As the approach for Lemosho is quite long, it is recommended that one
adds on an extra day for acclimatisation
Day 1: Arrive
Arrive Kilimanjaro International
Airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight hotel.
Day 2: Lemosho Glades (2200m) to Mkubwa Camp
(2750m): After breakfast, we head out on a 5 hour drive to
the Londorossi Park Gate at 2200mAfter completing park formalities, we
drive for a further 11km to the Lemosho Glades at 200m. From here,
we trek about 3 hours to the camp site.
DAY 3: Mkubwa Camp
(2750m) to Shira Camp 1(3500m): After breaking camp, we
begin the hike up towards Shira Camp 1. located near a stream. We
head through moorland shrub taking in view of Mt meru in the
distance.
DAY 4: Shira Camp 1(3500m) to Shira Camp
2 (3840m): Today we head
out on a relatively easy day across the plateau that leads to Shira Camp
2 on moorland meadows by a stream.
A variety of walks are
available on the plateau making this an excellent acclimatization day.
DAY 5: Shira (3840m)- Lava Tower
(4630m)-Barranco camp (3950m): After breakfast, you will
quickly leave the moorland scrub behind and enter into a moonscape
of semi-alpine desert, while you hike constantly upwards toward Lava
Tower. At around 4200m, you may start to feel the effects of
altitude with shortness of breath and irritability, assuming it had
not taken effect earlier on the climb. After Lava Tower , your
route will head down by almost 680m to the Barranco camping. This is
the day where you will follow the principle of climb high and sleep
low.
DAY 6: Barranco Camp (3860m) to Barafu
Camp (4550m): Early morning, you will head up the
impressive Great Barranco Wall. This will bring you out below Heim
Glacier. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over
several ridges and valleys where you will see the magnificent giant
Senecio Kilimanjari plant . You will then join up with your later
descent route where you will head left up the ridge for another
hour, before reaching Barafu Hut. The summit is a further 1345m up.
DAY 7: Barafu camp (4550m)- Uhuru Peak
(5895m)-Mweka (3100m): You will rise around 23h30, and
after some tea and biscuits you will head off 'pole pole' into
the night. Heading in a North westerly direction you will ascend
through heavy scree towards Stella Point (5685) on the crater rim.
The hike up is about 6 hours and is for many climbers, the most
mentally and physically challenging part of the entire route.
From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on
your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak.
Then, you will head back to Barafu, in about 2 hours where you
will have a chance to rest before heading down towards Mweka hut
(3100m). The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or
rain can be expected in the late afternoon.
DAY 8: Mweka camp (3100m)- Mweka Gate
(1980m): After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is
a short 3-hour scenic hike back to the Park gate. It is recommended
not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have
reached the gate safely. At Mweka gate you will have to sign your
name and details in a register in order to receive you
summit
certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point
(5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached
Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate
you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km
(1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village you will meet up with your team
and bus, and head back to the hotel a long over due hot shower.
Day 9: Depart
After breakfast, transfer to
Kilimanjaro airport for your departure flight home.
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