Explore! Kilimanjaro - Lemosho Trek

• Meals: 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 9 dinners
• Accommodation: 7 night simple camping, 2 nights standard lodge
• Explore Tour Leader
• Transport
• Small group size between: 10-16

• 7 day ascent – Maximise your summit chances and enjoyment by climbing slowly and allowing more time for acclimatisation
• Wild camps – Enjoy wild camping in magnificent, scenic locations
• Trek crew – Climb with some of the best and most experienced leaders, guides, porters and cooks on the mountain

Day 1: Moshi

Your Kilimanjaro adventure starts today in the peaceful surrounds of our comfortable pre and post trek accommodation in Moshi – the Weru Weru River Lodge, from where there are great views of the mountain. Depending on your arrival time, you can relax by the pool before your briefing with the trek leader, who will provide you with the essential information for your trek to the roof of Africa.

Day 2: Lemosho Glades to Big Tree Forest Camp

After a drive through farmland and plantations we reach the Londorossi National Park Gate on the western side of Kilimanjaro. We continue from there to the Lemosho roadhead at 2100 m from where we start our trek up the mountain. We will climb steadily through the lush forest of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree Camp (2780 m). Porters will assist throughout the trek carrying your trek kitbag. You only need to carry what you will need for the day – waterproofs, camera, water bottle, extra fleece, sunhat, packed lunch and three litres of drinking water.

Day 3: Shira One Camp

Today we trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. Our destination for today is the camp at Shira One (3,500 m), from where there are often views of Kibo Peak, seemingly floating on the clouds. We gain a reasonable amount of altitude today and parts of the route are fairly steep.

Day 4: Shira Two Camp (3,900m)

Today we have the chance to view the Northern Ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. Our steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will help with acclimatisation and we enjoy great panoramic views. Our tents will be set up for us at the Shira Two Camp (3,900m). In the afternoon we will take an acclimatisation walk to the junction of the trail to the Moir Hut.

Day 5: Lava Tower to Barranco

Today’s walk is longer and perfect for our acclimatisation as we will ascend to a high point of 4640 m before descending to a lower altitude for the night. Our trek starts with an ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking in to the climatic zone of the upland desert and on the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. We reach the distinct pinnacle of the Lava Tower (4,640 m), our high point for the day and a great place to enjoy a leisurely lunch. In the afternoon we make a steep descent to our camp for the night, located in the base of the Great Barranco Valley (3,960 m), sheltered by towering cliffs but with extensive views of the plains below.

Day 6: Karanga Camp via the Barranco Wall

Our trekking today starts with a steep ascent of the Barranco Wall, a rocky cliff almost 260 metres high that is believed to have been created by a huge landslide around 100,000 years ago. The trail wends its way up the ‘Wall’ and there are sections of what could be termed as light scrambling where you will be pulling yourself up over the rocks and it’s easiest to put your trekking poles away. You don’t need any technical ability and we will take it slowly. The climb leads to an undulating trail on the south eastern side of Kibo providing us with great views of the Southern Ice fields, if we are lucky with the weather.

Day 7: Barafu Camp

This morning we make a steep climb out of the Karanga Valley following an easy path on compacted scree constantly gaining altitude with good views, until we reach our camp at Barafu (4,640 m). This afternoon we rest in preparation for the final night time ascent, and plan to get a very early night!

Day 8: Kilimanjaro summit ascent descend to Millennium Camp

Today we make our final ascent to the summit at 5,895 m before descending over 2000 m to our last camp site. It is undoubtedly a long and strenuous day, particularly with the high altitude and extreme cold. We plan to make a midnight start as at this time the scree and potential snow are still frozen and our aim is to have summited and descended before the top layer of scree becomes wet and slippery. Our path zigzags up the scree and after passing Rebmann Glacier, we reach Stella Point (5,685 m) on the crater rim. Although at times you may be able to walk for only 10 paces before you have to stop and rest, there is no doubt that it is all worth it when you reach the top. From Stella Point we continue around the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 5,895 m. After time to enjoy your achievement and take those all important photographs at the famous summit sign, we descend back down the scree to Barafu Camp for a rest and something to eat. It’s then a virtual continuous descent down to the Millennium Camp at 3,790 m where the air feels positively oxygen rich in comparison to where we have just ventured!

Day 9: Mweka Gate

After a well-deserved night’s sleep and rest, our final day on trek takes us down through the lush beauty of the rainforest, enjoying the increasing warmth and richness of the mountain air. The trail end is at the Mweka gate (1,630 m) from where we travel by road to Moshi and back to the comforts of our lodge. We will have a well-earned lunch on arrival back in Moshi.

Day 10: Trip ends in Moshi

The day is left free to relax after the trek before the trip ends mid-afternoon. Weather permitting, we may be treated to some final views of Kilimanjaro from our lodge. Depending on the time of your flight you may like to join an optional game drive around the Momella Lakes area in Arusha National Park which is famed for its high giraffe population as well as elephants, hippos and buffaloes.

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 1 person travelling on a twin share basis. People sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.

All of Explore group tours are planned and operated on a twin-share basis, meaning that the standard cost is based either on individual travellers sharing accommodation with another group member of the same sex, or people who book together sharing accommodation.

Please contact Travel Club Elite on 0800 707 6229 to find out more information about booking a single room option. For Self-Guided trips the Single Room supplement offers the option of a single room each and is charged per person. The Single Room supplement also applies to the third person in a party of three that will be accommodated in a single room.