Kilimanjaro Lemosho Trek

Itinerary

Day 1 - Moshi

You will be picked up at Kilimanjaro International Airport, or we will arrange your transfer from Nairobi. Typically most flights arrive at night, so you will be transfered back to your hotel.

Day 2 - Moshi

You will be to acclimate to being in Africa. Today you will a climb briefing with the guides and discuss the expedition, your gear, and what to expect on the mountain.

Day 3 - Mti Mkubwa

Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubuwa
Hike time: 3hrs - 4 hrs
Elevation Change + 650 meters/2100 ft
Estimation distance: 10 km
Final Elevation 2650 M/8900 feet

A three-hour drive from Moshi brings us to the Londorossi Park Gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. At the gate, we pick up our game ranger who will accompany us, as we might encounter elephants and buffaloes during our trek. We drive to the trailhead at Lemosho Glades and start our trek through the rain forest. Today we will hike to Mti Mbubwa, which means Big Tree in Swahili. The camp sits at 9,200 ft.

Day 4 - Shira One

Day 4 Mti Mkubwa to Shira One
Hike time: 5 - 6 hrs
Elevation change + 950 M/3100 feet
Estimation distance: 12 km
Final Elevation: 3,610 M/11,800 feet

After breakfast, we start the climb across the remaining rain forest toward the giant moorland zone. Today is a full day trek with an altitude gain of 2,000 ft. A great lunch stop is at a beautiful valley just outside the Shira Crater at around 10,000 ft. Today you will get your first close views of Kibo - the dramatic summit of Kilimanjaro.The Lemosho trail gradually enters the giant heather moorlands zone.

Day 5 - Shira Two Camp

Shira One Camp to Shira Two Camp
Hike time: 5 to 6 hrs
Elevation change: +240 M/800 feet
Elevation distance: 5 km
Final elevation: 3,850 M/12,600 feet

After breakfast, we continue to hike east across the Shira Plateau past the Shira Cathedral toward Shira Two camp. We only gain 700 feet in elevation - this allows us to acclimatize slowly to the altitude. The views of the plateau are nothing less than spectacular.

Day 6 - Lava Tower

Shira Two Camp to Lava Tower
Hike time: 5 hrs
Elevation change: +700 M/2300 feet
Estimated distance: 6 km
Final elevation: 4650 M/15,200 feet
Today is the last of the "easy days." It is about a 7-hour superb hike. We head to Lava Tower, around the southern flank of Kibo. This is one of our most valuable days for acclimatization, as we will sleep at Lava Tower. We can subsitute Lava Tower for Barranco Camp too, a few hours longer.

Day 7 - Karanga Valley

Lava Tower to Karanga Valley
Hike time: 6.5 hrs
Elevation change: -650 M/-2000 ft
Estimated distance: 8 KM
Maximum elevation: 4190 M/13700 feet
Final elevation: 4000 M

Leaving Lava Tower, we slowly descend into the spectacular Barranco Valley, interspersed with giant lobelia and senecia plants. You will stand in awe at the foot of Kibo Peak, looming high above, on our left. After the Barannco Wall, we descend down into the Karanga Valley, where we rest up for the night before the tough climb up to Barafu Hut

Day 8 - Barafu Camp

Karanga to Barafu Camp
Hike time: 3.5 hrs
Elevation changes: +600 M/1900 feet
Estimated distance: 4 km
Final elevation: 4600 M/15000 feet
This is a tough, steep, but rewarding uphill to the rocky, craggy slopes at the camp. Barafu means, ice in Swahili, and it is extremely cold at this altitude. This is the route where most climbers prepare for climbing Kilimanjaro. You will get a half day rest before you begin the summit climb at midnight.

Day 9 - Summit Day / Mweka Camp

Barafu to Uhuru Peak (Summit) to Mweka Camp

Summit time: 7 hrs
Elevation change: +1300 m/+ 4,265 ft
Estimated distance: 5km/3.2 miles
Final elevation: 5896 m/19343 ft
Descent time: 5 hrs
Elevation change: -2800 m/-9186 ft
Estimated distance: 12km/7.5 miles
Final elevation: 3100 m, 10,170 ft

This is a 15 to 17 hour day, starting at midnight and hiking until the next afternoon. You begin your summit attempt around midnight, and will arrive at the Kilimanjaro summit before sunrise. This is the toughest part of the journey as you will be climbing more than 4000 ft in five to seven hours.

After the sunrise, you will head back down the mountain, stopping at Barafu Camp to rest, and heading onward to Mweka Camp, just a few hours outside the gate. This is a tough power day, but rewarding at the end.

Day 10 - Moshi

Mweka Camp to Moshi
Descent time: 4 hrs
Elevation change: -1250M/ -4000 ft
Estimated distance: 10km
Final elevation: 1828 M/ 6000 ft

In the morning we have about 3 hour hike to the gate. After a welcome lunch, you will get your climb certificate and say goodbye to your crew and porters. We then shuttle you back to the hotel in Moshi. Night at hotel this night included.

Day 11 - Flight Home

We will arrange transfer to the airport.