Climb Mount Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route

Itinerary

Welcome to Tanzania

Flying into Kilimanjaro Airport, our local hosts will greet us before a short drive to a comfortable lodge. Mount Kilimanjaro’s fertile slopes, filled with coffee and produce farms, provide a relaxing place to get adjusted before our trek.

Dinner Included

The Journey Begins

After an early breakfast, we’ll head to the Londorossi Gate to register with park authorities. Our path starts off in the lush forest filled with the sights and sounds of bird life and White Colobus monkeys. The trail winds up to Forest Camp (9,000'), where our team will have already set up our tents and prepared dinner.

Hiking: 4 miles, 3.5 hours; elevation gain: 2,000'
All meals included.

Forest to Shira I

From Forest Camp, the environment rapidly changes. Dense trees give way to tall grasses as we climb a ridgeline called “mgongo wa tembo,” the elephants back. Volcanic rock covered in lichens and streams mark our path. At Shira 1 Camp (11,500'), our team will again have set up camp for us and prepared dinner. We’ll enjoy views of Kibo, Kilimanjaro's summit cone, in the distance as the sun sets.

Hiking: 5 miles, 5.5 hours; elevation gain: 2,500'
All meals included.

Shira I o Shira II

After breakfast, we’ll take our time meandering across the Shira Plateau past the old lion’s cave. “Pole pole”, slowly slowly is the name of the game. The gentle pace of the day provides for a good deal of acclimatization setting us up for a successful summit in the coming days. At Shira II Camp (12,600’) we’ll notice how much the view of Kibo has grown after a full day’s trek.

Hiking: 4 miles, 6 hours; elevation gain: 1,100'.
All meals included.

Shira II to Baranco

Leaving Shira II heading up to the Lava tower (15,092’) will be a real test. We’ll take it very slowly to allow our bodies to adjust to the lower oxygen levels. At the Lave Tower, our team will have prepare ahot 3 course lunch to nourish us before we descend to sleep and recover in the relatively rich air of Barranco Camp (12,795’).

Hiking: 6.7 miles, 8 hours; elevation gain: 2,460'.
All meals included.

Baranco to Karanga

As the sun rises over Kibo, now directly in front of us, we’ll climb the Breakfast Wall on our way to Karanga Camp (13,106'). At the top of the wall, we’ll enjoy a well-deserved rest with and epic photo session before reaching camp.

Hiking: 3 miles, 4.5 hours; elevation gain: 1,000'.
All meals included.

Karanga to Kosovo

From Karanga Camp, we hike uphill through the alpine desert. We pass Barafu Camp and continue on to Kosovo Basecamp (15,980'). Our early afternoon arrival, gives us time to rest before our summit attempt. Having seen Kibo from many different angles our focus is now on reaching it’s peak. After a light dinner and pre-summit talk with our guides, it’s off to bed to rest up.

Hiking: 3.5 miles, 5 hours; elevation gain: 2,825'.
All meals included.

Summit Day!

Rising at midnight we’ll have a light snack before we begin our summit attempt in the dark. Our plan will be to reach Stella Point (18,800') as the sky begins to lighten, setting us up for a final push to Uhuru Peak (19,340'), the tallest point on the African continent, for celebrations just as the sun rises. Focusing on steady breathing and supporting one another, On our way down, we’ll stop at Kosovo camp for a rest and refreshments before continuing the long descent to Mweke Camp (10,200') back in the forest zone.

Hiking: 12 miles, 16 hours; elevation gain: 3,360' and 9,000’ loss.
All meals included.

Mweke to Mweke Gate

It’s a relatively easy stroll from our camp this day to the exit gate. The experience isn’t over though. This area of the forest is full of the mountain’s namesake flower, impatiens kilimanjari, and bountiful in monkeys and other wildlife. At the gate, the Tanzania National Park service will bestow us with official certificates for having climbed Kilimanajro and our celebrations will continue.

Hiking: 7 miles, 4 hours; elevation loss: 5,000'.
All meals included.

Farewells or off to Safari

Back at our lodge, glowing with accomplishment, we’ll recall our adventure and share big talk of “what’s next” with our fellow adventurers. Transportation back to the airport will be provided, or for those heading off to a safari in the famed Serengeti, the adventure continues!

Breakfast included.