9 Days Lemosho Crater Route

Arrive in Tanzania

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Moshi town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
Hotel: Bed & Breakfast

Day 1. Lemosho Glades (2385m) to Big Tree Camp (2780m)

You will be picked up from your hotel around 8:00 a.m. and transferred to the Lemosho gate on Kilimanjaro's western side. After completing the registration process, you will begin your steady ascent through the forests of the Lemosho glades to Big Tree camp, where you will spend the night.

Distance covered: 7km / 4.3km
Approx. time taken: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 2. Big Tree Camp (2780m) to Shira 1 Camp (3500m)

Today's trek will take you across a grassy moorland and heather plateau dotted with volcanic rock formations. Today's destination is the Shira 1 Camp, from which we can often see Kibo Peak floating in the clouds. Today we gain some altitude, and parts of the route are fairly steep.

Distance covered: 8.5km / 5.3mi
Approx. time taken: 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 3. Shira 1 Camp (3500m) to Shira 2 Camp (3900m)

Today you will get the chance to view the Northern Ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. Our steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will help with acclimatization and we enjoy great panoramic views. Our destination today is the Shira 2 Camp. In the afternoon you will take an acclimatization walk then head back to camp for dinner and overnight

Distance covered: 8.5km / 5.3mi
Approx. time taken: 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 4. Shira 2 Camp (3900m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)

Your trek starts with an ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking in to the climatic zone of the upland desert and on the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. You will reach the Lava Tower's distinct pinnacle (4640 m), our high point for the day and a great place to enjoy your lunch. We make a steep descent to our overnight camp at the base of the Great Barranco Valley (3960 m), which is sheltered by towering cliffs but has expansive views of the plains below.

Distance covered: 10km / 6.2mi
Approx. time taken: 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 5. Barranco Camp (3960m) to Karanga Camp (3963m)

Our day begins with a descent into the Great Barranco, a massive ravine. We then climb the Great Barranco Wall, which separates us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It's a rock climb that's not technically difficult but is long and exhausting. We head towards the Karanga valley, passing beneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers. We have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night's camp at Karanga camp, which is located at 3963m. For those who are feeling up to it, we will go on an acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before returning to camp for the night.

Distance covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 6. Karanga Camp (3963) to Barafu Camp (4640m)

After a good night's sleep and breakfast, we set out for the 4640m Barafu camp. The ascent will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation in sight. The altitude makes the steep walk even more difficult. We eat and rest in the afternoon after arriving at camp, preparing for a long night and day ahead. It is critical to stay hydrated and warm. We eat early and then try to sleep because we will be getting up between 11pm and 12pm to begin the climb to the summit.

Distance covered: 3km / 1.9mi
Approx. time taken: 3 hours
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included