9 Days Lemosho Crater Route

The Lemosho route is one of our preferred route due beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate. The Lemosho route located from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. Sometime the route is dusty due to many vehicles. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the lush rainforest to Shira Plateau. We recommend a minimum of 8 days to attempt this route with crater overnight but 9 days is preferable for better acclimatization and summit success. The Lemosho route joins the Machame route after Shira 2 Camp and then follows the same route through the southern circuit and descending at Mweka Gate.

Crater Camp on Kilimanjaro
Crater Camp is an amazing experience that most adventurer would not like missing. It is 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. Time period depends on the route, normally this will add one more day over the normal Itineraries. Overnighting at crater camps is charge in extra that is why its cost are a bit higher.

Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to Parkview In hotel, Kilimanjaro wonders Hotel or Weruweru River lodge 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 Karanga Camp (3963m)
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 to our night's camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.
Distance covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included


Day 6: Karanga Camp (3963) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
After a good night's rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It's a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.
Distance covered: 3km / 1.9mi
Approx. time taken: 3 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included


Day 7: 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 it's 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 8: 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 9: 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


Day 10: Depart Tanzania
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport. Our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your time.
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. 

Inquire 9 Days Lemosho Crater Route