How does it feel to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro on a 8 day Lemosho Route?

The 8-day Lemosho Route is a popular choice among hikers due to its ample opportunities for acclimatization, resulting in a high success rate of reaching the summit. Many individuals successfully make it to the top, and the 8 days spent on the mountain can be a life-changing experience in various ways. Your senses will be awakened, and every cell in your body will be rejuvenated. The beauty of Mother Earth will overwhelm you, challenging both your mind and body beyond what you thought possible. Despite feeling unwell at times, you will find healing in the journey.

There are multiple options for the Lemosho Route, and Kilimanjaro Trekker & Safari provides a route with numerous acclimatization chances, making it a preferred choice for many of our clients.

You’ll be picked up by your Kilimanjaro crew at your hotel early in the morning. This is the first time you’ll meet your team who are as excited as you are. If your flight arrived late at night and you haven't have a chance to see anything out the window, now, on the drive you'll glimpse Tanzanian life through bustling villages, banana and coffee plantations, and aromas of enticing street food, making you eager to grab a juicy orange papaya to eat right away.

Upon arriving at the Lemosho gate, you will have the opportunity to sample your chef's culinary skills for the first time, which will undoubtedly impress. As you savor lunch at an elegantly laid table, you'll observe other groups doing the same and appreciate the care your outfitter has taken, reaffirming you made the right choice. Out of the corner of your eye, you'll notice your crew unloading gear and preparing for the ascent ahead.

On Day 1, you will trek through the rainforest, finding shade from the trees as you make your way to the MTI Mkubwa camp. As you start walking up, your body will feel a little shock as you may hike more than usual. The sound of the rain forest will captivate you and you’ll quickly appreciate your guide’s experience as they point out animals, birds and plants you wouldn’t have seen on your own. You'll reach the first camp just when you begin to get tired, you'll have plenty of time to rest at the MTI Mkubwa camp and recharge for the 2nd day, which is a little bit more challenging.

Day 2 presents a more challenging hike, transitioning from rainforest to moorland with some steep ascents and descents. Despite the physical demands, you will feel strong and accomplished. This hike takes about 5-6 hrs to complete the 7-8km. As you hike the long trail, taking it "pole, pole" (slowly), you will feel empowered simply by accomplishing this feat and overcome the terrain with excitement and perhaps some ease, realizing this pace is working well. The surrounding beauty - open fields of grass swaying in the wind, the chirping crickets and warmth of the sun - will seem like music across the desert.

On your third day, the highest plateau in the world - the Shira Plateau - awaits you with its dizzying heights that reveal breathtaking vistas. You can take an optional acclimatizing hike up to Cathedral Point, which soars to 3872m. As you climb the Cathedral's towering lava formations, you feel transported to an otherworldly realm of harrowing paths with cliffs on both sides. Walking above the clouds admiring Mt. Meru in a distance, you have time for quiet reflection.

On the fourth day of the trek to Baranco Camp, you will take an acclimatizing side trip to Lava Tower at 4,600 meters. This hike, done solely for acclimatization, may not be offered on shorter routes up the mountain. The stunning scenery makes it a worthwhile excursion, offering breathtaking views of cliffs and rock formations. At this high altitude, the unpredictable weather brings extremes - from burning sun to dark, misty clouds with bone-chilling winds. It's a chance to appreciate Mount Kilimanjaro's awe-inspiring power and beauty.

The trail from Lava Tower to Baranco Camp is truly breathtaking. Along the way, you'll encounter waterfalls, mountain streams, lush greenery, and vibrant flowers and plants. Keep an eye out for the Dendrosenecio Kilimanfari plants, which are a distinctive feature of the Lemosho Route. The melodic sounds of birds chirping and water trickling will be your companions throughout the journey to the camp. There will be moments when you'll feel compelled to pause, admire, and soak in the beauty of the landscape. If altitude sickness hasn't affected you yet, you'll feel invigorated and deeply connected to nature.

The last stretch of this trek involves descending into a valley and then ascending into the camp. You'll use your last energy to make this ascent, but hakuna matata, because at Baranco Camp, you will be welcomed with a comforting cup of hot tea or coffee. This will provide you with the perfect opportunity to relax and recharge for the upcoming day's trek. When you gaze at the imposing Baranco Wall from the camp, it may seem intimidating, but rest assured, it's not as daunting as it appears.

On the 5th day, you will conquer the Baranco Wall. Expect a slow ascent due to the traffic, but this will give you plenty of opportunities to rest. The towering rocks and fellow climbers will provide a sense of security as you make your way up. Witnessing the porters effortlessly navigate the steep terrain will make you appreciate their skills and dedication and you'll realize that there is nothing you can complain about.

