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 7 days, however we strongly recommend hiking the route in 8 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 :
We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours; here we will complete entry formalities while guides and porters prepare equipment. We then continue to drive up a steep path to the Shira Gate where we will begin the hike. The trek starts through shrubs and giant heather until we reach Simba CampIn the morning we transfer to Londorossi (2385m), passing between the slopes of Kilimanjaro and the horseshoe-shaped volcanic crater of Mount Meru (a distance of about 120 km). After carrying out the necessary registration procedures, we drive on for a short distance through farmland and plantations to reach the Lemosho road head. The last 5 km of the road to the park gate is of poor quality, particularly after rain, and the drive there should be considered part of the adventure.
We will have our lunch in the glades before starting to walk. It is an easy day of walking up a small path through beautiful and lush forest, this area has a variety of game including buffalo. We camp at Lemosho Forest camp (2650 m) Full-service Camping.
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) BigTree Camp To Shira 1 Camp :
Today You Will Trek Across A Plateau Of Grassy Moorland And Heather Scattered With Volcanic Rock Formations. Our Destination For Today Is The Shira 1 Camp From Where There Are Often Views Of Kibo Peak Floating On The Clouds. We Gain A Reasonable Amount Of Altitude Today And Parts Of The Route Are Fairly Steep.
Elevation: 3500M
Walking Distance: 8.5KM / 5.3MI
Walking Time: 7 HRS
Habitat : Moorland Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Shira 1 To Shira 2 Camp :Today You Will Get 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 Acclimatization And We Enjoy Great Panoramic Views. Our Destination Today Is The Shira 2 Camp. In The Afternoon You Will Take An Acclimatization Walk Then Head Back To Camp For Dinner And Overnight.
Elevation: 3900M
Walking Distance: 8KM / 5MI
Walking Time: 5-4 Hours
Habitat : Moorland Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
shira 2 to Lava tower to baranco Baranco camp :
After breakfast, you will hike east up a steepening path above the highest vegetation toward Kilimanjaros looming mass. After several hours, you walk through a rocky landscape to reach the prominent landmark called Lava Tower at 4,630 m/15,190 ft. This chunky remnant of Kilimanjaros earlier volcanic activity is several hundred feet high, and the trail passes right below it. For extra credit, the sure-footed can scramble to the top of the tower. After a lunch stop near Lava Tower, descend for 2 hours below the lower cliffs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall to Barranco Camp at 3,950 m/12,960 ft. There are numerous photo opportunities on this hike, especially if the walls are festooned with ice. Barranco Camp is in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Walls, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for your dinner. On this day, be careful to notice any signs of altitude sickness.
Elevation: 3,950 m/12,960 ft
Walking Distance: 15 km
Walking Time: 6-7 Hours
Habitat : Semi Desert Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Baranco Camp to Karanga Camp :
After breakfast, we continue up a steep ridge to the great Barranco Wall, then you climb this imposing obstacle, which turns out to be easier than it looks. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you can now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. With Kibos glaciers soaring overhead, you descend into the lush Karanga Valley to the Karanga Valley campsite. From the camp, you can look east and see the jagged peaks of Mawenzi jutting into the African sky. After a hot lunch in camp, your afternoon is at leisure for resting or exploring. After two long days, this short day is very important for your acclimatization, since your summit push is about to start.
Elevation: 4,200 m/13,780 ft
Walking Distance: 7 km
Walking Time: 4-5 Hours
Habitat : Alpine Desert Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp :
In the morning, you hike east over intervening ridges and valleys to join the Mweka Route, which will be your descent route. Turn left toward the mountain and hike up the ridge through a sparse landscape for another hour to the Barafu Hut where you will receive a hot lunch. The last water on the route is in the Karanga Valley; there is no water at Barafu Camp, even though Barafu is the Swahili word for ice. The famous snows of Kilimanjaro are far above Barafu Camp near the summit of the mountain. Your tent will be pitched on a narrow, stony, wind-swept ridge, so make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. Prepare your equipment and warm clothing for your summit climb, and drink a lot of fluids. After an early dinner, go to bed for a few hours of precious sleep.
Elevation: 4,550 m/14,930 ft
Walking Distance: 13 km
Walking Time: 8 Hours
Habitat : Alpine Desert Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Summit Day!, Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak down to Mweka Camp :
You will rise around 11:30 PM, and after some steaming tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the night. Your 6-hour climb northwest up through heavy scree between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers to Stella Point on the crater rim is the most challenging part of the route for most climbers. At Stella Point (5,685 m/18,650 ft) you stop for a short rest and a chance to see a supremely sanguine sunrise. At Stella Point you join the top part of the Marangu Route, but do not stop here too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Depending on the season and recent storms, you may encounter snow on your remaining hike along the rim to Uhuru Peak. On the summit, you can enjoy your accomplishment and know that you are creating a day that you will remember for the rest of your life. After your 3-hour descent from the summit back to Barafu Camp, you will have a well-earned but short rest, collect your gear, and hike down a rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest to Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,170 ft). This camp is in the upper forest, so you can expect mist or rain in the late afternoon. Dinner, and washing water will be prepared, and the camp office sells drinking water, soft drinks, chocolates, and beer!
Elevation: 5,895 m/19,340 ft down to 3,100 m/10,170 ft
Duration Up: 7 - 8 Hours To Reach Uhuru Peak
Duration Down: 6 - 8 Hours To Descend To Horombo.
Hiking Distance : 5.4km Ascent And 15 Km Descent
Habitat : Stone Rubble And Ice 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)