Kilimanjaro Climb – Lemosho Route: 9-Nights
$6475 $6325 per person
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*Prices are per person in CAD dollars, based on double occupancy; land only
*Price displayed is the lead in rate and the discounted rate includes the member savings
A superb ascent of Kilimanjaro on the much less-trekked Lemosho Route
Taking the western approach we cross the caldera of Shira Volcano, traversing beneath the southern icefields of Kibo, Kilimanjaro’s highest volcano. We have eight days on Africa’s highest mountain, which means plenty of time for acclimatisation and soaking up the ever changing scenery. This is one of the least trekked routes allowing us to savour the immense and wild Shira Plateau. This itinerary gives you an excellent chance of reaching the summit: approximately 96% of people trekking the Lemosho route with Exodus stand on the roof of Africa.
Highlights
- A fantastic eight-day route, carefully designed to maximise time in remote wilderness
- Extra day to aid acclimatisation
- To stand on top of the largest freestanding mountain in the world – Kilimanjaro
- 1 guide to every 2 clients on summit day
- Why not extend your trip on beautiful Zanzibar for a few days
Other Key Information:
- 7 nights full service camping in three-man tents, private toilet tents provided, 2 nights comfortable en suite hotels
- 8 days point-to-point walking
- Full porterage throughout
- Altitude maximum 5895m, average 4000m
- Full moon departures
- Exodus is a member of the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP)
- Countries visited: Tanzania
What’s Included:
- All breakfasts, 8 lunches and 9 dinners
- All accommodation (see below)
- All transport and listed activities
- Tour leader throughout
- Kilimanjaro Park Fee
Not Included:
- Travel insurance
- Single supplement
- Equipment hire
- Visas or vaccinations
*MEMBER BENEFIT: $150 CAD off per person. Discount off Land Only; Price valid for new bookings only; Cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount or offer; Excludes Tailormade tours.
Call for assistance: 1-800-481-9739 ext. 1
Mention Promo Code for Savings: 3068
Departure Dates
July 9
August 10, 25
October 8
January 4, 28
February 18
May 26
July 14
August 11, 25
September 12
October 10, 24
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Destination
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Arrival City
Arusha, Tanzania -
Departure City
Arusha, Tanzania -
Activity Level
Graded 6: You have a good level of fitness and are looking for a physically challenging holiday. Previous experience is essential for activity based trips. -
Passenger Limit
4-16 passengers
1
Start Arusha
There will be a trip briefing this afternoon/evening. Please bring with you your passport and insurance details, and your air ticket details. The briefing will cover all aspects of your trip and will include the distribution of any hired equipment you have booked.
Comfortable Hotel
Meals Provided: Dinner
2
To Londorossi; begin ascent to Lemosho Forest (2650m).
In the morning we transfer to Londorossi (2250 m), passing between the slopes of Kilimanjaro and the horseshoe-shaped volcanic crater of Mt. Meru (a distance of about 120 km). After completing the necessary registration formalities, we drive on for a short distance through farmland and plantations to reach the Lemosho roadhead. The last 5 km of the road to the park gate is of poor quality, particularly after rain, and the drive there should be considered part of the adventure. We often have our lunch in the glades before starting to walk. It is an easy day of walking up a small path through beautiful and lush forest, this area has a variety of game including buffalo. We camp at Lemosho Forest camp (2650 m). Approx 3-4 hours walking.
Full-service Camping
Meals Provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
3
Explore Shira Plateau; camp at Shira One (3550m).
The trail starts out in the lush rich montane forest before ascending into the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily with views across the plains opening out as we reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. There is a tangible sense of wilderness especially if the afternoon mists come in. We camp in the centre of the plateau at Shira One (3550 m). Approx 6-7 hours walking.
Full-service Camping
Meals Provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Meals Provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
4
Walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral to camp at Shira Hut (3840m).
