7 Days Kilimanjaro Climb via Lemosho Route

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.

Day Coverage

• Hiking Distance: 6km/4mi
• Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
• Zone: Montane Forest

 

After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. After several streams are crossed, we continue over the Shira Ridge passing the Shira 1 camp for lunch then proceed with another 3-4 hours before reaching Shira Camp 2 for dinner & Overnight. Day Coverage

• Hiking Distance: 16km/10mi
• Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
• Zone: Moorland

Today’s journey is long and tough which takes about 5 – 6 hours to complete. The route turns east into a semi-desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower. On arrival at Lava Tower, you will be served your lunch before proceeding for another 2 hours walk to Barranco Camp.

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.

In the evening you will be served with dinner before overnight.

Day Coverage

• Hiking Distance: 10km/6mi
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone

Today’s hike is a short one and ideally for acclimatization After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall. At the top of the Wall, you will have a view of Heim Glacier and will be above the clouds. The trail then winds up and down in the Karanga Valley up to the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

Dinner & Overnight at Karanga Camp

Day Coverage

• Hiking Distance: 7km / 5 miles
• Hiking Time: 7 hours
• Zone: High alpine zone

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.

Day Coverage

• Hiking Distance: 6km / 4 miles
• Hiking Time: 3 hours
• Zone: High alpine zone

After a cup of hot tea and a light snack, the climb begins around midnight when the lava ash is still frozen, and walking on it is easier.

We continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim.

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 will enjoy your last evening on the mountain at Mweka Camp.

Day Coverage

• Hiking Distance:5km / 3 miles ascent and then 11km / 7 mile descent
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours to the summit and then 5-8 hours to Mweka
• Zone: Glacial zone and all preceding zones

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).

Our vehicle will be waiting for you at the Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel

Day Coverage

• Hiking Distance: 9km / 5.5 miles
• Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
• Zone: Rainforest