Climbing Kilimanjaro in 7 days via the Lemosho Route

Our Kilimanjaro adventure starts the moment you land at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. You will be met by our staff at the airport and transferred to Moshi, enjoying the peaceful surroundings of our comfortable pre and post trek accommodation at Parkview inn Hotel (http://www.pvim.com) from where there are great views of the mountain. You can relax by the pool before a briefing with the guides, who will provide you with the essential information about your trek to the roof of Africa.

We depart from Moshi to the Londorossi Gate, which will take us about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then we drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at the trailhead, we have lunch, then we start hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.

Hiking time: 3-4 hours / Distance: 6 kilometers / Habitat: Rain forest / Elevation (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira Camp 1. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.

Hiking time: 5-6 hours / Distance: 8 kilometers / Habitat: Moorlands / Elevation (ft): 9,500ft to 11,500ft / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

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 Camp 2 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.

Hiking time: 5-7 hours / Distance:14 km /Habitat: Moorlands / Elevation: 11,500ft to 13,800 ft / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

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.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Hiking time: 4-6 hours / Distance: 7 kilometers /  Habitat: Semi Desert / Elevation (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft /Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, 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. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Hiking time: 8-10 hours / Distance: 9 kilometers / Habitat: Alpine forest / Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), 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 (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Hiking time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent  //  Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent // Habitat: Arctic / Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft) / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

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, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi.

Hiking time: 3-4 hours / Distance: 10 kilometers / Habitat: Rain forest / Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft /Meals: Breakfast