9 days Lemosho route with crater camp

9 days Lemosho route with crater camp

Lemosho Route is one most favoured route to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro because of its all-encompassing perspectives of the mountain from different side and high summit achievement rate.

Trails on the route are loaded up with the fluctuated beautiful scenery of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

The route is less swarmed when contrasted with different routes making it perfect from first-time trekkers. The route because of its more extended timetable gives better acclimatization to the climbers, which augments the opportunity of an effective summit.

Itinerary

Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft

Distance: 6 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at trailhead, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.


Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Mti mkubwa camp

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft

Distance: 8 km

Hiking Time 5-6 hours

Habitat: Health

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

We continue on the trail leading out of the rain 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. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.


Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Shira 1 camp

Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Moir Hut

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Elevation: 11,500 ft to 13,800 ft

Distance: 11 km

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Heath

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

We explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. Then we divert from the main trail 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 Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.


Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Moir hut

Day 4: Moir Hut to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Elevation: 13,800 ft to 15,190 ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 6-7 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

We begin the day climbing up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.


Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Barranco camp

Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft

Distance: 5 km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.


Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Karanga camp

Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft

Distance: 4 km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

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


Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Barafu camp

Day 7: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft

Distance: 5 km

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours

Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Crater Camp

Elevation: 19,341 ft to 18,865 ft

Distance: 1 km

Hiking Time: 0.5-1 hours

Habitat: Artic

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & Dinner

During normal morning hours, we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. We ascend for several hours at a slow but steady pace while taking frequent, but short, breaks. The trail turns into heavy scree as we make the steep climb to the crater rim. At Stella Point (18,900 ft), we see the summit sign in the distance. We continue the around the crater rim until finally we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

We then descend a short distance to Crater Camp, where the rest of the staff will join us to set up camp. There is an option to hike to Retch Crater and the ash pit, or simply explore the areas around Furtwangler Glacier. Sleeping at this high altitude can be dangerous. Serious AMS can develop if adequate altitude acclimatization has not been achieved so the guides will monitor you very closely.


Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Crater camp

Day 8: Crater Camp to Mweka Camp

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Elevation: 18,865 ft to 10,065 ft

Distance: 12 km

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Artic

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

From Crater Camp, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. 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.


Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Mweka camp

Day 9: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

Meals: Breakfast

On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.


Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Parkview Inn, a 3-star Hotel