LEMOSHO ROUTE 8 DAYS VIA CRATER 2024

DAY 0 - Arrival Day - Kilimanjaro Airport

Our friendly transfer driver will meet you at Kilimanjaro airport. After loading the luggage into the vehicle you will make your way to the White House Hotel in Moshi. You can relax the rest of the day or go and explore the small town of Moshi. Our team will meet you later the day to have a preliminary talk in preparation for the days to follow.

DAY 1 - Moshi/Arusha – Londorossi Gate – Big Tree Camp

Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa

Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft

Distance: 6 km/4 miles

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at trailhead, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.

DAY 2 - Big Tree Camp – Shira Camp 2

Start: Big Tree Camp (2780 m) Finish: Shira Camp 2 (3900 m) Altitude: ↑ 1120 m Walking Time: 7-8h Today’s long trek starts on a narrow trail which continues through the rainforest. As you continue to ascend, the forest gradually thins out and the landscape opens out heath and moorland characterized by Erica and Lobelia plants. You will cross the Shira Ridge (at an altitude of roughly 3600 m) and after 4 to 5 hours of trekking, you then arrive at Shira Camp 1. Here you will stop for lunch and enjoy fantastic views of Mt Meru, Tanzania’s second highest mountain, and the Great Rift Valley. Over the last three hours or so of the day’s climb you will gain another 250 meters in altitude. The landscape will change again; you will now be walking on ground that was formed by a lava flow. Before arriving at Shira Camp 2, you will pass giant Senecias that can grow to almost 9 meters in height. At Shira Camp 2, you will settle in for the night and, with a little luck, enjoy the wonderful view of the Kibo summit.

DAY 3 - Shira Camp 2 – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp

Shira Camp 2 to Lava Tower

Elevation: 13,800 ft to 15,190 ft

Distance: 7 km/4 miles

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft

Distance: 3 km/2 miles

Hiking Time: 2-3 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We begin the day climbing up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.

DAY 4 - Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft

Distance: 5 km/3 miles

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.

DAY 5 - Karanga Camp (4035 m) – Barafu Camp (4640 m)

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft

Distance: 4 km/2 miles

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.

DAY 6 - Barafu Camp – Crater Camp

Start: Barafu Camp (4640 m)

Finish: Crater Camp (5730 m)

Altitude: ↑ 1090 m

Walking Time: 6-7h

The day starts particularly early today. You’ll be up with the sunrise in order to begin the most challenging day of any you’ll spend on the mountain. After 5-7 hours of climbing the scree and ash paths of the Kibo, you will arrive at Stella Point, the crater rim of Kilimanjaro. From here you will then hike down to the Crater Camp which lies at an altitude of 5730 m, making it the highest camp on the mountain. If the weather conditions are good, Crater Camp offers you staggering views of the surrounding glaciers.

DAY 7 - Crater Camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp

Start: Crater Camp (5730 m)

Finish: Uhuru Peak (5895 m) – Mweka Camp (3080 m)

Altitude: ↑ 165 m ↓ 2815 m

Walking Time: 7-9h

The final ascent begins in the early morning hours with the first signs of the sunrise. Though this leg is just two hours long, the high altitude ensures that it is particularly slow and arduous. After ascending 170 metres or so you will reach the summit of Uhuru Peak (5895 m). Now standing on the “Roof of Africa” you will be able to see the surrounding summits and landscapes in all their glory – a truly special experience. After a short break and a few celebratory images, you will return to Barafu Camp just before midday where the rest of the climbing crew is waiting for you with a warm and well-earned meal. After an hour or so you will continue to descend to Mweka Camp (3080 m) which is approx. 3 hours away. Here you will have an evening meal followed by a relaxing evening and a good night’s sleep.

DAY 8 - Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – moshi/ arusha

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft

Distance: 10 km/6 miles

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.