A day to help acclimatisation and to explore the grassy moorland and the volcanic rock formations of the plateau. We walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral, a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles. The views from our camp near Shira Hut (3840m) of Mt. Meru floating on the clouds are simply unforgettable. The afternoon is free to relax. Approx 4-5 hours walking.
Full-service Camping
Meals Provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
5
Descend to camp at Great Barranco Valley (3900m).
A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, walking on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near the Lava Tower junction (4550m), we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (3900m), sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below. Approx 5-7 hours walking.
Full-service Camping
Meals Provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Meals Provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
6
Over the Barranco Wall to Karanga (4000m).
A short steep climb up the famed Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the southern icefields. The terrain changes to volcanic scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and a powerful sense of mountain wilderness. Our next camp is at Karanga (4000m) a short distance away. The valley floor has the last water point on the approach to Barafu and we camp on the higher sides of the valley with views towards the glaciers of the southern icefields. Approx 4-5 hours walking.
Full-service Camping
Meals Provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
7
Steep ascent to Barafu campsite (4600m), with optional afternoon ascent to bottom of S.E. Valley (4800m).
The trail follows a path on compacted scree with wide views ahead including the Barafu Ridge where our camp lies. The trail climbs unrelentingly to reach the Barafu campsite (4600m) for lunch, after which there is a short acclimatisation walk to the plateau at the bottom of the southeast valley (4800m). The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent and includes a very early night. Approx 3-5 hours walking.
Full-service Camping
Meals Provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Meals Provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
8
An early start to reach Stella Point in time for sunrise; on to Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa; descend to Millennium Camp (3800m).
We will start our ascent by torchlight around midnight so that we can be up on the crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zigzags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5735m), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshments we continue to descend to reach our final campsite (3800m) at Millenium camp. Most of us will be too tired to notice the beauty of the forest surrounding the crowded campsite. This is an extremely long and hard day with between 11 and 15 hours of walking at high altitude.
Full-service Camping
Meals Provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Meals Provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
9
To Mweka Gate; transfer to Arusha.
This day is a sustained descent on a well-constructed path through lovely tropical forest alive with birdsong and boasting lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest. Our route winds down to the national park gate at Mweka (1650m); and on through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village. The shower, the beer, and the swimming pool are tantalisingly close! We return by bus to Arusha (a distance of about 100 km). Approx 4-6 hours walking.
Comfortable Hotel
Meals Provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
10
End Arusha
The morning can be spent resting in the hotel garden by the pool or exploring Arusha for souvenirs for those on group flights. Those not flying back to UK with the group will leave us in Arusha.
Meals Provided: Breakfast
Meals Provided: Breakfast
Extend Your Trip
Zanzibar -
If you are keen to end your holiday on a very relaxed note Zanzibar is a place to relax on the beach, to explore the colourful reef offshore, or to simply relax and soak up the sun! You can choose to add on as many extra nights to your trip as you wish; your time on the island will be at leisure for you to do as you wish. We transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport and fly to Zanzibar, on arrival we transfer to the south west coast of the island. The accommodation used, Fumba Beach Lodge is far from other developments, the feeling of peace is all encompassing and there is a long strip of private beach, pool, spa, diving centre and spacious rooms. Please note that on Zanzibar you will be met and transferred between the airport and hotel but you are not escorted or guided. If you choose to take advantage of this opportunity then we can arrange flights for you to Zanzibar as well as booking the hotel on half board and included all the transfers needed.
We can also book other hotels for you on the island including Kichanga Lodge and Tembo Hotel.
Safari extension- after Lemosho Route -
This extension is a perfect introduction to Africa’s wildlife, over three days you will discover three unique National Parks. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is as breath-taking for its landscapes as it is attractive for its animals. The walls of the crater provide a home for an abundance of animals acting like a giant enclosure. As a result only a few of the vast numbers of animals actually migrate out of the crater. Tarangire National Park has the largest number of elephants in the northern part of Tanzania and is dotted with Baobab trees. Finally Lake Manyara National Park is small but supports a high density of mammals including its famous population of tree climbing lions.
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