This route is the least frequently used and also the longest route to the summit. After beautiful forests and moorlands it crosses the Shira Plateau to meet up with the Machame Route. The south circuit is then followed, offering superb views of the southern ice fields, past the Barranco Huts then onto Barafu and finally the summit. Descent is via the Mweka Route.
Accommodation is in tents which the porters will pitch for you. You will need a sleeping bag, warm clothes and walking poles. This is a steep, tough trek within the limits of a fit individual used to walking in mountain areas. The route can also be used to get onto the Western Breach for those who want to challenge themselves with an ‘extreme’ adventure. You are accompanied by an armed ranger on the first day, as the forests around the Lemosho Glades are rich in buffalo, elephant and other big game animals.
When climbing this route, the terrain passes from a tropical to an arctic climate in just a few days. The encircling rain forest ensures the fertility of the lower lying farms and is rich in birdlife. Above the rain forest lie the alpine meadows and beautiful moorland, offering many splendid views. Exotic plants such as giant lobelia and the fork-like groundsel can be seen. The latter blooming once every 50 – 70 years. After you leave the alpine meadows we enter the alpine desert and finally the snows of Kilimanjaro and the summit itself.
Day 1
Arrival Day in either Arusha or Moshi
On arrival you are personally met at the airport by one of our representatives and transferred to your chosen hotel in Arusha or Moshi. In the afternoon there is a full briefing with the climbs manager and your guide who will brief you fully on the Lemosho Route and check your equipment. Dinner is included.
Day 2
Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp (Mti Mkuba)
• Elevation (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft
• Distance: 6 kms
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rain forest
After breakfast you are driven from your hotel to the edge of the National Park Forest. From here we walk through the undisturbed forest to the Mti Mkubwa campsite for dinner and overnight camping. With luck you will be able to see colobus monkeys and signs of elephants
Day 3
Forest Camp (Mti Mkuba) to Shira Camp 1
• Elevation (ft): 9,500ft to 11,500ft
• Distance: 8 kms
• Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
• Habitat: Moorland.
Take your time to walk through the forest which boasts plentiful game and bird life. You will pass through the mountain forest and hagenia zones. Dinner and overnight camping is at Shira campsite.
Day 4
Shira Camp 1 to Shira 2
• Elevation (ft): 11,500ft to 13,800 ft
• Distance: 14 kms
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast we hike up Lava Tower. The is in the alpine zone. The only plant life being the hardiest of grasses and lichen. Here you will have a spectacular view of our final ascent route up to the western breach.
Day 5
Shira 2 to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
• Elevation (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft
• Distance: 7 kms
• Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
• Habitat: Semi desert
With the western breach ascent route in view, we spend a few hours climbing to the base of the route where we make your camp near Arrow Glacier. There is an afternoon hike further up the route before relaxing back down at camp. This extra hike will help you acclimatize and improve your performance tomorrow.
Day 6
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
• Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
• Distance: 5 kms
• Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
• Habitat: Alpine desert
Wind your way up the western breach. It’s a non – technical climbing route and it will take us about six hours to reach the crater rim. We explore the inner crater and ash pit before pitching camp on the crater floor.
Day 7
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
• Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
• Distance: 4 kms
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine desert
Summit day: You start your ascent to the summit early enough in the morning to reach the summit by 10 a.m. You descend via Barafu Huts and onwards down to Mweka camp for dinner and overnight camping.
Day 8
Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
• Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
• Distance: 5 kms ascent / 12 kms descent
• Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 3-4 hours descent
• Habitat: Alpine desert
Day 9: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate.
Day 9
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation: (3100m) to (1980m)
• Distance: 10 kms descent
• Hiking Time: 3 hours descent
• Habitat: Forest
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short three hour scenic hike back to the park gate. At Mweka gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village you will be served a delicious hot lunch. You now drive back to Moshi or Arusha for a long over due hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!
It takes about 3 to 4 hours to make the descent to the road. After your lunch you bid goodbye to your porters and are transferred to your hotel for a well earned hot shower. You spend the night here.
Day 10: Arusha or Moshi
Breakfast
Departure day. If you would like to book additional nights please inform us as early as possible. We will arrange for you to be transferred to the airport or you may join a Shengena Adventure safari and continue your holiday with us and visit the world famous game parks of Tanzania.