Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking – Lemosho Route – 8 Days
Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking – Lemosho Route – 8 Days
Overview
Duration: 8 Days on the Mountain & 2 Days Before and After Trekking.
Category: Kilimanjaro Trekking
Itinerary: Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking – Lemosho Route – 8 Days
Major Attractions: Vegetation zones, Wildlife, Mt Kilimanjaro
Lemosho route is considered the most beautiful and less traffic route on Mount Kilimanjaro and grants panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. This route is a favorite pick because it offers a great balance of low traffic, scenic views, and a high summit success rate.
At Lodge
Overnight at a beautiful lodge located on the outskirt of Arusha town.
Kilimanjaro airport/Arusha.
Our driver will pick on your arrival and drop you at the hotel booked for overnight. Dinner and overnight at lodge.
Mti Mkubwa Camp
- Campsite
Londrossi Gate– Mti Mkubwa Camp: Rainforest
Elevation: 2389m/7838ft to 2785m/9137ft
Altitude gained: 396m
After breakfast Arusha/ Moshi we depart approximately 2 hours through the rural countryside to the Londrossi Gate. For the necessary park registration formalities at the Londorossi National Park gate, we drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho road head. We start our ascent along the forest trail we camp at Lemosho Mti Mkubwa Camp.
Londrossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp ( 3-4 hours walking.
Overnight Accommodation: | Shira Camp
- Campsite
Mti Mkubwa Camp – Shira One Camp: | Moorland
Elevation: 2785m/9137ft to 3895m/12,779ft
Altitude gained: 1110m
After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we leave the forest behind, the trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. A full day trekking with a slow and steady pace up to Shira Camp.
Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira Camp: 6-7 hours walking.
Overnight Accommodation: | Shira Hut
Inside the park
- Campsite
Shira One Camp –Shira Hut: | Moorland
Elevation: 3504m/11,496ft to 3895m/12,779ft
Altitude gained: 391m
We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little-used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
Barranco Camp
Inside the park
- Campsite
Shira Hut – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp: | Semi-Desert
Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo peak before we then continue, South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev. 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to a second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier. We then continue to descend to overnight at Barranco Camp. Shira Camp to Barranco valley: (5-7 hours walking)
Overnight Accommodation: | Mweka CAMP
Inside the park
- Campsite.
Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp: | Alpine Desert
Elevation: 3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,253ft
Altitude gained: 48m
A steep climb up the eastern wall leads us just below the Heim Glacier, where we may have some spectacular views of Kilimanjaro. We then take a steep exit up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo, the trail continues down into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley, finally, we have a steep climb up to Karanga Camp.
Barranco Camp to Karanga camp: (4-5 hours walking).
Accommodation: Barafu Camp
Inside the park
- Campsite
Inside the park
Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp: | Alpine Desert
Elevation: 4034m/13,253ft to 4662m/15,295ft
Altitude gained: 628m
Today we take the Traverse Route that takes up the Barafu Ridge, we walk up quite slowly to the final camp before your last ascent day to the summit.
The remainder of the day is spent relaxing in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night.
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp: 3-4 hours walking.
Accommodation: Mweka Camp
Inside the park
- Campsite
Barafu Camp – Summit – Mweka Camp: | Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit
Elevation: 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft
Altitude gained: 1233m
Descent to 3090m/10,150ft
Altitude lost: 2789m
Wake up before midnight in the cover of darkness. We begin a steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to the rim of the main crater, Stella Point, at 5,735m. We will rest there for a few minutes to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling good can continue slowly to make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to the main peak (5,895 m), which is the highest point in Africa. After a few minutes to appreciate your accomplishment we descend to Barafu is amazingly fast, and we stop at Barafu Camp for some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach Mweka Camp.
Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp: (13-15 hours walking).
Accommodation: Mweka Camp
Inside the park
- Campsite
Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate: | Rainforest
Elevation: 3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft
Altitude lost: 1473m
After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles.
From the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha (about 2Hours). Enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!
Dinner and Overnight at lodge.
Included
- 2 nights’ hotel accommodation in Moshi/Arusha (before & after the climb)
- Group transport to and from Moshi to the trailhead
- Kilimanjaro National Park permits, camping/hut fees, rescue fees, and Value Added Tax (VAT)
- Expert guide, assistant guides, cook, and porters
- Bottled oxygen, for emergency rescue only
- mountain tents, double occupancy
- Sleeping pad, foam, sleeping bag & trekking poles
- Mess tents, tables, chairs, lanterns
- Fresh, nutritious meals on the mountain
- Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport
- All Ground Transfers
Excluded
- flights
- Lunch or dinner at the hotel
- Beverages at the hotel
- Personal gear and equipment (see rental prices)
- Tips (see recommended tipping guideline)
- Kilimanjaro search & rescue – air evacuation (Insurance that covers up to 6000m recommended.
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Wildlife safaris, beach holidays, Kilimanjaro & Mt. Meru trekking, hiking and cultural tours.