Lemosho Route 9 Days approaches Mount Kilimanjaro through forest and moorland from the west of the mountain, crossing the caldera of Shira volcano and exploring the rock formations of the plateau, before traversing beneath the Southern Ice Fields of Kibo. We make our final ascent by the Barafu Route, There are often stunning views of Kibo in the sharp light of morning and early evening. The Lemosho Route 9 Days itinerary gives the absolute maximum possible acclimatization.
Day 1: Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi
Pick up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Moshi town which is known as the gateway to Kilimanjaro. Meet your guide and review your equipment in the evening in preparation for the trek the following day.
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp
(2900 m/9,500 feet), 6 km/4 miles (3 to 4 hours)
It is between 3 and 4 hours of driving to reach Londorossi Gate the starting point for the climb. It’s an interesting drive through some remote country so keep your eye out for wildlife. Another few hours of formalities with the park rangers at the gate and you will be on the trail. The trail goes through the lowland forests where you’re likely to spot the large Colobus monkeys which are fairly common.
Day 3: Shira 2
(3875 m/12,715 feet), 16 km/9 miles (7 to 8 hours)
The first part of the days trek is fairly steep as you climb up out of the jungle and into the moorland ecosystem dominated by Giant Heathers and a variety of grasses and wildflowers. You will first reach Shira Ridge before the trail continues slightly downhill across the broad expanse of the Shira Plateau to Shira 1 Camp for rest and lunch. We then continue on to Shira 2 camp across the Shira Plateau, and can admire the Western Breach if the skies are clear. Today’s long day allows us more time to acclimatize at the higher camps with shorter days before our big summit day.
Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,983 m/13,066 feet), 10km/6 miles (5 to 8 hours)
Leaving Shira 2 in the morning, you climb towards the main peak, Kibo, with the western glaciers visible across the rugged high-altitude desert of volcanic rocks and boulders. The trail ascends to the Lava Tower site (15000 feet / 4600m) before descending back down into Barranco Valley. The area before the campsite is known as the “Garden of the Senecios”, which features many huge senecio plants as well as the shorter lobelia plants. Its 7 to 8 hours walking and the total ascent is only 110m total but having climbed much higher and dropped back down assists acclimatization.
Day 5: Karanga Camp
(13,066 feet/3,983 m), 5 km/3 miles (4 to 5 hours)
Today consists of a challenging climb up the steep Barranco wall (some scrambling but not technically difficult), easily one of the highlights of the trek. You’ll be able to admire the majestic views at the top before dropping into the Karanga Valley where we will break for lunch and spend the second half of the day resting and acclimatizing.
Day 6: Barafu High Camp
(15,239 feet/4,645 m), 5 km/3 miles (4 to 5 hours)
Today, we make our final push to Base Camp, and we see our longer early days paying off on this day. Arriving to Barafu at lunch time allows us to spend the day resting our legs and preparing for the big push to the roof of Africa. After a hearty dinner, you will retire to your tents for a little shut eye before we begin our climb at midnight.
Day 7: Uhuru Peak Altitude
(5895 m/19340 ft) Walking Distance: 5 km/3 miles ascent + 12 km/7 miles descent (10-16 hours)
The day starts at midnight with the final push to the summit. It’s a cold and grueling six hour hike to summit rim up a steep slope. The trail is doable but steep with many switchbacks. The summit rim is reached just about sunrise and it’s a fairly level hike around the rim to Uhuru Peak the ultimate summit and highest point in Africa. Going down you will head back to Barafu Hut for a short nap and snacks before continuing down to Mweka camp (3068m / 10,065feet). One of the reasons for such a long day of trekking is to avoid problems with acclimatization and get you back down to a lower elevation quickly.
Day 8: Mweka Campsite to Moshi
(3068m/10,065 feet) Walking Distance: 10 km/6 miles (3 to 4 hours)
From the Mweka campsite, it is a 4 to 5-hour descent through the forest to Mweka gate to collect certificates and meet the vehicle. Return to Moshi for the night and to have a final farewell dinner with your guides.
Day 9: Moshi
After breakfast, according to your flight time, we will drop you at the airport or assist you in catching the shuttle to Nairobi. End of our services.