Overview
The Lemosho route begins on the West side of Mount Kilimanjaro. Although becoming more popular due to its high success rate, it still has less foot traffic than the other routes. The Lemosho route is a lengthy yet gentle trail that offers both exceptional chances of seeing wildlife and a higher than average chance of reaching the summit.
Highlights
- Difficulty: High
- Scenery: Excellent
- Traffic: Medium
Price includes:
-Arrival and departure Kilimanjaro airport transfers
– Accommodation in Town
-Scheduled Riverside bus shuttle transfer Nairobi-Arusha-Nairobi if arriving/departing from Nairobi.
-Transport from the hotel to the mountain and back to the hotel
-Accommodation as indicated
-Sleeping tent and mattresses on the mountain
-Dining tent on the mountain
-Meals as indicated above (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
-All park fees, including mountain rescue fees, government taxes and all applicable fees and taxes.
-Services of a Professional Leading Guide who is medically trained, certified, licensed and English speaking.
-Services of English-speaking assistant guide (s) and enough number of porters for your luggage, food, and water, and a skilled cook.
-Transport from your hotel to the mountain, and back to your hotel.
-Group average of 4~6 climbers, maximum of 15.
-Oxygen bottle and pulse oximeter
Price excludes:
-International airfare
-Items of a personal nature such as passport, and visa,
-Climbing gears (can be rented on arrival)
-Tips (recommended in USD, Cash)
-Medical Equipment which can be rented well in advance for the following costs: $250/group for hyperbaric chamber, and $140/group for a stretcher. Please note these prices include a porter to carry the equipment.
Note:
-The pack that the porters carry is limited to 35 pounds (i.e. 15kgs)
-Overweight or extra luggage will require an extra porter at $10/day
You can leave extra luggage in Hotel in Arusha (if you leave any valuable items like cash, jewelry, etc) make sure you get a receipt for that.
*If you add that day, instead of just staying at the hotel, we can offer a day trip to the nearby Arusha National Park for game drives for $180pp inclusive of 1 to 2 hours hiking on mount Meru. Starting from 4 pax in a group.
Day 1 – Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport,
Met upon Arrival and transfer to hotel in Arusha,
Activities: Transfer
Accommodation & Meals: Arusha Gold Crest Hotel, B, B.
Day 2; Londorosi Gate (2,100 m) to Lemosho Glades (2,360 m) to Mkubwa Camp (2,820 m)
The Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) in the West, the same start point as the Lemosho Route. The drive to Londorossi Gate takes approximately two hours from Moshi and considerably longer from Arusha. Registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities occurs at the gate and then you will be driven further up the mountain to the trailhead starting point. Most tour operators serve lunch here before the short first day trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) begins. You may get lucky and spot large wildlife like elephant and buffalo that sometimes emerge from the rainforest onto the path as you trek towards your first camp. Dinner will be served when you reach Mti Mkubwa Camp.
Estimated Trekking distance: 5.5km / 3 miles
Estimated Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters). B, L, D.
Day 3 – Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 meters) to Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters)
On day two you will spend the first hour trekking through the last section of rainforest path before entering the low alpine moorland zone which follows up onto the Shira Plateau. The trek is relatively short and gradual, ending at Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters).
Estimated Trekking distance: 8km / 5 miles
Estimated Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Zone: Rainforest zone/ Low Alpine Zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters). B, L, D.
Day 4 – Shira Camp 1 (3,610 meters) to Shira Camp 2 (3,850 meters)
On day three the trek crosses the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2. Nine day trekkers usually spend the night at Shira Camp 2 where they will join trekkers from the Machame Route. At Shira Camp 2 it is worth trekking a little higher up the plateau to enjoy the stunning view across the valley below and Western Breach of Kilimanjaro above. The plateau is exposed so be prepared for a cold night with temperatures getting below zero. Note: Trekkers on an eight day hike will continue east up the Shira Plateau ridge and on to Lava Tower (4,600 meters) and then back down via the Northern Circuit to Moir Camp (4,200 meters).
