9 Day Lemosho Route with overnight at Crater - Africa Natural Tours ( africanaturaltours.com )

9 Day Lemosho Route with overnight at Crater: Africa Natural Tours (For Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and Zanzibar) Tanzania safari company in Moshi

Specialized in:  Wildlife safaris, Mountain climbing, Cultural tourism and Beach holidays in East Africa

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9 Day Lemosho Route with overnight at Crater

The Lemosho route is one of our preferred routes due to its low traffic, beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate. The Lemosho route starts off from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the lush rainforest to Shira Plateau. For normal hiking we recommend a minimum of 7 days to attempt this route but 8 days is preferable for better acclimatization and summit success. While if you include crater camp, we recommend 8days minimum and 9days for better acclimatization. Also overnight at crater is charged in extra to cover an extra entrance fees.

Tour Overview

Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania

Moshi: You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.

Hotel is Bed & Breakfast basis.

Day 2: Lemosho Glades (2385m) to Big Tree Camp (2780m)

You will be picked up at your hotel at around 08:00am and transferred to the Lemosho gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. After the registration process you will still start our climb steadily through the forests of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree camp where you will be spending the night.

Distance covered: 7km / 4.3mi

Approx. time taken: 4 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 3: Big Tree Camp (2780m) to Shira 1 Camp (3500m)

Today you will trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. Our destination for today is the Shira 1 Camp from where there are often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds. We gain a reasonable amount of altitude today and parts of the route are fairly steep.

Distance covered: 8.5km / 5.3mi

Approx. time taken: 7 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 4: Shira 1 Camp (3500m) to Shira 2 Camp (3900m)

Today you will get the chance to view the Northern Ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. Our steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will help with acclimatization and we enjoy great panoramic views. Our destination today is the Shira 2 Camp. In the afternoon you will take an acclimatization walk then head back to camp for dinner and overnight.

Distance covered: 8km / 5mi

Approx. time taken: 5 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 5: Shira 2 Camp (3900m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)

Your trek starts with an ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking in to the climatic zone of the upland desert and on the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. You will reach the distinct pinnacle of the Lava Tower (4640 m), our high point for the day and a great place to enjoy your lunch. In the afternoon we make a steep descent to our camp for the night, located in the base of the Great Barranco Valley (3960 m), sheltered by towering cliffs but with extensive views of the plains below.

Distance covered: 10km / 6.2mi

Approx. time taken: 7 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 6: Barranco Camp (3960m) to Karanga Camp (3963m)

Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.

Distance covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi

Approx. time taken: 5 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 7: Karanga Camp (3963) to Barafu Camp (4640m)

After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.

Distance covered: 3km / 1.9mi

Approx. time taken: 3 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 8: Barafu Camp (4640m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) to Crater Camp (5,790m)

Barafu Camp

Wake before dawn to start your summit approach. You'll reach Uhuru Peak in the early afternoon, when few groups are around. A short descent brings you to Crater Camp, set in soft sands near the famed Furtwangler Glacier. Crater camp is not a route in its own right but a challenging extension which in principle can be added to any route. It involves sleeping overnight in the bowl of the crater. An amazing experience enjoyed by only a few of the most adventurous climbers.

Distance covered: 3km / 1.9mi

Approx. time taken: 5-6 hours & 1-2hours to Crater.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 9: Crater Camp (5,790m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) to Millennium Camp (3790m)

In the morning after early breakfast, we begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope passing Barafu camp for a short break before heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.

Distance covered: 13.4km / 8.3mi

Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 10: Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)

Today you walk down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to your arranged hotel in Moshi.

Distance covered: 12.1km / 7.5mi

Approx. time taken: 6 hours

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included

Day 11: Depart Tanzania

Moshi: The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport. Our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your time.

Meals: Breakfast Included

Included

• Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
• 18% VAT on tour fees & services
• 3 Season mountain tents
• Double layered Sleeping Mats
• Transportation to & from the mountain gate
• Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
• 3 meals daily while on the mountain
• Filtered water throughout the trek
• Pre & Post Trek accommodation at the Parkview Inn
• Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
• 2- way private airport transfers

Not Included

• Flights
• Tips to mountain crew
• Items of a personal nature
• Laundry Services
• A doctor for the group

For more information visit www.africanaturaltours.com