Lemosho Route

Hiking approximately time: 3 ½ hours distance: approximately 5.4 km habitat: montane forest Your day starts early with a briefing, followed by breakfast and a 3-4hours drive from Arusha/ Moshi to the Londorossi Park Gate (2100m). after registration formality, we continue by vehicle, a further 12km on a forest track that leads to the Lemosho starting point (2244m). The group continues upwards towards their drop off point by off-road vehicles (reaching 3,500 meters). Here you can see a spectacular view of the Shira Plateau for the first time. The route from your drop off point to your first high-altitude camp Shira 2 features a moderate gain in altitude and is not too physically challenging. Due to this, you will be able to properly begin the process of acclimatization. By the time you reach at the camp, you will find our crew already set your tent .the crew will prepare everything necessary, dinner and overnight .

Hiking approximately time: 8 hours approximately distance: 15.6 km Habitat: Moorland Wake up early morning for breakfast start walking through the forest which may take an hour to the end of the forest and then the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. Several streams are crossed. After 8.1 km we reach Shira 1 camp (3504m) located on the Western edge of the Shira Plateau where we stop for lunch. After lunch we hike across the Shira plateau for another 7.5km to the Shira 2 Camp, situated on the moorland meadows (3875m). From this point, you will be able to view the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. The crew will provide you washing water, before the chef serves dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing

• Distance: 6km
• Hiking Time: 2 hours
• Habitat: Moorland

A gentle walk across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of walks are available on the plateau making this an excellent acclimatization day. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on Earth.

• Distance: 7km
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
• Habitat: Semi Desert

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east towards the peak of Kibo and passing that junction. Here our path goes east, towards the Lava Tower, also called the Shark’s Tooth. Shortly after passing the Lava Tower, we meet the second junction that brings us to the Arrow Glacier. From here we continue down to the Barranco Hut, where we will rest, have dinner and overnight. Despite the fact that we did not changed elevation from the point where we started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for the summit.

• Distance: 5km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we take short scramble to the top of the Great Barranco and then a traverse over scree and ridges to the Karanga Valley, beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers. We will use this day also for acclimatization.

• Distance: 4km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Karanga and cross the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail, used for descend from the mountain later. From here we continue up to the Barafu Camp. Here we will rest, have dinner and prepare for the summit day. From Barafu you can enjoy the view of two volcanic cones Mawenzi and Kibo peaks,  and that view is quite spectacular and you should not miss it.

• Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
• Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
• Habitat: Arctic

An early start for the ascent to the rim of the Kibo Crater between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers. The last section before the rim can sometimes be snow-covered and an ice-axe or ski stick is useful for balance. At the rim we will reach Stella point, from where we have further hour to Uhuru Peak.  After a short stop for taking photos we descend to the Barafu Hut for a rest and lunch before continuing on past Millenium camp down to Mweka Hut in the giant heather zone on the forest edge. Those with the strength left from  the summit may wish to descend to the Reutsh Crater and visit the ice pinnacles of the Eastern Icefields. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at village to drive you back to hotel in Arusha.