Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Review: Your 7-Day Trekking Adventure
If you’re seriously thinking about conquering Kilimanjaro, there is the Lemosho Route. This is one of those trails that’s frequently talked about, especially when people want killer scenery and more time to get used to higher elevations, so it should probably make it much easier on your body. This detailed review covers, like, everything you need to know about doing the Lemosho Route over seven amazing days.
Why Choose the Lemosho Route?
There’s a lot to like with the Lemosho Route, for sure. For one, the route is known for letting you take in some pretty gorgeous views. Plus, it’s often less crowded when compared to some of the others like, say, the Marangu or Machame routes. It, too, has a gradual rise in altitude, which is why it is said to seriously boost how well you adjust and lower those chances of getting altitude sickness.
Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp
First day things start! To get to Londorossi Gate (pretty high up at 7,742 feet), expect, in some respects, a bit of a drive from Moshi or Arusha, but it’s all part of experiencing the country. You meet your team, and once things get handled at the gate, you head off. The trek starts in a seriously beautiful rainforest. This section’s rather easy. You, kind of, go upwards a bit, and arrive at Forest Camp. Usually, you would hike for about three to four hours and land somewhere around 9,500 feet. Because you’re in a forest, expect, very much, lush stuff and to just possibly see cool birds and monkeys. Nights can get a bit cool, after all.
Day 2: Forest Camp to Shira Camp 1
Day two changes, anyway! You bid adieu to the rainforest and go across the moorland area. The walk gets steeper. Also, the sights are just so open. It, arguably, should provide, at least, some views that’ll get you excited to take pictures. Then you show up to Shira Camp 1 somewhere near 11,500 feet, just after a six- to eight-hour hike. Now is when you have the first real glimpses of Kibo Peak. Watch for altitude symptoms here; so, stay relaxed, hydrate as best you can, and tell your guides anything, that’s weird or different.
Day 3: Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2
Okay, on day three you go closer to Shira Camp 2 (around 12,500 feet). The trek usually takes, in short, three to four hours. What’s really good here is to use that time to adjust by taking it easy. So, maybe explore around camp a bit, do some mini walks, or just chill. The Shira Plateau is quite something; being able to view the scenery that’s all around you is worth it, honestly. That day, it’s important to keep an eye on how you’re doing at such altitudes. Basically, tell someone if your head is acting up or how your body reacts.
Day 4: Shira Camp 2 to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower
It gets tougher on day four, seriously! The target is Barranco Camp; to get there you’re going to walk towards Lava Tower. Usually you peak around 15,190 feet; it assists your body in getting ready. As I was saying, walk back down to Barranco Camp around 13,000 feet. It’s like, go up, then go down, which some folks feel gets their bodies working a little easier. That climb toward Lava Tower might make it harder to breath. Because you dropped a whole bunch back to Barranco Camp, try and stay hydrated, and that headache ought to lessen up.
Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Time for a famous picture. On day five, there’s the Barranco Wall; some climbers get anxious over the thing. But don’t you worry, nearly anyone may deal with the small scramble with hardly too much difficulty. Keep relaxed and do whatever the guides let you know to do. When you get on top you get great pictures. Next thing you know, there’s, maybe, a one and a half to two hours that you have to do to make your way to Karanga Camp. Basically, you arrive around 13,100 feet. Compared to a prior day, the short day on that schedule truly allows that adjustment time that folks mention all of the time.
Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Alright, the peak’s getting near. On day six, from Karanga Camp you ascend to Barafu Camp, often done in like three to four hours. Basically, you end up around 15,331 feet, so there’s a notable change as you climb upward. After you get to camp, chow down and rest since you get started on the summit at midnight. So, it’s very vital that you, sort of, get yourself prepared and stay at rest so that you’ll be at one-hundred percent.
Day 7: Summit Day: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Okay, that’s what all the climbing is about. Very, very early—think midnight—you start that summit climb. Your goal? You have to try and catch sunrise at Uhuru Peak, or Kilimanjaro’s highest spot that gets you, too it’s almost, 19,341 feet. It is steep getting up, and walking in that dark at that high altitude challenges, more or less, any and every individual. It takes, maybe, six to eight hours just to go up. That sensation you feel at the peak from sunrise really does just, like, add that final touch for those days of walking. Now, start walking down towards Mweka Camp at 10,000 feet. That downward area may affect the knees, so just use those trekking poles. Expect, very much, that summit day really puts your body and brain to the test, it’s really something. Get ready for being really tired at that Mweka Camp at day’s end.
What to Pack for the Lemosho Route
Oh yeah, packing; here’s stuff to consider taking with you: bring all that layer stuff like that waterproof coat, those warm coats, as well as just those thermal pants. Sleeping in higher places will be freezing cold! Really sturdy trekking footwear makes those rocky parts and lengthy walks way more relaxing. And never miss stuff such as that headlamp, sunscreen, sunglasses and, very, really vital, those altitude disease meds you will talk about with your physician beforehand. Never forget extra camera power too—the scenery requires lots of pictures!
Choosing a Trekking Operator
Selecting a trek company may greatly affect the event; see to it that whomever gets chosen holds certification out of associations such as KPAP. Ask if they’re concerned with the wellbeing and moral treatment towards those guides and porters and that they will be provided with gear which means they can safely lead your climb. Examine their ratings, their services are clear about including things and their scheduling should contain time for acclimatization that should, in that case, allow one’s body adequate time to adapt without altitude difficulties. A proper trip, that is well planned, can do so much to add value to things.
Training for the Trek
Getting in form prior to your trek really can’t hurt at all. I want you to focus much, mostly, on both cardiovascular work outs together combined alongside muscle durability training, such as for leg exercises plus also core enhancements as, too, can seriously affect what’s taking place up around Kilimanjaro. So add long walks to your weekends together mixed besides climbs using something kind of heavy so you’re able for the kinds involving the long distance climbs in various altitudes! Start at least for three months to develop physical resistance or toughness, because even minor pains at high heights may feel magnified.
Altitude Sickness: Understanding the Risks
Understanding altitude illness may turn out helpful so that when challenges or threats develop when you’re at altitude then it would be understood rather fast how exactly it unfolds. Rising carefully plus hydrating well really assists your odds together including keeping your head, by knowing such danger warning signal signs such headaches besides any feeling, that’s weird when breathing then talk those over straight way by team members as a precaution or safety step that prevents things.
Final Thoughts
That 7-Day Lemosho Route upon Kilimanjaro can very be, possibly, that thing, your unforgettable time given natural setting is truly exceptional as challenges come by along to reach summits; despite how demanding this will eventually become preparation stands paramount here alongside proper companies together through knowledge and awareness alongside individual safety plus understanding exactly how one feels really impacts everything else when trying summit Mount Kilimanjaro! Go now before others figure out these great features for something nobody misses when choosing travels through the 7 days with Kilimanjaro on routes via lemosho.
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