LEMOSHO ROUTE WITH CRATER OVERNIGHT

day camping trekking tour + 2 nights’ hotel stay

This is a long and picturesque route that shows you the full range of Kilimanjaro’s striking landscapes and different climate zones, as well as the unique opportunity of spending a night at 18,800 feet inside the crater on Kilimanjaro.

As well as being one of the best routes in terms of altitude acclimitization, which helps to maximize your chances of successfully reaching the summit

Highlights

Day 1

Start: Lemosho Gate (2385 m)
Finish: Big Tree Camp (2780 m)
Altitude: ↑ 395 m
Walking Time: 2-3h

Hike through the lush forest. Gradually climbing along a footpath.


Day 2

Start: Big Tree Camp (2780 m)
Finish: Shira Camp 2 (3900 m)
Altitude: ↑ 1120 m
Walking Time: 7-8h

A long day with ups and downs. Great views of Kibo and Shira Ridge as you emerge from the forest.


Day 3

Start: Shira Camp 2 (3900 m)
Finish: Barranco Camp (3960 m)
Altitude: ↑ 740 m   ↓ 680 m
Walking Time: 6-7h

Another long day through interesting vegetation, especially around the Lava Tower rock formation.


Day 4

Start: Barranco Camp (3960 m)
Finish: Karanga Camp (4035 m)
Altitude: ↑ 100 m   ↓ 25 m
Walking Time: 3-4h

Conquering the Barranco Wall, breathtaking views of a glacier waits. More ups and downs.


Day 5

Start: Karanga Camp (4035 m)
Finish: Barafu Camp (4640 m )
Altitude: ↑ 605 m
Walking Time: 3-4h

An easy footpath through a rock-strewn moon landscape.


Day 6

Start: Barafu Camp (4640 m)
Finish: Crater Camp (5730 m)
Altitude: ↑ 1090 m
Walking Time: 6-7h

A particularly early start and a challenging climb up the Kibo before descending into the Crater.


Day 7

Start: Crater Camp (5730 m)
Finish: Uhuru Peak (5895 m) – Mweka Camp (3080 m)
Altitude: ↑ 165 m   ↓ 2815 m
Walking Time: 7-9h

A slow two hour ascent to the summit. After brief celebrations, descend back towards the rainforest.


Day 8

Start: Mweka Camp (3080 m)
Finish: Mweka Gate (1630 m)
Altitude: ↓ 1450 m
Walking Time: 2-3h

A traditional farewell ceremony will be followed by an easy few hours’ descent back through the rainforest to the gate.

Itinerary

Kilimanjaro Airport – Usa River

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be greeted by our transfer driver and taken to your accommodation for the night – the Meru View Lodge in Usa River. The rest of the day will be yours to do as you please; you may choose to relax at the lodge or perhaps explore the small town of Arusha, which is just a short taxi drive away. In the evening you will have a preliminary briefing in preparation for your trek over the following days, and we will also check your equipment to make sure you have everything that you need.

Dinner


Day 1 Usa River – Lemosho Gate (2385 m) – Big Tree Camp (2780 m)

In the morning, you will be collected from your lodge and taken to Londorossi Gate. Here, you will be registered by the National Park authorities. Your guide will take care of these formalities for you. You will begin your climb on a moderately steep track, which leads you through the lush and unspoilt forest ecosystem until you reach the Big Tree Camp (2780 m). This camp is about 2 to 3 hours away from your start point and is your destination for today. You will eat a hearty supper and sleep in tents beneath the forest canopy.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner


Day 2 Big Tree Camp (2780 m) – Shira Camp 2 (3900 m)

Today’s long trek starts on a narrow trail which continues through the rainforest. As you continue to ascend, the forest gradually thins out and the landscape opens out heath and moorland characterized by Erica and Lobelia plants. You will cross the Shira Ridge (at an altitude of roughly 3600 m) and after 4 to 5 hours of trekking, you then arrive at Shira Camp 1. Here you will stop for lunch and enjoy fantastic views of Mt Meru, Tanzania’s second highest mountain, and the Great Rift Valley. Over the last three hours or so of the day’s climb you will gain another 250 meters in altitude. The landscape will change again; you will now be walking on ground that was formed by a lava flow. Before arriving at Shira Camp 2, you will pass giant Senecias that can grow to almost 9 meters in height. At Shira Camp 2, you will settle in for the night and, with a little luck, enjoy the wonderful view of the Kibo summit.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner


Day 3 Shira Camp 2 (3900 m) – Lava Tower(4640 m) – Barranco Camp (3960 m)

Today, you will climb approximately 700 m in altitude to the Lava Tower, but you will then descend again to Barranco Camp. This will allow your body to acclimatize. The trek begins with a long ascent above the Shira Plateau in the direction of the Lava Tower Hut (4640 m). The vegetation becomes increasingly more sparse as the landscape gradually becomes afro-alpine desert. The climb passes through the striking and sweeping Barranco Valley with its giant Senecias and Lobelia plants. After 6 – 7 hours of walking, you will arrive at what most people consider the most picturesque camp on Kilimanjaro – the Barranco Camp, where you will spend the rest of the afternoon, eat a hearty dinner and then sleep.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner


