Lemosho (Shira) Route
8 DAYS TREKKING ITINERARY
Destinations
Arusha City, Londorossi Gate, Mti Mkubwa Camp, Shira I Camp, Shira Camp II, Baranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp, Uhuru Peak, Mweka Camp, Mweka Gate Via kilimanjaro
Route Overview
This is the longest and expensive route to ascend the famous mountain over all other routes though it has the most spectacular panoramas, better acclimatization opportunities, higher success rates and low crowds Roads are very difficult and impassable during the rain season and can be accessible only with 4WD vehicles.
To enjoy this route, it requires highest level of fitness by Climbers and the completed route takes minimum of 8 days duration period with an additional of 1-night on arrival and a day during departure. Usually accommodation at this route is on camping and Climbers will encounter low traffic joins the Machame route.
DAY BY DAY
full Itinerary
Day 1: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) – Arusha City (1400 m)
Welcome to Tanzania!
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will meet our professional guide and you will be chauffeured to Mount Meru Hotel in Arusha City for relaxation, trip briefing and overnight stay.
Day 2: Arusha – Londorossi Gate (2,100 m) – Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650 m)
Next to your breakfast at Mount Meru Hotel, we will depart with picnic lunches through the rural countryside to the Londrossi Gate for entry formalities. Before driving further to the Lemosho Trailhead, you will enjoy a picnic lunch and thereafter commence your trek. NB: The road to the trail can become very muddy and at certain time of the year may be impossible for vehicles to pass. Therefore you will complete the walk on foot accompanied by an Armed Ranger as elephant, buffalo can be seen along the way.
The trail offers a gradual ascent and slight descent into the Lemosho Glades before arriving at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp located within the upper reaches of the montane forest zone for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Mti Mkubwa Camp – Shira I Camp (3,609 m)
After breakfast around 7. 00am, you will leave behind the rain forest with picnic lunch, then continue a walk descending through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams until you reach Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira I Camp where you will spend the night and spectaculars view of Kibo from across the plateau which is a breath-taking.
Day 4: Shira I Camp – Shira II Camp
This is an acclimatization day whereby you will explore the Shira plateau as you hike east towards Kibo’s peak which leads to Shira Camp II and it is located beneath northern ice fields of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
From there, you will ascend gently through the lower alpine moorland which is notable for its beautiful wild flowers and plants. The camp in the night is more exposed and will be windy and colder with temperatures often dropping below freezing point.
Day 5: Shira II Camp – Barranco Camp (3,948 m)
In the morning after a well-deserved breakfast, you will traverse the South West side of Kilimanjaro while passing the Lava Tower called the “Shark’s Tooth” at 4,267m then proceed with the final section of the Western Breach to the bottom of the Great Barranco Valley for relaxation, dinner enjoyment and overnight stay at Barranco Camp which is 7 hrs walks from Shira II Camp.
This route is very important despite your day ends at the same elevation but will help your body to prepare for summit day.
Day 6: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp (3,995 m)
Next to breakfast, it is now the time to conquer the Great Barranco Wall. However it may seems intimidating at the first glance but usually is much easier than anticipated and at the top you will have a view of Heim Glacier then the trail winds up and down in the Karanga Valley where you will have views of the summit from many different angles for enjoying the rest of your day as you have acclimatized enough.
Day 7: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp (4,600 m)
Morning after tea or coffee. You will have a steep climb up the eastern wall that leads to the Heim Glacier, then take a steep exit up the Great Barranco Wall which divides you from the south eastern slopes of Kibo and the trail continues down into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley and finally you will have a steep climb up to Karanga Camp for enjoyment, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Mweka Camp (3,068 m)
Once wake up, you will continue your trek into the early hours of the morning as you follow the trail between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers to Stella Point at 5,756m which is located on the Crater rim in time to watch the sunrise from the Roof of Africa. Here you will rest and take in the magnificent beauty around, continue along the snow covered trail to Uhuru Peak. Temperatures near the summit can range from -23 °C in the morning to just below freezing point during the night.
Upon arrival at the summit you will have the opportunity for a short rest and celebrate a successful climb.
You will then begin descent towards Barrafu Camp where you will enjoy a short rest before continuing to the Mweka Camp situated in the upper forest where you can expect mist or rain in the afternoon and you will spend your final night on the mountain.
DAY 9: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate (1,640 m) – Arusha City
A gentle walk takes you down through the rainforest to Mweka gate at 1,980 m where successful climbers will receive their summit certificates. After lunch, you will be driven back to Arusha City for overdue shower and more celebrations including overnight stay at Mout Meru Hotel.
DAY 10: ARUSHA CITY – KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Next to breakfast in the morning, we will transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for flight back home..
Depending on the flight schedule, we may organize for half day market visit for souvenir from Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre and Tanzanite Museum prior to departure
Package Includes
- Airport transfer on arrival and during departure
- Ground local Transport
- Climb briefing conducted by our Office Staff and Leading Guide prior to climb
- All park fees (including Mountain entrance, rescue and hut fees)
- All applicable government taxes
- Accommodation (Hotels, Huts and Tents) and meals as indicated in the confirmed itinerary
- Service of a Professionally Multi-linguistic linguistic mountain-guide and assistants (well-trained translator guide) with wide variety of skills:
- Cook service and adequate porters to carry both trip provisions and passenger private bags.
- Unlimited mineral drinking water while on trekking
- Comprehensive First aid Medical Kit.
- Emergency Oxygen at no extra charges
- Fingertip Pulse Oximeter, to measure client’s oxygen saturation and pulse rate daily.
- 24/7 radios/ phones communication
- Certificate of Appreciation for Climbing Achievement at the end of the exercise
Package Excludes
- International and domestic airfare
- AMREF Flying Doctors cover for medical evacuation which last for 30 days effective arrival date
- Tips to guides ($25), porter ($15) and Cook ($10) per guide per day per group
- Items of personal nature such as passport, visa, traveller’s insurance, bar drinks e.t.c
- Personal climbing gears which can be rented e.g sleeping bags
- Medical equipment which can be rented well in advance for the following costs: $250/group for hyperbaric chamber, $210/group for an emergency oxygen cylinder and $140/group for a stretcher. Please note these prices include a porter to carry the equipment.
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