8 Days Lemosho Crater Route

The Lemosho route is one of our preferred routes due to its low traffic, beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate. The Lemosho route starts off from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the lush rainforest to Shira Plateau. For normal hiking we recommend a minimum of 7 days to attempt this route but 8 days is preferable for better acclimatization and summit success. While if you include crater camp, we recommend 8days minimum and 9days for better acclimatization. Also overnight at crater is charged in extra to cover an extra entrance fees.

Day 0: Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to hotel in Moshi town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day. Overnight at your arranged Hotel
Hotel is Bed & Breakfast basis.
 
Day 1: Lemosho Glades (2385m) to Big Tree Camp (2780m)
You will be picked up at your hotel at around 08:00am and transferred to the Lemosho gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. After the registration process you will still start our climb steadily through the forests of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree camp where you will be spending the night.
Distance covered: 7km / 4.3mi
Approx. time taken: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

 
Day 2: Big Tree Camp (2780m) to Shira 1 Camp (3500m)
Today you will trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. Our destination for today is the Shira 1 Camp from where there are often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds. We gain a reasonable amount of altitude today and parts of the route are fairly steep.
Distance covered: 8.5km / 5.3mi
Approx. time taken: 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included


Day 3: Shira 1 Camp (3500m) to Shira 2 Camp (3900m)
Today you will get the chance to view the Northern Ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. Our steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will help with acclimatization and we enjoy great panoramic views. Our destination today is the Shira 2 Camp. In the afternoon you will take an acclimatization walk then head back to camp for dinner and overnight.
Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included


Day 4: Shira 2 Camp (3900m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)
Your trek starts with an ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking in to the climatic zone of the upland desert and on the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. You will reach the distinct pinnacle of the Lava Tower (4640 m), our high point for the day and a great place to enjoy your lunch. In the afternoon we make a steep descent to our camp for the night, located in the base of the Great Barranco Valley (3960 m), sheltered by towering cliffs but with extensive views of the plains below.
Distance covered: 10km / 6.2mi
Approx. time taken: 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included


Day 5: Barranco Camp (3960m) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It's a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley set at 3963m where we will stop for hot lunch. After lunch we will ascend for another 2hours to Barafu camp set at 4670m for overnight.
Distance covered: 8.5km / 5.3mi
Approx. time taken: 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

 
Day 6: Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) to Crater Camp (5,790m)
Wake before dawn to start your summit approach. You'll reach Uhuru Peak in the early afternoon, when few groups are around. A short descent brings you to Crater Camp, set in soft sands near the famed Furtwangler Glacier. Crater camp is not a route in its own right but a challenging extension which in principle can be added to any route. It involves sleeping overnight in the bowl of the crater. An amazing experience enjoyed by only a few of the most adventurous climbers.
Distance covered: 3km / 1.9mi
Approx. time taken: 5-6 hours & 1-2hours to Crater.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included


Day 7: Crater Camp (5,790m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) to Millennium Camp (3790m)
In the morning after early breakfast, we begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope passing Barafu camp for a short break before heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Distance covered: 13.4km / 8.3mi
Approx. time taken: 12 - 15 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included


Day 8: Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)
Today you walk down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to your arranged hotel in Moshi.
Distance covered: 12.1km / 7.5mi
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included
Hotel: Bed &Breakfast  

o Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro International Airport.
o Pre & Post Trek accommodation at hotel
o Park fees, camping fees, rescue fees and 18% VAT on tour fees & services which cost nearly 55% of the total cost charged.
o 4Season mountain tents
o Sleeping Mats
o Transportation to & from the mountain gate
o Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
o 3 meals daily while on the mountain
o Filtered water throughout the trek
o Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
o Portable flush toilet provided. 

o Flights
o Items of a personal nature and Laundry Services
o A doctor for the group
o Tips to mountain crew  

Tip on Mountain Kilimanjaro is recommended for group sharing as following:
- Guide $15 - $20/guide/day
- Cook $10 - $15/day
- Porters $8 - $10/porter/day. 

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