Kilimanjaro - Lemosho Route 10 Days

Tour Programm

1. Day: "Karibu" means "Welcome" in Tanzania.
Your Tanzania journey begins with your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport. After obtaining your visa and collecting your luggage, your driver will be waiting for you outside the airport building. From here, you'll travel by SUV for approximately 50 minutes to Moshi. The lovingly and freshly renovated lodge with a pool is beautifully situated at the foothills of Kilimanjaro, and with a bit of luck, you might catch a glimpse of it - the water bringer, as the Tanzanians call it. Due to the volcanic ash from historical eruptions, the entire region is situated at around 1000 meters above sea level, yet you won't even notice it. You'll check in and take some time to savor the African flair.

• Accommodation: Moivaro Coffee Lodge

 
2. Day: Off to the Londorosi Gate - Starting via the Lemosho Route to the Mti Mkubwa Camp, 2780m

From your lodge in Moshi, you'll head to the Londorossi National Park Gate. Here, you'll register for the Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park. Once all the luggage is stored and divided, the tour can begin. The hike to the Mti Mkubwa Camp is an easy route. "Pole Pole" - you'll need to get used to the slow walking pace first. You'll ascend along a forest trail through the tropical rainforest with endemic flowers. You'll encounter colobus monkeys and tropical birds along the way. Once you arrive at the camp, you can enjoy the surroundings and dinner at a pleasant temperature. The initial excitement is usually gone by now.

• Walking time: 3 - 4 hours, Distance: 7 Km, Elevation gain: 680m

• Accommodation: Kili Tent Camp - Meals: B / L / D

 
3. Day: Through the moorland to the Shira I Camp

Today is already dedicated to the first acclimatization. After breakfast with porridge, fresh fruit, and toast, a short stage begins. However, it doesn't mean it's easy-going, as you'll need to overcome about 500 meters of elevation gain over steep and rocky terrain. Today, you'll also find your personal rhythm for walking. After about 2 hours, you'll leave the rainforest behind, and the landscape opens up. The path through the heath and moorland is lined with 2 to 3-meter-high Erica trees. Further along, you'll encounter the first Senecios. Don't be surprised if the team of porters casually overtakes you with their tents, giving you encouraging pats on the shoulder as they pass. After about 5 hours, you'll reach the Shira I Camp at 3,520 meters amidst the Shira Plateau. On clear weather days, you can see the north-western flank of Kilimanjaro. If there's still time, you can visit the Shira Caves.

• Walking time: 5-6 hours, Distance: 7 km, Elevation gain: 850 meters

• Accommodation:  Kili Tent Camp - Meals: B / L / D

 
4. Day: Change to the Shira II Camp, 3840m
Nestled in beautiful hilly landscape, your today's stage passes through the so-called Moorland. A long day lies ahead. As the paths become steeper, the vegetation flattens, giving way to heath and moorland scenery. After crossing the Shira Ridge at 3,600 meters, you'll reach the Shira I Camp around noon. After a rest, you'll continue steadily ascending, albeit gently, to the Shira II Camp, and if time permits, to the Shira Cathedral - for better acclimatization. The varied ups and downs make this stage particularly special. This area is characteristic of the Lemosho Route. The path leads across a plateau to the day's destination, the Shira II Camp at 3,840 meters. It's situated on a moorland meadow by a glacier stream. From today, your water source is pure glacier water. You'll be treated to magnificent views of the Kibo, Shira, and Mount Meru. Walking time approximately 8 hours, distance 16 km.​

• Accommodation:  Kili Tent Camp - Meals: B / L / D

5. Day: Glacier stream and Lava Tower to Barranco Camp, 3980m

You have already adapted well to the altitude, so let's continue. Today, you'll hike through a stone desert, the so-called "alpine desert," for about 4-5 hours, until you reach the Lava Tower on the southern flank of Kibo at approximately 4,590 meters. At the Lava Tower camp, you'll spend 2 hours for altitude acclimatization and lunch. At this altitude of 4,600 meters, it's a good indicator of how well you tolerate the height. If the weather is good and you feel strong, as experienced climbers, you can climb the Lava Tower during the lunch break. Afterwards, it's all downhill today, descending into the Barranco Valley, where the famous "Breakfast Wall" rises. Now, the Machame and Lemosho routes have merged. That's why the guides also call the Barranco Camp "Little City." Along the way, you'll pass mystical Lobelias and Senecios. These are impressive, centuries-old plants that capture the water they need from the passing clouds on the mountainside. The goal of today's stage is the Barranco Camp. For the first time, you'll see the overhanging Rebmann Glacier directly in front of you. The sunrise at the Barranco Camp is a special spectacle. Once the Barranco Wall is in the sun, you start climbing it. A little blocky climb is a welcome change from hiking. When you've passed the "kissing rock," you'll be right on top of the wall.

