Fascinating views, untouched wildlife, excellent acclimatization opportunities and few climbers on the Lemosho Route
ITINERARY:
DAY 1:
Trail Head to Forest Camp
This route starts on the western side of Mt Kilimanjaro. After breakfast,your guide will come to the hotel with the company car and load your gear before leaving at 8:30 AM. You will meet your guide to begin your ascent around noon from base camp ( 7,500 ft). Beginning your climb, you may hear and see colobus monkeys , blue monkeys, Bush hyrax, and birds like Turaco, silvery-cheeked hornbill, and a lot of flycatchers. At the forest camp ranger hut (9,000 ft), you will locate your tent. After dinner your guide will share the plan for your hike beginning the next day, wake up time, and what to wear, as he will everyday.
DAY 2:
Forest Camp to Shira One
6:30 wake up. After 1.5 hours of hiking through the one forest, you begin seeing the giant heather. You will have lunch at Shira Ridge (10,500 ft) and like along its ridge transversing it at 11,600 ft. before heading through the heath and moorland Shira Camp where you will be able to see Mt Kilimanjaro’s snow cap.
DAY 3:
Shira Camp to Moir Hut (13,400 ft, 6-7 hrs)
On route to Moir Hut, you will have lunch at the former Scott Fischer Camp(12,800 ft) and enjoy the view of Kibo, one of Mt. Kilimanjaro’s 3 peaks. The day’s hike takes you through the plateau covered with moorland and heath while gradually climbing up the steep. To your southeast you will see geological features that appeared after the collapse of Shiva Peak.
Hiking Time: 6-7 hrs
DAY 4:
Moira Hut to Great Baranco Valley (13,100, 6-8 hrs)
Following breakfast at 8:45 AM, your hike will cross the Alpine Desert prior to descending to Baranco Valley where there is the Tundra Alpine with Giant Senecio’s. You will continue to acclimatize yourselves while hiking to Lava Tower (15,100 ft) prior to your descent to Branco Camp.
Hiking Time: 6-8 hrs
DAY 5:
Baranco Camp to Karenga Camp ( 13,500, 3-4hrs)
This day will involve a short but steep up and down hike. It will begin with a short hike followed by a view of different on Kibo Peak as well as a view of Moshi town and its surrounding plantations. Proceeding, you will cross Karenga Stream and continue on a short hike to acclimatize.
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
DAY 6:
Karanga to Barafu Camp (15,100 ft, 2.5-3 hrs)
This will be shortest climb day of your entire ascent, prior to your night summit. You will have beautiful and clear views of the Kibo Peak summit. At Barafu Camp, you will prepare your gear and what you will wear when beginning your summit that night.
Hiking Time: 2,5-3 hrs
DAY 7:
Summit Day (19,340, 6 hrs)
Your ascent to the summit begins at 11PM. After hiking in the dark for 5 hours, you will arrive at Stella Point. After a hot drink, you will see a radiant sunrise on the east side if the summit. You will enjoy taking pictures and rest up before your descent to Barafu Camp and then continue to Mweka Camp overnight (10,000 ft).
Hiking Time: 6 hrs
DAY 8
Mweka Camp to Base Camp ( 4-5 hrs)
After breakfast, you will hike through the dense mountain forest until arriving at the sign out hut and receive your certificate, prior to arriving at your hotel for showers, beer, and wine.
Hiking Time: 4-5 hrs
8 days hiking
plus 2 days spent at Hotel/Lodge
Cost / Person / Trip
USD 2500
What to bring?
- T-shirts (synthetic materials are best as cotton retains moisture)
- Waterproof thigh-length jacket (Goretex or similar)
- Gloves (waterproof warm outers + thin liners)
- Warm hat (or balaclava) that covers the ears
- Waterproof walking boots (well broken-in)
- Waterproof outer trousers with a warm mid-layer (fleece or down)
- Warm long-sleeved shirt
- Warm walking trousers (not jeans!)
- Thermal underwear
- Walking socks (several pairs)
- Walking shorts
- Trainers or soft shoes for relaxing
- Sun-hat
- Gaiters
- Glacier glasses (or good quality sunglasses preferably with side shields)
- Personal first aid kit & essential medications
- Wet wipes
- Warm sleeping bag (3/4-season)
- Sleeping bag liner
- Trekking poles (they are available locally)
- Small towel
- Head Torch/ Head Lamp and spare batteries
- Spare plastic bags
- Water bottle(s) (minimum 6.3 pint or 3 liters capacity)
- High factor sunscreen and chap stick
- High energy snacks, dried fruit, nuts, and sweets
- A small bottle of cordial or squash concentrate (to liven up the flat taste of boiled water) or electrolytes
Tipping is an accepted part of life in Tanzania, and you will be expected to tip to reward the climbing crew appropriately to keep them motivated to work at their highest ability. You will be briefed on arrival as to when and how much is appropriate, however, depending on the size of your group you should budget on a personal contribution of around $100-$150 for your trek guides, cooks and porters who accompany you on the trek. This does not include the company group leader naturalist guide. Our naturalist guide receives $50 per client. He is the most highly trained person on the trek team.
Price includes:
- Trained Kilimanjaro guides
- All relevant Kilimanjaro Park fees & rescue fees
- Emergency medical evacuation
- All accommodation as described in the itinerary
- Transfers as described in the itinerary
- Drinks on the hike (potable water, tea, coffee & hot chocolate)
Price excludes:
- International flights
- Entry visas
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
- Alterations to this itinerary (i.e. if different accommodations and services are provided then the price will most likely vary up or down)
- Airport departure taxes (unless stated)
- Laundry
- Beverages in hotels (except those in your personal safari vehicle)
- Hospital bills and international evacuation in the event of an emergency
