CLIMBING KILIMANJARO CLIMB: LEMOSHO ROUTE 10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS
The Lemosho Route is an unspoilt, remote, little-used and beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau. It can either be used to gain the Western Breach route or followed by the Kibo South Circuit to ascend

Country: Tanzania
Duration: 10 days
Persons: Min 2.
Game Parks: Mt Kilimanjaro National Park
Activities: Mountain Climbing, Hiking

Day 1: Deaprt Nairobi by Boarding Riverside shuttle bus or Davanu shuttle bus at 8am either in Nairobi airport or hotel in Nairobi then drive through Namanga border /Arusha Arriving at Moshi at 3.30 pm.Ovenight buffalo hotel bed and breakfast.

DAY 2
Londorossi Gate (2100m) - Mti Mkubwa camp (2750m)
Hiking time: 3 hours
Habitat: Montane forest
Your day starts early with a briefing, followed by breakfast and a 2-hour drive from Moshi (910m) to Londorossi Park Gate (2100m). The guides and porters prepare and pack the supplies and your equipment in the village. You will receive a lunch pack and you can also buy mineral water in the village. From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades (2100m, 11km, 45 minutes). You will have a lunch stop about half way and will reach the Machame camping area in the late afternoon. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite, (2750m, 3 hours). Your porters (arriving at the camp site long before you) will have your tent set up on your arrival. In the evening the porters will boil drinking and washing water and the cook will prepare dinner, before you retire to your tent for the night. Night temperatures can already drop to freezing point at this campsite.

DAY 2
Mti Mkubwa camp (2750m) - Shira 2 camp (3840m)
Hiking time: 6.5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
You rise early at Mti Mkubwa camp and, after breakfast, you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. Several streams are crossed. A gentle walk across the plateau leads to Shira 2-camp on moorland meadows next to a stream (3840m). By now you will be able to see, in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. The porters will boil drinking and washing water, before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing. Enjoy dinner and overnight.

DAY 3
Shira (3840m)-Lava Tower (4630m)-Barranco camp (3950m)
Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: About 15 km's
Habitat: Semi desert
The route now turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m after about a 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower (4630m). Definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability and headaches. After lunch you descent again by almost 680m to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatisation benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for your dinner.

DAY 4
Barranco camp (3950m) - Barafu camp (4550m)
Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: About 13 km's
Habitat: Alpine desert
After spending a night at the Great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you make your way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out to be easier than anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. Turn left up the ridge and after another hour or so, you reach Barafu Hut. The last water stop on the route is the Karranga Valley, as there is no water at Barafu camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for "ice" and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarise yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski stick and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep.

DAY 5
SUMMIT ATTEMPT Barafu camp (4550m)--Uhuru Peak (5895m)-Mweka (3100m)
Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak 7/8 hours to descend to Mweka
Distance: About 7 km's ascent - 23 km's descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walk to Stella point is for many climbers, mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your live. The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka hut (3100m). The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner, and washing water will be prepared as well as drinking water.

DAY 6
Mweka camp (3100m)- Mweka Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 3 hours
Distance: About 15 km's
Habitat: Forest
After an early breakfast, it is a short 3-hour and scenic hike back to the Park gate. It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely.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 and drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!! Overnight in Moshi hotel

DAY 10.Depart for Nairobi by shuttle bus for Moshi -Nairobi at 11am arriving at 6.30 pm .or flight to KIA or continue with a Safari With Us

Distance
Time (Approx.)
Londorosi - Mti Mkubwa : 3-4 hours
Mti Mkubwa- Shira : 5-6 hours
Shira I - Shira II : 4-6 hours
Shira II - Barafu : 6-7 hours
Baranco - Barafu : 6-7 hours
Barafu - Uhuru : 6-8 hours
Mweka camp - gate : 3-4 hours

Any additional day is US$ 130

The price is inclusive of:-
two return transfers from Nairobi airport/city to Moshi
2 transfers from Moshi to Lemosho park gate -return
3 meals per day while trekking - Vegetarian/Non-Vegetarian
9 days Kilimanjaro trek- Lemosho
8 nights accomodation in camps while trekking Lemosho
First and Last night accommodation at YMCA/Buffalo hotelMoshi -Bed and Breakfast.
All park entrance fees and government levies
English speaking mountain Guide and assistant guides
Porters- a maximum of 2 per client
Mess Tent, tables, chairs, toilet tents.

The Price does not include:
Gloves, Sun glasses, Sleeping bag, Hats , Rain suits, Warm Jacket,
Heavy boots, Scarf's, Rain Trousers, tents
Note: All the above items can be hired at a reasonable price

The Lemosho Route is the longest of the major routes for climbing Kilimanjaro, and it?s the most expensive as well due to the extra day and the remoteness of the trailhead. The other major distinction between Lemosho and the others is this is the only route where climbers need to spend the first day with an armed ranger due to the abundant wildlife in the area.

The climb itself can take either 7 or 8 days, with 8 days being recommended so climbers have more time to acclimate before the brutal summit day. This route is not nearly as popular as Machame or Maragnu, but it?s a good one to consider because the longer climbing time equals a greater chance of reaching the summit with fewer problems.

