DAY 01 –LEMOSHO GATE
The day begins with a long drive from your hotel to Londrossi Park Gate (2100 m) for registration. Pass through village communities to the trailhead to start hiking on the route along a narrow forest path to reach Big Tree campsite (2800 m).
DAY 02 –BIG TREE
Today’s long trek starts on a small trail that passes through the rainforest. As one climbs, the forest gradually thins out and the landscape changes into heath and moorland where plants like Erica and lobelia start to dominate the landscape. You will cross the Shira Ridge and after 4 to 5 hours of trekking, you will reach the Shira Camp 1. Here you will stop for lunch, relax a bit and enjoy the fantastic views of Mt Meru and the Rift Valley. For the last part of the climb (approximately 3 hours), you will climb another 250 m in altitude. The landscape will change again then gently downwards to SHIRA HUT 2 located near a stream on the Shira Plateau.
DAY 03 –SHIRA HURT 2
Today the Lemosho route joins the Machame route. Today’s hike leads from Shira Camp 2 to the beautiful Lava Tower. This part of the climb has many ascents and descents and offers beautiful views along the way. It is a long hike and you may start to feel a bit uncomfortable because of the height. It is therefore important to stay at Lava Tower for 1 to 2 hours in order for your body to adjust to the altitude. We will use this time to have lunch here. After lunch, you descend to BARRANCO CAMP. Here you will encounter strange looking flowering plants that grow up to five meters high!
The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600 m), but you will have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to avoid altitude sickness by aiding your bodies in acclimatization.
DAY 04 –BARRANCO CAMP
After breakfast you depart from Barranco Camp to the Barranco Wall. For many people this is their favorite part of the climb, partly because of the beautiful views.
Descend into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. Then exit steeply, up what has been termed the Breakfast Wall, which divides you from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It is a climb over rocks, although not technical. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, head towards the KARANGA CAMP (4000 m) for overnight.
DAY 05 –KARANGA CAMP
Depart Karanga Camp after breakfast to Barafu Summit Camp (4,640 m), the starting point for a night summiting Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Our team will set up a camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax. After regaining strength, you have to complete an acclimatization hike towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp (4,800 m) and then back to BARAFU CAMP, where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting.
DAY 06 –BARAFU CAMP
Departure from Barafu Camp (4,640 m) at night and the start of summiting Kilimanjaro: Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Technically the climb is relatively simple; however, the most challenging part is the high altitude. There is one personal guide per two climbers in order to keep a close eye on the climbers physically and mentally health. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. After a short break and taking photos, you will return to Barafu Camp just before midday where the rest of the crew will be waiting for you. Finally you will be heading down to MILLENNIUM CAMP (3000 m) for a well-earned rest. On the descent, you will have fabulous views of the plains and Mawenzi peak.
DAY 07–MILLENNIUM CAMP
A gentle trek takes you down through the rainforest to the Mweka Gate (1640 m), where park formalities will be completed, you will be met by our vehicles, and receive your certificate of ascent courtesy of the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority. Thereafter, drive back to your hotel for your continuous schedule