9 days Kilimanjaro trek via Lemosho route
Overview
Lemosho is considered the most beautiful route on Kilimanjaro and grants panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. On this 8 day Lemosho route, the trek from Barranco to Barafu is divided into 2 days, allowing for a shorter period prior to the summit attempt so that climbers can rest properly. This route is a favorite pick because it offers a great balance of low traffic, scenic views and high summit-success rate.
DAY 1 AIRPORT PICK-UP
You will be picked up by the staff of Felicia travel, from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). You will be driven to your accommodation in Arusha. Participants will be given a short briefing for the climb the next day. Kits and the necessary equipment will be checked as well.
Accommodation: Arusha hotel
DAY 2 LONDOROSSI GATE TO FOREST CAMP
After breakfast, we will depart for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 2 hours. Here you would have to fill out entry formalities. Afterwards, we will drive to the Lemosho trail-head (approximately one hour). Upon arrival at the trail-head, we will have our lunch and commence our walk through undisturbed forest which winds all the way to the first camp site.
Elevation (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft
Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest.
Main destination: Londorossi Gate
Accommodation: Budget camping
In or near Londorossi Gate
Meals: All meals included
DAY 3 FOREST CAMP TO SHIRA CAMP 1
We will continue walking through the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rocks 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 1 camp. From here, you will witness an exhilarating view of Kibo from across the plateau.
Elevation (ft): 9,500ft to 11,500ft
Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time 5-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland.
Main destination: Foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro
Accommodation: Budget camping
In or near Foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & drinks: All meals included
DAY 4 SHIRA CAMP 1 TO SHIRA CAMP 2
We will explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east towards Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
Elevation (ft.): 11,500ft to 13,800 ft
Distance: 14 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland.
Main destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation: Budget camping
In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & drinks: All meals included
DAY 5 SHIRA CAMP 2 TO BARRANCO CAMP
From the Shira Plateau, we will 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 will 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 spend the night. 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.
Elevation (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Semi Desert.
Main destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation: Budget camping
In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & drinks: All meals included
DAY 6 BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP
After breakfast, we will leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall all the way to the Karanga Valley campsite. This will be a short day of walking intended for acclimatization.
Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
Distance: 5km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Main destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation: Budget camping
In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & drinks: All meals included
DAY 7 KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP
After breakfast, we will leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail and then continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you would have completed the South Circuit, which offers stunning views of the summit from various angles. This is also where we will camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Main destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation: Budget camping
In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & drinks: All meals included
DAY 8 BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT (UHURU PEAK) TO MWEKA HUT
At around 2 am, we will continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. We will head northwest and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim, the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point, we stop for a short rest and take in the magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. You may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you would have reached the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro and the whole continent of Africa.
From the summit, we descend straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site and stop at Barafu for lunch. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we will have our last dinner claim our well-deserved sleep.
Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
Habitat: Arctic.
Main destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation: Budget camping
In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & drinks: All meals included
DAY 9 MWEKA HUT TO ARUSHA
After breakfast, we will continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy but gaiters and trekking poles will help. It is also best to keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy. From the gate, you will continue for another hour to Mweka Village.
From there, a vehicle will meet you at mweka to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha where dinner and accommodation awaits. Now is the best time to celebrate!
Accommodation:
Included
Transfers:
- Return transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to accommodation in Moshi;
- Return transfer from accommodation in Moshi to the entry gate into Kilimanjaro National Park.
Entry fees:
- Park Fees: all park fees collected by Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fee and all others).
Accommodation:
Accommodation at 3* hotel (Lux Palace Hotel (https://luxpalacehoteltz.com ) ) one night before and one night after the expedition. You will have all for a comfortable stay – friendly staff, clean rooms, Wi-Fi and restaurant;
- Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern comfortable 4-season North Face VE-25 tents);
Please note: by default, you will have a private room and a tent during the climb
Meals:
- Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;
- All meals on the hike. You will find delicious energy-rich meals on our mountain menus. Our professional chefs will prepare assorted soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables. Vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost;
- All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water).
Hiking and safety equipment:
- 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;
- All group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery);
- Oximeters;
- Complete medical kits including Diamox.
Climbing crew:
- Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All guides are holder of Wilderness First Responder certification. All of them have 7+years of successful experience;
- Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).
Taxes:
- 18% VAT, 1% TDL and 0.3% Service Levy. Kiliholidays is an honest and responsible tour operator working in full compliance with the tax law of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Excluded
- International flights;
- Tips (300-500 USD per climber for the whole mountain crew);
- Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others);
- Personal gear rentals;
- Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the climb);
- Portable toilets (if required – 250 USD per unit, one can be shared between 3 people);
- Mountaineering insurance. You’ll need special insurance for climbing Kilimanjaro that covers high-altitude trekking up to 6000 m.
The price for the above itinerary is 5600$ per two people. The price depending on the number of clients
