9-Day Lemosho Crater route itinerary and Local Village tour
Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro Via Lemosho Crater Route For 9 Days/8nights (Camping) And Local Village Tour
Highlights
Lemosho is the most loved and scenic route on Mt. Kilimanjaro for the lack of crowds and plenty of time for adventurers to acclimatize starting from the western side of the mountain. It is also one of the only routes where there is a great chance of encountering wild animals like zebras, giraffes, ostriches, white colobuses, blue monkeys, and antelopes on the way to the gate. If you have the time, we highly suggest this route simply because the route offer a high successful rate for a client to make it to the roof of Africa (Uhuru peak). Moreover, including the local village tour in your itinerary before embarking on a big mt. Kilimanjaro adventure is a great way to acclimatize, experience the local culture and prepare mentally and physically for the big climb ahead.
This itinerary is going offer you a unique overnight in the Crater Camp, the highest campsite on Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Day 1, Moshi town:
Upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), you will be greeted by our warm, friendly guide(s). After the long international flight, you will be transferred to a nearby hotel to rest and relax. During the daytime, on your way to a nearby hotel from the KIA-hotel, you may get the chance to view the mountain, which showed itself for some time before being shrouded in the clouds. Overnight in the hotel in Moshi town, notice the sounds and smells of Moshi town all around you.
Accommodation: Lodge in Moshi Meal: Breakfast
Day 2: Marangu Village & Coffee Tour (recommended for acclimatization)
After breakfast, you will drive from your hotel for 45 minutes to Marangu village for the local tour. If you would be interested, we will prepare local food, which we can share. The name Marangu comes from the local Chagga word meaning spring water,’ and the village itself is located in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro, about 40 km from Moshi town. This one-day trip takes you to various natural and cultural sites around Marangu
Activities
- Waterfalls (Kinukamori, Ndoro & Kilasia) – Make a splash in the mountain water of Kilimanjaro and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding valleys.
- Chagga Museum – The Chagga culture and history can be explored by visiting the museum. There are several exhibitions including a reconstructed thatched Chagga house.
- Underground Chagga Tunnels – These tunnels were used many years back (before independence) by the Chagga people to hide from their enemies during clan wars.
- Local Bar – Drop into one of the local Chagga bars and drink the traditional “mbege” a local brew made from millet and banana wine. Coffee and Banana Farms – Visit coffee farms and a local home where you can enjoy local dishes and learn the traditional process of preparing coffee.
- Short hike – Hike to Ndoro Waterfall through the beautiful rainforest, and enjoy the breathtaking 80-meter-high Materuni Waterfall. Swim in the refreshing natural pool (optional; please bring swimwear if you’re interested).
- After the nature walk to the waterfall and lunch, you will proceed with the Coffee Tour & Experience. Here, you will learn the complete process of traditional coffee-making, from bean to cup. You can participate in coffee de-pulping, roasting, and grinding using traditional tools like the mortar and pestle. You can also enjoy a fresh cup of locally brewed organic coffee. Later, you will begin your drive back, arriving in Moshi by 4:30 PM.
Overnight: Lodge in Moshi Meal: Breakfast
Day 3: Hotel- Lemosho Gate (2100m) – Big Tree Camp (2780m)
After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and driven to Lemosho Gate on a forest track that leads to the Lemosho starting point. After all park formalities and permit collection, you will enter the beautiful and undisturbed rainforest to begin your ascent up the mountain. The route offers a good chance to witness the undisturbed forest with a splendid view of varieties of birds and black and white colobus monkeys.
The hiking will take 3 to 4 hours to reach Mti Mkubwa Camp also known as Big Tree Camp. The camp’s name is given to present the large conifer trees that provide shade over the campsite.
