Kilimanjaro Climbing for Lemosho Route 8 Day

Itinerary Highlights

• Duration in days: 8
• Itinerary Category:  Kilimanjaro Trekking
• Destinations:  Kilimanjaro via Lemosho route
• Major Attractions: Kilimanjaro mountain
• Guiding Language: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian
• Start point: Moshi
• End point: Arusha
• Essential items: Digital Camera with enough memory space and extra batteries, binoculars, light clothes, safari boot, mosquito repellents, sunhat, sunglasses with ultra violet radiation filtering etc
• Additional information: guidance and support offered by cookers, guides and porters while on the mountain

Itinerary Description By Day

Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp

• We depart from Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours
• Here at Londorossi Gate you will complete registration formalities
• Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead)
• Upon arrival at trailhead, we eat lunch, then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site
• Dinner and overnight stay at the camp site

Day 2: Forest Camp to Shira Camp 1

• 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 1 camp
• The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing
• Dinner and overnight stay at Shira Camp 1

Day 3: Shira Camp 1 to Shira 2 to Moir Hut

• 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 2 camp 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
• Have dinner and overnight stay at Moir Hut

Day 4: Moir Hut to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

• 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.

Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

• Start a steep climb up the Barranco wall to the top of Karanga valley to have view of the Heim glacier.
• Continue with the trail to reach Karanga Camp (4000m) for about 4-5 walking hours
• Rest and have refreshments while waiting for dinner

Day 6: Karanga Camp To Barafu Camp

• Trek out of Karanga camp to reach Mweka junction (4150m).
• Proceed with the hike to join Mweka trail which finally leads to Barafu Camp
• Take as much rest and water upon arrival to prepare your body for the final summit
• It’s recommended to sleep early by 19:00

Day 7: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

• 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 the 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.

Day 8: Mweka Camp to Moshi

• 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 you
• 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