7 Days Lemosho Route Climbing

Lemosho Route is the best for acclimatization. The remote is less used and beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau. The minimum duration for the Lemosho route is 6 days, however, we strongly recommend hiking the route in 7 days. The additional 7th day will give your body more time to acclimatize, reducing the effects of altitude sickness and giving you more time to rest before attempting the summit.

  1. Day 0

    Arrive in Moshi, Tanzania

    You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Moshi town. You will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.

    - Driving distance: 55 km/miles,

    - Driving Time: 1 hour

    - Habitat: Cultivated zone

    - Hotel: Bed and Breakfast

  2. Day 1

    Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Londorossi Gate, Hike to Mti Mkubwa Camp

    First day of 7 Days Lemosho Route Climbing, after breakfast and briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate (about a 3-hour drive). From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.

    • Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft

    • Distance: 6km/4mi

    • Hiking Time: 2-3 hours

    • Habitat: Montane Forest

    • Meals: LD

    • Budget Lodging: Mti Mkubwa Camp.

  3. Day 2

    Hike Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 2 Camp

    On the second day of 7 Days Lemosho Route Climbing, after breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams are crossed, we continue over the Shira Ridge past the Shira 1 camp and on to the Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream.

    • Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3850m/12,600ft

    • Distance: 16km/10mi

    • Hiking Time: 7-8 hours

    • Habitat: Moorland

    • Meals: BLD

    • Budget Lodging: Shira 2 Camp.

  4. Day 3

    Hike Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp

    On the third day of 7 Days Lemosho Route Climbing, From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

    • Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft

    • Distance: 8km/5mi

    • Walking Time: 5-6 hours

    • Habitat: Semi-desert

    • Meals: BLD

    • Budget Lodging: Barranco Camp.

  5. Day 4

    Hike Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

    On the fourth day of 7 Days Lemosho Route Climbing, after breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

    • Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft

    • Distance: 5km/3mi

    • Hiking Time: 34 hours

    • Habitat: Alpine Desert

    • Meals: BLD

    • Budget Lodging: Karanga Valley Camp.

  6. Day 5

    Hike Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

    Firth day of 7 Days Lemosho Route Climbing, we continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.

    • Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft

    • Distance: 4km/2mi

    • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

    • Habitat: Alpine Desert

    • Meals: BLD

    • Budget Lodging: Barafu Camp.

  7. Day 6

    Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp

    sixth day of 7 Days Lemosho Route Climbing, very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point, you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
    From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
    From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.

    • Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft

    • Down to 3090m/10,150ft

    • Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down

    • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down

    • Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

    • Meals: BLD

    • Budget Lodging: Mweka Camp.

  8. Day 7

    Hike Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi

    Last day of 7 Days Lemosho Route Climbing, after breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
    From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters.
    => This day you can be transferred to your hotel overnight (to be transferred to the airport the next day) or transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport for departure or we can arrange for other adventures in Tanzania!

    • Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft

    • Distance: 10km/6mi

    • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

    • Habitat: Forest

    • Meals: B.

INCLUDES:

  • Transport from arrival point to Moshi
  • Transport from Moshi to the Departure point
  • Accommodation before climb
  • Accommodation after climb
  • All accommodation in huts on the mountain
  • Park fees on Kilimanjaro
  • Rescue fees on the mountain (by car)
  • 3 meals daily on the mountain
  • Sleeping and dining huts
  • Guide and porters
  • Cooks and waiters
  • First aid kit
  • Service of an English speaking mountain guide
  • Transportation to the mountain
  • Transportation from the mountain
  • All government taxes
  • Oximeter on the mountain

EXCLUDES:

  • Extras in the hotel
  • Drinks rather than water
  • Tips to mountain Crews
  • Meals in Moshi
  • Personal gears like sleeping bags, hiking poles, etc.
  • Flights
  • And all not listed above

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