9-Day Real Kilimanjaro Experience – Lemosho Route

The Lemosho Route departs from the far west side of Mount Kilimanjaro. Getting to Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) takes approximately 2 hours from Moshi and longer from Arusha. At the gate you will register with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities before getting back into vehicles to be transported to the starting point which is a further 12 km from Londorossi. During the wet season the track can be very inaccessible to vehicles and you may need to walk the last few miles to the starting point. Most tour operators provide lunch at this point before starting the short trek to MtiMkubwa Camp (2,820 meters). Spotting large wildlife like elephant and buffalo is possible on this stretch of the mountain and you will likely be accompanied by an armed guide in case one of the big five gets too close for comfort! Dinner will be served when you reach MtiMkubwa Camp.

• Distance: ~5.5 km / 3 miles
• Hiking time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Forest
• Camp: MtiMkubwa

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.

• Distance: 8 km
• Hiking time: 5.5 hours
• Habitat: Moorland
• Camp: Shira 1 

Day 4 starts with a gradual hike through the final stretch of the rainforest zone and then gets steeper as you approach the low alpine moorland zone. The trek is a long one that stops briefly for lunch at Shira Camp 1 which is on the western edge of the Shira Plateau; just over 8 km from your starting point. You then continue on your hike across and up the Shira plateau to Shira Camp 2 at 3,850 meters. Here you will join trekkers from the Machame Route whilst enjoying stunning views across the valley below and western breach of Kilimanjaro above. The plateau is exposed so be prepared for a cold night with temperatures getting below zero.

• Distance: ~16 km / 8.5 miles
• Trekking time: 6-8 hours
• Zone: Rainforest / low alpine zone
• Camp: Shira 2

You will start trekking due east from the Shira Plateau, passing through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ which also features many giant lobelias. The landscape rapidly becomes desert-like as you approach Lava Tower and the Shark’s Tooth formation at 4,600 meters. You will have lunch at Lava Tower before joining the Southern Circuit trail which descends to Barranco Camp at 3,900 meters where you will spend the night at a very similar elevation as the night before. Climbing high and sleeping low is a good way to acclimatise the body to altitude.

• Distance: ~11 km / 7 miles
• Trekking time: 5-7 hours
• Zone: Low alpine zone / high alpine zone
  
• Camp: Barranco 

On day six you will be presented with the relatively steep Barranco ‘Breakfast’ climb, a 257 meter scramble up the Barranco Wall. Be prepared to use all four limbs as you traverse the wall to the top of the Karanga Valley. From here you will follow a path that sojourns through many inclines and declines to Karanga Camp (3,960 m). We will have lunch, relax and then have dinner followed by briefing for tomorrow and then we overnight.

• Distance: ~9.5 km / 6 mile
• Trekking time: 8-10 hours
• Zone: High alpine zone
• Camp: Karanga

After a great breakfast, we will start the walk to Barafu camp. We will reach at the camp at lunch time where after registering with the park rangers, we will have a lunch followed by relaxing time. Today we will have an early dinner since later this evening you will start the trek to the summit, Uhuru Peak.

Day 8 starts at midnight with hot tea, biscuits and a long and zigzagging hike up the heavy scree that covers the steep slopes of Kibo. The going is slow and very tough. You will need to dig deep and ensure you maintain a consistent pace to push yourself up to the crater rim. After about 4-6 hours hiking you will reach Stella Point (5,739 meters) where you will have a chance to rest and watch dawn break across the Tanzanian landscape. It is a good idea to have some hot tea or hot chocolate at this point as you will need to muster the energy to continue for another 1-2 hours around and up the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters).

Remember to keep your momentum moving forward, one step at a time. Over 60% of climbers stop at Stella Point but most can make it to the summit if they are able to find the metal strength to push through. Obviously if you are experiencing severe AMS symptoms you should descend immediately. Your time at Uhuru Peak will be brief. Take as many pictures as you can, savour your accomplishment and then start heading back to Stella Point. Many trekkers slide down the scree slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp, where you will have a chance to rest before continuing on to Mweka Camp (3,100 meters). In total you will be trekking between 12-16 hours today so it is really important that you pace yourself and remain hydrated.

• Distance: ~4.5 km / 3 miles ascent and then 11 km / 7 mile descent
• Trekking time: 6-8 hours to the summit and then 5-8 hours to Mweka
• Zone: Glacial zone and then all preceding zones
• Camp: Mweka 

The final day on the mountain is a short one, but nonetheless tiring as your body will be exhausted and your knees will likely be sore from the previous day’s descent. Go slowly and enjoy the wonderful rainforest scenery as you head towards Mweka Gate (1,640 meters). At the gate you will need to sign out with the authorities and will also receive your certificate, either for Stella Point or for Uhuru Peak. It is customary to pay your tips to your trekking team before you depart back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. We will drive to Kilimanjaro Airport in the evening for your flight back home or for the next schedule for you. Note: Accommodation for tonight is not inclusive in the program. If you would like us to book one (or more) nights in Arusha, please let us know.

• Distance: ~9 km / 6 miles
• Trekking time: 3-5 hours
• Zone: Rainforest