ITINERARY

We arrive at Kilimanjaro late on Wednesday 2nd February. Thursday 3rd February is an acclimatisation day. The climb itself starts on Friday 4th February via the Lemosho route. The Lemosho Route is an unspoilt, remote, little used and beautiful way up to the summit. Though one of the more challenging ways up it very much aides altitude acclimatisation.

Day 1 Friday 4th: Londorossi Gate (height of 2100m) - Mkubwa camp (height of 2750m)

On Day 1 we drive from Moshi (910m) to Londorossi Park Gate (2100m). From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades. Today’s trek is mild and is mainly a walk along forest trails to Mkubwa (the “big tree”) campsite at 2750m. We trek for about 3 hours. The porters (arriving at the camp site before us) will have the tents set up on arrival. In the evening the porters will boil drinking and washing water and the cook will prepare dinner, before we retire to our tents for the night. Though it should be warm during the day, night temperatures can already drop to freezing point at this campsite. It is after all at 9,000 feet high! As this is the rain forest, it may rain during the day.

Days 2 and 3 Sat 5th and Sunday 6th: Mkubwa camp (2750m) - Shira camp 2 (3840m)

We rise early at Mkubwa camp and, after breakfast, climb to the top of the forest. Thereafter the trail steepens and enters the infamous giant heather moorland zone. Trekking across the plateau leads to Shira camps 1 and 2 on moorland meadows next to a stream at 3840m. Here we will be able to already see the “Western Breach” with its stunning glaciers. The porters will boil drinking and washing water, before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping below freezing. Over the two days the climbs are about 10 hours in all. This is where our trip pays dividends: most groups do this part in 1 day. And whilst that is certainly achievable, by doing it in 2 days we give ourselves an extra day to acclimatise to the altitude which is so very important. 

Day 4 Monday 7th: Shira (3840m) to Lava Tower (4630m) and to Barranco camp (3950m)

So far the climbing is relatively modest. On Monday 7th, the route gets harder and the walking longer. The terrain turns into a desert, rocky landscape by the famous Lava Tower, where we reach an altitude of 4630m after about a 5 hour climb. It is often here that for the first time, climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness and mild headaches. After lunch we descend by almost 680m to the Barranco camp. The descent to Barranco camp takes 2 hours and offers an opportunity to take photographs of the Western Breach. The camp is in a valley below the Great Barranco Wall, which often provides for a memorable sunset.

Day 5 and 6 Tues 8th and Wed 9th: Barranco – Karranga camp (4200m)-Barafu (4550m)

After spending a night at the Great Barranco Wall, we make our way up this infamous obstacle. We climb over the wall topping out just below the Heim Glacier. Here everyone will now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. On the morning of day 6, Wednesday 9th February we trek just a few hours from Karranga camp to Barafu camp (4550m). Barafu is the Swahili word for "ice" and it is a sombre camping area to spend the night. This morning’s walk is short (about 3 hours) and enables everyone to conserve their energy for the summit climb tonight. The summit is now 1345m up and we make the ascent tonight.

Day 7 Thurs 10th: SUMMIT Barafu camp to Uhuru Peak (5895m) to Mweka (3100m)

Day 7, for most people is one of the most rewarding but at the same time one of the hardest things they will ever do. Day 7 is as much about mental toughness as it is physical. After preparing our equipment we will go to bed at round about 19h00 on Day 6 evening and try to get some precious rest and sleep. We rise around 23h30 on Day 6, and after some tea and biscuits shuffle off into the night. Walking at an absolute snail’s pace, and taking frequent rests, we start the summit attempt. Temperatures will be below freezing throughout. We will ascend through rock and scree towards Stella Point on the summit crater rim. This 6-8 hour climb to Stella point is for many climbers, mentally and physically challenging. It is where the training pays off and it is where a desire to get to the top is required. At Stella Point (5685m) we stop to be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting of course). From Stella Point we will normally encounter snow all the way on the 2-hour further (but gentler) ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time we will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. People do not stop here for too long. The views here are magnificent. The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here we will have a well earned rest. Shortly after the rest we collect the rest of our stuff, before heading down to Mweka camp (3100m). The route is not difficult and will take us down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.

Day 8 Friday 11th: Mweka camp (3100m) - Mweka Gate (1980m) 

After an early breakfast, it is a short 3-hour and scenic hike back to the Park gate. At Mweka gate we sign our names 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 we will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a 1 hour hike. In the Mweka village we will be served a hot lunch before driving back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!
On Saturday 12th February we do not leave for the UK until the evening.

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