Lemosho 9 Days Trek with stay in Crater

Why this itinerary

For those that want to spend some time on the summit and in the crater on top of the mountain. This is the complete Kilimanjaro experience – more acclimatisation time, more culture, more spectacular scenery and a less arduous summit bid.

Itinerary In brief

Hike Distance – 45 mi / 72 km
Vertical Gain – 15.440 ft / 4.706 m
Drop – 16.950 ft / 5.166 m
Trekking Time – 53 hrs

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Description

A 9 day ascent to the roof of Africa. Starting at Lemosho on the western side and traversing across the most spectacular parts of the mountain, this is the ultimate Kilimanjaro trip. It follows the same route as the 8 day Lemosho Route but summits the mountain during the day with more time spent in the crater.

Highlights

West Kilimanjaro! afromontane forest, Shira plateau, glacial valleys and alpine desert, views of Mawenzi. An ascent of Kibo with options to explore the summit caldera and ash pit, glaciers and the roof of Africa!

In detail

Day 1

LEMOSHO FOREST

After breakfast you depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park. At the gate your crew finalize 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.

START – 6.890 FT / 2.100 M
END – 8.695 FT / 2.650 M
DISTANCE – 4 MI / 7 KM
TIME – 4-6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST

Day 2

Shira 1

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.

START – 8.695 FT / 2.650 M
END – 11.844 FT / 3.610 M
DISTANCE – 4 MI / 7 KM
TIME – 5-7 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – HEATH

Day 3

MOIR CAMP

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.

START – 11.844 FT / 3.610 M
END – 13.780 FT / 4.200 M
DISTANCE – 6 MI / 10 KM
TIME – 4-5 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT

Day 4

BARRANCO CAMP

From Moir we traverse across the slopes of Kibo. Here relatively little flora or fauna can survive the extreme temperature ranges and conditions that typify this zone. Today is a “walk high sleep low” day. You ascend into alpine desert to Lava Tower (Alt: 15,092ft, 4600m) where lunch is taken before descending to Barranco Camp. This is a long day but note that the next time you head to this altitude is in two days time at base camp – a great acclimatisation day!

START – 13.780 FT / 4.200 M
END – 12.796 FT / 3.900 M
DISTANCE – 7 MI / 11 KM
TIME – 7-9 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT

Day 5

KARANGA CAMP

From Barranco Camp, famous for its giant groundsels (Senecio species), you ascend the Barranco Wall and hike glacial valleys to Karanga Camp. Today is a relatively short day’s hike and lunch is taken at Karanga camp. The afternoon is spent relaxing and acclimatising. In the evening a practice walk for the summit is taken to make sure you are completely comfortable with the kit you are going to summit in.

START – 12.796 FT / 3.900 M
END – 13.108 FT / 3.995 M
DISTANCE – 3 MI / 5 KM
TIME – 4-5 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT

Day 6

BARAFU CAMP

Today is another half day ascending to Barafu Camp. Once again lunch is taken in camp allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate alpine desert and, at times, strong winds rip over this camp; yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi are the norm. A relatively early dinner is taken before heading to rest for the rest of the evening.

START – 13.108 FT / 3.995 M
END – 15.332 FT / 4.673 M
DISTANCE – 2,5 MI / 4 KM
TIME – 4-5 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT

Day 7

KIBO CRATER CAMP

Unlike other routes with a night time ascent, your hike selection affords you a day time ascent to Kibo Crater. The going is slow but with constant encouragement from your climb team the rim of Kibo is reached before descending a little way into the caldera to Crater Camp. The afternoon is spent relaxing and exploring the area with your guide.

START – 15.332 FT / 4.673 M
END – 18.865 FT / 5.750 M
DISTANCE – 3,3 MI / 5 KM
TIME – 7-9 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ARCTIC

Day 8

MWEKA CAMP

After a night in the crater you now have the shortest final summit bid of any route. With such a short distance to the summit from the crater (around 1 hour) means that timing arrival with the sunrise is much easier and quite spectacular. The summit of Kilimanjaro is the top of the highest freestanding mountain in the world. After your summit bid you then descend for a final night on the mountain at Mweka Camp passing back through the heath zone. Endemic proteas, pollinated by Malachite Sunbirds are plentiful.

START – 18.865 FT / 5.750 M
END – 10.171 FT / 3.100 M
DISTANCE – 8 MI / 13 KM
TIME – 8-10 HRS
CLIMATE ZONES – ARCTIC, ALPINE DESERT, HEATH

Day 9

ARUSHA

After breakfast you descend once again through afromontane forest and around midday, after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transferred back to your lodge for a well deserved shower!

Upon arrival, you will be met by a representative of Suricata Safaris to congratulate you and answer any other questions you may have.

START – 10.171 FT / 3.100 M
END – 5.381 FT / 1.640 M
DISTANCE – 6 MI / 10 KM
TIME – 3-4 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST

Make it more memorable by combining your adventure with a SAfari and a trip to Zanzibar

Ask us how!

Price Includes

Arrival and Departure Kilimanjaro airport (JRO) transfers to/from Arusha [For those who arrive/depart from Nairobi, we include schedule shuttle bus transfer, available at 8AM and 2PM daily]
Transport from the hotel in Arusha to the mountain and back to the Hotel.
Kilimanjaro national park permits, camping/hut fees, mountain rescue fees, value added tax (VAT), and all other applicable local government taxes/fees
Services of Guide, assistant guides, cook and porters
Maximum of 10 climbers (unless stated otherwise)
Accommodation in a hotel in Arusha (upgradeable) for 2 nights (before & after the climb), including breakfast and taxes
Meals on the mountain
Drinking water: Boiled and filtered water on the trek (recommended to bring a filter/filtrating tablets), and bottled water on the safari.
Sleeping mat
Dining tent, tables, chairs
Bottled oxygen for emergency rescue only
Oximeter

Price Excludes

Airfare
Items of personal nature
Climbing gears (most of them can be rented on arrival; we recommend you email the list of items you think you may consider renting)
Tips to the climbing crew
Medical equipment which can be rented well in advance for the following costs: $250/group for hyperbaric chamber, $210/group for an emergency oxygen cylinder and $140/group for a stretcher. Please note these prices include a porter to carry the equipment.
Portable toilets: If you are concerned about using public toilets, a portable toilet is available for an extra $110/person or $180/group. This service must be confirmed at the time of booking.

Note

The luggage that porters are allowed to carry is limited to 35 pounds (ie: 15 kgs)
Overweight or extra luggage will require an extra porter at a rate of $10/bag/day
You can leave extra luggage at your hotel in Arusha or at our office (do not leave any valuables like cash, jewelry, electronics).