8 Days/7 Nights: KILIMANJARO SUMMIT TREK VIA LEMOSHO GLADES

Highlights;-

A more challenging as compared all other routes

Accommodation: Tents

Standard Duration: 6 Days. The climb will take one across thing rain forest belt then in to heath and moorland.- The trail sometimes has very steep passages and goes through diverse landscapes before you join Machame route.

1 Night each before and after the climb in either Moshi or Arusha

About Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro, located in East Africa is a sight to behold, even from a distance. It is the highest mountain in Africa, but the tallest free standing Mountain in the world. It rises from the coastal floor a whopping 19,336 feet into the air. It is not as steep or treacherous as climbing many of the higher elevations in the world, and the record speed to the top is around five hours, with the round trip record in just 8. It is the highest rising mountain in the African continent with the peak of over nineteen thousand feet (19000ft)above sea level. Among the freestanding mountains in Africa, it is the highest. The view of the Kilimanjaro National Park is also breathtaking, and you get a great view while climbing the mountain. There are six different routes to the summit, as well as more challenging routes for climbing.

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Day 1: Kilimanjaro Airport - Moshi/Moshi

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to Moshi. The rest of the day will be yours to enjoy at leisure. You will spend the night at the Sal Salinero Hotel or Mount Meru Hotel
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast

Day 2: Arusha/Moshi - Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa (8,692 ft.)

Hike time: 3hrs
Elevation Change +650 M
Estimation distance: 10 km
Final Elevation 2650 M
A three-hour drive from our hotel in Machame brings us to the Londorossi Park Gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. At the gate, we pick up our game ranger who will accompany us, as we might encounter elephants and buffaloes during our trek. We drive to the trailhead at Lemosho Glades and start our trek through the rain forest. In places, the vegetation is so untouched that it grows right across the narrow track. The flora and fauna are richer here than on the other more popular routes through the rain forest. Our trek today will be along a little used track known as Chamber’s Route. In about 3-4hours, we reach our camp in the rain forest at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree).

Day 3: Mti Mkubwa to Shira One Camp (11,841 ft.)

Hike time: 5 - 6 hrs,
Elevation change +950 M
Estimation distance: 12 km
Final Elevation 3,610 M
After breakfast, we start the climb cross the remaining rain forest towards the giant moorland zone. Today is a full day trek with an altitude gain of 2,000 ft. A great lunch stop is One, a beautiful valley just outside the Shira Crater at around 10,000 ft. After lunch, we cross into the Shira Caldera, a high altitude desert plateau that is rarely visited. Shira is the third of Kilimanjaro volcanic cones, and is filled with lava flow from Kibo Peak. The crater rim has been decimated by weather and volcanic action. Today you will get your first close views of Kibo - the dramatic summit of Kilimanjaro.

Day 4: Shira One Camp to Shira Two Camp (12,628 ft.)

Hike time: 5 to 6 hrs Elevation change: +240 M
Elevation distance: 5 km Final elevation: 3,850
After breakfast continue hike east across the Shira Plateau past the Shira Cathedral towards Shira T camp. We only gain 700 feet in elevation - this allows us to acclimatize slowly to the altitude. The views of the plateau are nothing less than spectacular.

Day 5: Shira Two Camp to Barranco Hut (12,956 ft.)

Hike time: 5 hours
Elevation change: + 100m
Estimated distance: 6km
Final elevation: 3950m
Today is the last of the “easy days”. It is about a 7-hour hike. We pass the Lava Tower, around the southern flank of Kibo, and slowly descend into the spectacular Barranco Valley, interspersed with giant lobelia and senecia plants. After arriving at our most spectacular campsite, everyone stands in awe at the foot of Kibo Peak, looming high above, on our left. Our camp is only 465 feet higher than where we were last night, but during the day, we will have climbed to just over 14,000 feet. This is one of our most valuable days for acclimatization.

Day 6: Barranco Hut to Karanga Valley (13,743 ft.)

Hike time: 3.5 hours, Elevation
change: +240m (787 ft);
Estimated distance: 4km,
Maximum elevation: 4190m,
Final elevation: 4000m
On the eastern side of the valley, across the stream is the Barranco Wall-a 950ft. barrier of volcanic rock. Although it is tall and looks steep, it is very easy to climb. This is our first challenge of the day. The views from the wall are nothing less than magnificent. The rest of the day is spent skirting the base of Kibo peak over our left shoulder. We descend down into the Karanga Valley, where we rest up for the night before the tough climb up to Barafu hut.

