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8 day Mount Kilimanjaro climbing Lemosho Route, Climb Kilimanjaro Lemosho
route on mt. Kilimanjaro, Lemosho route info, climbing
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KILIMANJARO TREKKING
LEMOSHO ROUTE
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Departs daily
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Duration: 6 Days on the
mountain
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The Kilimanjaro Lemosho
Route is an unspoilt, remote, little used and beautiful way up to the Shira
Plateau. It can either be used to gain the Western Breach route or followed
by the Kibo South Circuit to ascend by the easier Barafu Route. The route is
one of the few where groups may be accompanied on the first day by an armed
ranger, as the forests around the Lemosho Glades are rich in buffalo,
elephant and other big game animals.
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Day 1: Arrival - Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, met and assisted. Transfer to SG
Resort for an overnight rest on bed and breakfast in readiness for the
next day's hit to Kilimanjaro.
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Day 2: Kilimanjaro
Londorossi Gate (2100m) - Mti Mkubwa camp (2750m)
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Hiking time: 3 hours
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Habitat: Montane forest
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Your day starts early
with a briefing, followed by breakfast and a 2-hour drive from Moshi (910m)
to Londorossi Park Gate (2100m). The guides and porters prepare and pack the
supplies and your equipment in the village. You will receive a lunch pack
and you can also buy mineral water in the village. From here a forest track
requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades (2100m, 11km, 45 minutes).
You will have a lunch stop about half way and will reach the Machame camping
area in the late afternoon. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big
tree) campsite, (2750m, 3 hours). Your porters (arriving at the camp site
long before you) will have your tent set up on your arrival. In the evening
the porters will boil drinking and washing water and the cook will prepare
dinner, before you retire to your tent for the night. Night temperatures can
already drop to freezing point at this campsite, B,L,D.
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Day 3: Kilimanjaro Mti
Mkubwa camp (2750m) - Shira 2 camp (3840m)
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Hiking time: 6.5 hours
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Habitat: Moorland
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You rise early at Mti
Mkubwa camp and, after breakfast, you climb an hour or so to the top of the
forest and then the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather
moorland zone. Several streams are crossed. A gentle walk across the plateau
leads to Shira 2-camp on moorland meadows next to a stream (3840m). By now
you will be able to see, in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with
its stunning glaciers. The porters will boil drinking and washing water,
before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder
than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.
Enjoy dinner and overnight, B,L,D.
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Day 4: Kilimanjaro Shira
(3840m)-Lava Tower (4630m) - Barranco camp (3950m)
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Hiking time: 7 hours
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Distance: About 15 km's
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Habitat: Semi desert
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The route now turns east
into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you
reach an altitude of 4630m after about a 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a
designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower (4630m).
Definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where
for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of
breathlessness, irritability and headaches. After lunch you descent again by
almost 680m to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high
altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatisation benefit of this
day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and
offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western
Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach
and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset
while you wait for your dinner, B,L,D.
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Day 5: Kilimanjaro
Barranco camp (3950m) - Barafu camp (4550m)
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Hiking time: 7 hours
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Distance: About 13 km's
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Habitat: Alpine desert
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After spending a night
at the Great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you make your
way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out to
be easier than anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you now
appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads
down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and
then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from
the summit, so remember it. Turn left up the ridge and after another hour or
so, you reach Barafu Hut. The last water stop on the route is the Karanga
Valley, as there is no water at Barafu camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for
"ice" and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night.
Totally exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow,
stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarise yourself with the
terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further
1345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare your
equipment, ski stick and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This
should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and
make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it
will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round
about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep, B,L,D.
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Day 6: Kilimanjaro
SUMMIT DAY, Barafu camp (4550m)-Uhuru Peak (5895m)-Mweka (3100m)
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Hiking time: 8 hours to
reach Uhuru Peak
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7/8 hours to descend to
Mweka
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Distance: About 7 km's
ascent - 23 km's descent
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Habitat: Stone scree and
ice-capped summit
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You will rise around
23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You
will head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree
towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walk to Stella point is
for many climbers, mentally and physically the most challenging on the
route. At Stella Point (5685m) 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 will normally encounter snow all
the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the
summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long,
as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue.
Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your live.
The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will
have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before
heading down to Mweka hut (3100m).
The route is not
difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland
and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and
mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water
will be prepared as well as drinking water, B,L,D.
Day 7: Kilimanjaro Mweka
camp (3100m) - Mweka Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 3 hours
Distance: About 15 km's
Habitat: Forest
After an early and
well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 3-hour and scenic hike back to the
Park gate. At Mweka gate you sign your name and details in a register. This
is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those
climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates
and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. From the
Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3
km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village you will be served a delicious hot
lunch!! You now drive back to Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner
and celebrations!! Overnight at SG Resort, B,L,D
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Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight back
home or continue with your safari schedule. End of services. B
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Tour cost: US$ 1,510 per
person sharing. Single room supplement: US$ 65
Tour price includes:
-Transfer to and from the base of the mountain
-Lemosho route trek as itinerary depicts
-Full board accommodation whilst on the trek.
-Meal plan as clearly detailed: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner
-Accommodations at SG Resort for 2 nights on bed and breakfast
-Accommodations in huts on the mountain as per the itinerary
-All park entrance fees to include government taxes
-Service of an English speaking professional Mountain guide on the
mountain, porters and skilled cook
-All services begin and end at Kilimanjaro Airport as per the itinerary
-Treated water on the trek
-Return airport transfers from/to Kilimanjaro Airport
-Chemical toilet/s on the mountain
-Kilimanjaro climb certificate (Those that reach Gillman's Point (5685m)
are issued with green certificates & Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold
certificates)
-Mountain rescue fees
Excluded:
-Any possible park fees entrance increments
-Tips, laundry, sleeping bags, drinks and climbing gears
-Travel, health, baggage loss and flight delay insurance
-Medical & hospitalisation bills
-International flights and taxes
-Visas & travel documents
-Items of a personal nature and any other extras not detailed in the
above itinerary.
