Tanzania - Kilimanjaro
Lemosho 8 Day via Stella Point
WHY THIS ITINERARY?
This is the complete Kilimanjaro experience in the highest specification available on the mountain. More acclimatisation time, more spectacular scenery and it ticks all the boxes for those wishing to see as many of the sights that makes Kilimanjaro famous.
DESCRIPTION
An 8 day ascent to the roof of Africa. Starting on Lemosho Trail to the west, traversing across the most spectacular parts of the mountain, it joins the Machame Route above Shira Camp on day 4; then from Barafu Camp ascends to the summit via Stella Point. Descent is via the Mweka Route.
HIGHLIGHTS
Kilimanjaro! Afromontane forest, Shira plateau, glacial valleys and alpine desert, views of Mawenzi, ascent of Kibo and possible views of Kibo caldera and ash pit. Glaciers and the roof of Africa!
ITINERARY
IN BRIEF
Hike Distance – 37miles / 64 km
Vertical Gain – 15,441ft / 4706m
Drop – 16,070ft / 4898m
Trekking Time – 52 hours
IN DETAIL
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL
The Driver will pick you up from the Airport and transfer you to your hotel. On arrival the hotel staff will help you get settled in and relax after your flight. Later on, you will be met by your guide and the Climbs Manager who will brief you thoroughly on what to expect while on the mountain and will also conduct a kit check to make sure you have everything you need for the trip.
Overnight; Ngaresero/Il Boru Lodge – HB
DAY 2 – LEMOSHO FOREST
START – 6,890FT / 2100M
END – 8,695FT / 2650M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 7KM
TIME – 4-6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST
After breakfast you depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park. At the gate your crew finalize packing and after finishing with formalities you return to your vehicle for another 30 minutes or so until you arrive at the start of the Lemosho Trail. Today’s hiking is through verdant afromontane forest and is steep in places. A picnic lunch is usually taken on trail during the hike before reaching Forest Camp for the night.
DAY 3 – SHIRA 1
START – 8,695FT / 2650M
END – 11,844FT / 3610M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 7KM
TIME – 5-7 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – HEATH
From the forested slopes of Lemosho you ascend through Podocarpus and Juniper forest and break out of the forest on to the heath zone and the Shira Plateau. A hot lunch is taken at Shira 1 Camp and the rest of the afternoon is spent relaxing and acclimatizing to the new environment.
DAY 4 – MOIR CAMP
START – 11,844FT / 3610M
END – 13,780FT / 4200M
DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM
TIME – 4-5 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
Crossing the Shira plateau can be one of the most scenic parts of the trip and this morning we hike for around 4-5 hours to Moir Camp, where lunch is taken. The afternoon is spent acclimatizing and for those with the energy a hike in the late afternoon up to a viewpoint is highly recommended to keep the blood flowing.
DAY 5 – BARRANCO CAMP
START – 13,780FT / 4200M
END – 12,796FT / 3900M
DISTANCE – 7 MILES / 11KM
TIME – 7-9 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
From Moir we traverse across the slopes of Kibo. Here relatively little flora or fauna can survive the extreme temperature ranges and conditions that typify this zone. Today is a “walk high sleep low” day. You ascend into alpine desert to Lava Tower (Alt: 15,092ft, 4600m) where lunch is taken before descending to Barranco Camp. This is a long day but note that the next time you head to this altitude is in two day’s time at base camp – a great acclimatization day!
DAY 6 – KARANGA CAMP
START – 12,796FT / 3900M
END – 13,108FT / 3995M
DISTANCE – 3 MILES / 5KM
TIME – 4-5 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
From Barranco Camp, famous for its giant groundsels (Senecio species), you ascend the Barranco Wall and hike glacial valleys to Karanga Camp. Today is a relatively short day’s hike and lunch is taken at Karanga camp. The afternoon is spent relaxing and acclimatizing. In the evening a practice walk for the summit is taken to make sure you are completely comfortable with the kit you are going to summit in.
DAY 7 – BARAFU CAMP
START – 13,108 / 3,995M
END – 15,332FT / 4673M
DISTANCE – 2.5 MILES / 4KM
TIME – 4-5 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
Today is another half day ascending to Barafu Camp. Once again lunch is taken in camp allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate alpine desert and, at times, strong winds rip over this camp; yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi are the norm. A relatively early dinner is taken before heading to rest for the rest of the evening.
DAY 8 – KILIMANJARO SUMMIT / MWEKA CAMP
START – 15,332FT / 4673M
END – 10,171FT / 3100M
DISTANCE – 11 MILES / 18KM
TIME – 14-16 HRS
CLIMATE ZONES – ALPINE DESERT, ARCTIC, HEATH
Most people depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence are the name of game to reach the summit (Uhuru Peak: 19341ft, 5895m) and by dawn as the first rays of light start to appear, most arrive near the rim. Ascending via Stella Point (Alt: 18,865ft, 5750m) affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa! What goes up must come down however. The first stage is to get back to our base camp for a quick change of clothes and refuel before the long hike downhill to Mweka Camp. The downhill is hard on the knees and walking poles at this stage are highly recommended. You should reach Mweka Camp before dusk for your final night on the mountain.
DAY 9 – ARUSHA
START – 10,171FT / 3100M
END – 5,381FT / 1640M
DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM
TIME – 3-4 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST
After breakfast you descend once again through afromontane forest and around midday, after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transferred back to your lodge for a well-deserved shower! Later that evening you will be visited by our Representative to congratulate you, to find out how the trip went and to answer any final questions you may have about your onward journey.
