MOUNT KILIMANJARO – LEMOSHO ROUTE 8 DAYS CLIMBING ITINERARY

MOUNT KILIMANJARO – LEMOSHO ROUTE 8 DAYS CLIMBING ITINERARY.
On the 8-day Lemosho route, the trek from Barranco to Barafu is broken up into two days, allowing for a short day just prior to the summit attempt. This is important because summit day begins very early, around midnight, so climbers are sleeping deprived going into the toughest day on the mountain. By having a short day beforehand, climbers can be better rested.
{DAY BY DAY TREKKING PROGRAM}
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN TANZANIA:
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be picked up with a private transfer from the Airport to Arusha Safari Lodge, upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania, proceed to get your Tourist Visa at the cost of $100 USD per person. This visa is for American and Canadian passport holders, fees to be paid in exact cash. You will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Your passport has to be valid for six months past your return date, and most have empty pages. After clearing customs and immigration, our Representative will meet you and assist you with transfer to the lodge in Arusha. 
Dinner and overnight at Arusha Safari Lodge: Bed, Dinner, and Breakfast.
DAY 2: MTI MKUBWA CAMP (FULL BOARD)
•Lemosho Gate to Forest Camp
•Elevation (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft
•Distance: 6 km
•Hiking Time:3-4 hours
•Habitat: Rain Forest
We depart Arusha for Lemosho 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 campsite.
DAY 3: SHIRA CAMP (FULL BOARD)
•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 4: SHIRA HUT (FULL BOARD)
•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 5: BARRANCO VALLEY (FULL BOARD)
•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 6: KARANGA CAMP (FULL BOARD)
•Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
•Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
•Distance: 5km
•Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
•Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.
DAY 7: BARAFU CAMP (FULL BOARD)
•Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
•Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
•Distance: 4 km
•Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
•Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, 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 8: BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT TO MWEKA CAMP (FULL BOARD)
•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 2 am), 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 the 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 9: MWEKA GATE TO ARUSHA (FULL BOARD)
•Mweka Camp to Arusha
•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. Our vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your lodge in Arusha.
Dinner and overnight at Arusha Safari Lodge: Bed, Dinner, and Breakfast.
DAY 10: DEPARTING DAY:
After saying bye to our team of guides, then you need a private departure transfer, which is included from Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight unless you have an option to have a short safari or any other option we will discuss
MOUNT KILIMANJARO-LEMOSHO ROUTE 8 DAYS TREKKING INCLUDES:
• Tanzania VAT on tourism activities and park fees
• Return transfers Kilimanjaro airport to Arusha and Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport
• Hotel Lodging a night before and a night after the climb, with dinner and breakfast included (double occupancy)
• With bed dinner and breakfast
• Transfer from your hotel to starting point for your climb, and return to your hotel after your climb
• Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
• All Kilimanjaro National Park gate fees, camping fees, and climbing permits.
• Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Rescue Team)
• Emergency Oxygen (for use in emergencies only – not as summiting aid)
• Basic first aid kit (for use in emergencies only)
• Qualified mountain guide, assistant guides, porters and cook
• Salaries for the mountain crew as per guidelines set by the Kilimanjaro National Park
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as hot drinks on the mountain
• Camping equipment (tents, camp chairs, tables & sleeping mattress
• Water for washing up daily
• Porter to carry your duffel bag (max weight 15kg / 32 lbs) from one camp to the next camp.
• Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt
• A comprehensive Climbing Kilimanjaro travel info pack
MOUNT KILIMANJARO-LEMOSHO ROUTE 8 DAYS TREKKING EXCLUDES:
• Flights and airport taxes
• Items of a personal nature
• Compulsory tips for guides, porters and cook (average tip is anything from US $ 180 to US $ 250 per hiker – depending on the number of days / how many hikers in the group and the route is chosen)
• South African passport holders do NOT require a visa for Tanzania, however, most other Nationalities require a visa for Tanzania
• Health requirements (Yellow Fever compulsory if traveling to Tanzania recommended)
• Highly recommended travel and medical insurance.
• Personal hiking/trekking gear – we can rent some of the gear from our equipment store in Tanzania
• Optional, but highly recommended Portable toilet
• Snacks, personal medicine, and water purifying tablets
• Meals & drinks not specified and snacks.

THE CANCELLATION POLICY AND TERMS OF CONDITIONS:
A non-refundable 15% deposit is required to secure the tour and begin the necessary booking processes and ground preparations. An invoice will be sent to the client together with the payment instructions.
The final balance payment of the tour booked is required to be paid not later than 20 days before the tour starts. Bookings made within 20 days prior to the arrival date should be paid in full.
Cancellation received 30 days or more before the tour starts: No Cancellation Fees will be charged.
Cancellation received 15 days before the tour starts: 30% Cancellation Fee will be charged.
Cancellation received 10 days before the tour starts: 50% cancellation fee will be charged.
Cancellation received within 48hrs before the tour starts: 100% Cancellation Fee will be charged.