The Lemosho Route is an unspoiled, remote, little-used, and beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau. Above the plateau, you approach Kilimanjaro’s great western Breach, then follow the south circuit to reach the easier Barafu Route. Ascending through Lemosho route and descend through Marangu route offers a wonderful experiences including acclimatizing with terrain, beautiful view of the summit from its western side ( Lemosho route) and the eastern side (Marangu route), experience of using tents in Lemosho route and huts in Marangu routes.
Upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro airport you will be met by Kili Park’s representative and drive you to your accommodation in Moshi for overnight stay waiting for your adventures to start on the following day.
After breakfast at your hotel, you will drive one hour and a half from Moshi town to Londorossi Park Gate (2150m). At the entrance gate, the guides and porters distribute the supplies and register with the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA). You are now ready to begin your 3-hour hike into the rain forest. Be on the lookout for Colobus monkeys! At the gate, we will have hot lunch, and then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site. The porters, who arrive at the campsite before the clients, will set up your tent and boil water for drinking and washing. The chef will prepare a snack then dinner for the clients. At nighttime, mountain temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared!
Early in the morning after breakfast, the day is spent to reach Shira campsite (3610 m). After arrival at shira camp, you will have hot lunch. The trail take us for an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for about two hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. Hiking to this point you will be able to see in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its spectacular glaciers. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike you will reach the Shira campsite.
Today you will cross Shira Ridge with its rocky ground, low grasses, and shrubs. As the terrain is much flatter than the day before, your hike will seem more leisurely and you will enjoy fantastic views of the Great Rift Valley and Mount Meru. Beautiful and distinctive giant lobelias still dot the moor landscape. Before reaching Shira 2, you will reach cathedral point which is 3872m which is good for acclimatization. Walking on the ground where lava used to flow, you will reach Shira Camp 2, where you will have your evening meal and overnight stay.
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.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco camp at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight.
The famous Barranco Wall, which is probably the steepest part of the entire route, awaits you after breakfast. Although no technical climbing is necessary, some spots do require you to use your hands for a better grip and to pull yourself up. Your guide will be close by to help you if necessary. After you have pulled yourself around the Kissing Rock, you will make your way along the mountain ridge and through the Karanga Valley. You will also pass the last water spot as you finally reach Karanga Camp. After a well-deserved meal, it is off to bed.
Today you will make your way to Barafu Camp. The landscape is very dry and the ground cracks like glass under your boots. As you make your way through the afro-alpine dessert to the rocky Barafu Camp, a sense of excitement sweeps over you as your final stretch is only a few hours away. The Barafu Camp with its rocky scenery allows for a stunning view of Mawenzi Peak and the summit path ahead. After an early dinner and last-minute preparation for tomorrow, you will go to bed.
You will wake up around 2300hrs, and after breakfast you start climbing to Uhuru peak during the night. You will head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walks to Stella point is for many climbers, mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5757m) 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 1-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 life. The walk back to Stella point about 30min then Gillman’s point for about 45min. Here you will have short rest and proceed down to Kibo Hut (4720m) about 2 hrs. The first part of your descent to Kibo hut will take almost another 2 hours. After a short rest you which will be accompanied with brunch, you will begin the next part of your descent – it will take another 3 hours of hiking to get to Horombo hut. Arriving Horombo hut in the evening for dinner and spend overnight there. You will no doubt have a good sleep, feeling exhilarated and proud of your achievement.
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, you continue your descent passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate – this will take the best part of seven hours. At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. To make your achievement official, you will receive a summit certificate. If you reached Gillman’s Point you will be presented with a green certificate, and if you made it all the way to Uhuru Peak you will have earned yourself a gold certificate. You will have hot lunch at the gate, you will have a celebration with your mountain crew.
After sign out to the park gate you will be transferred to a hotel in Moshi or Arusha for hot shower probably dinner and overnight or otherwise in the evening you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport to connect with your flight back home.
|
No. of People |
Cost |
|
1 |
$2350 |
|
2 |
$2240 |
| 3 |
$2150 |
|
4 |
$2110 |
|
5 |
$2070 |
For groups of 5 or more contact us for a discount Also Less 50 USD during low season April 1st – June 15 and November.
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