Lemosho Route 9 Day Intinerary – Climb Kilimanjaro
Upon sign up, we will send you our richly detailed, pre-trip Climber Information Package.
Our climbs begin and end via flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania.
Most flights directly to Arusha are not available for purchase online. For travel arrangements, we recommend Charles Mulvehill at Scan East West Travel: 1-800-727-2157 or 206-623 2157. Or email [email protected]
Day 1
Depart country of origin for Kilimanjaro International Airport, Tanzania (JRO).
Day 2
Arrive in Tanzania. Airport pick up and transfer to Four Points The Arusha Hotel (formerly New Arusha Hotel) in Arusha, Tanzania.
Day 3
Orientation and gear check. We meet over breakfast at the hotel and join a detailed group orientation covering all aspects of the climb. After lunch we have a thorough equipment check and those interested can join a walking tour (offsite) of Arusha, before a team dinner. O/N Four Points The Arusha Hotel.
Lemosho Route start to finish. Data is approximate.
Distance: 76 km/47.2 miles
Elevation gain: 4,818 m/15,807 ft.
Elevation loss: 4,858 m/15,938 ft.
Day 4
Drive to Londorossi Gate, approximately two hours. After completing the necessary registration formalities at Londorossi Gate, we drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho trail head. Here we will meet our local Tanzanian staff, most of whom are Chagga tribe from the area around Kilimanjaro. It is an easy day of walking up a small path through beautiful and lush forest. We camp at Big Tree Camp/Mti Mkumbwa.
Start: Lemosho trailhead 2,100 m/6,750 ft.
End: Big Tree Camp 2,850 m/9,200 ft.
Elevation gain: 750 m/2,440 ft.
Time: 4 hours on average
Distance: About 5 km/3 miles
Day 5
Big Tree/Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira I Camp. We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. This is perhaps the most unique of the different ecological zones on Kilimanjaro. The trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. There is a tangible sense of wilderness, especially if afternoon mists come in. We camp in the center of the large Shira Volcanic Plateau at Shira I.
Start: Big Tree Camp 2,850 m/9,200 ft.
End: Shira I Camp 3,505 m/11,500 ft.
Elevation gain: 700 m/2,300 ft.
Time: 7 hours average
Distance: About 9 km/5.6 miles
Day 6
Shira I Camp to Moir Camp, 13,500 ft. (4,114 m). Moir Camp is tucked away at the end of a large gorge, below a giant lava flow. We travel through the upper range of the moorlands zone, crossing the large Shira Plateau, and ascend gradually on easy terrain. Here we are on the northwest side of the mountain, above Kenya. This spectacular camp is located beneath the northern ice fields of Kilimanjaro.
Start: Shira I Camp 3,505 m/11,500 ft.
End: Moir Camp 4,114 m/13,500 ft.
Elevation gain: 600 m/2,000 ft.
Time: 6 hours average
Distance: About 10 km/6 miles
Day 7
We ascend through the upper moorland zone into the alpine desert zone arriving at Lava Tower Camp (15,090 ft.). As noted, this day takes us out of the heath zone and into alpine desert. This is a shorter day, where we are very close to the dramatic western face of the mountain. We sleep at just over 15,000 ft., critical for acclimatizing to the elevation of our High Camp, which we will reach on climb Day 6. There is time for short acclimatization walks for those that are interested. Very scenic mountain views.
Start: Moir Camp 4,114 m/13,500 ft.
End: Lava Tower Camp 4,600 m/15,090 ft.
Elevation gain: 490 m/1,500 ft.
Time: 3.5 hours average
Distance: About 5 km/3.1 miles
Day 8
We descend 2,000 ft. through dramatic scenery to the Barranco Valley before ascending the famous Barranco wall to Karanga Valley Camp. This is one of our longer days, but excellent for acclimatization. From camp we can see some wonderful sunsets and have views of the glacier valley and ice fields above.
Start: Lava Tower Camp 4,600 m/15,090 ft.
End: Karanga Camp 4,053 m/13,300 ft.
Elevation gain: 442 m/1,450 ft.
Elevation loss: 762 m/2,500 ft.
Time: 7 hours average
Distance: About 11 km/7 miles
Day 9
From the Karanga River we climb about five to six hours to our camp at Kosovo (15,600 ft.). As we wind through beautiful and rarely traveled regions, we enter a high desert plateau, littered with volcanic boulders. Looking south we view the desert plains as the pinnacles of Mawenzi Peak tower before us. Another night above 15,000 ft. prepares us for sleeping in the crater. At Kosovo we prepare for the summit attempt. We spend our time resting and preparing for our departure the next morning. There will be a detailed summit briefing covering the climb and the crater camp with options to sleep lower than the crater if needed.
Start: Karanga Valley 4,055 m/13,300 ft.
End: Kosovo Camp 4,760 m/15,600 ft.
Elevation gain: 700 m/2,300 ft.