Day 4 Barranco Camp (3960 m) – Karanga Camp (4035 m)

Today’s trekking leg is an undulating route that begins with tackling the steepest part of the entire route – the Barranco Wall. Every now and then you may need your hands to hold on tight, but no fears: there are no alpine climbing passages and it’s less intimidating than it looks. Safety is paramount as always and your guide will assist you during this section whenever necessary. After that, you will walk along the mountain ridge with a fantastic view of the southern glaciers of Kibo and the Kibo summit. You will continue to Karanga Camp where you will break for a warm lunch. After some rest there is the option to continue towards Barafu Camp for better acclimatization before returning to Karanga Camp for the night.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner


Day 5 Karanga Camp (4035 m) – Barafu Camp (4640 m)

Today you will walk along a trail that continues to pass through the afro-alpine desert right up until your destination at the Barafu Camp. This camp is situated at an altitude of 4640 meters and will be reached in about 3 to 4 hours. After a relaxing afternoon and a big evening meal, it’s advisable to get an early night in anticipation of an early start the following morning.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner


Day 6 Barafu Camp (4640 m) – Crater Camp (5730 m)

The day starts particularly early today. You’ll be up with the sunrise in order to begin the most challenging day of any you’ll spend on the mountain. After 5-7 hours of climbing the scree and ash paths of the Kibo, you will arrive at Stella Point, the crater rim of Kilimanjaro. From here you will then hike down to the Crater Camp which lies at an altitude of 5730 m, making it the highest camp on the mountain. If the weather conditions are good, Crater Camp offers you staggering views of the surrounding glaciers.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner


Day 7 Crater Camp (5730 m) – Uhuru Peak (5895 m) – Mweka Camp (3080 m)

The final ascent begins in the early morning hours with the first signs of the sunrise. Though this leg is just two hours long, the high altitude ensures that it is particularly slow and arduous. After ascending 170 metres or so you will reach the summit of Uhuru Peak (5895 m). Now standing on the “Roof of Africa” you will be able to see the surrounding summits and landscapes in all their glory – a truly special experience. After a short break and a few celebratory images, you will return to Barafu Camp just before midday where the rest of the climbing crew is waiting for you with a warm and well-earned meal. After an hour or so you will continue to descend to Mweka Camp (3080 m) which is approx. 3 hours away. Here you will have an evening meal followed by a relaxing evening and a good night’s sleep.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner


Day 8 Mweka Camp (3080 m) – Mweka Gate (1630 m) – Usa River

The final day of your Kilimanjaro adventure begins after breakfast with a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain guides and porters. Then, a gentle 2-3 hrs descent leads you back through the rainforest to Mweka Gate where your driver will be waiting to take you back to your lodge in Usa River. Once there, you may choose to relax and stay at the pool, idly doze away in your room or head to the bar to toast your accomplishment with a couple of drinks.

Breakfast; Dinner 


Usa River – Kilimanjaro Airport

After breakfast, you continue with your travel plans. You will be taken to Kilimanjaro Airport. Fly back home, continue to Zanzibar for a beach break or join a safari in Tanzania with Tanzania-Experience.

Breakfast

Price includes:

  • Trekking tour according to the itinerary
  • Accommodation in tents and hotels as indicated in the itinerary
  • Professional English-speaking guide
  • Personal porter
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Drinking water
  • Transfers as indicated in the itinerary
  • Camping equipment – tents, sleeping mattress and camping furniture
  • Portable toilet and toilet tent
  • National park fees
  • Rescue fees

Price excludes:

  • Flights (international and domestic)
  • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
  • Beverages other than water (alcohol and soft drinks)
  • Visa, tips, personal expenses, travel insurance
  • Sleeping bag (can be rented, please ask us at the time of the booking)

FAQ

  • The group size is between five and a maximum of ten persons
  • On a private climb, you choose your hiking partners. You will not be teamed up with strangers. We can accommodate private groups of up to 100 or so.

As per the national park authorities, the minimum age for climbing Kilimanjaro is 10 years but seeing that children are more prone to altitude sickness than adults, we recommend a minimum age of 12. There is no maximum age restriction, but a medical check-up is advisable for people over the age of 60.

Kilimanjaro is one of the few mountains of its height that can be summited without mountaineering skills or experience. You should however be healthy and fit enough to manage the 4-6 hour hike each day, as well as the 12-14 hour hike on the day of the summit. For the last stretch, much endurance and willpower is needed.

Generally yes. We however discourage any attempts during the main rainy season (end of March to beginning of June). During the short rainy season (November), daily short rainfalls and cloudy views can be expected. From December until the end of February, temperatures are at their highest and rainfall is at its minimum. These are the busiest times. Between the end of June and the middle of October is also a good time to climb. Temperatures are a little lower but there is almost no rain.

