9 Days Lemosho Route
Pick up from Arusha city or Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Arusha or Moshi city both the famous gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro. You will have a half Board accommodation at a Base Hotel in Moshi or Arusha where all trekking briefings will take place and final preparation to embark on the journey to the roof of Africa.
Distance: 11 km/7 miles
Elevation: 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Group will leave Moshi to Machame Gate takes less an hour to arrive. The drive passes through Machame villages located on the lower slopes of the Kilimanjaro Mountain. Once all official registration and briefing are done we will leave the park gate, we walk through the dense rain forest on ever winding trail until we reach the Machame Camp.
Trekking from Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Elevation: 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft
Hiking Time:4-6 hours
Habitat: Heath
We leave the openings of the rain forest and continue our trek on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, here we will pass across heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shira 2 Camp.
Distance: 7 km/4 miles
Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Trekking from Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Distance: 3 km/2 miles
Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We will continue a trek to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. Afterwards we will descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but stunning Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft.
Although on this day you will have begun and end the day at the same elevation, this time spent at higher altitude is very helpful for acclimatization.
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
A day will start by descending into a ravine to the bottom of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we will hike the non-technical but steep cliff, nearly 900 ft. From the highest reaching point of the Barranco Wall we will cut across a number of hills and valleys until we arrive at Karanga Valley with a sharp descend. And then just one steep climb we will reach Karanga Camp. This is also a shorter day specifically meant for acclimatization.
Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Hiking Time:4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We will depart from Karanga and make way to the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We proceed up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. Reaching this point, you will have completed the Southern Circuit, which give you amazing views of the Kilimanjaro summit from many different angles.
We will make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to organize for the summit day. From this camp you will have a perfect view of two Kilimanjaro peaks Mawenzi and Kibo that offers enough motivation for the summit day.
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic
Descend from Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Around midnight, we begin to progressively push to Uhuru peak. This is the most mentally and physically demanding part of the trek. There will be extreme wind and cold at this elevation. We will ascend in the darkness luckily with the moonlight over our heads for several hours while taking short, breaks.
Coming to Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be satisfied with the most magnificent sunrise coming over from Mawenzi Peak. And finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro, the rood of Africa and the crown of Tanzania.
After spending a few moments at Uhuru peak taking all in from the plains of Africa and your triumph, we will descend to Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The track is very rocky and can be quite challenging on the knees using trekking poles will be helpful.
Mweka Camp is located in the upper forest and mist or rain can also be expected in the late afternoon.
Later in the evening, we will gather and enjoy our last dinner on the mountain, telling stories of the grater accomplishments and take a well-deserved sleep.
Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
On this last descending day, we will proceed to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates of success. At this lower elevations’ trails can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we carry on for another hour to Mweka Village. Afterwards you will be transferred back to a hotel in Moshi.
From
$1,850
- Price varies by group size (USD)
- Can start any day If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
- Can be customized You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.