7 Days Lemosho Route Climbing is the best for acclimatization. The Lemosho route is lesser known.It begins on the western side of Kilimanjaro. Walking through the rainforest for the first two days the vegetation changes to heath and moorland with many ferns and ericas along the way. The narrow trail sometimes has some very steep sections and is scenically diverse. The remote is less used and beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau.
safari type : | Trekking / Climbing |
You will visit: | Machame Camp, Shira Caves, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp, Mweka Camp |
Getting Around: | Walking |
Start/End: | Arusha |
Minimum Age: | 18+ |
After your long flight, you’ll be pleased to spend your first night in comfort at your hotel, the Planet Lodge in Arusha. You will be picked-up by Gifted Adventures driver, who will be waiting to meet and welcome you and take you to your hotel in Arusha to relax after your flight. Your adventure has begun!
Accommodation: Arusha Coffee Lodge
Meals: Dinner
Drinking Mineral Water only
After early breakfast and briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate. From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa campsite.
Elevation:6000ft to 8700ft
Distance:6 km
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat:Montane Forest
On second day early breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams are crossed, we continue over the Shira Ridge past the Shira 1 camp and on to the Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream.
Elevation: 8700ft to 12,600ft
Distance:16km
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat:Moorland
From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. 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.
Elevation:12,600ft to 13,000ft
Distance:8km
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat:Semi-desert
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
Elevation:13,000ft to 13,250ft
Distance:5km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat:Alpine Desert
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.
Elevation:3,250ft to 15,350ft
Distance:4 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat:Alpine Desert
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), 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. 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. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
Elevation:15,350ft to 19,340ft to 10,150ft
Distance:5km up / 13km down
Hiking Time:5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat:Stone scree and ice-capped summit
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. Gifted Adventures vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha.
Elevation:10,150ft to 5500ft
Distance:10 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Today is the day that you say goodbye to our team. Congratulations, you just hiked the highest freestanding mountain on planet Earth and the tallest mountain in Africa. You will remember these memories for the rest of your life. Upon waking up today, your guide will be with you until you need leave for Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Accommodation:Arusha Coffee Lodge
Meals:Breakfast
Drinking Mineral Water only
Kindly call us at +255 753 900 422 if you require any immediate assistance.
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