The Lemosho route begins on the rather remote western side of Kilimanjaro, but meets up with the Machame route on day 3 at the Shira Plateau. The Lemosho route is the longest route and it covers the most kilometres, which is why one should allow a minimum of seven days for the climb.

Overnight accommodation will be in two-man tents and sleeping mats are provided. Single travellers usually share a tent with another group member of the same gender. Single tents can be provided on request at additional cost.

There are no ablution facilities except for basic long-drops (very simple latrines), but on private climbs mobile chemical toilets are included.

  • Fresh water will be collected from the available sources on the mountain and is boiled before it’s served. Porters will carry water in canisters for the higher areas, where no more fresh water is available. All meals are freshly prepared by your cook.
  • Meals are included as indicated in the itinerary.
  • Breakfast usually consists of fruit, scrambled eggs, porridge, toast and jam, hot chocolate, coffee or tea. For lunch you are usually provided with a lunch box that contains sandwiches, boiled eggs, chicken etc.
  • For dinner you will be served a soup and bread followed by the main course that either consists of red meat or poultry served with some sort of starch (chips, mashed potatoes, pasta or rice) and vegetables. For dessert you will get fresh fruit, hot chocolate, coffee or tea and milk.
  • Breakfast and dinner are served in a mess tent that is equipped with a table and chairs while lunch is usually enjoyed en-route.
  • We are able to provide meals for vegetarians or people with other dietary requirements or food allergies but we need to know in advance in order to cater for special requests.

Almost every hiker attempting Kilimanjaro will notice the altitude and the thinner air. Fitness fanatics are just as likely to suffer from it as couch potatoes. Symptoms include headaches that are often accompanied by fatigue, loss of appetite and nausea. More often than not, symptoms are mild, allowing you to continue to ascend. Occasionally the symptoms are more severe and a rapid descent is required, after which your body tends to recover quite quickly. Please however always keep in mind, that severe altitude sickness can be life-threatening and it may even lead to death. We do not recommend the use of medication, as it suppresses the symptoms of altitude sickness. We do however encourage you to drink enough water to replace the fluids lost from the physical activity. Two to four litres per day are recommended, as well as mineral supplements (magnesium etc.) to help replace lost minerals and to prevent muscle cramps.

  • Unfortunately there are no state of the art mountain rescue services like the ones to be found in the European Alps for example. If you no longer have the ability to walk, you will either be carried or transported on a wheeled stretcher. This is by no means a pleasant experience which is why we encourage you not to overstrain your body and to travel safe. Helicopters can only land at a lower altitude and are therefore rarely used.
  • Please ensure that you are covered by your health insurance while travelling. If you do not have sufficient coverage, we highly recommend taking out appropriate travel insurance. Your insurance should cover all your medical expenses including costs for rescue and repatriation.
  • It is common practice to tip the members of your mountain crew after the climb. Tips make up a large portion of their income and are therefore highly appreciated. Below are some guidelines based on a group (not per person)
  • Guide: 15-18 USD / day
  • Assistant Guide: 12-15 USD / day
  • Cook:   8-10 USD / day
  • Waiter: 7-9 USD / day
  • Porter:   6-7 USD / day
  • Of course the above is just a guideline. If you are happy with the service received, you are welcome to show this when it comes to tipping.
  • If you plan to tip in USD, please make sure the notes have been printed after 2004 as any earlier dated bank notes are not valid and can therefore not be used in Tanzania.
  • Travel bag, backpack or kitbag, weighing no more than 12kg. Please do not bring a suitcase or trolley bag, as this type of luggage cannot be carried by the porters.
  • Day backpack with rain protection.
  • High quality sleeping bag for harsh conditions (at night temperatures can drop to -20°C).
  • Different layers of clothing including thermal base layers, fleece clothing, trekking pants, warm jacket and water-resistant top layers as well as a warm headgear.
  • Water-resistant and comfortable hiking boots and a variety of trekking socks.
  • Please note that the above list is not complete and these are just a few things that you will have to bring with you. Once we have confirmed your booking, you will receive a more detailed list.
  • Citizens of all nationalities need to contact the embassies of their travel destination to check the visa regulations.
  • In general, European citizens can apply for a Tanzanian Tourism Visa upon arrival in Tanzania.
  • It is the sole responsibility of every traveller to be in possession of the required documents and visa that allows them to enter their holiday destination.
  • Tanzania is no longer a yellow fever region, so a yellow fever certificate isn’t generally a requirement. If visiting any other countries in the region either before or after Tanzania, be sure to check if a yellow fever vaccination is required
  • Although there are no mosquitoes at high altitude, Tanzania is within a malaria region. It is up to you if you wish to take medication, but we suggest that you speak to your doctor or travel clinic about the different prophylaxis and their effects and side-effects.
  • Although Tanzania does not require proof of immunization against tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A and B, we nevertheless recommend those vaccinations.

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