The scenery might be the best of all the routes, and in addition you might see wildlife on the first day. The first couple days of Lemosho start well west of the other routes, but starting on day 4 it merges with Machame and becomes the same from there on out. And just as most Machame groups descend on the separate Mweka Route, Lemosho groups typically do as well.

It takes about 3 hours to drive from Moshi to the official trailhead. This is the normal 8-day itinerary, with a note about the 7-day version below:

Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkumbwa (2,650 m/8,692 ft)
Hike time: 3hrs
Elevation Change: + 650 M/+2,132
Estimation distance: 10 km
Final Elevation: 2,650 m/8,694 ft

* After the morning drive to the trailhead you?ll spend the first day with an armed ranger due to the animal population in this forest area, stopping at the Mti Mkumbwa Camp after only about 3 hours of climbing.

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa (2,650 m/8,692 ft) to Shira One Camp (3,609 m/11,841 ft.)
Hike time: 5 ? 6 hrs
Elevation change: + 950 M/+3116
Estimation distance: 12 km
Final Elevation: 3609 m/11,841 ft

* This day starts in the forest and gets considerably steeper as you go through the heather and moorland areas before camping at the Shira Plateau in a large, open, and scenic area at the Shira One Camp.

Day 3: Shira One Camp (3,609 m/11,841 ft.) to Shira Two Camp (3,849 m/12,628 ft.)
Hike time: 5 - 6 hrs
Elevation change: + 240 M/+787 ft
Elevation distance: 5 km
Final elevation: 3849 m/12,628 ft.

* This day takes you on a gentle walk across the plateau for some excellent scenery while your body continues to acclimatize.

NOTE: From Shira Two Camp on, this route is identical to Machame Route, including the descent on the separate Mweke Route. If you?ve taken Lemosho you?ve done another day at this point, so Day 4 of Lemosho is identical to Day 3 of Machame and so on.

Day 4: Shira Two Camp (3,849 m/12,628 ft.) to Barranco Hut (3,948 m/12,956 ft.)
Hike time: 5 hrs
Elevation change: +100 M/+328 ft
Estimated distance: 6 km
Final elevation: 3948 m/12,956 ft.

* The morning climb is somewhat steep on this day as you ascend to Lava Tower at 4,600 meters at midday before descending again on the scenic route to Barranco Camp. This is a great example of the climb high/sleep low rule that helps people acclimatize safely.

Day 5: Barranco Hut (3,900 m/12,800 ft) to Karanga Valley (3,963 m/13,000 ft)
Hike time: 3.5 hrs
Elevation change: +100 m/+328 ft
Estimated distance: 4km/2.5 miles
Final elevation: 3,963 m/13,000 ft

* You climb the Great Barranco Wall, which looks more intimidating than it really is, and down into the Karanga Valley. This day has many ups and downs and crosses many small streams before crossing the Karanga River just before camp.

Day 6: Karanga Valley (3,963 m/13,000 ft) to Barafu Hut (4,600 m/15,091 ft)
Hike time: 3.5 hrs
Elevation change: +600 m/+1,968 ft
Estimated distance: 4km/2.5 miles
Final elevation: 4,600 m/15,091 ft

* You climb through rocky and otherwise barren terrain on your way to Barafu Camp. The camp is in another cold and windy area, but you?ll only be sleeping from around 7 p.m. until 11: 30 p.m. or so because you?ll be starting the summit climb at midnight.

Day 7: Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,091 ft) to the Summit (5,896 m/19,343 ft) and then to Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,170 ft)
Summit time: 7 hrs
Elevation change: +1,300 m/+4,265 ft
Estimated distance: 5km/3.2 miles
Final elevation: 5,896 m/19,343 ft
Descent time: 5 hrs
Elevation change: -2,800 m/-9,186 ft
Estimated distance: 12km/7.5 miles
Final elevation: 3,100 m, 10,170 ft

* You?ll start at midnight with by far the most challenging 6-hour section of entire climb as you reach Stella Point around sunrise. After a short rest you?ll probably be walking in snow for the next two hours until you reach Uhuru Peak, AKA the summit! After enjoying the moment briefly you?ll begin your descent to the Mweka Camp back in the rain forest, which takes about 8 hours including a quick rest in the middle.

Day 8: Mweka Hut (3,100 m/10,170 ft) to Mweka Gate (1,828 m/6,000 ft)
Descent time: 4 hrs
Elevation change: -1,250 m/-4,101 ft
Estimated distance: 10km/6.21
Final elevation: 1,828 m/6,000 ft

* After the previous day you?ll deserve this short and very scenic descent of about 4 hours down to the Mweka Gate, where you?ll sign the register to make your climb official.

The 7-day version of Lemosho

You can do the Lemosho in 7 days instead of 8, and the only difference is days 2 and 3 on the 8-day climb are combined into one 8 to 9 hour climb from Mti Mkubwa to the Shira Two Camp. This extra day is obviously more challenging and it also cuts way down on the climbers? acclimatization time, which can hurt the chances of reaching the summit with fewer problems.

Price of 1350US$ per person - 2008 Rate