7 Day Lemosho Route
The seven day Lemosho variation is preferred over the six day option because it breaks up day two into two days, providing better acclimatization and a more gradual ascent. On the seven day route, we walk from Forest Camp to Shira Camp 1 on day two, a reasonable altitude gain of 2,000 feet. Then on day three, we continue from Shira Camp 2 to the little used Moir Hut, at 13,800 feet. Overall the exposure to this altitude will help prepare the body for higher altitudes coming on the following days.
However, the trek from Barranco to Barafu, followed by the summit day are unchanged from the six day Lemosho variation. This schedule is still very tough, though the extra day on the mountain on the seven day route will help climbers deal with the exhausting itinerary better than those who opted for the six day route.
You are about to climb the tallest mountain in Africa, and maybe Meru as well! Before your hiking boots hit the ground, we thought you might like to know what it is going to be like up there.
What to expect while climb Kilimanjaro
Typical Daily Routine
Before the hike – wake up around 6:30 am and pack gear. Around 7:00 am a hot breakfast will be provided.
After Breakfast – guides will do a health check and review the day’s climb.
Start hiking – @ 8:30 am, duration of hike will depend on the day and the speed of the group.
Lunch – depending on the route there will be a hot lunch if you have reached the campsite, or a packed lunch if it is a longer day.
Reach next campsite – the campsite will already be set up when you arrive, the staff will be waiting with hot drinks and snacks.
Acclimatization hike – depending on the trek, you will have the opportunity to take a short walk to a higher altitude. This will help acclimatize you for the next day and decrease risk of altitude sickness.
Dinner – a hot dinner consisting of three courses will be served.
After dinner – guides will do the second health check, discuss any concerns, talk about the next day’s trek. Each night a talk will also be given by the guides. The talks consist of history, language, folklore, and culture.
Day Pack and Duffel Bag
Each morning you will pack up your day pack and duffel bag. The porters will transport up to 15 kg (33lb) of your personal belongs in your duffel bag, and when you reach the campsite your tent will have already been erected, with your duffel bag inside. Your duffel bag will have everything you are bringing on the trek, with the exception of the items you will need for the day – these items will be brought with you in your day pack.
The items in your day pack may vary depending on the day’s climb, but you can ask your guide if you want specific suggestions for the next day’s activities. In general you will want to bring the following in your day pack:
valuables such as your passport, money, & phone
- ¬ waterproof jacket and pants
- ¬ soft jacket
- ¬ knit hat
- ¬ gloves
- ¬ sunglasses
- ¬ trekking poles
- ¬ water bladder 2-3 liters
- ¬ snacks and electrolytes
- ¬ snacks and electrolytes
- ¬ camera
- ¬ toilet paper or wet wipes
- ¬ first aid kit
- ¬ lip balm
- ¬ sunscreen
- ¬ prescriptions
But remember to review everything you need to pack for Kilimanjaro, Meru, or a Safari.
Accommodation
On all routes, with the exception of Meru & the Marangu Route, there will be two people per tent. The tents are modern three person trekking tents with enough room for the sleeping pads and all your gear to be inside. Each campsite will also have a dining tent, with tables and chairs, and portable toilet. If you prefer a personal toilet, Kilimanjaro and Beyond can arrange it, with an upgrade.
All the accommodations are broken down, carried, and set up again by our amazing porters.
On the Marangu Route, Lightening Week, there are simple huts. The initial huts are arranged to accommodate four people each, while the last hut is much larger, with bunk beds.
Food
Staying hydrated and well-fed on your climb is absolutely vital. This is especially true in conditions when you might not want to eat or drink as much as you should. Because so many climber experience a loss of appetite at high altitudes, Kilimanjaro and Beyond’s head chef has developed special menu plans that are appealing, healthy, and filled with all the energy you need to make it to the summit. The meals include fresh fruit and vegetables every day and you will have fresh meat for the first part of the trek. Before you leave the mountain, you will also be treated to a sample some of the local Tanzanian cuisine such as Machalari, Njegere, Pilau and Ugali.
If you have special dietary requirements, just alert Kilimanjaro and Beyond to your needs when booking, and we will ensure there are healthy meals on the adventure for you.
Tipping
Tipping is a universal custom on Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. Sadly, without regulation, tipping is a vital source of income for many guides and porters.
At Kilimanjaro and Beyond we are committed to paying our staff higher than average wages. That being said, we still believe it is important to tip the phenomenal guides and porters that will help you summit the Roof of Africa. The vast majority of our climbers are more than willing to tip according to the guidelines below. After meeting and seeing the incredible work put in by the Kilimanjaro and Beyond staff, to bring you successfully and safely up the mountain, we are confident you will agree.
If the tip amount adds too much to your trip expense, we are more than happy to customize a tour that meets your needs better.
The average recommended tip per group per day:
Guides: $20-$25 per guide per day from the group
Cook: $15-$20 per cook per day from the group
Waiter: $12-$15 per waiter per day from the group
Porters: $8-$10 per porter per day from the group
The tipping ceremony occurs the last night on the mountain to give the climbers a formal chance to thank the guides and porters. It is usually a fun ceremony with singing and dancing. Your group will receive a form with the names and roles of the staff. As a group, you will fill in the amount of the tip money* for each staff member, and envelopes which you will place the tips in. You will then choose one person to be the representative for the climbers. The guide will assemble the entire staff and the spokes person will say a few words of thanks before announcing the tip amounts. The staff members sign a tip report which is reviewed after the climb to ensure everyone has been tipped correctly. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
*large denomination bills fetch a better exchange rate and are therefore preferred
Day 1
•Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp
•Elevation (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft
•Distance: 6 km
•Hiking Time:3-4 hours
•Habitat: Rain Forest
We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at trailhead, we eat lunch, then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.
DAY 2
•Forest Camp to Shira Camp 1
•Elevation (ft): 9,500ft to 11,500ft
•Distance: 8 km
•Hiking Time 5-6 hours
•Habitat: Moorland
We continue on the trail leading out of the 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. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.
DAY 3
•Shira Camp 1 to Shira 2 to Moir Hut
•Elevation (ft): 11,500ft to 13,800 ft
•Distance: 14 km
•Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
•Habitat: Moorland
We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue 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 opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
DAY 4
•Moir Hut to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
•Elevation (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft
•Distance: 7 km
•Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
•Habitat: Semi Desert
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
DAY 5
•Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
•Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft
•Distance: 9km
•Hiking Time: 8-10 hours
•Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
DAY 6
•Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
•Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
•Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
•Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
•Habitat: Arctic
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
DAY 7
•Mweka Camp to Moshi
•Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
•Distance: 10 km
•Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
•Habitat: Rain Forest
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi.
This trekking package includes;
- Transport from/to park gate & airport transfer
- Pre and post climb accommodation (B&B) in Moshi
- Park, camping & rescue fees
- Mountain tent & mattress
- Professional English speaking guide(s), porters & chef
- breakfasts, lunches and dinners
- Water; tea and coffee with meals
This trekking package excludes;
- Flights
- Lunch & dinner in Moshi
- Travel insurance
- Visa and passport fees
- Increases in park fees where applicable
- Personal equipment
- Sleeping bag
- Tips for guide(s), porters & cook
- Soda and Alcoholic beverages