• Walking time: 7 - 8 hours, Distance: 10 km

• Accommodation:  Kili Tent Camp - Meals: B / L / D

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6. Day: Over the "Breakfast Wall" into the stone desert to the Karanga Camp, 4035m

Today, you'll conquer the Barranco rock wall, also known as the "Breakfast Wall." The name comes from the fact that this passage is usually tackled right after breakfast. But don't worry, no mountaineering skills are required. No participant has ever failed here. A steep ascent leads over the rocky ridge to approximately 4,300m. To the left, you'll see the Western Breach flank, where Reinhold Messner prepared for Everest. The glacier is within reach. From the top, you'll have a breathtaking view of the immense dimensions of the Kibo crater. Take the famous cloud leap for your photo album. The path continues uphill and downhill in an easterly direction to the Karanga Camp.

• Walking time: 4-5 hours, Distance: 6 km, Elevation gain: 680m​

• Accommodation:  Kili Tent Camp - Meals: B / L / D

7. Day: Short distance from Karanga to Barafu Camp, 4650m

Die langen Etappen sind geschafft. Sie bleiben jetzt über 4.000 Höhenmeter, konstant geht es weiter hinauf. Von hier an führt der Pfad bergauf durch Geröllfelder bis zum Camp Barafu. Sie wandern heute nicht sehr lange, um nicht zu viel Höhe zu gewinnen und um Kraft für den Gipfel zu sammeln. Gänzlich in der alpinen Steinwüste angekommen, wird die Vegetation immer spärlicher, jedoch werden Sie mit grandiosen Ausblicken auf den Mawenzi und den Kibo entschädigt. Der Weg führt weiter stetig bergan durch eine zunehmend graue und steinige Landschaft. Die Schieferplatten klirren in verschiedenen Tonlagen unter ihren Bergstiefeln. Die letzte Übernachtung vor dem Uhuru Peak auf 5.895 m erfolgt im Barafu Camp. 

• Gehzeit: 3 - 4h, Strecke 4 km, 620 hm

• Accommodation:  Kili Tent Camp - Meals: B / L / D

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8. Day: Summit push to Uhuru Peak, 5895m - Descending to Millennium Camp, 3850m

Today is the day! You'll be awakened shortly after midnight. The final stage to the summit of Kilimanjaro begins. The most challenging and fascinating day starts in the middle of the night. In the light of your headlamp, you'll follow the person in front of you. At this moment, you become one with the mountain. The trail leads over loose, steep scree slopes. A cold wind blows at this altitude. Eventually, you'll notice a faint red strip on the horizon. The sun rises, bathing the mountain in pink light. It's a sight you can hardly get enough of. With the sun comes your strength. Your conditioning pays off now as you pass Stella Point. The crater rim is reached. Luckily, it's not far to Uhuru Peak now: you savor every single step. After another hour on the flat crater rim, you've made it. Standing at the highest point in Africa, enjoying the magnificent view, all burdens are lifted from you. A feeling of pure happiness overwhelms you. After taking it all in, you begin the descent via the Mweka Route. The way to Barafu Hut takes only about half the time of the ascent. Now, the use of poles is indispensable. After a lunch break, you continue down to the Mweka Camp. You'll notice the air becoming richer in oxygen. Arriving at the Mweka Camp, all altitude symptoms have disappeared, and you sleep content and happy.

• Walking time: 14-16 hours, Distance: 19 km; Ascent: 1250m and Descent: 2820m

• Accommodation: Kili Tent Camp - Meals: B / L / D

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9. Day: With summit success in your backpack, to the Mweka Gate, 1,640m

Die letzten Tage waren fordernd und Sie haben in der letzten Nacht sicherlich wunderbar geschlafen. Die angenehm warme frische Luft ist herrlich und weckt die Lebensgeister. Nach dem langen und anstrengenden gestrigen Gipfeltag erreichen Sie heute nach 3-4 Stunden wandern das Mweka Gate. Im Regenwald schauen Sie zurück zum glänzenden Gipfel und können kaum glauben, diesen gestern bezwungen zu haben. Nach dem Check-out am Mweka Gate verabschieden Sie sich von Ihrer herzlichen Bergmannschaft (Guide und Träger) und werden zurück zum Hotel gefahren. Nach einem Bier und der ersehnten Dusche (in dieser Reihenfolge) können Sie hier den Gipfelerfolg ausgiebig am Pool vom Hotel feiern. 

• Gehzeit 4 h, Strecke im Regenwald 11km, 1.400 hm Abstieg​

• Accommodation:  Kili Tent Camp - Meals: B / L / -

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10. Day: Homeward journey or beach vacation in Zanzibar

The Kilimanjaro adventure has come to an end, and now it's time to bid farewell to the proud highest mountain in Africa, which often hides itself. According to your departure time, we have organized your shuttle, which will take you to Kilimanjaro Airport on time. Of course, you can also take the opportunity to reward yourself for your efforts and add a beach vacation in Zanzibar, Pemba, or Mafia according to your wishes. In this case, we will book you a domestic flight to Stone Town/Zanzibar, which can be reached in about 50 minutes of flight time, and you will stay in the resort of your choice. Most airlines offer direct flights from Zanzibar back to Europe. We are happy to advise you on this journey.​​

• Meals: B / - / -

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(B-L-D) B=Breakfast L=Lunchpaket D=Dinner