NC01 – Kilimanjaro – Lemosho Route

Lemosho Route is an unspoiled, remote, less-used, beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau. This route is required an intermediate level of skills. Trekkers sometimes use it to ascend. The first day of the route is rich in game animals, and armed rangers may accompany a group for a while. This is determined by their knowledge of the current animal distribution.

Your mountain guide will visit you the evening before the climb (or shortly before departure) for a brief about climbing and a gear checkup. Your guide has a chance to get to know any concerns you might have, and you can ask him questions.

Day 1: Transfer to Moshi Town

On arrival, we will pick you up from the agreed point and transfer you to your accommodation in Boma la Ngombe Moshi, where you will check in for dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Lemosho Gate and up to 2,650 m; 3-4 hours walking

After breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel in Boma la Ngombe and transfer you to the Lemosho Gate—a shot Stop at Siha Village, where the cook can buy fresh vegetables and other cooking staff. Then, drive to the Lemosho gate, where the trekking will start.

Day 3: Shira Plateau (3,550 m); 5-6 hours walking

We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily with expansive 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 centre of the plateau at Shira One.

Day 4: Shira Hut (3,840 m); 3-5 hours walking

We walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral before reaching the next camp at Shira Hut. This campsite has stunning views, close to the glaciated dome of Kibo and the jagged rim of the Shira Plateau. The view from here of Mt. Meru floating on the clouds is simply unforgettable.

Day 5: Great Barranco Valley (3,900 m); 6-8 hours walking

A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch, near the Lava Tower junction (4,550 m), we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco Valley, sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains near our campsite at Barranco Valley.

Day 6: Karanga campsite (4,000 m); 4-5 hours walking

A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the southeastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Icefields. The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to our camp at Karanga (4,000 m), the last water point on the way to the summit.

Day 7: Barafu campsite (4,600 m); 3-4 hours walking

We follow an easy path on compacted scree with expansive views that gains altitude unrelentingly to reach the Barafu campsite (4,600 m) for lunch. There is a short acclimatisation walk to the plateau at the bottom of the South-East valley (4,800 m). The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night.

Day 8: Mweka forest camp (3100 m); 13-15 hours walking

We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. to be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags, and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5,735 m), in about five or six hours. We will rest there briefly to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those still feeling strong can make the two-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs still occupying most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach Mweka forest camp.

Day 9: Mweka forest camp to Mweka Gate (1,650 m); 3-4 hours walking

A sustained and scenic descent through a lovely forest with lush undergrowth takes us to Mweka National Park gate. At Mweka gate, you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reach Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green credentials, and those who reach Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate, you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike where you are picked up to drive back to Arusha for a long overdue shower at your final accommodation of this package.

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• All activities as per the itinerary
• All Accommodation as per itinerary – N.B. accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is dependent on availabilty at the time of booking; alternatives of a similar class may be booked instead
• All meals as per itinerary (3 a day unless otherwise stated)
• All transfers to and from agreed pick up and drop off points (e.g. Airport, Bus Station or hotel in town etc)
• All camping gear (if you are camping)
• Service of an English speaking driver/guide
• Safari base 4×4 Vehicle with open roof for game viewing (sometimes a saloon car or other SUV for excursions in town etc.)
• Driver’s salary and allowances and park fees for vehicle and driver
• Bottled mineral water daily
• All Government taxes
• Kilimanjaro only - Oxygen is not normally needed but can be carried if requested before tour begin
• Rescue fees
• Professional Kilimanjaro Team with English speaking Mountain guide, up to 4 porters per person
• Professional Cook
• Climbing Certificates
• All wildlife reserve entry fees
• All Nature Trail Fees.

• Extras, personal expenses i.e. drinks, telephone, laundry etc.
• Optional activities not outlined on the itinerary
• International flights & corresponding taxes
• Visa
• Flying doctors rescue services
• Travel, medical, injury and luggage insurances
• Tips to the driver & guides
• Anything else not mentioned in the inclusions (above).