Bantu Pori Journeys - The Lemosho Route
The Lemosho route is a remote, little used and beautiful all the way up to the Shira Plateau. The route is one of the few where the forests around the Lemosho Openings are inhabited by buffalo, elephant and other wildlife. This is a first highly recommended route on Kilimanjaro, Apart from a high level of summit success ratio, Lemosho Route is considered to have great views than any other established route on Mount Kilimanjaro.
The minimum duration for the Lemosho route is 6 days, however we strongly recommend hiking the route in 7 days. The additional 8th day will give your body more time to acclimatize, reducing the effects of altitude sickness and give you more time to rest before attempting the summit.
Arrival In Tanzania : Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. On arrival in Tanzania we will transfer roughly 1 hour to your hotel in Moshi town. You`ll have a short time to freshen up, and then have a briefing. Your guide will give you a briefing and ensure that you have all the gear/kits required for the trip. If you are missing essential equipment it can be rented for very cheap prices.
Our briefings will give you a clear view of the days to come from your personal guide and CEO, also you will be told your exact crew numbers and make up as well as get a chance to ask any questions.
Park View Hotel (Bed & Breakfast): Possibility to upgrade to more luxurious accommodation (at an extra cost) or downgrade to more economic options (price reduction).
Meals : Bed & Breakfast (Dinner not included)
Moshi Town To Londorosi Gate To (Mti Mkubwa) BigTree Camp :
Up and away. You will drive to Londorossi Gate where you will be registered by the national park authorities. Then you drive another 15 km into the dense rainforest to where you will start. A moderately steep path leads to the Big Tree Camp (2780 m). Look out for monkeys and interesting birds along the way. The tents will be already set up and hot tea and washing water will be waiting.
Elevation: 2750m
Driving Distance: 39.1kms/5 miles (54 Minutes)
Walking Distance From Gate To Camp: 7km / 4.3mi (3-4 Hours)
Habitat : Montane Forest
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
(Mti Mkubwa) Big Tree Camp To Shira 2 Camp :
After an early morning breakfast, you will begin your ascent out of the rainforest and into the heather moorland zone. You will cross many streams and walk over a plateau that leads to Shira 2 Camp (3840m). At this campsite, you will be next to a stream and have a spectacular view of the Western Breach and its glaciers in the East. Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up prior to arriving at camp and the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this exposed camp.
Elevation: 3505m
Walking Distance: 18 KM
Walking Time: 8 to 9 HRS
Habitat : Moorland Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Shira 2 To Lava Tower To Barranco Camp :You will gain 700m in altitude but descend to sleep at Barranco – 60 m higher than last night’s camp. This will help with acclimatisation as you will go up to 4600 m before descending again. Today begins with a long uphill in the direction of the Lava Tower Hut (4640m) and you will notice how the landscape changes to a rocky alpine desert. Later, the path descends again to the Barranco Valley with its giant Senecias and Lobelias. After six to seven hours you should arrive at the most beautiful camp on the mountain – the Barranco Camp.
Elevation: 3960 m
Walking Distance: 12KM
Walking Time: 7 Hours
Habitat : Semi-Desert Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Baranco camp To Karanga Camp:
Today will start with the daunting Barranco Wall. Soon you will realize it looks worse than it actually is, but there are tricky sections where you will need to hold on tight. Admire the views from the top.
The rest of the route follows along the mountain ridge into the Karanga valley and out. You reach Karanga Camp after lunch and you will have fantastic views of the southern glacier of Kibo as well as of the Kibo summit.
Elevation: 4035 m
Walking Distance: 5 km
Walking Time: 4 to 5 Hours
Habitat : Alpine desert Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp :
Following breakfast, you will leave Karanga Camp (3959m). The trail intersects with the Mweka Route, which is the trail used to descend on the final two days. As you continue hiking for an hour, you will reach Barafu Hut. This is the last water stop for the porters because there is no accessible water at Barafu Camp (4550m). The word “barafu” in Swahili means “ice” and this camp is located on a rocky, exposed ridge. Tents will be exposed to wind and rocks so it is important for hikers to familiarize themselves with the campsite before dark. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!.
Elevation: 4640 m
Walking Distance: 4 km
Walking Time: 2-3 Hours
Habitat : Alpine Desert Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Barafu Camp To Uhuru Peak, Down To Mweka Camp:
Your guide will wake you around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The route heads northwest and you will ascend over stone scree. During the ascent, many hikers feel that this is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the climb. In about 6 hours, you will reach Stella Point (5685m), located on the crater rim. After enjoying the magnificent sunrise, you will continue ascending for about 2 hours on a snow-covered trail to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins.
The hike down to Barafu Camp takes about 3 hours.At camp, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Mweka Hut (3100m). The Mweka Trail will lead you through the scree and rocks to the moorland and eventually into the rain forest. Mweka Camp (3100m) is located in the upper rain forest, so fog and rain should be expected. You will have a dinner, wash, and rest soundly at camp.
Elevation: Up 5895m, Down 3100m
Walking Distance: Approx. 7 Km ascent and 23 Km descent
Walking Time: 8 hrs to reach Uhuru Peak, 7-8 hrs to descend to Mweka
Habitat : Stone scree and Ice-capped summit Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi :
After a well-deserved breakfast, it is a short, scenic, 3-hour hike back to the park gate. Don't give your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely, but do remember to tip your staff at the gate. At Mweka Gate, you can sign your name and add details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Climbers who reached Stella Point are issued green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate, you will continue down to the Mweka Village, possibly a muddy, 3 km, 1 hour hike if the road is too muddy for vehicles. In the Mweka Village you will be served a delicious hot lunch after which you are driven back to Moshi for an overdue hot shower and comfortable night at your hotel in Moshi.
Park View Hotel (Bed & Breakfast): Possibility to upgrade to more luxurious accommodation (at an extra cost) or downgrade to more economic options (price reduction).
Meals : Bed & Breakfast (Dinner not included)
Departure Date/Flight Day :
A long and short safari, Zanzibar holiday or Mafia island adventure can be arranged right after your trek or at the beginning of your trek with us. If you wish to explore round Moshi Town and visit some of it's local attractions and people, you'll need to spend another overnight. We have put together a list of Moshi destinations. View Them Here
If not, You will be transfered to the airport ready for you flight back home or onward to your next destination.
No Accommodation : Check-out time is 10:30am
Meals : Breakfast (Lunch & Dinner not included)