Time: 5-6 hours
Distance: About 5 km/3 miles
Day 10
Summit day and Crater Camp. Awake early in the morning and prepare for the ascent, leaving at approximately 6 a.m. Following a distinct ridge, we approach the crater’s rim, then traverse northwest along the rim to the main summit, Uhuru Peak (19,344 ft.). From here we view the Bismarck Towers, rock pinnacles along the rim, and the hanging Rebman Glaciers.
After enjoying the view from the top, we descend down to the crater to camp for the day and night. There are options to visit the tiny Furtwängler Glacier in the crater floor, as well as climb up to the ash pit rim to look down into the blow hole of the volcano.
High Camp to Summit Start: Kosovo Camp 4,815m/15,800 ft.
Summit: Uhuru Peak 5,896 m/19,344 ft.
Elevation gain: 1,136 m/3,726 ft.
Time: 7-9 hours average
Distance: About 7 km/3.4 miles
Descent Start: Uhuru Peak 5,896 m/19,344 ft.
End: Crater Camp 5,600 m/18,700 ft.
OR
Kosovo Camp 4,815m/15,800 ft.
Elevation loss: 200 m/1,100 ft.
Time: 1-3 hours
Day 11
The sunrises are exquisite as we awaken in the crater. After breakfast, we descend down from the crater all the way to Mweka Camp at 10,000 ft. on the edge of the forest zone. We enjoy views of the towering mountain above us as we descend through the heather to our last night on the mountain.
Start: Crater Camp 5,600 m/18,700 ft.
End: Mweka Camp 3,000 m/10,000 ft.
Elevation loss: 3,000 m/9,344 ft.
Time: 7-8 hours descent
Distance: About 14.2 km/9 miles
Day 12
We descend the lush green landscape of the Mweka route into the thickest jungle we have yet encountered. The environment becomes primordial, with 40-ft. fern trees creating a prehistoric atmosphere. After reaching the Mweka Gate, we have a celebration lunch and drive to Arusha, clean up at the hotel, and enjoy a celebratory dinner. O/N Four Points The Arusha Hotel
Start: Mweka Camp 3,100 m/10,200 ft.
End: Mweka Gate 1,800 m/5,580 ft.
Elevation loss: 1,300 m/5,900 ft.
Time: 4 hours average
Distance: About 7 km/4 miles
Day 13
(Safari itinerary subject to change. Based on team size and availability, travel order of safari parks may be reversed). We begin the safari with a 2.25-hour drive to Tarangire National Park. We continue with a game drive all afternoon, enjoying boxed lunches along the way. This beautiful valley overlooks African grasslands, sprinkled with acacia and baobab trees and is known for its concentration of elephants, giraffe, and bird life. Here we overnight comfortably in a deluxe safari lodge located deep within the park.
Built to blend in with the vastness of its surroundings, Tarangire Sopa Lodge lies hidden among the kopjes, ancient baobab, and grasses of the Tarangire National Park – home to the greatest concentration of elephants in Africa. Many can be seen around the lodge, allowing visitors a close encounter.
Day 14
After an early breakfast, we travel 2.5 hours to Ngorongoro Crater for an extended afternoon game drive in the crater floor with boxed lunches. Ngorongoro Crater, one of the world’s most incredible natural wonders, is the largest unbroken caldera in the world, part of the volcanic highlands along the western flank of the Great Rift Valley. Here we encounter herds of zebra, antelope, buffalo, and elephant. Sightings of lions, rhino, cheetahs, and hyena are common. We overnight comfortably in a deluxe safari lodge perched spectacularly on the rim of the crater.
Facing the always magnificent sunsets to the west, and located at the highest point on Ngorongoro crater’s entire rim, Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge stands well over half a km above the crater floor and offers unparalleled views across this enormous caldera.
Themed around traditionally circular African houses with conical roofs and decorated with examples of Africa’s rich tapestry of artistic traditions by way of rich woodcarvings and sculptures, the lodge harmonizes perfectly with its dramatic surroundings. But the drama does not stop with the great outdoors; it also flows through the split-level interior of the main building, which offers an unsurpassed generosity of space while somehow managing to combine an almost magically welcoming ambience of both warmth and coziness.
Day 15
After an early breakfast, we proceed 2.5 hours to the vast Serengeti National Park. We enjoy a long afternoon game drive with boxed lunches through the southwestern portion of the park. Common sightings include zebras, wildebeest, antelope, lions, giraffe, hippos, elephant, cheetah, and sometimes the elusive leopard. We overnight in a deluxe safari lodge that lies hidden in the surroundings.
Located on the edge of the escarpment overlooking the plains of the southwestern Serengeti National Park, home to many thousands of wild and rare animals, Serengeti Sopa Lodge lies within an area of out-standing natural beauty. It is an oasis of cool relaxation from the equatorial sun. The lodge allows its guests to experience magnificent sights and enjoy interaction with the land and animals — difficult to find elsewhere — while at the same time enjoy the highest level of cuisine and hospitality.
Day 16
There is an option for a spectacular sunrise balloon ride. We enjoy a game drive in route to Seronera, where we fly back to the local airport in Arusha (weather permitting) for a farewell lunch at the Arusha Hotel and then prepare for late-night international departures.
Day 17
Arrive country of origin.