Lemosho Route Map
Google Map, KMZ map & 3D Map of Lemosho
The Lemosho Route Map typically illustrates a path starting from the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro at Londorossi Gate, located at an elevation of approximately 7,742 feet. The route approaches the mountain through the Afromontane Rainforest, the first of several ecological zones, and is known for its remoteness and lower crowds in the initial days compared to other routes like Machame. The trail then ascends to cross the Shira Plateau, an ancient volcanic caldera and one of Kilimanjaro’s three volcanic cones, before joining the Southern Circuit and approaching the summit from the southeast via Barafu Camp.
The route is approximately 70 km (43 miles) long, with a total elevation gain of 16,000 to 17,000 feet, depending on the itinerary. It is designed to provide excellent acclimatization, contributing to a summit success rate of around 90-95% for the 8-day variation, making it a preferred choice for climbers seeking both beauty and safety.
The route passes through multiple ecological zones, an unexpected detail that enhances the climbing experience. These include:
Rainforest: From Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa, characterized by lush vegetation and potential wildlife sightings like colobus monkeys.
Heath and Moorland: From Shira 1 to Moir Hut, with tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock, offering views of Kibo.
Alpine Desert: From Moir Hut to Barafu Camp, a harsh, beautiful zone with minimal vegetation.
Arctic Summit: At Uhuru Peak, the highest point, with snow and glaciers.
This progression through zones provides climbers with a comprehensive experience of Kilimanjaro’s biodiversity and changing landscapes.
Overview of Lemosho Route Map in KMZ, 3D, and Google Map Formats
When planning a trek on the Lemosho Route of Mount Kilimanjaro, understanding the route map is essential for visualizing the journey, preparing for daily challenges, and appreciating the geographical and ecological diversity. The Lemosho Route, known for its scenic beauty and high summit success rates, is one of the newer and more remote trails, offering a gradual ascent that maximizes acclimatization. This comprehensive overview, based on current research as of April 2, 2025, provides a detailed analysis of the Lemosho Route Map, including its path, key camps, landmarks, and variations, with a focus on the standard 8-day itinerary.
KMZ File for Lemosho Route (Download here)
A KMZ file, which stands for Keyhole Markup Language Zipped, is a file format used for displaying geographic data in applications like Google Earth. For the Lemosho Route, a KMZ/KML file is available for download from this link here. This file functionally equivalent for Google Earth, represents the track from a satellite tracking device used during the trek along the Lemosho Route and it requires Google Earth to view, which can be downloaded from earth.google.com if not already installed. This resource allows climbers to visualize the route in three dimensions, providing insights into terrain and elevation changes, which is crucial for planning and safety.
Google Map Resources
For Google Maps, several user-created Google My Maps are available, offering interactive views of the Lemosho Route.
These maps can be zoomed, panned, and explored interactively, showing the route path, key points, and possibly elevation profiles, though accuracy may vary as they are user-created. They are particularly useful for planning and understanding the geographical layout, with the ability to integrate with Google Earth for 3D views.
3D Map Resources
For a three-dimensional representation of the Lemosho Route, several options are available. The primary method is loading the KMZ/KML file into Google Earth, which provides an interactive 3D view of the route, showing the terrain, elevation profiles, and key camps such as Mti Mkubwa, Shira 1, Moir Hut, Barranco, Karanga, Barafu, and Mweka. This tool is particularly useful for understanding the topography, with the route passing through ecological zones from rainforest to arctic summit, offering a comprehensive visualization.
An unexpected detail is the availability of a YouTube video by Tranquil Kilimanjaro titled “Lemosho Route 8 Days Kilimanjaro Trek – Day by Day Itinerary with maps” published on March 4, 2025, which provides a visual 3D tour of the route, enhancing understanding through a dynamic presentation.
Research suggests there are variations in the Lemosho Route itinerary, particularly in the sequence of camps after Shira 1. Some itineraries, may go directly from Mti Mkubwa to Shira 2 Camp on Day 2, bypassing Shira 1, while others, include Shira 1 and then proceed to Moir Hut on Day 3. Additionally, the 7-day variation combines Days 5 and 6, going from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp without staying at Karanga, reducing the total distance but potentially impacting acclimatization.
The evidence leans toward the 8-day itinerary being the standard and preferred option, with a higher summit success rate due to the additional day for acclimatization. Other variations include 6-day and 9-day options, such as the Lemosho Crater route, which includes an overnight at Crater Camp just below the summit, available by special request.
Key Landmarks and Ecological Zones
The Lemosho Route Map highlights several key landmarks that climbers encounter. The Shira Plateau, crossed on Days 2 and 3, offers panoramic views and is an ancient volcanic caldera. Lava Tower, reached on Day 4, is a volcanic plug at 15,190 feet, used for acclimatization. The Barranco Wall, traversed on Day 5, is a steep section requiring scrambling, adding to the route’s challenge and scenic beauty. Other notable points include Cathedral Peak, an acclimatization hike option, and the Western Breach, visible from Shira 2 Camp.
Map Features and Utility
The Lemosho Route Map typically includes elevation profiles, distances between camps, and estimated hiking times, helping climbers plan their daily treks. It may also show GPS coordinates and topographical details for advanced planning, though simplified trail maps with camps and landmarks are more common.
Personal Experiences and Notes
Climber accounts, highlight the route’s beauty, with descriptions of majestic rainforests, alien-looking plants like Dendrosenecio kilimanjari, and stunning views from the Shira Plateau. The route’s remoteness in the early days, with potential wildlife sightings, adds to its appeal, while the gradual ascent is praised for reducing altitude sickness symptoms.
Comparison with Other Routes
The Lemosho Route is often compared to the Machame Route, as it joins it near Lava Tower. However, Lemosho starts further west, offering a longer and more gradual approach, with lower crowds initially. It is considered middle difficulty compared to other routes, with a higher success rate due to better acclimatization, making it a superb choice for climbers seeking both beauty and safety.