TRIP OVERVIEW
Starting on the Western side of Kilimanjaro at the Lemosho trail head, this route follows the first half of the Lemosho Trail until reaching Lava Tower. At this point the route ascends straight up the side of the mountain to the crater floor passing sleeping glaciers on the way. From the Crater, the route to the summit is the shortest of all routes, which makes the summit day much less tiring.
Please note: This route is inherently more dangerous than other routes for 2 reasons. Firstly, the amount of time spent at high altitude and accessing the western breach. This route should only be undertaken by fit individuals with experience of altitude and adventurous training.
Day 1: Lemosho Forest
START – 6,890FT / 2100M
END – 8,695FT / 2650M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 7KM
TIME – 4-6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST
After breakfast you depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park. At the gate your crew finalise packing and after finishing with formalities you return to your vehicle for another 30 minutes or so until you arrive at the start of the Lemosho Trail. Today’s hiking is through verdant afromontane forest and is steep in places. A picnic lunch is usually taken on trail during the hike before reaching Forest Camp for the night.
Day 2: Shira 1
START – 8,695FT / 2650M
END – 11,844FT / 3610M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 7KM
TIME – 5-7 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – HEATH
From the forested slopes of Lemosho you ascend through Podocarpus and Juniper forest and break out of the forest on to the heath zone and the Shira Plateau. A hot lunch is taken at Shira 1 Camp and the rest of the afternoon is spent relaxing and acclimatising to the new environment.
Day 3: Moir Camp
START – 11,844FT / 3610M
END – 13,780FT / 4200M
DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM
TIME – 4-5 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
Crossing the Shira plateau can be one of the most scenic parts of the trip and this morning we hike for around 4-5 hours to Moir Camp, where lunch is taken. The afternoon is spent acclimatising and for those with the energy a hike in the late afternoon up to a viewpoint is highly recommended to keep the blood flowing.
Day 4: Lava Tower
START – 13,780FT / 4200M
END – 15,093FT / 4600M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 7KM
TIME – 4-6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
Another half day today as you start to cross glacial valleys on the western side of the mountain. By not ascending much today we allow our bodies better acclimatisation. A half day where lunch is taken in camp. In the afternoon there is time to go for an acclimatisation walk before dinner.
Day 5: Arrow Glacier
START – 15,093FT / 4600M
END – 16,087FT / 4903M
DISTANCE – 0.6 MILES / 1KM
TIME – 1-2 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ARCTIC
The ascent to Arrow Glacier is relatively short and leaves plenty of time to rest for a large part of the day. Short walks are possible with the guides to enjoy views of the Great Barranco Wall and remnants of the once mighty glaciers that filled the breach before having dinner and an early night.
Day 6: Crater Camp
Day 7: Kilimanjaro Summit / Mweka Camp
START – 18,866FT / 5750M
END – 10,171FT / 3100M
DISTANCE – 8 MILES / 13KM
TIME – 7-9 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ARCTIC, ALPINE DESERT, HEATH, AFROMONTANE FOREST
Unlike other routes with a night time ascent, your hike selection affords you a day time ascent to the summit. Leaving an hour before dawn you ascend to the Roof of Africa! From here you descend to Mweka Camp for the evening. Dinner and overnight Mweka Camp. Alt 3,100m,10,171ft (full board).
Day 8: Arusha
START – 10,171FT / 3100M
END – 5,381FT / 1640M
DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM
TIME – 3-4 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST
After breakfast you descend once again through afromontane forest and around midday, after lunch, diplomats collection and saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transferred back to your lodge for a well deserved shower! Later that evening you will be visited by a Tanzania Travel Company Representative to congratulate you, to find out how the trip went and to answer any final questions you may have about your onward journey.
Tour Includes & Excludes
Tour Includes:
- Park fees, (entry fee camping/hut fees & rescue fees crew fees)
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- Three health and fresh meals
- Professional and experienced mountain Guide
- Professional and experienced cooks
- Transportation to & from the airport
- Transportation to & from the mountain gates
- Enough number of porters for your luggage, food, water, and camping equipment
- Food, shelters, and fair wages for the porters, cooks, and guides
- Camping gears (sleeping tents, dining tents, tables, chairs, and cooking gear)
- Radio and cell phone communication that help us to stay in contact within and outside the group therefore we can respond almost instantaneously to whatever issue that may arise
- We provide our guides with professional first aid kits and pulse oximeters for daily updates on acclimatization progress
- Assistance with the climbing permit procedure
Tour Excludes:
- Personal porters
- All international and domestic flights
- Tourist Visas
- Medical and Travel insurance
- Tips to mountain crew
- Mountain trekking gears e.g. walking poles (available for hire upon request)
- Sleeping Bag (available for hire upon request)
- A portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is extra (US$200 per toilet + toilet tent)
- Others; Extra expenses as food or drinks separate from those described in the itinerary, satellite phone calls, transference fees, and other services not specified as included
- Any other alterations to our itineraries
- Emergency Oxygen
Have Any Question?
Do not hesitate to give us a call. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.
- +255 754 294 365
- info@tanzaniatravelcompany.com
Sam Diah - Safari Expart
Book your dream Tanzania wildlife safari with sustainable local experts! Enjoy a lifetime thrill while supporting local communities and animal welfare. Start your adventure today with our custom itinerary
