8 Days 7 Nights Lemosho Route

The Lemosho route is the best route that gives access to approach the mountain from the western side of Kilimanjaro. Basically, we will arrive at the trail and the trek will proceed through the rainforest. Along the way, the vegetation is so clear and untouched therefore it grows right at the walking narrow track. Additionally, The plant and fauna are richer and more dominant than on other well-known routes on the mountain. Our trek today will be along a less-used track known as Chamber’s Route.

 

On arrival, you will meet our charming staff with a signboard written your name, after meeting and greetings, then you will be picked up from Kilimanjaro (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK) and transferred to Arusha for an overnight stay.

 

Our Kilimanjaro guide will come to meet you for a briefing and then check your gears to make sure you’re okay to hit the rock.

Accommodation:  Serengeti Villa or Africana Grand Hotel. (Bed and breakfast)

Distance: Kilimanjaro airport to Arusha: 50 Km (1-hour drive)

Arusha airport to Arusha city: 5 km    (25 minutes drive)

 

Itinerary

Day 1: Londorossi Gate – Mti Mkubwa Camp: 4.8km | 3-4 Hrs

Vegetation Type: Rainforest

Elevation: 2389m to 2785m

Altitude gained: 396m

Firstly after breakfast, the tour will depart from Hotel to the Londorossi Park Gate which is located on the western part of Kilimanjaro. moreover, we arrive at the trailhead and start to trek through the rainforest. Along the area, the vegetation is so genuine and clearly untouched therefore it grows across the narrow walking track. Basically, the flora and fauna are more dominant here than on the other, popular and well-known routes. Today our trek will take us along a less-used track known as Chamber’s Route. Our camp today will be at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) where we will enjoy our dinner and overnight.

 

Day 2: From Mti Mkubwa Camp – Shira I Camp: 7.9km | 4-6hrs

VEGETATION TYPE: MOORLAND

Elevation: 2785m to 3504m

Altitude gained: 719m

After breakfast, the hike begins and leads across the remaining rainforest toward the giant mesmerizing moorland zone.

Above all, we will trek a full day with an altitude gain of 2,000 ft. We are likely to have a short stop for lunch at a spectacular valley just outside the Shira Crater which lies about 10,000 ft. After enjoying the lunch, the trek continues and crosses into the Shira Caldera, which is a high-altitude desert Plateau available that is very rarely visited by climbers. On top of it, Shira is the third among  Kilimanjaro volcanic cones and is filled with lava flow from the original point of Kibo Peak.

The weather and volcanic action affect the crater rim. Today from this point, you will encounter your first close sight of Kibo – the most dramatic summit of Kilimanjaro.

 

Day 3: From Shira I Camp –Shira Hut: 6.9km| 5-7 Hrs

VEGETATION TYPE: MOORLAND

Elevation: 3504m to 3895m

Altitude gained: 391m

Firstly after waking up and having breakfast, then the hike continues east across the Shira Plateau past the Shira Cathedral towards Shira Two camp. However, At this point, the elevation gain is only 700 ft which allows you to acclimatize slowly and allow the body to cope with the mountain.  By all means, The views of the plateau from here are more spectacular.

 

Day 4: Shira Hut – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp: 10.1km | 4-6hrs

VEGETATION TYPE: SEMI-DESERT

Elevation: 3895m to 3986m

Altitude gained: 91m

Furthermore, Be informed that today is the last of the so-called “easy days.” For that reason, It takes about a 7-hour extensive hike, passing the so-called Lava tower, at the southern flank of Kibo, and slowly descending down into the spectacular valley of Barranco, inhabited by giant lobelia and Senecio plants. However, After some time you arrive at our most beautiful campsite, everyone stands at the foot of Kibo Peak, looming high above, on our left.  In addition, this camp is found at only 465 ft higher than the point that we were last night, however during the daytime, we will climb to just over 14,000 ft because this is the most valuable day for acclimatization while on the mountain.

 

Day 5: From Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp: 5.2km |4-5hrs

VEGETATION TYPE: ALPINE DESERT

Elevation: 3986m to 4034m

Altitude gained: 48m

Generally from here, on the eastern side of the valley across the stream lies the Barranco wall which is 950 ft and acts as a barrier of volcanic rock. Moreover, It is always tall and looks steeper but so easy to climb, and this appears to be the first challenge of the day. Importantly, The view from here is what is known as magnificent.  Henceforth, The rest of the day will be spent crossing the base of Kibo peak over the left shoulder and then descending into the Karanga valley, where we will rest for the night before the tough attempt climbs up to Barafu Hut.

 

Day 6: From Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp: 3.3km  | 4-5hrs |

VEGETATION TYPE: ALPINE DESERT

Elevation: 4034m to 4662m

Altitude gained: 628m

On the other hand, the day starts with a steep hike out of the valley. Generally, It is a very challenging hike, but rewarding at the end uphill, profoundly the nature of the area is rocky and craggy, and slopes at the camp. In addition, The name Barafu means “ice” in Swahili, and it is bitterly cold at this altitude, therefore it is better to go to bed early because you will be waked at midnight to hit the rock for the final leg to the Peak.

 

Day 7: Barafu Camp – Summit: 4.86km Up | 5-7hrs | –  Mweka Camp: 13km Down | 5-6hrs

VEGETATION TYPE: SNOW-CAPPED SUMMIT

Elevation: 4662m to 5895m

Altitude gained: 1233m

Descent to 3106m

Altitude lost: 2789m

Today consider dressing warmly because basically the final leg starts around midnight, on the steepest track and this is the most demanding part of the mountain. In addition, If the moon will be out, it would be a lucky day as it will provide enough light, and we will possibly reach the crater rim by early sunrise, then after a superb 7-hour hike, we will welcome a new dawn. On the hand from the crater rim, the cracked Mawenzi Peak offers a marvellous sight, with the Kibo saddle remaining in the darkness behind you, and therefore the crater’s ice-wall horizon ahead. Furthermore, we proceed to Uhuru Peak for 1-2 hrs, and descend back to Barafu camp which takes 4 hrs, and then down to Mweka camp which takes 5 hrs, and here is where we will spend our last night on the mountain.

 

Day 8: From Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Moshi: 9.1km |3-4hrs

Vegetation Type: Rainforest

Elevation: 3106m to 1633m

Altitude lost: 1473m

Lastly, You will finish your hike down to the trail in about 3 – 3.5 hrs. Then after a brilliant welcome lunch, here comes a time to say goodbye to the crew, and then transfer back to the hotel/ Airport.

 

   PRICE: 2550$ PER PERSON

 

    Included

• Tent for camping
• Mattress
• All meals during the climbing
• Pickup from the airport on arrival
• Transportation from the hotel to the mountain gate
• Transportation back to Arusha after climbing
• Service of professional mountain guide
• Potters Salaries
• Service of professional mountain Cook.
• Hotel accommodations on arrival day at Africana grand hotel or Serengeti Villa
• Park fees
• Mineral water

     Excluded

• Items of a personal nature
• Tips (20$ per person per day)
• International airfares.
• Any required visas
• Travel insurance.