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Duration: 10 Days
Tour Highlights:
Day 1: Airport Transfer and pre-trek-Briefing
Day 2: Arusha to Lemosho gate to Mti mkubwa camp
Day 3: Mti mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp
Day 4: Shira 1 camp to Shira 2 camp
Day 5: Shira 2 camp to Barranco wall camp
Day 6: Barranco wall camp to Karanga valley Camp
Day 7: Karanga Valley camp to Barafu camp
Day 8: Barafu camp to Summit to Mweka camp
Day 9: Mweka camp to Mweka gate to Arusha
Day 10: Airport transfer
The 7 Day Lemosho Route – Climbing Kilimanjaro is a classic trail that has gained much popularity in recent years. And deservingly so: it offers amazing views, a great acclimatization profile, and some of the highest summit success rates among all routes. Starting on the western slope of Kilimanjaro, the Lemosho route is available in 3 itineraries: 6, 7, and 8 days on the mountain. One of Lemosho’s highlights is the Cathedral Peak – one of the highest points of the Shira Volcano (3872 m). You’ll have a chance to go on an acclimatization hike to Cathedral Peak and enjoy the best views Kilimanjaro has to offer. Another iconic feature of Lemosho are huge alien-looking plants, Dendrosenecio kilimanjari, that are only found on this mountain.
After arrival to the Airport we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Arusha for accommodation.
Pre-trek briefing at your hotel in Arusha. You should be planning to arrive atleast one day before the start of the trek. Today we will spend in having a pre-trek briefing. We will also review your equipment and rent trekking equipment which is needed.
After breakfast and briefing, drive to Lemosho Gate (about a 4-hour and 30minutes drive). From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.
Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams are crossed, we continue over the Shira Ridge then gently downwards to Shira 1 camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.
Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3500m/11,500ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams are crossed, we continue over the Shira Ridge then gently downwards to Shira 1 camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.
Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3500m/11,500ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast we continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 4km/2mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Very early in the midnight to 2 am, we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
Our transfer vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha for accommodation.
Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
After one last breakfast, your driver will collect you from the lodge at a time previously arranged time in order to take you to the airport in good time for your return flight or onward travel arrangements.
The Lemosho route is the favorite Memorable Vacation Africa team and our clients. It stands out for several reasons. First, Lemosho 7-day itinerary starts from 3414 meters, meaning that you will spend more time at the altitude and will only need to hike short distances during the first two days. This facilitates great acclimatization and results in the best summit success rates on Kilimanjaro. The 6-day variation is recommended only for experienced trekkers or those with prior acclimatization, while the 7-day itinerary is suitable even for beginners.te experience for those seeking a quieter trekking adventure on Kilimanjaro.
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