Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro

9-Days Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Climbing

$2100-2200 USD

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Safari summary

For climbing Kilimanjaro, the Lemosho Route is among the better choices. Since the path essentially travels the entire mountain from west to east, it gives ample opportunity for acclimatisation. Although the drive to the trailhead is a little longer for access via the western route, it is well worth it because you get to drive through some untamed areas and might even be lucky enough to see an elephant or buffalo. In the initial days of the journey, you will ascend the mountain's western slope, which is rarely visited by tourists, and ascend through lowland jungles to reach the Shira Plateau. When the remaining group arrived to Shira Camp 2 on the third day, the remainder of the trek follows the traditional Machame Route and the number of trekkers on the trail increases. The fourth day of trekking is quite helpful for acclimatization as you ascend to the Lava Tower (15,000 feet / 4600m) before descending to the campsite in Barranco Valley. Another day of trekking brings you to the high camp at Barafu, which lies on a barren volcanic plain. Climbers spend the afternoon resting here before making a midnight summit push. It's a 6-hour slog to the crater rim and another hour of traversing across the rim of the crater to reach Uhuru Peak the final summit and highest point in Africa.

About this tour

	Tour type	Custom, tailor-made, private
	Main focus	Hiking \| trekking
	Activity level	Strenuous activity
	Best months	January, February, March, June, July, August, September, November, December
	Countries	Tanzania
	Parks	Kilimanjaro

Fine details

Safari highlights

Hiking | trekking

What’s included?

Accommodation
Airport transfers
Meals
Park fees
Private vehicle and driver

What’s not included?

Alcoholic beverages
Internal flights
International flights
Laundry
Spa treatments
Tips and gratuities
Visas

Itinerary

Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

Kilimanjaro

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. Overnight at Mti Mkubwa Camp.

Kilimanjaro Camping

Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 camp

Kilimanjaro

The first part of the day’s 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.

Kilimanjaro camping

Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Kilimanjaro

From Shira 1 Camp , We then continue on to Shira 2 camp across the Shira Plateau, and are able to 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. The camp offers breath-taking views of the surrounding landscape and the opportunity to see wildlife such as hyrax and blue monkeys.

Kilimanjaro Camping

Shira 2 Camp-Lover Tower- Barranco

Kilimanjaro

Leaving Shira 2 in the morning you climb towards, the western glaciers clearly 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 Senecios plants as well as the shorter lobelia plants. Its 7 to 8 hours walking and the total ascent is only 110m total.

Kilimanjaro Camping

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Kilimanjaro

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. Passing through Lava tower where 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.

Kilimanjaro Camping

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Kilimanjaro

The Karanga Valley offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the opportunity to see wildlife such as hyrax and blue monkeys. Hike to Barafu Camp, which is located on the Barafu Ridge. Arriving to Barafu Camp 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.

Kilimanjaro Camping

Barafu Camp-Uhuru Peak-Barafu

Kilimanjaro

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 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 nap.

Kilimanjaro Camping

Barafu Camp to Mweka Camp

Kilimanjaro

From Barafu Camp descend to Mweka Camp, which is located in the Mweka Valley. We then take overnight at Mweka Camp.

Kilimanjaro Camping

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Kilimanjaro

Hike to the Mweka Gate, the Mweka Gate offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and the opportunity to see wildlife such as black and white colobus monkeys

Kilimanjaro Camping

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