Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro

After arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, a courtesy reception awaits you for transfer to the elegant Rivertrees Country Inn Lodge, situated in the serene forest surroundings of the Usa River, near Arusha. The remainder of the day is yours to make the most of in a leisurely fashion. You may elect to explore the town of Arusha (by taxi) or luxuriate by the pool at the lodge. Later in the evening, a briefing session specifically tailored for your impending trek is scheduled for your attendance.

The ascent ranges from 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft and requires a 3–4-hour hike over a distance of 6km (4 miles) through a lush rainforest habitat. The journey commences with a drive from Arusha to Londorossi Gate, where necessary entry formalities will be taken care of. Subsequently, you will be driven to the Lemosho trailhead, where the hiking trail begins with a serene trek through the untouched forest until reaching the initial campsite.

As we embark on our journey, we make our way up through the rugged terrain, from an elevation of 9,498 ft to a mind-blowing 11,500 ft. It's a challenging hike, taking us 5-6 hours to complete, but we're ready to take it on. The distance to cover is 8 km or 5 miles, but we're energized by the stunning landscape around us.

We leave the lush rainforest behind and enter a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock - a truly unforgettable sight. The rocky landscape is draped with lichen beards, sticking out in all directions, as if it's alive and breathing underfoot.

As we climb higher through the rolling hills, we cross several streams, testing our skills to navigate the rocky terrain. Habitat is Health, making us feel invigorated and alive amid nature's splendor.

Finally, we reach the Shira Ridge, and as we look out, we're blown away by our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau. It's the ultimate adventure that we'll never forget.

From elevations soaring to 11,500 feet up to a breathtaking 13,800 feet, we embark on a daring hike lasting 5-7 hours, traversing a distance of 11 km or 7 miles. Our journey takes us through the illustrious Shira Plateau, where we spend a full day exploring this incredible, high-altitude region.

As we stride across moorland meadows on the eastward path toward Shira 2 Camp, we venture off the beaten track to Moir Hut, an untouched site resting at the base of the majestic Lent Hills. With boundless opportunities to explore Lent Hills, this provides an incredible acclimatization adventure opportunity to ready ourselves for further treks.

Gear up for an adrenaline rush, as we dive into the crisp air and delve into the higher echelons of the Shira Plateau, one of the most elevated plateaus on this planet.

The day's trek commences with an ascent up a ridge and a southeastward progression towards the Lava Tower, a magnificent volcanic rock structure towering at 300 feet.

Afterward, we descend towards the Barranco Campsite through the fascinating yet stunning ecosystem of the Senecio Forest, with an elevation drop to 13,000 feet. Notwithstanding the same starting and finishing altitudes, the considerable duration spent at higher elevations is highly favorable for proper acclimatization.

The distance covered during this segment is 7 kilometers or 4 miles, dwelling in the Alpine Desert habitat. The time taken for this hike is 4 to 5 hours. The subsequent trek covers a distance of 3 kilometers or 2 miles in the same Alpine Desert habitat, requiring 2 to 3 hours for completion.

The ultimate adventure awaits as we venture through the alpine desert, ascending from an elevation of 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft. With a hiking time of 4-5 hours and a distance of 5 km | 3 miles, we are ready to conquer anything in our path. Our journey begins with a descent into a ravine where we'll reach the base of the Great Barranco Wall.

This isn't for the faint-hearted, as we'll be climbing a steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. But the reward will be worth it as we reach the top of the wall and cross a series of hills and valleys, all while absorbing stunning vistas. Then, we'll take a sharp descent into Karanga Valley, followed by an equally exciting climb to Karanga Camp.

This part of the trek is specifically designed for acclimatization, but that doesn't mean we'll be taking it easy. Get ready for adrenaline-pumping action as we explore the wild terrain!

Prepare to embark on an epic journey, folks! Our elevation ranges from an impressive 13,106 ft to a staggering 15,331 ft, and we only have 4-5 hours to tackle this behemoth of a hike. We'll cover a distance of 4 km | 2 miles through the breathtaking Alpine Desert.

As we leave Karanga and hit the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail, our hearts pound with anticipation. We trek onwards, tackling the rocky section towards Barafu Hut. It's at this point that we've completed the Southern Circuit where our eyes are blessed with views of the summit from many different angles.

Our camp awaits us at Barafu Hut, where we'll rest and indulge in a sumptuous early dinner before we prepare for the ultimate challenge - summit day. From our vantage point, we'll marvel at the awe-inspiring Mawenzi and Kibo peaks that stand tall before us. Get ready for a thrilling adventure of a lifetime!

Embark on a thrilling adventure as we journey from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak, reaching elevations of 15,331 to 19,341 ft. As we prepare for the ascent, we steel ourselves for the challenging hike ahead, both in mind and body. With freezing winds whipping around us, we clamber through the darkness, taking brief rests along the way.

Finally, as we near Stella Point at 18,900 ft, the sun begins to rise, illuminating the majestic Mawenzi Peak in an awe-inspiring display of natural beauty. We eventually reach Uhuru Peak, the apex of Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa itself!

Descending from such great heights is no easy feat, and we make the journey from Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp with careful steps, mindful of the rough terrain that could wreak havoc on our knees. The 12 km passage takes us through the lush rainforest, and we can't help but feel invigorated by everything around us. This is the true definition of adventure, and we're ready to embrace every moment of it!

As we make our final descent, we leave the lofty heights of 10,065 ft and venture into the lush rainforest below, with a soaring sense of accomplishment. Our 10 km trek, spanning 3-4 hours, will test our endurance and reward us with incredible views. Although the terrain may be wet and muddy at lower elevations, we remain energized by the thrill of our journey.

Upon reaching the Mweka Gate and collecting our summit certificates, we push on towards Mweka Village. Just one more hour on the trail awaits us before we reach the village.

Our epic adventure concludes with a thrilling vehicle ride back to our hotel in Arusha, the perfect ending to an unforgettable mountainous experience.

Upon completion of your breakfast, transportation will be provided to Kilimanjaro Airport. Alternatively, you have the option to extend your visit to Tanzania with a safari or beach holiday.