Mt Kilimanjaro - Lemosho Route Tanzania 5895m

in brief: Climb Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain, climbing Kilamanjaro is a must for any trekking enthusiast. kilimanjaro is the easiest of the Seven Summits...

Raj Joshi who led the 100% successful celebrity Comic Relief Kilimanjaro trek in march 2009 (documented on the BBC) will be on hand to answer any of your questions you may have about this climb. Combined Raj and Rolfe have summited Kilimanjaro over 50 times! and are very much at home on all of kilimanjaro's routes but the Lemosho remains their favorite. Either of our experienced guides will be happy to have pre expedition meetings to meet the team before heading off on this quiet and stunning route. The variety of landscape discovered on the day to day ascent, the good company of our ground crew, and the physical demands of the climb all make for an experience that is simply unforgettable!!
The beautiful Lemosho route approaches the mountain from a westerly direction. This quality route sees little human traffic and is one of the more challenging routes. The eight day approach gives plenty of time for acclimatisation and also opportunity for some splendid side trips which other routes are unable to provide.Please read the itinerary below for the highlights of this route.

Extensions

For all kilimanjaro expeditions 360 also offers three extensions giving you a taste of all that this amazing continent can offer you, click on one of the following links for details:


• A relaxing reatreat to Zanzibar, other wise known as the spice island. click here for more information


• Unforgettable safari to the well-known Ngorongoro crater and to the serengeti. click here for more information


• A cultural extension where you will mix with the massi and visit a working coffee plantation. click here for more information

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart UK for flight to Tanzania

Day 2: Arrive Tanzania

We arrive in Tanzania and will be transferred to a comfortable hotel to relax and rest for the remainder of the day. After dinner there will be a comprehensive brief from your 360 Leader for your adventure ahead.

Day 3: Trek to Big Tree Camp (2780m)

This morning we start our journey. From our hotel we will first register at the Lemosho gates before being transferred to the start of our trek. The initial climb takes us through unspoilt rainforest. The trails are natural and as there are so few people who attempt this route the chances of seeing wildlife such as the agile Colobus monkey are relatively high. Elephants and Buffalo are also known to roam the area. The walk through the rainforest takes us to our first night's camp at Big Tree Camp (2780m).

Hiking Time: 4 - 6 hours

Day 4: Shira One (3500m)

Today's trek will have us leaving the rainforest and entering the moorland and heath zone. The scenery constantly changes on Kilimanjaro and no two days are the same. As we leave the rainforest the mountain opens up before us and we will see the vastness of Kilimanjaro. On a clear day we can see right down onto the plains below and find a sense of perspective on how high we are truly climbing. We continue a gradual climb onto the Shira plateau which once used to be an active volcano itself until the crater collapsed inwards to form the caldera on which we walk. Tonight's camp will be based on the plateau at 3500m.

Hiking Time: 6 - 8 hours

Day 5: Shira Two (3900m)

Waking up this morning can bring us tremendous views of the mountain. After breakfast we divert off route to head toward Shira Cathedral which forms part of the remnants of the crater rim of the now extinct volcano Shira. This can not only be a valuable acclimatisation walk, but also an exciting ridge to head up which offers some exciting opportunities for very easy scrambling. Once on the ridge the views can be breathtaking looking down on the rest of the mountain. We finally head back down the ridge for the afternoon's walk to the next camp, Shira Two at 3900m.

Hiking Time: 5 - 7 hours

Day 6: Lava Tower (4640m) / Barranco Camp (3960m)

Today we enter yet another new climatic zone as we break the 4000m barrier. Entering low alpine desert changes the scenery altogether again. Gone are the lush vegetation of the rainforest to be replaced instead by what some people describe as a lunar landscape. This can look amazingly surreal but has a unique beauty to it. Camp today will vary depending on the strength of the group and weather conditions. There is a possibility we may camp by Lava Tower (a rock tower formed thousand of years ago by molten lava which formed the tower and then solidified). For those competent enough there is the possibility of a scramble up the Lava Tower, weather conditions dictating. The alternative is to set up camp lower down the valley at the foot of the Great Barranco Wall (3960m).

Hiking Time: 5 - 7 hours / 8 - 10 hours

Day 7: Karanga Camp (4035m)

We trek today to Karanga Camp, situated on a ridge above Karanga valley. To get here we have to tackle what groups describe as one of the best and most exciting parts of the trip, the Great Barranco Wall. This impressive wall of rock was formed from a huge landslide occurring 100,000 years ago. To continue on this trip participants need to climb over this wall. This wall involves some easy scrambling but requires no climbing skills. Not only will this be enjoyable but provides an amazing sense of achievement once on the top of the wall. Your 360 Leader is always at hand to provide expert guidance. Once over the wall, the variety in the terrain continues as we trek through a series of valleys to reach our final destination for the day, Karanga Camp (4035m).

Hiking Time: 5 - 8 hours

Day 8: Barafu Camp (4640m)

A gradual ascent today will take us to our high camp. The day is focused on a relaxed pace to save our energy for when we go for summit early the next day. This shorter day should see us arriving at high camp around lunch time or early afternoon. We finally gain the Barafu ridge which will be used as our summit ridge. The rest of the day will see us resting and hydrating for the forthcoming summit attempt.

Hiking Time: 4 - 6 hours

Day 9: Summit attempt (5895m) and Millenium Camp (3790m)

Today we go for it! We'll wake in the early hours of the morning, while the stars are still bright. If there is a clear sky we can sometimes navigate by star and moonlight for an extra special experience without the need for head torches. Absorb what is around you and soak in the atmosphere as we head for the summit. Shooting stars will be flying past you as you make your way up Kibo which is one of the three volcanoes making up Mount Kilimanjaro. This volcano is not yet extinct, but lies dormant and acts as the final summit climb to reach the highest point on Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak. This summit night will be a challenge, although achievable. For some people this will be the hardest challenge they have undertaking physically and mentally in their lives, but once they have done this the achievement and rewards are immense. We aim to reach high on the mountain around sunrise. After taking in the glorious spectacle of the sun rising over Mawenzi (an extinct volcano making up one of the three volcanoes that forms Kilimanjaro) we continue for the final push onto the summit and the highest point in the whole of Africa! The descent will be much quicker as we make our way to Millenium Camp (3790m). Here we will regroup and reflect on the special journey we have just undertaken together.

Hiking Time: 12 - 18 hours

Day 10: Mweka Gate (1630m)

Enjoy the last day on the mountain as we say goodbye to the local porters and guides and show some of our great appreciation for all their hard work. This can be done by a vote of thanks and also presenting the group tip to them as a show of gratitude. There is a gradual trail downwards as we once again pass through the lush rainforest before arriving at the gate. We will then be transferred to our hotel where we can celebrate in the evening all our accomplishments over the last few days.

Hiking Time: 3 - 5 hours

Day 11: Fly to UK

The day is ours until our transfer to the airport for our flight home. This could involve relaxing at the hotel or going out and visiting one of the nearby towns such as Moshi. This could be a great chance to pick up some souvenirs before we head home or just to wander and explore more of Tanzanian life.

Day 12: Arrive UK