10 Days Lemosho Route

Day 1: Arrival

As you touch down at Kilimanjaro International Airport, a warm Tanzanian welcome awaits you! Your designated guide will escort you directly to your hotel, where you can unwind and immerse yourself in the vibrant African ambiance. The following day, embark on an exclusive, personalized safari adventure led by your guide, granting you the freedom to explore at your leisurely pace.

Reasons to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro

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Day 2: Drop Off (3500 M/ 11,483 FT) - Shira 1 (3505 M/ 11,499 FT)

Embark on your extraordinary journey along the Lemosho Route. Your guide will collect you in the morning for a scenic 4-hour drive to the western entrance of Kilimanjaro National Park (2,200 m). The route meanders through stunning tropical rainforests. Upon reaching the drop-off point at 3,500 meters, revel in the panoramic vista of the Shira plateau. The initial trek to the first camp is relatively level, allowing you to acclimate gradually to the high altitude.

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Day 3: Shira 1 (3505 M/ 11,499 FT) - Shira 2 Camp (3900 M/ 12,795 FT)

Depart from Shira 1 Camp (3,505 m) in the morning for Shira 2 Camp (3,900 m). This leg of the journey offers breathtaking landscapes and an array of unique flora as you ascend. On clear days, Shira 2 Camp offers a perfect vantage point to behold Mount Meru, Africa's fifth peak. Following lunch, engage in an acclimatization hike to Lava Tower Camp (with an elevation gain of 200m) to enhance your summit prospects and mitigate the risk of altitude sicknes

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Day 4: Shira 2 Camp (3900 M/ 12,795 FT) - Lava Tower (4630 M/ 15,190 FT) - Barranco Camp (3960 M/ 12,992 FT)

Merge onto the Machame route on day 3 as you journey from Shira Camp 2 to the magnificent Lava Tower at 4,630 m (15,190 ft). This section of the climb boasts numerous ascents and descents, offering stunning vistas along the way. As it's a lengthy hike, you may begin to feel the effects of the altitude, so finding the right pace is essential for acclimation. After lunch, descend to Barranco Camp at the base of Barranco Wall.

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Day 5: Barranco Camp (3960 M/ 12,992 FT) - Karanga Camp (4035 M/ 13,238 FT)

from Barranco Camp after breakfast for the Barranco Wall. Many climbers consider this the highlight of their journey. From atop the Barranco Wall, enjoy a spectacular view of Kibo Volcano and Mount Meru.
Subsequently, embark on a more challenging hike to reach Karanga Camp. This route involves numerous ascents and descents, so maintaining an appropriate pace is crucial. After lunch at the camp, take a rest before considering an acclimatization hike toward Barafu Camp.

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Day 6: Karanga Camp (4035 M/ 13,238 FT) - Barafu Camp (4640 M/ 15,223 FT)

Commence your hike to Barafu Camp after breakfast. This camp serves as the launching point for your ascent to Uhuru Peak, the summit of Kilimanjaro! Arrival at the camp is expected around lunchtime. Take a rest, regain your strength, then embark on an acclimatization hike to Kosovo Summit Camp (4800m) and return. Relish breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and acquaint yourself with high-altitude camping as you prepare for the final push to the summit around midnight.

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Day 7: Barafu Camp (4640 M/ 15,223 FT) - Uhuru Peak (5895 M/ 19,340 FT) - Millenium Camp (3820 M/ 12,532 FT)

Today marks the culmination of your journey! Commence your ascent from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak around midnight. The climb follows well-established trails, with the high altitude posing the greatest challenge. Upon reaching the summit, behold a breathtaking sunrise, a truly impressive sight at this elevation! Following a brief celebration atop the peak, begin your gradual descent to the picturesque Millennium Camp.

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Day 8: Millenium Camp (3820 M/ 12,532 FT) - Mweka Gate (1650 M/ 5,413 FT) - Hotel

Located in a tropical rainforest, the Millennium Camp welcomes you on your final morning. Experience a pleasant sensation as you wake, owing to the decrease in altitude and the fulfillment of reaching the summit. Following breakfast, embark on an easy walk to the park exit. Your driver awaits to transport you back to the hotel for a well-deserved rest!

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Day 9 - 10: Final Day and Flight Back to Home

On your final day, luxuriate a while longer at the lodge, basking in relaxation before our driver escorts you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your homeward-bound flight, tailored to suit your departure schedule.

Gear

There are five ecological zones on Mount Kilimanjaro, each with its own climate and weather characteristics. Climbers are required to have the right gear to stay warm, dry and comfortable in a wide range of weather conditions. Typically, it is warm and humid in the rainforest, at the start of your trek. Then as you climb higher, it becomes colder and drier in the moorland and alpine desert zone. The summit can be extremely cold and windy, as being in the arctic zone would suggest. Climbing Kilimanjaro is like hiking from summer to winter in a matter of days. Your apparel will reflect this as well. You will need technical clothing such as a waterproof jacket, fleece jacket and several base layers. Cold weather gear such as hats, gloves, down jacket, and a warm sleeping bag are essential.

You are responsible for bringing personal gear and equipment while communal equipment (tents, food, cooking items, etc.) is provided. For clients who have hiking and backpacking experience, you will already have most if not all of the gear on the list. If you are starting from scratch, then it will take some time and money to assemble the items. Also consider renting gear from shops or borrowing gear from friends if possible to reduce the cost.

Training

We recommend training for at least two months prior to your departure. For those who are new to hiking, it would be smart to train longer. For those who are regular hikers, you will likely perform fine just keeping your regular routine. Doing day hikes is a great way to prepare though it’s entirely possible to train exclusively on a stair master machine if you don’t have access to trails.

Attitude Training

In fact, a person who is in phenomenal shape but can’t acclimatize will perform worse than a person who is in poor shape but acclimatizes well. There are things you can do to pre-acclimatize, or prepare for high altitude, before your climb. For instance, you can spend some time at high altitude immediately before your trip. If that is impractical due to timing, you can take a trip or two to high elevation destinations and hike – just to test your body’s response. You can also use an altitude training system and pre-acclimatize in your own home.

Medical Check

It is a good idea to be medically cleared for climbing by your doctor. Your age, fitness level, health, and pre-existing medical conditions may preclude you from high altitude trekking. Our minimum fitness requirements are that each climber must have a resting heart rate of under 100 beats per minute.

Vaccination

There are NO mandatory vaccinations, immunizations or medications to enter Tanzania. However, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends many vaccines for travel to East Africa. We encourage you to discuss your travel plans with a medical professional to determine which vaccinations and medications you should get.

Insurance

Travel insurance is required to participate on our trips. Standard travel insurance provides coverage for trip cancellation, interruption, and delay; lost, stolen and damaged baggage; medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation; and luggage delay. Your travel insurance must also cover high altitude trekking up to 6,000 meters. This insurance will make you eligible for rescue by helicopter from Kilimanjaro MedAir, a private company. Clients must be able to provide proof of insurance to staff upon request or they will not be allowed to participate.