9 Days Kilimanjaro Climb - Lemosho Route
One of the better possibilities for climbing Kilimanjaro is the Lemosho Route. The path practically spans the mountain from west to east, allowing for ample of time for acclimatization and taking in the entire view. The drive to the trailhead via the western path is a little bit longer but is well worth it because you get to travel through some wild terrain and you might even be lucky enough to see a buffalo or an elephant. As you progress through the lowland jungles into the Shira Plateau over the first few days of the walk, you will approach the western flank of the peak, a side of the mountain few travelers reach.
The trek continues along the traditional Machame Route and sees a surge in hiker traffic after reaching Shira Camp 2 on the third day. The fourth day of the hike, when you rise to the Lava Tower (15,000 feet/4600m) before descending to the campground in Barranco Valley, is very beneficial for acclimatization. You arrive at the high camp at Barafu, which is located on a desolate volcanic plain, after another day of hiking. Before making a nocturnal summit effort, climbers take the day to recuperate here. To reach Uhuru Peak, the last summit and highest point in Africa, requires a six-hour walk to the crater rim and an additional hour of traversing across the rim of the crater.
Tour highlights
Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa -2900m
Mti Mkubwa to shira – 3875m
Shira to Barranco Camp - 3,983 m
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp - 3,983 m
Karanga Camp to Barafu High Camp - 4,645 m
Barafu High Camp to Uhuru Peak Altitude - 5895 m
Price Includes:
- 9 day adventure, 7 of which include 3 meals a day
- 2 nights of accommodation in Moshi, breakfast included
- Airport Pickup from Kilimanjaro Airport
- All Ground Transfers
- Accommodation while trekking*
- Private Toilet Tent*
- National Park Entry Fees
- Fully-licensed, English-speaking guide
- Porter service on the trek
- First aid kit
- Trip completion certificate
- Farewell Dinner
Price Excludes:
- Flights
- Visa fees
- Travel or Medical Insurance is required and you should ask for Recommendation
- Gamow Bag
- Medication
- Tips for porters and mountain crew (20% Industry Standard Recommended)
- Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
- Energy food & beverages, alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal hire gear such as trekking poles, sleeping bags, etc.
- Additional lodge nights if early descent from the mountain $150 per room
Itinary in details
- Day1Kilimanjaro Airport to MoshiThe gateway to Kilimanjaro, Moshi town, is picked up and transported from Kilimanjaro International Airport. In the evening, meet your guide and go through your gear in preparation for the trek the next day.
- Day2Mti Mkubwa Camp (2900 m/9,500 feet), 6 km/4 miles (3 to 4 hours)To get to Londorossi Gate, where the climb begins, it takes 3 to 4 hours of driving. Keep a look out for wildlife as you go through some rural terrain; it's an exciting drive. You must complete a few more procedures with the park officers at the gate before you can start the trail. Large Colobus monkeys, which are rather frequent, are likely to be seen on the trail as it passes through lowland forests.
- Day3Shira 2 (3875 m/12,715 feet), 16 km/9 miles (7 to 8 hours)As you ascend out of the rainforest and into the moorland ecosystem, which is dominated by Giant Heathers and a variety of grasses and wildflowers, the first portion of the day's hike is very strenuous. Prior to continuing slightly downhill across the wide expanse of the Shira Plateau to Shira 1 Camp for rest and lunch, you will first reach Shira Ridge. The Western Breach can be seen if the skies are clear as we travel across the Shira Plateau to Shira 2 camp. The longer day today gives us more time before our major summit day to acclimatize at the higher camps with fewer days.
- Day4Barranco Camp (3,983 m/13,066 feet), 10km/6 miles (5 to 8 hours)As you ascend from Shira 2 to the main peak, Kibo, you can see the western glaciers across the arid high-altitude desert of volcanic rocks and boulders. The trail climbs to the location of the Lava Tower (15000 feet/4600 meters), then drops back down into Barranco Valley. The "Garden of the Senecios," which includes numerous enormous senecio plants as well as the shorter lobelia plants, is the area before the campsite. Even if the rise is only 110 meters and the overall walking time is 7 to 8 hours, acclimatization is aided by having previously climbed considerably higher and descended back down.
- Day5Karanga Camp (13,066 feet/3,983 m), 5 km/3 miles (4 to 5 hours)One of the trek's highlights is today's strenuous ascent up the Barranco wall, which requires some scrambling but is not technically demanding. Before descending into the Karanga Valley, where we will stop for lunch and spend the second half of the day relaxing and acclimatizing, you can take in the magnificent views from the peak.
- Day6Barafu High Camp (15,239 feet/4,645 m), 5 km/3 miles (4 to 5 hours)We make our last push to Base Camp today, and we can already tell that the lengthier early days have paid off. We are able to spend the day relaxing and getting ready for the major push to the roof of Africa because we arrive at Barafu at lunchtime. You will retire to your tents after a filling meal so you may get some rest before we start our ascent at midnight.
- Day7Uhuru Peak Altitude (5895 m/19340 ft) Walking Distance: 5 km/3 miles ascent + 12 km/7 miles descent (10-16 hours)The last push to the top kicks off the day around midnight. The six-hour climb up a rocky slope to the summit rim is chilly and exhausting. Though steep and full of switchbacks, the terrain is manageable. A reasonably simple trek takes you to Uhuru Peak, the ultimate top and highest point in Africa, which is reached soon before sunrise. On the way down, you'll return to Barafu Hut for a quick sleep and some food before making your way to Mweka Camp (3068m/ 10,065ft). It takes so long to trek since one of the goals is to avoid acclimatization issues and get you back to a lower height as soon as possible.
- Day8Mweka Campsite to Moshi (3068m/10,065 feet) Walking Distance: 10 km/6 miles (3 to 4 hours)It takes 4 to 5 hours to descend through the forest from Mweka campground to Mweka gate, where you may pick up your certificates and meet the van. Return to Moshi for the evening so you can have one more meal together as guides.
- Day9MoshiDepending on the time of your flight, we will drop you off at the airport or help you board the shuttle to Nairobi after breakfast. Finishing up our services.
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