We offer the opportunity to stay at Crater Camp on the Lemosho and Northern Circuit routes.
9 DAYS LEMOSHO ROUTE WITH CRATER CAMP OVERNIGHT ITINERARY
ABOUT 9 DAYS LEMOSHO ROUTE WITH CRATER CAMP OVERNIGHT ITINERARY
The 9 days Lemosho Crater Camp trek is an incredible and challenging adventure that takes you on an unforgettable journey to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. The Crater Camp is a unique place. At 18,865 feet above sea level, it is the highest campsite on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is located just 475 feet below the summit at uhuru point. We offer the opportunity to stay at Crater Camp on the Lemosho and Northern Circuit routes. This option will add one day to the standard itineraries making them the 9 Lemosho Crater Route and northern circuity in 10 days.
DAY O – Arrival – Kilimanjaro
Our friendly transfer driver will meet you at Kilimanjaro airport. After loading the luggage into the vehicle you will make your way to the White House Hotel in Moshi. You can relax the rest of the day or go and explore the small town of Moshi. Our team will meet you later the day to have a preliminary talk in preparation for the days to follow.
DAY 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa
We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at trailhead, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ftDistance: 6 km/4 milesHiking Time: 3-4 hoursHabitat: Rain Forest
DAYS 2: Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) to Shira 1 Camp
We continue on the trail leading out of the rain forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ftDistance: 8 km/ 5milesHiking Time 5-6 hoursHabitat: Health
DAYS 3: SHIRA 1 CAMP -MOIR HUT
We explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. Then we divert from the main trail to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization Elevation: 11,500 ft to 13,800 ftDistance: 11 km/ 7 milesHiking Time: 5-7 hoursHabitat: Heath
DAYS 4: MOUR HUT – LAVA TOWER-BARRANCO CAMP
Today we will climb up to 4600m to the base of Lava Tower for lunch and acclimatization. This will be our toughest day so far and you may, for the first time, feel the altitude. After lunch we will descend again by almost 650m to Barranco Camp, following the “walk high, sleep low” golden rule of acclimatisation. Our descent to Barranco Camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall.Elevation: 13,800 ft to 15,190 ftDistance: 7 km/4 milesHiking Time: 4-5 hoursHabitat: Alpine DesertLava Tower to Barranco CampElevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ftDistance: 3 km/2 milesHiking Time: 2-3 hoursHabitat: Alpine Desert
DAYS 5: BARRANCO CAMP- KARANGA CAMP
We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ftDistance: 5 km/3 milesHiking Time: 4-5 hoursHabitat: Alpine Desert
DAYS 6: KARANGA CAMP- BARAFU CAMP
We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ftDistance: 4 km/2 milesHiking Time: 4-5 hoursHabitat: Alpine Desert
DAYS 7: BARAFU – UHURU PEAK-CRATER CAMP
Today we slowly wind our way up from Barafu to the rim of the crater by the afternoon. Hiking this section during the day gives us magnificent views of Mawenzi, Kilimanjaro’s second highest peak at 16,890 feet. From the rim we will descend across the arctic moonscape of the wide crater floor to the Crater Camp, set in soft sand near the indigo streaked Furtwangler Glacier.Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ftDistance: 5 km/3 milesHiking Time: 7-8Uhuru Peak to Mweka CampElevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ftDistance: 12 km/7 milesHiking Time: 4-6 hoursHabitat: Rain Forest
DAYS 8: CRATER CAMP- MWEKA CAMP
We wake up early to hike to the Crater Rim in time to see the sunrise. From the rim, we descend to Mweka Hut campsite. Trekking poles will be needed for the loose gravel going down to Mweka Camp (3100m). Later in the evening, we will enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ftDistance: 10 km/6 milesHiking Time: 3-4 hoursHabitat: Rain Forest
DAYS 9: MWEKA CAMP- MWEKA GATE-MOSHI
On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.
