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Lemosho Route improves on the Shira plateau Route by starting below the Ridge, thus providing trekkers with a walk in the forest at the stand of the trek, giving them time to acclimatize. On the first day, you will be sleeping on Mti mKubwa (a big tree).
Lemosho Route improves on the Shira plateau Route by starting below the Ridge, thus providing trekkers with a walk in the forest at the stand of the trek, giving them time to acclimatize. On the first day, you will be sleeping on Mti mKubwa (a big tree). Lemosho might need physically fit people with some hiking experience, but anyone else with no hiking background experience can do it.
(8,692 ft.) Hike time: 3hrs
Elevation Change +650 M
Estimation distance: 10 km
Final Elevation 2650 M
A three-hour drive from our hotel in Machame brings us to the Londorossi Park Gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. At the gate, we pick up our game ranger who will accompany us, as we might encounter elephants and buffaloes during our trek. We drive to the trailhead at Lemosho Glades and start our trek through the rainforest. In places, the vegetation is so untouched that it grows right across the narrow track. The flora and fauna are richer here than on the other more popular routes through the rainforest. Our trek today will be along a little-used track known as Chamber’s Route. In about 3-4 hours, we reach our camp in the rain forest at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree).
(11,841 ft.)
Hike time: 5 – 6 hrs,
Elevation change +950 M
Estimation distance: 12 km
Final Elevation 3,610 M After breakfast, we start the climb across the remaining rainforest toward the giant moorland zone. Today is a full-day trek with an altitude gain of 2,000 ft. A great lunch stop is One, a beautiful valley just outside the Shira Crater at around 10,000 ft. After lunch, we cross into the Shira Caldera, a high-altitude desert plateau that is rarely visited. Shira is the third of the Kilimanjaro volcanic cones and is filled with lava flow from Kibo Peak. The crater rim has been decimated by weather and volcanic activity. Today you will get your first close-up views of Kibo – the dramatic summit of Kilimanjaro.
(12,628 ft.)
Hike time: 5 to 6 hrs Elevation change: +240 M
Elevation distance: 5 km Final elevation: 3,850
After breakfast continues the hike east across the Shira Plateau past the Shira Cathedral towards Shira T camp. We only gain 700 feet in elevation – this allows us to acclimatize slowly to the altitude. The views of the plateau are nothing less than spectacular.
(12,956 ft.)
Hike time: 5 hrs.
Elevation change: + 100m
Estimated distance: 6km
Final elevation: 3950m
Today is the last of the “easy days”. It is about a 7-hour hike. We pass the Lava Tower, around the southern flank of Kibo, and slowly descend into the spectacular Barranco Valley, interspersed with giant lobelia and senecia plants. After arriving at our most spectacular campsite, everyone stands in awe at the foot of Kibo Peak, looming high above, on our left. Our camp is only 465 feet higher than where we were last night, but during the day, we will have climbed to just over 14,000 feet. This is one of our most valuable days for acclimatization.
On the eastern side of the valley, across the stream is the Barranco Wall-a 950ft. barrier of volcanic rock. Although it is tall and looks steep, it is very easy to climb. This is our first challenge of the day. The views from the wall are nothing less than magnificent. The rest of the day was spent skirting the base of Kibo peak over our left shoulder. We descend down into the Karanga Valley, where we rest up for the night before the tough climb up to Barafu hut.
After breakfast starts with a steady walk ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (3,450 m). Start seeing Kibo Peak and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. Leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a sheltered valley near Kikelewa Caves (3.600 m) (15km, 5-7 hrs of trekking
(19,340 ft.)(9,550 ft.) Summit time: 7 hrs,
Elevation change: +1300m
Estimated distance: 5km,
Final elevation: 5896m
Descent time: 5 hrs,
Elevation change: -2800m
Estimated distance: 12km,
Final elevation: 3100m
Dress warmly, because we start climbing around midnight, on the steepest and most demanding part of the mountain. The moon, if out, will provide enough light, and we will reach the crater rim by sunrise, after a 7-hour hike, to welcome a new dawn. From the crater rim, rugged Mawenzi Peak is a thrilling sight, with the Kibo saddle still in darkness beneath you, and the crater’s ice walls looming ahead. We now continue to Uhuru Peak(1-2hrs.) This is the highest point in Africa, and the world’s highest solitary peak (19,340 ft). It is the best view in Africa!
The descent is invigorating. It is a good idea to have a little rest once in a while as you continue down back to Barafu camp (4 hours), and then down the Mwekaroute to Mwekacamp(5 hours). This is where we spent our last night on the mountain.
Descent time: 4 hrs,
Elevation change: -1250m
Estimated distance: 10km,
Final elevation: 1828 M. In the morning we walk down to the road head. This takes about 3 – 31/2 hours. After a welcome lunch, it is time to say “Kwa Heri” to the porters. We then get a transfer back to Arusha to your suggested hotel or onward connection.
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Londorossi: 8,692 ft
Mti Mkubwa:11,841 ft
Shira one: 12628 ft
Shira two 12956 ft
Barranco hut 13743 ft
