Kilimanjaro Climb - Lemosho Route

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL
Pick up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and drive to Arusha town. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Arusha: Bed, Dinner, and Breakfast.

DAY 2 - LONDOROSSI GATE - FOREST CAMP
• Elevation (ft): 7,800ft of 9,500ft
•Distance: 6 km
•Hiking Time:3-4 hours
•Habitat: Rain Forest

We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at the trailhead, we eat lunch, then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first campsite.

DAY 3 - FOREST CAMP - SHIRA CAMP ONE
•Elevation (ft): 9,500ft to 11,500ft
•Distance: 8 km
•Hiking Time 5-6 hours
•Habitat: Moorland

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 amazing.

DAY 4 - SHIRA CAMP ONE - SHIRA TWO - MOIR HUT
•Elevation (ft): 11,500ft to 13,800 ft
•Distance: 14 km
•Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
•Habitat: Moorland

We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glacier peak, across the plateau, which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little-used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

DAY 5 - MOIR HUT – LAVA TOWER – BARRANCO CAMP
• Elevation (ft): 13,800ft of 13,000ft
• Distance: 7 km
• Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
• Habitat: Semi Desert

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

DAY 6 - BARRANCO CAMP – KARANGA CAMP
• Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
• Distance: 5km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.

DAY 7 - KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP
• Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
• Distance: 4 km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

DAY 8 - BARAFU CAMP – SUMMIT – MWEKA HUT
•Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
•Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
•Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
•Habitat: Arctic

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

DAY 9 - MWEKA CAMP - MOSHI /ARUSHA TOWN
• Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you to the hotel in Moshi / Arusha.

Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Moshi or Arusha: Bed, Dinner, and Breakfast.

DAY 10 - DEPARTURE

After breakfast, proceed with your safari or transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight out.

More on Pricing:
1 pax travelling alone – USD 2,980 (CAD 3,917)
2-6 pax travelling together - USD 2,750 person (CAD 3,614)
6-10 pax traveling together – USD 2,600 per person (CAD 3,417)
A group of more than 10pax – USD 2,450 per person (CAD 3,220)
An optional extra day on the mountain (for acclimatization) – USD 200 (CAD 262) per person

Rates include:
• Airport return transfers
• Hotel Lodging the night before and the night after the climb
• Transfer from your hotel to starting point for your climb, and return to your hotel after your climb
• Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
• All Kilimanjaro National Park gate fees, camping fees and climbing permits.
• Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Rescue Team)
• Emergency oxygen (for use in emergencies only – not as summiting aid)
• Basic first aid kit (for use in emergencies only)
• Qualified mountain guide, assistant guides, porters and cook
• Salaries for the mountain crew as per guidelines set by the Kilimanjaro National Park
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as hot drinks on the mountain
• Camping equipment (tents, camp chairs, tables & sleeping mattress
• Water for washing up daily
• Porter to carry your duffel bag (max weight 15kg / 32 lbs) from one camp to the next camp.
• Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt
• A comprehensive Climbing Kilimanjaro travel info pack

Rates exclude:
• Flights and airport taxes
• Items of a personal nature
• Compulsory tips for guides, porters and cook (average tip is anything from US$ 230 (CAD 302) to US$ 300 (CAD 394) per hiker – depending on the number of days / how many hikers in the group and route chosen))
• Health requirements (Yellow Fever compulsory if traveling to Tanzania recommended)
• Highly recommended travel and medical insurance.
• Personal hiking/trekking gear – we can rent some of the gear from our equipment store in Tanzania