Lemosho 9 Days Climb

The drive from Arusha to Londorossi Park Gate takes about 2 hrs. The final 45 minutes before you arrive at the park gate is on a bumpy forest track. At the entrance gate, the guides and porters shall distribute the supplies and fulfill the park formalities which should take approximately an hour. After finishing the formalities at the park gate, we start our three-hour journey through the rain forest where you need to keep a lookout for Colobus Monkeys. You shall have a short afternoon lunch break and then continue towards Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Campsite in the early hours of the evening. The porter who arrives at the campsite before you will set up your tent and boil water for drinking and washing. You shall have some snacks and then dinner will be served courtesy of our chef! Mountain temperatures may drop to freezing point during the course of the night so be prepared for it.  

• Elevation (m) – 1200 to 2100 to 2750
• Distance – About 11kms
• Hiking Time – About 3 to 4 hrs
• Habitat – Montane Forest

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 an amazing view at this point.  

• Elevation (m) – 2750 to 3840
• Distance – About 15kms
• Hiking Time – About 5 to 7hrs
• Habitat – Moorland

Shira 2 Camp is a spectacular calp located beneath the Northern Ice Fields of Kilimanjaro. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s Glacier Peak across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 Camp on Moorland Meadows by the stream which is available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth. Dinner and overnight at Shira 2 Camp  

• Elevation (m) – 3540 to 3840
• Distance – About 15kms
• Hiking Time – About 5 to 7 hrs
• Habitat – Moorland

Following an early morning breakfast, you will leave the moorland environment and enter the semi desert and rocky landscape. After 5 hrs of walking east, you will come face to face with Lava Tower standing at 4600m. Packed lunch shall be served at the tower and hikers have the option of climbing the massive Lava Tower (WEATHER PERMITTING) At this point, it is normal to start feeling the effects from the altitude including headache and shortness of breath. Dinner and overnight at Lava Tower  

• Elevation (m) – 3840 to 4600
• Distance – About 5kms
• Hiking Time – About 5hrs
• Habitat – Semi Desert

After breakfast, you will descend from Lava Tower to Barranco Camp. The 650m descent gives hikers a huge advantage to allow their bodies to adjust to the conditions of high altitude. The descent to the camp takes around 2 hrs and it is located in a valley below the Breach and The Great Barranco Wall (Breakfast Wall) Drinking and washing water will be arrange and dinner shall be served whilst you are viewing the sunset.  

• Elevation (m) – 4600 to 3950
• Distance – About 5kms
• Hiking Time – About 3 hrs
• Habitat – Semi Desert

This is a short hiking day meant for acclimatization. After an early morning breakfast, you depart for the Great Barranco Wall. Although it may look intimidating at first glance,but hikers state this as a Class 2 hike and is usually much easier than anticipated. At the top of the wall, you will have a view of the Heim Glacier and will be above the clouds. The trail then winds up and down into the Karanga Valley. Dinner and overnight at Karanga Camp.

• Elevation (m) – 3950 to 3959
• Distance – About 5kms
• Hiking Time – About 4 to 5hrs
• Habitat – Alpine Desert

After breakfast, you will begin your ascent through Mweka Route which is a trail used to descend on the final two days. As you continue hiking for an hour, you shall reach Barafu Hut. This is the last water stop for the porters because there is no accessible water at Barafu Camp. The word Barafu means ICE in Swahili and this camp is located on a rocky and exposed ridge. Tents will be exposed to wind and rocks, so it is important for hikers to familiarize themselves with the campsite before dark. An early dinner shall be served so that you can have an early rest as you shall attempt the summit on the same night. Sleep by 1900hrs.

• Elevation (m) – 3959 to 4600
• Distance – About 4kms
• Hiking Time – About 2 to 3hrs
• Habitat – Alpine Desert

At 0000hrs you shall begin your summit attempt after having tea and biscuits. The route heads northwest and you will ascend over a stone scree. This part is very challenging mentally and physically. After about 6hrs, you will reach Stella Point which stands at 5685m, located on the crater rim. After enjoying the sunrise, you shall continue ascending for about 2hrs on a snow-covered trail to Uhuru Peak! Reaching the summit is an achievement on its own and you shall be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before your descent to Barafu Camp begins which takes about 3hrs. At camp, you will rest and enjoy hot lunch under the sun and after lunch you shall continue descending down to Mweka Camp. The Mweka Trail will lead you through scree and rocks into the moorland and eventually into the rainforest. Mweka Camp is located on the upper part of the rainforest, so fog and rain are expected.

• Dinner and overnight at Mweka Camp
• Elevation (m) – 4600 to 5895 to 3100
• Distance – About 7kms ascent and 23kms descent
• Hiking Time – About 8hrs ascent and 7 to 8hrs descent
• Habitat – Stone Scree and Ice Capped Summit

Following a well-deserved breakfast, we will have a bug celebration full of dancing and singing. After celebrations, you shall descend for 3hrs to Mweka Gate where you shall get your certificates. After receiving your certificates, you will descend to Mweka Village which is another hour where you shall get a hot lunch and then drive back to Arusha.

• Dinner and overnight at Venus Premier Hotel (BB)
• Elevation (m) – 3100 to 1980 to 1200
• Distance – About 15kms
• Hiking Time – About 3 to 4hrs
• Habitat – Forest

After breakfast, day at leisure. You check out by 1100hrs and depending on your flight time, you shall then be transferred to the airport for your flight back home with wonderful memories.