Don't forget to give the Kissing stone a peck for good luck before reaching the summit of Baranco Wall, where you'll be treated to breathtaking views of Mt. Meru emerging from the mist. As you stand above the clouds, you'll feel like you're on top of the world.

Afternoon you'll finally arrive at Karanga Camp at an elevation of 3995m. Karanga Camp offers a breathtaking view that truly captures the grandeur of Mt. Kilimanjaro. It will feel as if you can almost touch the mountain. And if you wait until the night and gaze away from Kilimanjaro, you'll be amazed by the mesmerizing sight of Moshi at night. Picture the stars shining above and the city lights twinkling below. It's a sight to behold!

On Day 6, get ready for an extraordinary adventure as you ascend to the Barafu Camp, situated at an impressive altitude of 4673m. As you trek through the alpine desert, the landscape will transport you to another world, with its gray dust and rocky terrain. Keep an eye out for snow-capped peaks and occasional snowfall. Due to the high altitude, you may feel fatigued, prompting frequent breaks along the way. Each step forward will require effort, but reaching the base camp will fill you with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation because you'll know that tonight is the night. You will have an early dinner and a health check and a serious talk with your guide.

You will diligently pack your daypack, lay out your summit clothes, gloves, hats, and lights, and then head to bed early. Falling asleep might come easily due to exhaustion, or you might struggle with a racing mind or the effects of altitude. Regardless, you'll rise around 11pm. Waking up won't be an issue as you'll be eager to make the final push to the summit. Your guides will ensure everything is good to go, from the oxygen tank to the water bottles, and even yourself. As you start your ascent, you'll confidently follow your guide's footsteps towards the top. Your guide will support and guide you, setting a steady pace to help you achieve your ultimate goal, Uhuru Peak. You'll walk up slowly, putting one foot in front of the other, most likely with your head down and arms hanging by your side. As you glance at others climbing alongside you, you'll notice everyone resembles determined zombies scaling the mountain. Despite feeling a bit disconnected, you'll continue moving forward.

Around 6 am, as you lift your head, the sky and rocks will be adorned with beautiful orange and red hues. This breathtaking sight will mark the sunrise of day 7, right over the majestic Mwenzi Peak. The view will be so captivating that you won't be able to resist stopping in awe. It's a view that will stay with you for the rest of your life. If you've been walking at a good pace, you might even reach Stella Point at sunrise. Tears will steer in your eyes, and you'll take a few deep breaths wanting to burst out crying from happiness, but you'll keep it quiet. Next to you will be your friends and your guides who are truly proud of you.

Your guides will have a cup of hot tea and a snack for you to warm up and you'll start to walk to Uhuru Peak. This won't be so hard anymore because your urge to get to the summit will push you. Amazed by the snow-covered peaks, crater below and the glaciers around, you'll just walk in amazement until you see the wooden sign with people celebrating and taking photos. You'll wait for your turn in disbelief that you've made it. You'll take your photo, look around, take more photos and you'll start your descent feeling satisfied, relieved, and proud.

Descending to the base camp will prove to be a challenging task, as you will be traversing either snowy or dusty terrain, with the hill appearing steep and seemingly endless. Despite feeling like you have reached your limit, the force of gravity will compel you downwards, and your legs will continue to propel you forward, whether you desire it or not. In a short span of time, you will find yourself back at the base camp. With your eyes half-open and filled with dust, and your lips parched and cracked, you'll greet your porters who eagerly awaited your return from Uhuru peak. Throughout the morning, they were filled with excitement, hope, and anxiety for your safe return. Now, they can celebrate your achievement by giving you a congratulatory high five, as you have successfully made it back from the summit.

Following lunch and a brief rest, you will begin your descent towards the Mweka Camp, covering a distance of approximately 10km. You may feel like your body is shot from exhaustion, but as you descend to the lower elevation, you will regain some power to keep going. By afternoon, you will reach the camp and enjoy a delightful dinner as usual.

On the eighth day, you will have the opportunity to descend to the final gate and be rewarded with a certificate of accomplishment. Following this, you will enjoy a meal at a sophisticated venue where you can express your gratitude to the exceptional guides and porters for their dedication and assistance, and show your appreciation by giving them a tip. Subsequently, you will be transported back to your hotel. The memories of your Kilimanjaro expedition will linger in your mind for days, weeks, and even a lifetime, as climbing Kilimanjaro is not like your extraordinary vacation.