Overview
Lemosho route is one of the best routes for acclimatization. The route is less used and a beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau. The route is one of the few where groups may be accompanied on the first day by an armed ranger, as the forests around the Lemosho Glades are inhabited by buffalo, elephant and other wildlife.
The minimum duration for the Lemosho route is 6 days, however we strongly recommend hiking the route in 7 days. The additional 7th day will give your body more time to acclimatize, reducing the effects of altitude sickness and give you more time to rest before attempting the summit.
Day 0Pre-trek Briefing
If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha airport and transfer you to your hotel in Arusha. Pre-trek briefing at your hotel. You should be planning to arrive atleast one day before the start of the trek. Today we will spend in having a pre-trek briefing. We will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed.
Day 1Hotel to Mti Mkubwa Camp
After breakfast and briefing, drive to Lemosho Park Gate. From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.
Elevation
1830m/6000ft to
2650m/8700ft
Distance
6km/4mi
Hiking
2-3 hours
Habitat
Montane Forest
Meals
Lunch & Dinner
Day 2Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 2 Camp
After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams are crossed we continue over the Shira Ridge then gently downwards to Shira 1 camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.
Elevation
2650m/8700ft to
3850m/12,600ft
Distance
8km/5mi
Hiking
4-5 hours
Habitat
Moorland
Meals
Breakfast,
Lunch & Dinner
Day 3Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
After breakfast, a gentle hike across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of hikes are available on the Plateau, making this an excellent acclimatization day.
Elevation
3500m/11,500ft to
3850m/12,600ft
Distance
8km/5mi
Hiking
4 – 5 hours
Habitat
Moorland
Meals
Breakfast,
Lunch & Dinner
Day 4Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
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” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Elevation
4000m/13,000ft to
4050m/13,250ft
Distance
5km/3mi
Hiking
3 – 4 hours
Habitat
Alpine Desert
Meals
Breakfast,
Lunch & Dinner
Day 5Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
Elevation
4050m/13,250ft to
4700m/15,350ft
Distance
4km/2mi
Hiking
3 – 4 hours
Habitat
Desert
Meals
Breakfast,
Lunch & Dinner
Day 6Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
We continue up to the Barafu Camp. 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.
Elevation
4050m/13,250ft to
4700m/15,350ft
Distance
4km/2mi
Hiking
3 – 4 hours
Habitat
Desert
Meals
Breakfast,
Lunch & Dinner
Day 7 Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
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 you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa! From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
Elevation
4700m/15,500ft to
5895m/19,340ft
Descending to
3090m/10,150ft
Distance
5km/3mi up &
13km/8mi down
Hiking
5-7 hours up &
5-6 hours down
Habitat
Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals
Breakfast,
Lunch & Dinner
Day 8 Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
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)
Our vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha.
Elevation
3090m/10,150ft to
1680m/5500ft
Distance
10km/6mi
Hiking
3 – 4 hours
Habitat
Forest
Meals
Breakfast
Deposit policy
• Deposit is 20% of the total booking amount.
• Deposit can be paid either via a bank transfer or an online card payment.
• A 5% fee is applicable on all card payments (payment gateway charges), this is non-refundable.
• Once you make the advance payment you will receive a booking confirmation.
Balance Payment
• Balance can be paid via bank transfer, online card payment, or with cash.
• Bank payment can be done 15 days prior to the tour date (recommended 30 days prior).
• Card Payment can be done 1 day prior to the tour date (recommended 7 days prior).
• A 5% fee is applicable on all card payments (payment gateway charge), this is non-refundable.
• Cash can be paid on arrival (USD printed in or after the year 2009).
Cancellation Policy
8 days and above departure
• No cancellation fees.
0 to 7 days before departure
• 50% of the total tour price will be charged as cancellation fees.
• Trek can be postponed to any new date without any extra cost at any point in time.
• The 5% surcharge paid for either or both advance and balance payments is non-refundable in case of cancellation of the trek.
Supplements
• Off-season supplement = USD 90 Charged for solo trekkers to start a new departure in the month of March, April, May and November. Does not apply if you join an existing group. Does not apply if others trekkers also join your new group.
• Solo Supplement = USD 30 Charged for solo trekkers throughout the year.
Discounts
• Children between 5 years and 15 years old
Code: 5TO15 – USD 690 per person
• Expatriates/Residents living in Tanzania
Code: RESTAN – USD 245 per person
• East African Citizens
Code: EAC – USD 880 per person
Private trek itinerary prices
People
in
Group
Standard
package
1
$2420
Person
2
$2191
Person
3
$2120
Person
4
$2108
Person
5
$2100
Person
6
$2070
Person
7
$2066
Person
8
$2063
Person
9
$2051
Person
10+
$2049
Person
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your hotel
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- Sleeping Mattress
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
- Tanzania Visa
- International and domestic flights
- Hotel (available as an optional addon)
- Transfers (available as an optional addon)
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Liquors, beers and bottled beverages