Mount Kilimanjaro: Lemosho Route, 7-day trek

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Lemosho Gate (2,385 m) – Big Tree Camp (2,780 m)

  After breakfast at the lodge, you will be driven to the Lemosho gate at 2385 m. On the way, you will pass through many traditional villages and farmlands. After registration at the gate, you will set off on foot, gradually ascending through the forest to Big Tree camp at 2780 m. Upon your arrival at this shaded forest camp, your porters will have already set up camp and will welcome you, introduce themselves, and then encourage you to join them in singing the Kilimanjaro song. You will spend the night here and enjoy a hot, nutritious dinner before going to bed.

• day 2

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

  

  A longer day awaits. Starting off through the forest, you will notice how the vegetation gradually changes; the trees are thinning out and more shrubs appear as you ascend. You will see Lobelias and Ericas and cross Shira Ridge. After about five hours of hiking, you will stop for a hot lunch at Shira Camp 1. This spot has great views of the sister mountain Mt Meru and the Rift Valley below. The afternoon stretch will take about three hours and you will gain 400 m in altitude. Still, the landscape changes as you cross an area that was molten lava many years ago. Strange plants dot the landscape – giant senecios – you should be close to Shira Camp 2. This is your camping spot for the night. If the weather is good, you should see the summit – an awesome view at sunset.

• day 3

  Shira Camp 2 (3,900 m) – Lava Tower (4,640 m) – Barranco Camp (3,950 m)

  Many ups and downs today. You will gain about 700 m in altitude and you will certainly feel the difference, before descending again to tonight's camp at Barranco. These ascents and descents will help your body acclimatize. During the day, you will reach an altitude of over 4500 m above sea level. The day begins with a climb above the Shira plateau towards the Lava Tower at 4640 m. The landscape is now an almost bare alpine desert and looks like a completely different world. On the way down, you will start to see more vegetation – lobelias and the surreal senecios in the vast Barranco valley. After about seven hours (from the start), you should reach Barranco camp, which many consider to be the best camp on Kilimanjaro. Snacks and hot drinks await you there, as usual.

• day 4

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

  Do not let yourself be discouraged by what you see in front of you today: the Barranco Wall, known by guides and porters as the "Breakfast Wall." It is not as intimidating or frightening as it looks, even though it is one of the steepest sections of the route. "Pole pole," slowly slowly, as they say on the mountain, and you will reach the top. Use your hands if necessary, listen to the encouragement of the guides, and soon you will admire the spectacular view from the summit. You will continue along the undulating ridge. Focus on the summit of Kibo and the southern glacier, and before you know it, you will be at Karanga Camp in time for lunch. The rest of the afternoon can be devoted to relaxing or enjoying the scenery around the camp.

• day 5

  Karanga Camp (4,035 m) – Barafu Camp (4,640 m)

  After the usual breakfast consisting of hot porridge, eggs, and fruit, you will head towards Barafu camp. You should reach the camp for the night (at 4640 m) after about four hours of walking, with the landscape becoming increasingly dotted with volcanic rocks. The afternoon is free: relax, read, or mentally prepare yourself for the summit attempt that will begin in the early hours of the morning. You can also ask your guide to take you on a short excursion to the top of a ridge, a few hundred meters higher (near 4900 m), to help with the acclimatization process in preparation for the upcoming ascent. Try to eat well and drink plenty of water before going to bed, even if it may be difficult. You will have a few hours of sleep before the scheduled wake-up around 00:00.

• day 6

  Barafu Camp (4,640 m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Mweka Camp (3,080 m)

  After waking up and having tea and biscuits, you will set off following a line of headlamps slowly ascending... It will be cold and dark. Continue slowly and steadily, focus on your breathing, eat and drink when possible, but without taking long breaks (it's too cold to stop for long). Then, you will reach Stella Point, on the edge of the crater, between five and seven hours later. Continue for another hour or two and you will finally be on the roof of Africa – Uhuru Peak. You will probably spend between ten and twenty minutes in the cold, thin air at 5,895 m – enjoy this memorable achievement, admire the view and the morning sun over the landscape below. A quick and rocky descent follows. Around noon, you should reach Barafu camp again where the team will be waiting for you. You will have a hot lunch and rest for about an hour before setting off again. After about three hours, you should reach Mweka camp (3,000 m) where you will sleep deeply tonight.

• day 7

  Mweka Camp (3,080 m) – Mweka Gate (1,630 m)

  The last day on the mountain begins with breakfast. Then, your team will congratulate you on your success; there will be more singing, group photos, and hugs, then the tips will be distributed to the team. Now, there is only one last stage of about 3 hours to the Mweka gate. This should be an easy descent through the rainforest. At the gate, our driver will be waiting to take you back to the hot showers and cold drinks at your lodge. Dive into the pool or change before meeting at the bar for a celebratory drink and a debriefing, during which your certificate of achievement will be given to you. Congratulations! Tonight, you will enjoy dinner at the lodge, and then you might go out for a few more celebratory drinks if you are not too tired yet.