Lemosho Itinerary

LEMOSHO TRAILHEAD (7,780 ft./ 2,370 m)  ~ FOREST CAMP (9,300 ft./ 2,830 m)

Departure from Arusha will be at around 8:00am for Londorossi gate, about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another 45 minutes to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at trailhead, eat lunch, then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp, only about 3-4 hours of trekking.

Overnight at Forest Camp (Mti Mkubwa Camps)

FOREST CAMP ~ SHIRA 1 CAMP (11,500 ft./ 3,500 m)

Once out of the forest, take a steep track into a Savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards.  Ascend through the lush rolling hills below the Shira plateau, finally reaching camp at the edge of the plateau, a day of 5-6 hours trekking. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.

Overnight at Shira 1 Camps.

SHIRA 1 CAMP ~ SHIRA 2 CAMP (12,800 ft./ 3,900 m)

Full day exploration of the Shira plateau; Trek east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, with the option to visit the ancient collapsed Shira cone, the oldest of Kilimanjaro’s three volcanoes.  Arrive at Shira 2 camp (Fischers’s Camp), at 12,600 ft. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth, averaging over 12,000 feet. Trekking time without the optional excursions is about 3 hours.

Overnight at Shira 2 Camps.

SHIRA 2 CAMP ~ BARRANCO CAMP (13,050 ft./ 3,975 m)

Proceed steadily upward over expansive ridgelines of high desert to Lava Tower , for lunch.  The trek is about 4 hours.  Lava Tower , a 300 foot volcanic plug, marks an exposed pass at 15,000 feet. In the afternoon, descend the steep track into the Great Barranco Valley . Barranco Camp is set in a valley enclosed on three sides with the massive valley walls and the Kibo massif itself. Hanging glaciers glint in the sunshine above, amidst the eerie landscape of plants such as the giant groundsels (SenecioKilimanjari), and the uniquely endemic Giant Lobelia. Total trekking time is 6-7 hours.

Overnight at Barranco Camps.

BARRANCO CAMP ~ KARANGA CAMP (13,300 ft./ 4,000 m)

The day begins with a scramble up the steep ‘Barranco Wall’, then traversing the ridges and valleys of the mountain’s southern face, as Kibo’s glaciers loom above to your left and the jagged peaks of Mawenzi jut into the African sky at just under 17,000 feet straight ahead.  We reach the Karanga Valley after 3-4 hours of trekking, for a hot lunch

Overnight at Karanga Camps.

KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU /COSSOVO CAMPSITE (15,800ft/ 4,800m)

We begins our day with steadily uphill. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape more sparse as we near /Cossovo/Barafu Camp. Barafu Camp is set on a small, exposed flat area on a ridge, acting a base camp from which many make their summit attempt at midnight. Eat and drink as much as possible before retiring to your tent for rest and sleep. Total trekking time is 4-5 hours on this day.

Overnight at Cossovo/ Barafu Camps.

BARAFU CAMP ~ UHURU PEAK(19.340 ft./ 5,895 m)- MWEKA CAMP (1O,O70ft,3070m).

A 11Pm wake-up call is the start of a juggernaut (6-7 hours of trekking). You begin trekking at 12am up the winding path of endless switchbacks. After about 6-7 hours of walking, you will come to the edge of the crater, at Stella Point, at 18,870 feet (5,750 m), which is the end of the steep track. From here, there is a gently final traverse trek on the rim of the crater 45 min- 1 hour to the summit of Kilimanjaro. You’ll see the views of the lunar landscape of the inner crater, soft sands near the retreating vertical ice walls of the Furtwanglerglacier. Reusch Crater, the ash pit, and the Heim,Rebman and Decken glaciers. So few that trek Kilimanjaro ever experience the summit zone in this way.

Rise early to watch the sunrise from the summit,. After a short time at the summit, descend along the gently sloping crater rim to Stella Point, then descend back to Barafu Camp for lunch. In the afternoon continue the descent into the Heather Zone to Mweka Camp for the night. The trekking time from Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp will be from 6-8 hours.

Total trekking time is from 8-10 hours.

MWEKA CAMP ~ MWEKA GATE (5,370 ft. /1,635 m)                          

Descend straight to the gate (3-4 hours), where you’ll have lunch and will be awarded climbing certificates. Transfer back to Arusha for a much-welcomed shower!