Lemosho route 9 days

Lemosho route 9 days

Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa

• Distance: 11 km
• Hiking Time: 3 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

Drive from Moshi or Arusha to  Londorossi Gate, where we will complete entry formalities. From here a forest track requiring one hour drive to Lemosho Glades. After lunch, we will walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite,

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa to Shira Camp 1

• Distance: 8km
• Hiking Time: 7 hours
• Habitat: Moorland

We will follow a trail that leads out of the forest and into a savannah  giant heather moorland zone. Our ascend through scenic rolling hills, we will cross several streams to reach the Shira Ridge before descending to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from the plateau is spectacular.

Day 3: Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2

• Distance: 6km
• Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
• Habitat: Moorland

Today we follow an easy path to the summit of Shira Cathedral before reaching the next camp at Shira Camp 2. As this camp is quite exposed, it can be substantially colder than Shira Camp 1, with temperatures dropping well below freezing.

Day 4: Shira Camp 2 to Moir Hut

• Distance: 5km
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Semi Desert

In the morning we cross part of the plateau through lush of heather and moorland then into expensive high Savannah desert before reach moir hut in the alpine zone. For extra acclimatization one can take walk around for the higher lands around the camp; views are superb. Lunch will be served at Fisher camp. The afternoon will be the acclimatization walk up onto the Lent Hills, with the summit at 4700m.

Day 5: Moir Hut to Barranco Camp

• Distance: 7km
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Habitat: Semi Desert

Today we walk on a gentle ascent and panoramic views. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower (4600m) and the final section of the Western Breach, after lunch we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (3900m) and our camp for the night.

Day 6: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

• Distance: 5km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

A steep climb up the eastern wall leads us just below the Heim Glacier, where we may have some spectacular views of Kilimanjaro. We then take a steep exit up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo, the trail continues down into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley, finally we have a steep climb up to Karanga Camp.

Day 7: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

• Distance: 4km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Karanga and cross the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail, used for descend from the mountain later. From here we continue up to the Barafu Camp. Here we will rest, have dinner and prepare for the summit day. From Barafu you can enjoy the view of two volcanic cones Mawenzi and Kibo peaks,  and that view is quite spectacular and you should not miss it.

Day 8: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

• Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
• Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
• Habitat: Arctic

An early start for the ascent to the rim of the Kibo Crater between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers. The last section before the rim can sometimes be snow-covered and an ice-axe or ski stick is useful for balance. At the rim we will reach Stella point, from where we have further hour to Uhuru Peak.  After a short stop for taking photos we descend to the Barafu Hut for a rest and lunch before continuing on past Millenium camp down to Mweka Hut in the giant heather zone on the forest edge. Those with the strength left from  the summit may wish to descend to the Reutsh Crater and visit the ice pinnacles of the Eastern Icefields. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Day 9: Mweka Camp to Moshi/Arusha

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