8-Day Lemosho Route Climbing Kilimanjaro with Crater

In the morning, you will be collected from your hotel and taken to Londorossi Gate, a two hour drive away. Here, you will be registered by the National Park authorities. Your guide will take care of these formalities for you. A further 15 km drive follows over a dirt road into the dense rainforest before you reach the drop off point from where your trek begins. You will begin your climb on a moderately steep track, which leads you through the lush and unspoilt forest ecosystem until you reach the Big Tree Camp (2780m). This camp is about 2 to 3 hours away from your start point and is your destination for today. You will eat a hearty supper and sleep in tents beneath the forest canopy.

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 3600m) 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.

Today, you will climb approximately 700m in altitude to the Lava Tower, but you will then descend again to Barranco Camp. This will allow your body to acclimatize. The trek begins with a long ascent above the Shira Plateau in the direction of the Lava Tower Hut (4640m). The vegetation becomes increasingly more sparse as the landscape gradually becomes afro-alpine desert. The climb passes through the striking and sweeping Barranco Valley with its giant Senecias and Lobelia plants. After 6 – 7 hours of walking, you will arrive at what most people consider the most picturesque camp on Kilimanjaro – the Barranco Camp, where you will spend the rest of the afternoon, eat a hearty dinner and then sleep.

Today’s trekking leg is an undulating route that begins with tackling the steepest part of the entire route – the Barranco Wall. Every now and then you may need your hands to hold on tight, but no fears: there are no alpine climbing passages and it’s less intimidating than it looks. Safety is paramount as always and your guide will assist you during this section whenever necessary. After that, you will walk along the mountain ridge with a fantastic view of the southern glaciers of Kibo and the Kibo summit. You will continue to Karanga Camp where you will break for a warm lunch. After some rest there is the option to continue towards Barafu Camp for better acclimatization before returning to Karanga Camp for the night.

Today you will walk along a trail that continues to pass through the afro-alpine desert right up until your destination at the Barafu Camp. This camp is situated at an altitude of 4640 meters and will be reached in about 3 to 4 hours. After a relaxing afternoon and a big evening meal, it’s advisable to get an early night in anticipation of an early start the following morning.

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 5730m, making it the highest camp on the mountain. If the weather conditions are good, Crater Camp offers you staggering views of the surrounding glaciers.

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 (5895m). 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 (3080m) which is approx. 3 hours away. Here you will have an evening meal followed by a relaxing evening and a good night’s sleep.

The final day of your Kilimanjaro adventure begins after breakfast with a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain guides and porters. Then, a gentle 2 -3 hrs descent leads you back through the rainforest to Mweka Gate where your driver will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Moshi. Once there, you may choose to relax and stay at the pool, idly doze away in your room or head to the bar to toast your accomplishment with a couple of drinks.