7 Days Lemosho Route

Lemosho 7 Day via Western Breach (L7WB)
WHY THIS ITINERARY?

A great adventure 7 Days Lemosho Route. Not for the fainthearted or unfit, this route follows the exact same path as the 8 and 9 day version with less stops and time for acclimatisation. This itinerary is not for beginners but for those with experience of altitude and mountaineering

DESCRIPTION

A 7 day ascent to the roof of Africa. Starting at Lemosho on the Western side and traversing across the most spectacular parts of the mountain including the Shira plateau, Lava Tower, Arrow Glacier and then up the Western Breach on to the Kibo caldera floor. The ascent to the summit is a relatively short steep hike up the Kibo rim. Descent is via the Mweka route.
Please note: This route is inherently more dangerous than other routes for 2 reasons. Firstly, the amount of time spent at high altitude and accessing the western breach. This route should only be undertaken by fit individuals with experience of altitude and adventurous training.

HIGHLIGHTS

Kilimanjaro! afromontane forest, Shira plateau, glacial valleys and alpine desert, Lava Tower, The Western Breach, the Crater floor, The Roof of Africa!

 

7-days-lemosho

ITINERARY

IN BRIEF

Hike Distance – 36 miles / 59 km
Vertical Gain – 12,451ft / 3795m
Drop – 13,961ft / 4255m
Trekking Time – 40 hours

IN DETAIL

DAY 1 – 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 finalise 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 2 – 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 acclimatising to the new environment.

DAY 3 – 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 acclimatising 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 4 – LAVA TOWER

START – 13,780FT / 4200M
END – 15,093FT / 4600M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 7KM
TIME – 4-6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT

Another half day today as you start to cross glacial valleys on the western side of the mountain. By not ascending much today we allow our bodies better acclimatisation. A half day where lunch is taken in camp. In the afternoon there is time to go for an acclimatisation walk before dinner.

DAY 5 – ARROW GLACIER

START – 15,093FT / 4600M
END – 16,087FT / 4903M
DISTANCE – 0.6 MILES / 1KM
TIME – 1-2 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ARCTIC

The ascent to Arrow Glacier is relatively short and leaves plenty of time to rest for a large part of the day. Short walks are possible with the guides to enjoy views of the Great Barranco Wall and remnants of the once mighty glaciers that filled the breach before having dinner and an early night.

DAY 6 – KILIMANJARO SUMMIT / MILLENIUM

START – 16,087FT / 4903M
END – 12,960FT / 3,950M
DISTANCE – 8 MILES / 13KM
TIME – 12-14 HRS
CLIMATE ZONES – ARCTIC, ALPINE DESERT, HEATH

There is a very early ascent up the breach at 1am. It takes around 4 hours to reach the crater. Here there is time for a quick rest and refuel before the final push, for about an hour, to the summit (Uhuru Peak: 19341ft, 5895m). The aim here is to arrive just after dawn to enjoy the most incredible sunrise from the roof of Africa. The hike then heads down via Stella Point to Barafu Camp. Here there is another short rest before continuing to Millennium Camp for the final evening on the mountain.

DAY 7 – ARUSHA

START – 12,960FT / 3950M
END – 5,381FT / 1640M
DISTANCE – 8 MILES / 14KM
TIME – 4-6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST

After breakfast you descend once again through afromontane forest and around midday, after lunch, diplomats collection and 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 a Golden Peaks  Representative to congratulate you, to find out how the trip went and to answer any final questions you may have about your onward journey.

END OF YOUR 7 Days Lemosho Route

7 Days Lemosho route Includes:

  • Park fees, (entry fee camping/hut fees & rescue fees crew fees)
  • 18% VAT on tour fees & services
  • Three health and fresh meals
  • Professional and experienced mountain Guide
  • Professional and experienced cooks.
  • Transportation to & from the airport
  • Transportation to & from the mountain gates
  • Enough number of porters for your luggage, food, water, and camping equipment.
  • Food, shelters, and fair wages for the porters, cooks, and guides
  • Camping gears (sleeping tents, dining tents, tables, chairs, and cooking gear)
  • Radio and cell phone communication that help us to stay in contact within and outside the group therefore we can respond almost instantaneously to whatever issue that may arise
  • We provide our guides with professional first aids kits and pulse oximeters for daily updates of acclimatization progress
  • Assistance with climbing permit procedure
  • Tracking of the expedition is available online in our Instagram, WhatsUp, and Facebook accounts

7 Days Lemosho route Excludes:

  • Personal porters
  • All international and domestic flights
  • Tourist Visas
  • Medical and Travel insurance
  • Tips to mountain crew
  • Mountain trekking gears e.g. walking poles (available for hire upon request)
  • Sleeping Bag (available for hire upon request)
  • A portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is extra (US$200 per toilet + toilet tent)
  • Others; Extra expenses as food or drinks separate from those described in the itinerary, satellite phone calls, transference fees, and other services not specified as included.
  • Any other alterations to our itineraries
  • Emergency Oxygen