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Moshi, Kilimanjaro
East Africa
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Trek Mount Kilimanjaro VIA Lemosho Crater Route

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  • Lemosho Crater Route – 9 Days

Route Highlights

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Route Overview

Crater Camp is a unique place. At 18,865 feet above sea level, it is the highest campsite on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is located just 475 feet below the summit.

We offer the opportunity to stay at Crater Camp on the Lemosho and Northern Circuit routes. This option will add one day to the standard itineraries making them the 9 Lemosho Crater Route and 10 day Northern Crater Route.

We leave for the summit during daylight hours and stay at Crater Camp after the summit for better acclimatization.

On all other Kilimanjaro routes, only the guides and clients summit while the rest of the mountain crew remains at high camp (i.e. Barafu). Using Crater Camp requires significantly more effort on our part as the entire mountain crew, along with all of the expedition equipment, has to ascend 4,000 feet higher than they normally would. Therefore, there is considerable added cost to do a Crater Camp route.

From Crater Camp, one can take an optional one hour hike to Reusch Crater, or simply explore the areas around Furtwangler Glacier. Reusch Crater is a magnificent sight. It is almost perfectly circular and the ash pit measures 400 feet (120 m) deep and 1,300 feet (400 m) wide. This is rarely seen by tourists. The video below puts the size of the ash pit and crater into perspective.

We understand the attraction of staying at Crater Camp. However, the drawback of sleeping at this high altitude is that it is pretty dangerous. Serious AMS can develop if adequate altitude acclimatization has not been achieved.

Trekking Itinerary

DAY 1:

Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa

Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft

Hiking Time:  3-4 hours

Distance: 6 km | 4 miles

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. Upon arrival at trailhead, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.

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DAY 2:

Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp

Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Distance: 8 km | 5 miles

Habitat: Health

We continue on the trail leading out of the rain 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. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.

DAY 3:

Shira 1 Camp to Moir Hut

Elevation: 11,500 ft to 13,800 ft

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Distance: 11 km | 7 miles

Habitat: Health

We explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. Then we divert from the main trail 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 Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on Earth.

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DAY 4:

Moir Hut to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Moir Hut to Lava Tower

Elevation: 13,800 ft to 15,190 ft

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft

Hiking Time: 2-3 hours

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Distance: 7 km | 4 miles

Habitat: Alpine Desert

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Distance: 3 km | 2 miles

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We begin the day climbing up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.

DAY 5:

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Distance: 5 km | 3 miles

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.

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DAY 6:

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Distance: 4 km | 2 miles

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.

DAY 7:

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Crater Camp

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours

Uhuru Peak to Crater Camp

Elevation: 19,341 ft to 18,865 ft

Hiking Time: 0.5-1 hours

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Distance: 5 km | 3 miles

Habitat: Arctic

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Distance: 1 km | 0.6 miles

Habitat: Arctic

During normal morning hours, we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. We ascend for several hours at a slow but steady pace while taking frequent, but short, breaks. The trail turns into heavy scree as we make the steep climb to the crater rim. At Stella Point (18,900 ft), we see the summit sign in the distance. We continue the around the crater rim until finally we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

We then descend a short distance to Crater Camp, where the rest of the staff will join us to set up camp. There is an option to hike to Reutsch Crater and the ash pit, or simply explore the areas around Furtwangler Glacier. Sleeping at this high altitude can be dangerous. Serious AMS can develop if adequate altitude acclimatization has not been achieved so the guides will monitor you very closely.

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DAY 8:

Crater Camp to Mweka Camp

Elevation: 18,865 ft to 10,065 ft

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Distance: 12 km | 7 miles

Habitat: Artic

From Crater Camp, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. 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 Camp to Mweka Gate

Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Distance: 10 km | 6 miles

Habitat: Rain Forest

On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.

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Total Cost Covers:

  • Airport Transfers (to and from the Airport)
  • Clean, purified drinking water
  • All meals while on the Mountain
  • Rescue Fees and all taxes.
  • Sleeping Mats
  • Kilimanjaro entrance/conservation fees
  • Salaries for Porters, Cook, and Guides
  • Kilimanjaro Camping fees
  • Oxygen Tanks, Oximeter, & First Aid Kit
  • Quality Sleeping tents shared by 2 clients
  • Mess tents, Crew tents, Table, Chairs, eating utensils, cooking equipment.
  • Transfers from Hotel to Kilimanjaro entrance gate and from Kilimanjaro exit gate to the hotel

Cost does not Cover:

  • International and local airfare.
  • Yellow fever vaccinations
  • Passport, Visa, and Travelers Insurance
  • Personal expenses eg. Laundry, beverages, etc.
  • Tips for the support team
  • Bed, Sleeping Bag, and walking Poles.
  • Private Toilet and hot shower tent
  • Local transport before & after the climb.
  • Optional tours not mentioned in itinerary.

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