- Distance: 6km/ 3.7miles
- Hiking time: 3-4hrs
- Habitat: Rainforest
- Altitude gained: 680m
Day 4: Big Tree Camp (2780m)-Shira 1 Camp (3610m)
On this day you’ll rise early for breakfast and begin climbing a slightly steeper gradient through various vegetation zones. This day we reach the west side of the Shira Plateau, hiking through a montane forest, through a transition zone, and into the heather zone where the old lava flows are visible. Here you will start to get fantastic views of Kibo, the summit cone of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
- Distance: 7km/4miles
- Hiking time: 4hrs
- Habitat: Montana forest and moorland
- Altitude gained: 830m
Day 5: Shira 1 Camp (3610m) – Shira 2 Camp (3850m) or Moir Hut (4100m)
Here you have two options, to walk from Shira One Camp to Shira Two Camp or to Moir Hut. Today is an easy-paced acclimatization day, enjoying a gentle walk across the Shira Plateau into the moorland of Kilimanjaro to Shira Two Camp for the overnight. So now you are on the west of Kibo Peak.
But for those who opt to overnight at Moir Hut, they continue to walk to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. Moir Hut is located at an elevation of 4100m, it’s a more private and less crowded camp. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Tea or coffee and some nuts or popcorn will be served to help warm up your body before the main dish of the evening and retiring to sleep. Hiking time is 4-5 hours.
- Distance: 10km/ 6miles
- Hiking time: 4-5hrs
- Habitat: Moorland
- Altitude gained: 500m
Day 6: Shira 2 Camp (3850m) or Moir Hut 4100m -Barranco Camp (3900m) via Lava Tower Camp 4600m
Today the route takes you into a semi-desert/alpine desert with rocky landscapes and a surrounding Lava Tower of 300ft high with rocky scree at its base. At Lava Tower camp you will have your hot lunch before descending to Barranco Camp. This day is an important day for acclimatization as you travel up to an elevation of 4600M before spending the night at Barranco, here we will apply the principle of Climb High Sleep Low. You will ascend through the moorlands to the alpine zone where the only plant life is the heartiest of grasses and lichens. Hiking time is 5 to 6 hours.
- Distance: 10km/ 6miles
- Hiking time: 6-7hrs
- Habitat: Moorland and Alpine Desert
- Altitude gained: 500m
Day 7: Barranco Camp (3900m)-Karanga Valley Camp (3995m)
On this day after breakfast, you will scramble the Barranco wall (not a technical climb) and then follow the Kibo South Circuit. This is a relatively short day, and you should arrive at your camp located just after the Karanga Valley set atop a ridge by lunchtime. Today is a valuable acclimatization day as you will be walking for the morning only and descending various ridges and valleys during your walk. Hiking time is 3 to 4 hours.
- Distance: 6km/ 3.7miles
- Hiking time: 3-4hrs
- Habitat: Moorland
- Altitude gained: 100m
Day 8: Karanga Valley Camp (3995m)-Barafu Camp (4640m) or Kosovo Camp (4700m)
As we begin trekking today the trail is steadily uphill. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape sparser as we work our way to Barafu Camp. Barafu is a Swahili word which means “ice”. The Camp is set on an exposed ridge and is the staging point for our push to the summit which offers stunning views of Mt. Kilimanjaro’s summit from various angles.
Sometime after signing in at Barafu Camp, you will continue to walk to Kosovo Camp for the overnight. Those who start their summit push from the Kosovo camp have a high succession rate to make it to the top compared to those who start their summit push from the Barafu camp and overnight here the prior permit is required before entering the park at an additional cost of $120 per person. Once again you should arrive by late noontime, allowing plenty of time to rest before the final summit attempt. Hiking time is 4 to 5 hours.
- Distance: 4km/ 2.5milesmiles
- Hiking time: 4hrs
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Altitude gained: 650m
Day 9: Barafu Camp to Crater Camp 5730m (via Summit – optional)
A long and hard day! Leaving your campsite early in the morning around 6ham, the climb from Barafu to Stella Point is fairly steep. The trail heads northwest through the heavy stone scree following multiple switchbacks between Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers until you reach Stella Point (5,756m). At the Stella Poin,t you will walk inside the crater overnight.
