day expeditions, the Lemosho Route – Kilimanjaro is an excellent choice for those seeking a more comprehensive mountain experience. While slightly more challenging than the 8-day variant, it still offers great acclimatization opportunities. However, the 8-day itinerary has a slightly higher, 90%, success rate because of the extra day for acclimatizing.

Kilimanjaro, unlike the Himalayas, has year-round trekking, but good planning is non-negotiable. January to March is considered the “high season,” with fewer crowds compared to June to September. These months will have dry, clear days and good visibility, as well as snow above 4267 meters that will make for wonderful photo opportunities.

Early March can also be pleasant, but as the month progresses, it becomes rainier, leading to muddy trails, cloudy skies, and poor visibility. Late March and late May can sometimes have drier weather, but it is unpredictable. April to early May are the long rains and not as suitable for climbing.

But the best weather coincides with summer vacations in the US and Europe, making June through October the most important climbing season and the busiest. July and August have the most crowds, so consider June or September for fewer visitors. Occasional showers are possible, mainly in the forest, but it is generally dry. You’ll see that the routes are also busier during a full moon.

Temperatures vary with the seasons and altitude. The top zone is “Arctic,” with year-round freezing temperatures. December to March and June (just after the rains) are the coldest months, often with snow.

One of the main elements you need to be aware of when you climb Kilimanjaro is altitude sickness. While the Lemosho Route – Kilimanjaro is known to help limit this, you’ll want to take other precautions as well.

• Physical fitness training
• Consider medication with your doctor, such as Diamox
• Good hydration
• Quality equipment and Kilimanjaro safety equipment

In case of acute mountain sickness, immediately inform your guide to initiate a Kilimanjaro Rescue for immediate evacuation.

Along that thought, you’ll want to make sure you book with a tour and guide whom you trust. Make sure you choose an experienced guide and company with a proven track record. You need to find someone intimately familiar with Kilimanjaro’s climate and weather patterns. Look for a tour operator equipped to handle altitude sickness emergencies and has the knowledge to perform a rescue operation themselves and/or have the contact for a helicopter evacuation. You can reach out to your network or the Thru-Hiking Community for recommendations!