Overnight; Ngaresero/Il Boru Lodge – FB
Machame 7 Day via Stella Point
WHY THIS ITINERARY?
Generally we recommend the 7 day version of this route but for very fit people the advantage of this route over an Umbwe 6 day or Rongai 6 day trip is the chance to see the area near to the Shira Plateau. It is also easier to access and so a better value trip as well.
DESCRIPTION
This is a 7 day Kilimanjaro hike starting at Machame gate, ascending through afromontane forest and then into the heath zone and on to the edge of the remnants of the shira volcano. The route then circumnavigates the main peak, kibo, anticlockwise on route passing some spectacular features such as giant steps and glacial valleys. The key difference between the 7 and 6 day version of this route is that this 6 day hike misses a night camping at Karanga camp and so the section from Barranco to Barafu camp is long. This means if you do not acclimatize well or are unfit, this is very tough. The final ascent is from Barafu camp. It is a night time ascent to uhuru peak via stella point. The descent is via the mweka route.
HIGHLIGHTS
Kilimanjaro! Afromontane forest, Shira plateau, glacial valleys and alpine desert, views of Mawenzi, ascent of Kibo and possible views of Kibo caldera and ash pit. Glaciers and the roof of Africa!
ITINERARY
IN BRIEF
Hike Distance – 39miles / 63 km
Vertical Gain – 16,628ft / 5068m
Drop – 17,153ft / 5228m
Trekking Time – 45 hours
IN DETAIL
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL
The Driver will pick you up from the Airport and transfer you to your hotel. On arrival the hotel staff will help you get settled in and relax after your flight. Later on, you will be met by your guide and the Climbs Manager who will brief you thoroughly on what to expect while on the mountain and will also conduct a kit check to make sure you have everything you need for the trip.
Overnight; Legendary HB
DAY 2 – MACHAME CAMP
START – 5906FT / 1800M
END – 9,302FT / 2835M
DISTANCE – 11 MILES / 6.8KM
TIME – 5HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST
After breakfast you depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park. At the gate your crew finalize packing and after finishing with formalities you return to your vehicle for another 30 minutes or so until you arrive at the start of the Machame Trail. Today’s hiking is through verdant afromontane forest and is steep in places. A picnic lunch is usually taken on trail during the hike before reaching Machame Camp for the night.
DAY 3 – SHIRA CAVE
START – 9,302FT / 2835M
END – 12,304FT / 3750M
DISTANCE –5 MILES / 3.1KM
TIME – 6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – HEATH
From the forested slopes of Machame you ascend through Podocarpus and Juniper forest and break out of the forest on to the heath zone and the Shira Plateau. A hot lunch is taken at Shira Camp and the rest of the afternoon is spent relaxing and acclimatizing to the new environment.
DAY 4 – BARRANCO CAMP
START – 12,304FT / 3750M
END – 12,796FT / 3900M
DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM
TIME – 6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
From Shira we traverse across the slopes of Kibo. Here relatively little flora or fauna can survive the extreme temperature ranges and conditions that typify this zone.
Today is a “walk high sleep low” day. You ascend into alpine desert to Lava Tower (Alt: 15,092ft, 4600m) where lunch is taken before descending to Barranco Camp. This is a long day but note that the next time you head to this altitude is in two day’s time at base camp – a great acclimatization day!
DAY 5 – BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP
START – 12,796FT / 3900M
END – 13.108FT / 3995M
DISTANCE – 7 MILES / 11KM
TIME – 7-9 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
From Barranco Camp, famous for its giant groundsels (Senecio species), you ascend the Barranco Wall and hike glacial valleys to Karanga Camp. Today is a relatively short day’s hike and lunch is taken at Karanga camp.
DAY 6 – KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU
START – 13,108FT / 3995M
END – 15,627FT / 4763M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 2.5KM
TIME – 4 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
This will be a half day’s trek to Barafu camp.Desolate alpine desert and at times strong winds rip over this camp and yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi peak are the norm. A relatively early dinner is taken before heading to rest for the evening. Overnight Barafu Camp – Alt 4,600m,15,092ft (full board).
DAY 6 – STELLA POINT
START – 15,627FT / 4763M
END – 18,866FT / 5750M
DISTANCE – 10 MILES / 6.2KM
TIME – 12 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
Most people depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence are the name of game to reach the summit (Uhuru Peak: 19341ft, 5895m) and by dawn as the first rays of light start to appear, most arrive near the rim. Ascending via Stella Point affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa! You will overnight at Stella Point.
DAY 7- MWEKA CAMP
START-18,866FT/5750M
END-10,171FT/3100M
DISTANCE-11MILES/18 KM
TIME-14-16HRS
CLIMATE ZONE- ALPINE DESERT,ARTIC,HEATH
You will get to Barafu camp at approximately Lunch time, and after a good rest ,you start the descent down to the millennium camp or mweka huts.
DAY 8 – ARUSHA
START – 10,171FT / 3100M
END – 5,381FT / 1640M
DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM
TIME – 3-4 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST
After breakfast you descend once again through afromontane forest and around midday, after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transferred back to your lodge for a well-deserved shower! Later that evening you will be visited by one of Representatives to congratulate you, to find out how the trip went and to answer any final questions you may have about your onward journey.
Overnight; Legendary FB.