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African Sermon Safaris 2005 -
2008. All rights reserved
© Copyright. Kenya House,
Koinange Street,
P.O. Box 51322 - 00200, Nairobi,
Kenya. Website:
www.continentalsafaris.com
tours@continentalsafaris.com
Tel: +254 20
244 068; Fax: +254 20 317 656; Mobile: +254 722 884 748
8 day Mount Kilimanjaro climbing lemosho Route, Climb Kilimanjaro lemosho
route on mt. Kilimanjaro, lemosho route info, climbing
Kilimanjaro with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira,
is an inactive stratovolcano in north-eastern Tanzania. Depending on
definition, Kilimanjaro may be considered as having anywhere from the
tallest to the fourth tallest free-standing mountain rise in the world
rising 4,600 m (15,100 ft) from its base, and includes the highest peak
in Africa at 5,895 meters (19,340 ft), providing a dramatic view from
the surrounding plains.
The highest point is Uhuru Peak on the volcano Kibo, 5,895 metres
(19,341 ft). Kibo has a 1.5 mile wide crater on the top of it. As the
highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak is one of the Seven Summits. The
summit was first reached by the Marangu army scout, Yohanas Kinyala
Lauwo, German Hans Meyer and Austrian Ludwig Purtscheller, on October 6,
1889. Two other peaks are also extinct volcanoes: Mawenzi (5,149 m,
16,890 ft), the third highest peak in Africa (after Mount Kenya) and
Shira (3,962 m, 13,000 ft). Yohanas' Notch is named after Lauwo.
Mount Kilimanjaro from the air. July 2007. An ascent of Mawenzi requires
rock climbing and/or snow/ice climbing skills. The climb to Uhuru Peak
is considered to be a relatively straightforward endeavour; however,
ample time must still be provided for proper acclimatization to prevent
altitude sickness. The three shortest routes, Marangu, Rongai and
Machame can be climbed by a person of good health and limited
mountaineering experience. Many who climb employ altitude-sickness
medication and find this to be helpful in preventing the pounding
headaches that plague many travellers. Those who travel on the Marangu
route usually take four to five days to complete their climb. Huts with
cooking facilities, bathrooms, and electricity are available at the end
of each day's journey. The huts are Mandara, Horombo and Kibo, located
at approximately 2700m.a.sl., 3700m.a.s.l. and 4,500m.a.s.l.
respectively. All huts have rangers stationed at them with rescue
facilities (modified wheelbarrows to transport climbers stricken with
altitude sickness to lower altitudes).
The final part of the climb, from Kibo hut at 15,500 ft (4,720 m) to the
summit, is generally undertaken at night, because the scree is frozen
together, making the climb significantly easier. Gilman's Point, on the
rim of the crater but about a 1½ hour hike from Uhuru, is attained at
5:00 - 6:00 am; those who have the strength to continue may then hike on
to Uhuru in the growing sunlight and rising temperatures. Another route
is the Western Breach, which is much more technical in nature. Annually,
approximately 15,000 people attempt to climb the mountain, of whom 40%
reach the summit.
The rapidly retreating Furtwängler Glacier is near the summit. At the
summit, there is a sign posted by the Tanzanian government. The sign
(printed in English only) reads "Congratulations! You are now at Uhuru
Peak, Tanzania, 5,895 m. AMSL. Africa's Highest Point. World's
Highest Free-Standing Mountain. One of World's Largest Volcanoes.
Welcome." The sign is covered in travel stickers from past trekkers who
have left their mark on the top of the peak. Near this famous sign is a
box containing a log that many climbers have signed. As of January 2007
this box has either been removed or buried.
Due to the mountain's equatorial location as well as its high elevation,
climbers can experience almost every climate type on earth during the
journey to the top. It is also known to many for its year round
snow-topped summit.
The summit of Kilimanjaro is covered by a GSM mobile phone network,
provided by Vodacom. It lost its claim as the highest point in the world
with mobile phone service, as China Mobile now provides coverage at the
top of Mt. Everest, the highest point in the world.
Almost all nights on Kilimanjaro are clear. A pre-dawn start is very
important to avoid the debilitating effects of the sun and uv radiation.
To make the night ascents more pleasant and in some cases beautiful,
getting up and walking up by moonlight is the optimal situation. As a
rough guide a full moon rises at sunset and sets at sunrise. This
combined with strength of the moonlight provide excellent conditions for
walking at night. However as the moon sets about 1 hour later every day.
the best conditions are probably about 2 to 3 days after the full moon
as then at about 5am the moon is still big and quite high in the sky
throughout the critical hours of the ascent. If you plan your ascent
before the full moon you might get up by moonlight but it will set
before first light.
Climbing Routes:
Lemosho: Long access drive, remote, less frequented, beautiful
forests, scenic traverse to Barafu, camping. Excellent for
acclimatisation. 8 (-1) 56km
Machame: Second most popular route. Beautiful forest, very good for
acclimatisation, scenic traverse to Barafu. 7 (-1) 49km
Marangu: Very popular. Gentle gradients and long sections up to 4700m.
Beautiful forests and moorlands, comfortable but basic huts. The 6 day
variant provides good time for acclimatisation. 6 (-1) 64km
Rongai: Long access drive, remote, less frequented, some fine, wild,
high-altitude mountain scenery, camping. Good for acclimatisation. 6
65km
Umbwe: Shortest and steepest route, tough. Beautiful forest, spectacular
ridge, bad for acclimatisation, scenic traverse to Barafu, camping.
Dangerous route.