Day 7: Karanga Valley to Barafu Camp (15,088 ft.)

Hike time: 3.5 hrs,
Elevation changes: +410 M (1,345 ft)
Estimated distance: 4km,
Final elevation: 4600 M
First thing, you will be making a steep hike out of the valley. The air starts getting quite thin, and you will be running short of breath. It is a tough, but rewarding uphill to the rocky, craggy slopes at the camp. Barafu means ice in Swahili, and it is extremely cold at this altitude. So, go to bed early because we will be waking you at midnight for the final leg to Uhuru Peak.

Day 8: Barafu to Uhuru Peak (19,340 ft.) to Mweka Camp (9,550 ft.)

SUMMIT DAY!
Summit time: 7 hrs,
Elevation change: +1300m
Estimated distance: 5km,
Final elevation: 5896m
Descent time: 5 hrs,
Elevation change: -2800m
estimated distance: 12km,
Final elevation: 3100m
Dress warmly, because we start climbing around midnight, on the steepest and most demanding part of the mountain. The moon, if out, will provide enough light, and we will reach the crater rim by sunrise, after a 7 hour hike, to welcome a new dawn.Fromthecrater rim,rugged Mawenzi Peak is a thrilling sight, with the Kibo saddle still in darkness beneath you, and the crater’s ice-walls looming ahead. We now continue to Uhuru Peak(1-2hrs.) This is the highest point in Africa, and the world’s highest solitary peak (19,340 ft). It is the best view in Africa!
The descent is invigorating. It is a good idea to have a little rest once in a while as you continue down back to Barafu camp (4hours), and then down the Mweka route to Mweka camp(5hours).This is where we spend our last night on the mountain.

Day 9: Descend - Transfer to Moshi/Arusha

Descent time: 4 hrs,
Elevation change: -1250m
estimated distance: 10km,
Final elevation: 1828 M in the morning we walk down to the road head. This takes about 3 - 31/2 hours. After a welcome lunch, it is time to say “kwaheri” to the porters. We then get a transfer back to Arusha/Namanga.

 

ENQUIRE

 

Cost Includes:

• All transport by private vehicle to and from the mountain
• Accommodation as detailed on the itinerary.
• Services of a private mountain guide, cook and adequate porters to carry both trip provisions and client's private bags.
• National Park entrance, accommodation and camping fees.
• All food and catering equipment - breakfasts, lunches (packed when necessary) and evening meals prepared by our own cook. Special dietary requirements are catered for with prior arrangements at no extra cost.
• Certificate of Achievement /appreciation from us.
• Free storage of excess baggage not required on the mountain hike.
• Crisis management apparatus - VHF 2-way radio, basic first aid kit and an on call vehicle.

Cost excludes:

• Travel and personal accident insurance.
• Visa, passport, vaccinations, medicines.
• Personal Mountain equipment.
• Tips.
• Expenditure on alcoholic drinks, souvenirs and other personal items.
• Optional excursions not detailed in the itinerary.
• Additional optional accommodation added at the base hotel or extra days on the mountain added.
• Treated drinking water other than boiled.
• Extra costs incurred in case of own intentional change of itinerary while already on trek.

Note;- Porters to carry excess of 16Kg. personal luggage

 

Suggested Mountain Climb Equipment

• T-shirts (synthetic materials are best as cotton retains moisture)
• Waterproof thigh-length jacket (Goretex or similar)
• Gloves (waterproof warm outers + thin liners)
• Warm hat (or balaclava) that covers the ears
• Waterproof walking boots (well broken-in)
• Waterproof outer trousers _ Warm mid-layer (fleece or down)
• Warm long-sleeved shirt _ Warm walking trousers (not jeans!)
• Thermal underwear _ Walking socks (several pairs)
• Walking shorts
• Trainers or soft shoes for relaxing
• Sun-hat
• Gaiters

Equipment:

• Glacier glasses (or good quality sunglasses/  preferably with side shields)
• Personal first aid kit & essential medication
• Wet wipes
• Warm sleeping bag (3/4-season)
• Sleeping bag liner
• Trekking pole(s) - can be hired locally
• Small towel
• Head torch & spare batteries
• Spare plastic bags
• Water bottle(s) - minimum 3 litres capacity
• High factor sunscreen & lip salve
• High energy snacks, dried fruit, nuts, sweets, etc. NB: hang on to some till the last day - you’ll appreciate them more!
• A small bottle of cordial or squash concentrate (to liven up the -flat- taste of boiled water)