9 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing- Lemosho Route

On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, meet and greet services. Transfer to hotel in Moshi for an overnight stay on bed and breakfast basis in readiness for the next day hike to Mount Kilimanjaro

Pick up from your hotel and drive to Lemosho park gate, from here follow a forest truck in a 4×4 vehicle for 11 km, taking 45 minutes to Lemosho glades and a possible campsite. From the glades walk for 3 hours along beautiful forest trails to the Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite at 2,750m/ 9,020ft

The trail gradually steepens, enters the giant heather moorland zone and across the plateau leading you to Shira 2 camp, on the moor land meadows by a stream. A variety of walk, are available on the plateau, dinner overnight Shira 2 campsite at 3,840m/12,200fts, taking 7 hours and covering 17, kms

After breakfasts you will hike east up a steeping path above the highest vegetation towards Kilimanjaro looming mass. After several hours you walk, through a rocky landscape to reach the prominent land mark called lava tower at 4,630m/15,190ft. This chunky remnant of Kilimanjaro earliest volcanic activity in several hundred feet’s high and the trail passes right below it. For extra credit, the sure- footed can scramble to the top of the tower. After lunch stop near lava breach wall to Barranco camp at 3,950m/12,960fts there are numerous photo opportunities on this hike, especially if the walls are festooned with ice. Barranco provides you with a memorable sunset while you wait for your dinner. On this day be careful to notice any signs of altitude sickness

After breakfast we continue up a steep ridge to the Barranco wall, and then you climb this imposing obstacle, which turns out to be easier than it looks. Topping out just below the Heim glacier, you can now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. With kibos glaciers soaring overhead, you descend into the lush Karanga valley to the Karanga valley campsite. From the camp, you can look east and see jagged peaks of Mawenzi jutting into the African sky. After a hot lunch in camp, your afternoon is at leisure for resting or exploring. After tow long days this short day is very important for yor acclimatization, since your summit push is about to start

In the morning you hike east over intervening ridges and valleys to join the Mweka route, which will be your descending route. Turn left toward the mountain and hike up the ridge through a sparse landscape for another hour to the Barafu Hut where you will receive a hot lunch. The last water on the route is in Karanga valley; there is no water at Barafu camp, even though Barafu is a Swahili word for ice the famous snow of Kilimanjaro is far above Barafu camp near the ridge, so make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoide any accident. Prepare your equipment and warm clothing for your summit climb, and drink a lot of fluids. After an early dinner go to bed for a few hours of precious sleep.

This is your summiting day; you will rise around 11:30 pm, and after some steaming tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the night. Your 6 hours climb northwest up through heavy scree between the Rebman and Ratzel glacier to Stella point on the crater rim is the most challenging part of the route for most climber. At Stella point (5,685m/18,650fts) you stop for a short rest and a chance to see a supremely sanguine sunrise. At Stella point you join the top part of the Marangu route, but do not stop here too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to the cold and fatigue. Depending on the season and recent storms, you may encounter snow on your remaining hike along the rim to Uhuru peak. On the summit you can enjoy your accomplishment and know that you are creating a day for that you will remember for the rest of your life. After your 3 hours descend from the summit and hike down a rock and scree path into a moorland and eventually into the forest of Mweka camp (3,100m/10,170fts). This camp is in the upper forest, so you can expect mist or rain in the late afternoon. Din r, and washing water will be prepared, and the camp office sells drinking water, soft drinks, chocolates, ands be prepared, and the camp beer!

After a well-deserved breakfast, it is a short, scenic, 3 hours hike back to the park gate. Do not give your porter any tip, until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely, but do remember to tip your staff at the gate. At Mweka you can sign you name and add details in a register. This is where also the successive climbers receive their certificates for reaching up. From Mweka gate you will proceed to Mweka village, possibly a muddy 3 km, 1 hours hike if the road is too muddy for vehicles. In the Mweka village you will be served a delicious lunch, after which you are driven back to Arusha for your overnight Impala Hotel. HB

After breakfast transfer to airport or drop off at place of your choice