8 Days / 7 Nights – Lemosho Route

After registering at Londorossi Gate then drive to road head near Lemosho Glades and start the trek through the rain forest to the rain Forest Camp (Big Tree) [2440 m/ 8000ft]. Our trek this day will be along a little used track known as Chamber's Route. In places the vegetation is so undisturbed by humans that it grows right across the narrow track. Flora and fauna are richer here than on other more popular routes through the rain forest. (3 - 4hrs walking).

A full day's trek with a height gain of over 600mts/ 2000 ft, taking us to a lunch stop at Shira camp a beautiful valley just outside the Shira Crater at around 3050mts /10,000 ft. After lunch we cross into the Shira Caldera a high altitude desert plateau rarely visited by the man. Shira is the third of Kilimanjaro's volcanic cones. It is filled with lava flow from Kibo, and its rim eroded and blasted away by weather and volcanic cones and its rim eroded and blasted away by weather and volcanic action. We camp at Shira One (3500mts /11500ft) in Caldera. This day expect the first close views of Kibo - the dramatic summit cone of Kilimanjaro.

Two to three hour trek east across Shira Plateau, via Simba Camp our camp (Shira II/ Hut), which is located about 1 ½ hours walk from Simba at around 3840mts/ 12600ft. The views back across Shira are spectacular. Optional and recommended early morning start for those wanting to try the acclimatizing trek to Shira Cathedral. The views from the top of this ridge are very special. Those with vertigo should take care.

We ascend to our camp just at the base of formation called Lava Tower at 4600m/15,000ft. On our today's hike we will see plants indigenous to the alpine zone such as giant lobelias, giant senecios, tussock grasses, and helichrysums. It is too high for most insects in this zone but we will see some bird species, like the white-necked raven, various sunbirds, Jackson's francolin, verreaux's eagles, and swifts. We will also see small rodents like four-striped grass mouse (5-6 hours walk).

On our today's climb leaving Lava Tower camp, the Southern Ice fields (Diamond, Balleto and Hein glaciers) come into view providing us with one of the most spectacular sights on the mountain. In a 3 - 4 hour walk, we will get to our Arrow Glacier Camp, 4800m/15,750ft. Just near Arrow Glacier ice field. The southern slope of Kilimanjaro and the African savannah extending beyond, it can be viewed from here if it is clear. Other wise, the top of Mt. Meru just at below 15800ft, will be viewed floating in the clouds.

After our early breakfast, we start our climb by scrambling up the Western Breach wall, which tops out at over 5480m/18000ft. The entire Shira plateau, which can be seen from here, gives us a good look at how far we have travelled! The dramatic Northern ice field to our left and the Furtwangler glacier to our right can be seen as getting to the top of the breach wall; you can walk right up to these glaciers that are well over 50ft tall! The black volcanic rock makes a dramatic foreground to these huge glaciers and a great photo opportunity if there is no snow. To gain a sense of some perspective; our high base camp in the Crater, past the Furtwangler glacier, will be just below the altitude of Everest's Base camp! (5- 6 hours walking). Optionally, a trip taking us 1 hour to and from a visit to the Volcanic vent(Ash Pit) can be done from here for who will need.

We start struggling for the final section of our climbing up to the summit from 6.00 a.m in the morning soon after early small breakfast and getting there (at Uhuru Peak 5895m / 19,340ft), the Rooftop of Africa in 1½ hour later. Whilst at here, you will have good views of the Mawenzi Peak to the east and Mt. Meru to the west and glaciers including Furtwangler glacier, Northern ice field and Reusch crater. After getting our summit photos, we descend along Mweka route via Stella point and stopping for lunch at Barafu huts, then continuing down to Mweka huts 3100m / 10,170ft for the last nigh on the mountain(3 - 3 ½ hours from the summit to Barafu huts and 3 hours more to Mweka huts /camp).

Walk down across the rain forest to Mweka Gate for picnic lunch, presentation of certificates & photos. After a picnic lunch drive to our base lodge / hotel in Arusha or Moshi for a welcome hot shower, dinner and overnight. (2 ½ - 3-hour walk).