7Days Kilimanjaro Lemosho Climbing Route

The Kilimanjaro climb 7 days lemosho is the best for acclimatization.The remote is less used and beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau. The route is one of the few where groups may be accompanied on the first day by an armed ranger, as the forests around the Lemosho Glades are inhabited by buffalo, elephant and other wildlife. 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 give you more time to rest before attempting the summit.

Highlights

• DAY 1 : DRIVE TO KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK LONDOROSSI GATE, HIKE TO MTI MKUBWA CAMP
• DAY 2 : HIKE MTI MKUBWA CAMP TO SHIRA 2 CAMP
• DAY 3 : HIKE SHIRA 2 CAMP TO BARRANCO CAMP
• DAY 4 : HIKE BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP
• DAY 5 : HIKE KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP
• DAY 6 : HIKE BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT, DOWN TO MWEKA CAMP
• DAY 7 : HIKE MWEKA CAMP TO MWEKA GATE, DRIVE TO MOSHI

Our Day by Day Itinerary

» DAY 1 : DRIVE TO KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK LONDOROSSI GATE, HIKE TO MTI MKUBWA CAMP

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

» DAY 2 : HIKE MTI MKUBWA CAMP TO SHIRA 2 CAMP

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

» DAY 3 : HIKE SHIRA 2 CAMP TO BARRANCO CAMP

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

» DAY 4 : HIKE BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP

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

» DAY 5 : HIKE KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP

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

» DAY 6 : HIKE BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT, DOWN TO MWEKA CAMP

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

» DAY 7 : HIKE MWEKA CAMP TO MWEKA GATE, DRIVE TO MOSHI

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.

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

• Distance: 10km/6mi

• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

• Habitat: Forest

• Meals: B

Trip Inclusions

• » QUALITY, WATERPROOF, FOUR-SEASON PRIVATE MOUNTAIN SLEEPING TENTS
• » PROFESSIONAL, EXPERIENCED, MOUNTAIN GUIDES:
• » ALL PARK FEES
• » RESCUE FEES
• » ALL MEALS WHILE ON THE MOUNTAIN
• » ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TRANSFERS
• » GUIDES, PORTERS, COOK SALARIES AND PARK FEES
• » QUALITY MESS TENTS WITH TABLE AND CHAIRS:
• » LARGE PORTIONS OF FRESH, HEALTHY, NUTRITIOUS FOOD:
• » CLEAN, PURIFIED DRINKING WATER:
• » CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND SAFETY PROCEDURES:
• » FAIR AND ETHICAL TREATMENT OF PORTERS:
• » EMERGENCY EVACUATION BY FLYING DOCTOR SOCIETY OF AFRICA:

Trip Exclusive

• » TANZANIA VISA: $50 PER PERSON ON ARRIVAL
• » PERSONAL EXPENSES (E.G. LAUNDRY, TELEPHONE, BEVERAGES, ETC.)
• » MEALS NOT LISTED ABOVE
• » OPTIONAL TOURS (SHORT SAFARI AFTER YOUR CLIMB ETC)
• » TIPS AND ANY ITEMS OF PERSONAL NATURE.
• » 2 NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION

What To Bring On Trekking Mt.Kilimanjaro

• » WATERPROOF RUCKSACK WITH DAY PACK
• » SLEEPING BAG (COVERING AT LEAST 3 SEASONS)
• » ROLL MATS AND INSULATION PADS
• » COMFORTABLE HIKING BOOTS, LIGHT WALKING TRAINERS THONGS (FLIP - FLOPS)
• » GAITERS (USEFUL WHEN ENCOUNTERING SNOW),WOODEN WALKING STICK / SKI POLE,SUNGLASSES OR SNOW - GOGGLES, SUN HAT, BALACLAVA OR WOOLEN HAT,WARM SCARF, GLOVES, MITTENS AND THERMAL UNDERWEAR
• » SWEATERS / JUMPERS, ANORAK / RAINCOAT, WATER AND WINDPROOF PANTS, JACKETS, T-SHIRT, SEVERAL PAIRS OF SOCKS
• » LONG SLEEVED SHIRT WITH COLLAR, SMALL TOWEL, TOILETRIES AND TOILET PAPER
• » SUNSCREEN AND LIP SALVE
• » FLASH LIGHT (HEAD MOUNTED PREFERABLE) AND SPARE BATTERIES
• » WATER BOTTLE
• » CAMERA WITH SPARE FILM AND BATTERIES