- Distance: 4.5km/ 2.7milesmiles
- Hiking time: 7hrs
- Habitat: Alpine Desert to Arctic Zone
- Altitude gained: 1050m
10: Crater Camp – Uhuru Peak 5895m then Mweka High Camp (3100m)
After breakfast you will start your hike early in the morning to Uhuru Peak, You will arrive at Uhuru Peak by the time the sun rises from the eastern side. It will take about one hour to one and a half hours to reach the summit. After taking some pictures at the top, you will start walking down to Baradu, the Mweka High Camp. You then head back down, via the Mweka route. The section from Uhuru down to Barafu (4 hours) is screed (as on the way up). Then, at Barafu camp you will have 1-2 hours of rest, and then you will be awakened for lunch and hot water. Then, after lunch, you head down through the various vegetation zones, on a continual downhill, into Mweka camp, which is located on the edge of the rainforest area (3-4 hours from Barafu Camp). It is a long descent, and trekking poles are highly recommended. Congratulations, you made it to the Roof of Africa!
- Distance: 10km/ 6miles
- Hiking time: 6hrs up and down
- Habitat: Arctic Zone to Rainforest zone
- Elevation: -2795m (-9170feet) of descent
Day 11: Mweka Camp – Moshi town
After a fantastic breakfast, you will begin the easiest part of your adventure on Mt. Kilimanjaro via a scenic path through the forest to Mweka Gate, our last hike will be of 3 to 4 hours. The hike is steep in some places and may be slippery if wet so again we recommend that you use trekking poles. Successful hikers who make it to Stella Point and Uhuru Peak will be awarded their certificates at the Mweka gate which is signed by the head guide. At the gate you will say goodbye to your mountain crew and enjoy a picnic lunch.
The trip leaders will take you back to your hotel for a much-welcome hot shower and a celebration dinner.
- Distance: 10km/ 6.2miles
- Hiking time: 4hrs up and down
- Habitat: Rainforest zone
- Elevation: -1460m (-4790feet) of descent
Accommodation: Lodge or Hotel in Moshi Meals: Breakfast
Moshi town/Departure
For those returning home, you will be transferred to the Kilimanjaro International Airport to catch your flight. Those continuing on safari will be picked up at your hotel for the continuation of your Tanzania Unforgettable tour.
Package Includes:-
- All Kilimanjaro National Park gate fees, camping/hut fees, and climbing permits.
- Tanzania VAT on tourism activities
- Local village tour for those with an extra night in town before or after the climb.
- Big services on the mountain
- Some mountain equipment like sleeping mats, water bottles, walking poles, etc.
- 2 Nights’ accommodation at the Hotel in Moshi, on bed and breakfast basis (lunch and dinner can be arranged on request at additional cost)
- Hotel accommodation includes storage facilities for excess luggage during hikes
- All transfers from arrival-departure
- Crater camping fee
- Crew transfer to the starting gate
- Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees.
- The chief guide carries a Pulse Oximeter, used to take blood-oxygen level readings of clients
- Emergency oxygen (for use in emergencies only – not as summiting aid)
- Basic first aid kit (for use in emergencies only)
- Qualified and well-trained mountain guide with WFR certificate, assistant guides, cook and porters
- Salaries for mountain support crew, as per required KINAPA, KPAP, TPO and KPA minimum payments
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as hot drinks and starters on the mountain
- Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, camp chairs, camp tables, mess tent)
- Warm water for washing up daily
- Porter to carry your duffel bag (stuff), with a maximum weight of 19kg from one camp to the next camp and the weight decreased as we move from one camp to another.
- Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt
- Tanzania Forest Service fee (TFS fee)
- All country taxes, Tour Commission and QT
- Private mobile toilet
Package Excludes:-
- International flights
- An extra night at the hotel or lodge in Moshi
- Travel and personal accident insurance
- Visa and Passport
- Climbing equipment (clothes), if will be requested will be there to be hired at an additional cost of $150 per person, which will include all the gear listed in our Kilimanjaro climbing list.
- Kosovo Camping fee ($120 per person)
- Vaccinations & medicines
- Tips/gratuities for guides, cooks and porters (guide $25-$30 per day, chef $20-$25 per day and porters $10-$15 per porter per day).
- Crater salary for the guides and porters
- Other expenditures like luxury drinks/beverages, alcoholic drinks at lodges/hotels or on your trip as well as souvenirs and personal items after or before the trip.
- Optional excursions/activities not detailed in the itinerary
- Any additional services that will be requested.
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