Kilimanjaro Climbing LEMOSHO SHIRA GLADES ROUTE Africa safari

1. 1
   Day 1

   Arrival and transfer to Moshi

   Pickup from Arusha town or Kilimanjaro International Airport, and transfer to Moshi, known as the gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro.

   Overnight at a base hotel in Moshi, on half board.

2. 2
   Day 2

   Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp

   Leave the base hotel for Londorossi Gate, where you complete the entry formalities, then drive for another hour to the Lemosho trailhead (2,375 m, 7,800 ft).

   Have lunch at the trailhead, then set off through undisturbed forest, which winds to the first camp in only about 3 to 4 hours of trekking.

   Overnight at Forest Camp (Mtee Mkubwa Camp), at 2,895 m (9,500 ft).

3. 3
   Day 3

   Forest Camp to Shira 1 Camp

   Once out of the forest, take a steep track into a savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards.

   Climb through the lush rolling hills below the Shira Plateau to reach camp at the edge of the plateau, after 5 to 6 hours of trekking. The view of Kibo across the plateau is amazing.

   Overnight at Shira 1 Camp (3,720 m, 12,200 ft).

4. 4
   Day 4

   Across the Shira Plateau to Shira 2 Camp

   Spend a full day exploring the Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus on earth, averaging 12,500 feet.

   Trek east towards Kibo's glaciered peak, with the option to visit the ancient collapsed Shira cone, the oldest of Kilimanjaro's three volcanoes. Without the optional excursions, the trek takes about 3 hours.

   Overnight at Shira 2 Camp (12,600 ft).

5. 5
   Day 5

   Lava Tower and the Barranco Valley

   Climb steadily over wide ridgelines of high desert to Lava Tower, about 4 hours, and have lunch there. Lava Tower is a 300-foot volcanic plug that marks an exposed pass at 15,000 feet.

   In the afternoon, descend the steep track into the Great Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp sits in a valley enclosed on three sides by massive valley walls and the Kibo massif itself.

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   Hanging glaciers glint in the sunshine above, over an eerie landscape of giant groundsels (Senecio kilimanjari) and the endemic giant lobelia. Trekking time is 6 to 7 hours.

   Overnight at Barranco Camp (3,950 m, 12,950 ft).

6. 6
   Day 6

   Barranco Wall to Barafu Camp

   The day begins with a scramble up the steep Barranco Wall, then the trail runs up and down the slopes of valleys carved into the mountain's southern face. Kibo's glaciers loom above on your left, and the jagged peaks of Mawenzi rise straight ahead at just under 17,000 feet.

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   After 3 to 4 hours of trekking you reach the Karanga Valley, where a hot lunch is served.

   In the afternoon the trail turns steadily uphill. It grows colder and the landscape sparser as you near Barafu Camp, set on a small, exposed flat area on a ridge. This is the base camp for your summit attempt, which starts at midnight tonight.

   Eat and drink as much as you can before you go to your tent to rest and sleep. Overnight at Barafu Camp (4,630 m, 15,200 ft).

7. 7
   Day 7

   Summit day: Uhuru Peak and Mweka Camp

   A steaming hot drink arrives very early on this momentous day. The wake-up call is at midnight, you start trekking at 01:00, and the day holds 12 to 17 hours of trekking.

   Temperatures range from just below freezing at midnight to between -12°C (10°F) and -23°C (-10°F) just before dawn at the summit.

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   At early dawn the winding path of endless switchbacks takes shape in the shadows of the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers, and behind you the spires of Mawenzi are silhouetted against the red glow of the sun beneath the clouds.

   After about 6 hours of walking you reach the edge of the crater at Stella Point (5,790 m, 19,000 ft), the end of the steep track. From here, a gentle slope of about 1 hour leads to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m, 19,340 ft). For many, these final 340 feet take enormous strength.

   After a short time at the summit, descend the steep scree trail back to Barafu Camp for some rest, then summon your strength again for the descent to Mweka Camp. Overnight at Mweka Camp (3,110 m, 10,200 ft).

8. 8
   Day 8

   Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

   Descend from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (1,830 m, 6,000 ft).

9. 9
   Day 9

   Moshi to the airport or Arusha

   After breakfast, transfer back to Arusha town, where the trip ends.

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