Estimated Trekking distance: 7km / 4 miles,
Estimated Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest zone/ Low Alpine Zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Shira Camp 2 (3,850 meters) B, L, D
Day 5 – Shira Camp (3,850 meters) to Lava Tower (4,600 meters) and then Baranco Camp (3,900 meters)
On day three you will start trekking due east from the Shira Plateau, passing through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ which also features many giant lobelias. The landscape rapidly becomes desert-like as you approach Lava Tower and the Shark’s Tooth formation at 4,600 meters. You will have lunch at Lava Tower before joining the Southern Circuit trail which descends to Baranco Camp 3,900 meters where you will spend the night at a very similar elevation as the night before. Climbing high and sleeping low is a good way to acclimatize the body to altitude. Note: some tour operators offer variations of this route via Moir Camp just north of Lava Tower, before joining the Southern Circuit.
Estimated Trekking distance: 11km / 7 miles
Estimated Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Baranco Camp (3,900 meters). B, L, D.
Day 6 – Baranco Camp (3,900 m) to Karanga Camp (3,960 m).
After breakfast, we continue up a steep ridge to the great Baranco Wall, and then you climb this imposing obstacle, which turns out to be easier than it looks. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you can now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. With Kibo’s glaciers soaring overhead, you descend into the lush Karanga Valley to the Karanga Valley campsite for hot lunch. From the camp, you can look east and see the jagged peaks of Mawenzi jutting into the African sky.
Estimated Trekking distance: 4.5km / 3 miles
Estimated Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Karanga Camp (3,960 m). B, L, D.
Day 7 – Karanga Camp (3,960 m) to Barafu Camp (4,680 m).
After breakfast, we leave the camp and continue to the Base camp (Barafu). The last water on the route is in the Karanga Valley; there is no water at Barafu Camp, even though Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice.” The famous snows of Kilimanjaro are far above Barafu Camp near the summit of the mountain. Your tent will be pitched on a narrow, stony, wind-swept ridge, so make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. Prepare your equipment and warm clothing for your summit climb, and drink a lot of fluids. After an early dinner, go to bed for a few hours of precious sleep.
Estimated Trekking distance: 5.5km / 3 miles
Estimated Trekking time: 3-5 hours
Zone: High alpine zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Barafu Camp (4,680 meters). B, L, D.
Day 8 – Barafu Camp (4,680 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then Mweka Camp (3,100 meters)
Today we starts at midnight with hot tea, biscuits and a long and zigzagging hike up the heavy scree that covers the steep slopes of Kibo. The going is slow and very tough. You will need to dig deep and ensure you maintain a consistent pace to push yourself up to the crater rim. After about 4-6 hours hiking you will reach Stella Point (5,739 meters) where you will have a chance to rest and watch dawn break across the Tanzanian landscape. It is a good idea to have some hot tea or hot chocolate at this point as you will need to muster the energy to continue for another 1-2 hours around and up the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters). Remember to keep your momentum moving forward, one step at a time. Over 60% of climbers stop at Stella Point but most can make it to the summit if they are able to find the metal strength to push through. Obviously if you are experiencing severe AMS symptoms you should descend immediately. Your time at Uhuru Peak will be brief. Take as many pictures as you can, savour your accomplishment and then start heading back to Stella Point. Many trekkers slide down the scree slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp, where you will have a chance to rest before continuing on to Mweka Camp (3,100 meters). In total you will be trekking between 12-16 hours on day 5 so it is really important that you pace yourself and remain hydrated.
Estimated Trekking distance: 4.5km / 3 miles ascent and then 11km / 7 mile descent
Estimated Trekking time: 6-8 hours to the summit and then 5-8 hours to Mweka
Zone: Glacial zone and the all preceding zones
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Mweka Camp (3,100 meters). B, L, D.
Day 9 – Mweka Camp (3,100 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters)
The final day on the mountain is a short one, but nonetheless tiring as your body will be exhausted and your knees will likely be sore from the previous day’s descent. Go slowly and enjoy the wonderful rainforest scenery as you head towards Mweka Gate (1,640 meters). At the gate you will need to sign-out with the authorities and will also receive your certificate, either for Stella Point or for Uhuru Peak. It is expected to pay your tips to your trekking team before you depart back to your hotel in Arusha.
Estimated Trekking distance: 9km / 6 miles
Estimated Trekking time: 3-5 hours
Zone: Rainforest zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Arusha Gold Crest Hotel, B, L.
Day 10: Transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for your return flight, B. or Proceed with safari with us.
Activities: Transfer
Accommodation & Meals: B, B.
Prices;
The input will come soon…
