Trip StyleIndependent

Kilimanjaro Trek - Lemosho Route

10 days ex Moshi

Trip Code: TDTKLN

Mount Kilimanjaro, Mountain Trekking, Stella Point, Uhuru Peak.

A challenge for the mind, body and soul! Take the less travelled and challenging Lemosho route up to the highest peak in Africa - Mount Kilimanjaro. This 10-day trip starts off with a couple long days and as you gain altitude, has several days built in to help you acclimatize, greatly improving your chances of making the summit. Enjoy the climb through magnificent mountain forests and moorland, and emerging into high alpine deserts as you catch glimpses of immense mountain walls, glaciers and icefields - all en route towards your final goal, the Uhuru peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro!

Day 1 Arrive Moshi

Arrive in Moshi at any time.

Day 2 Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp (B,L,D)

After a couple hour's drive to the start of the Lemosho trail (2250m), hike through the lush lower slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Slowly gaining altitude while admiring the diverse flora and fauna of the rain forest, you’ll arrive to your first campsite, the Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Campsite, situated at 2750m above sea level. (Hiking time: 4-5 hrs).

Day 3 Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp (B,L,D)

Rise early and climb steeply out of the montane forest zone and into the moorland zone, and admire trees such as Giant Heather and Erica. With a challenging climb over the Shira ridge at 3600m, today is rewarding with possible views of Kibo peak as you descend to the Shira plateau and set up at Shira 1 Camp. (Hiking Time: 5-6 hrs)

Day 4 Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp (B,L,D)

We traverse the Shira plateau as we ascend gently through the lower alpine moorland. Today's hike is short, and as such, you will have time to take a number of short acclimatization walks around and above the Shira 2 Camp, located at 3840m (Hiking Time: 2 hrs)

Day 5 Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp (B,L,D)

Today we turn east and continue to climb “pole pole” (slowly, slowly) through increasingly rocky and barren terrain. We have lunch and ascend the rocky scree path to the Lava Tower (4630m). From the Lava Tower, we descend steeply for 2 hours, more than 600m, into the Great Barranco Valley. This descent affords fantastic views and some great photo opportunities of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. You will also feel the benefits of this acclimatization day as we lose altitude down to the camp, situated at 3950m. (Hiking time: 7-8 hrs).

Day 6 Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (B,L,D)

Today we tackle the Great Barranco Wall – an imposing face above your camp. A steady climb up the eastern wall takes us just below the Heim Glacier, where we may have some awesome views of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Our trail continues down into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley, where we finish this acclimatization day at Karanga Camp at 3900m. (Hiking time: 4-5 hrs).

Day 7 Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (B,L,D)

We begin the day trekking through the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley. Here the temperature will grow colder as we follow the trail climbing through this empty and dry landscape up to the Barafu Camp. 
The two peaks Kibo and Mawenzi can been seen from our camp, at 4550m. Here you'll be able to familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark, and prepare your equipment and thermal clothing for the midnight start of the summit attempt. (Hiking time: 4 hrs).

Day 8 Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp (B,L,D)

Today you will wake up before midnight. In the cover of darkness, you begin the most difficult though most rewarding day of the trek – your hike up to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. After several hours of slow but strenuous hiking, you will reach the rim of the main crater, Stella Point, at 5685m. Continue on the scree and snow-covered trail to Uhuru peak, which is the highest point in Africa, at 5895m. Take a few minutes to appreciate your accomplishment, and start back down the same trail. Head down the rock and scree path into the Heather zone, reaching the forest, and eventually arriving at Mweka hut in the late afternoon. (Hiking time: 14-17 hrs).

Day 9 Descent - Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi (B,L,D)

Enjoy the forest and higher oxygen levels of the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro as you complete this adventure. Upon arrival at the Mweka gate, successful hikers will receive their summit certificates. From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village for a hot lunch, and upon arrival to Moshi in the afternoon, relax, or have that much-deserved shower and congratulatory beverage. (Hiking time: 4-5 hrs).

Day 10 Depart Moshi (B)