Lemosho 8days/7nights- crater camp

After breakfast, your climbing guides will sit down for a climb briefing and gear checking to
make sure that each has the right and appropriate gear for the climb. At 10 am, we will drive to a
village near Tinga Tinga to visit MAA Eagles Foundation for Women and Children (Education
& empowerment of Women)
This is a 1 – 1.5 hour drive from the lodge. On your way to Tinga Tinga, you will most likely be
enjoying the amazing variety of wildlife.
MDWC is running a pre-school and supports the Maasai to establish Namayani English Medium
School. We truly believe that education will give the Maasai children hope for a better future.
During the visit, you will be able to take part in the school activities and play with the children.
The children really love to get visitors, and their beautiful smiles and trusting behaviour will make
this a memorable day.
You will also visit the local women's group and see how they make traditional Maasai jewelry
like necklaces and earrings, etc. They will be happy to show you how to make their unique beads
work.

From your lodge, we will make our way to the Londorosi gate on the Western side of Mt.
Kilimanjaro (a few hours’ drive from Arusha). We will begin our hike at the Lemosho trailhead
After climbers and porters sign in at the Londorosi gate, the load is weighed, etc (please be patient as
The process at the gate can take quite a while, typically 1-2 hours at each park gate.
Kilimanjaro or on safari. Usually, you will eat your lunch at the gate to help pass this time. After
driving a bit farther, we will hike for about 4 hours to the forest camp. In the forest, exotic moss
and flowers delight the eye while bird calls entertain the ear. You may see Black and White
Colobus monkeys, as well as signs of the elephants that travel in this area. We will overnight at
Forest Camp. Today, like all days, you should have your headlamp in your backpack just in case
of unexpected delays (it gets dark early in the forest).
Hiking: 4-5 hours
Overnight Altitude ~8,817

As we leave the Montane Forest and enter the Hagenia zone, our views open and we will catch
our first views of the Kibo peak. This is a good acclimatisation hike, as we go up and down
several ridges along the way to our highest point of the day at 11,500’ before descending to
camp.
Overnight at Shira 1 Camp
Hiking: 6-9 hours
Overnight Altitude 11,300

We will traverse the Heath zone of the Shira Plateau and begin climbing the western slope of the
Kibo Massif.
Along the way, we will enjoy a picnic lunch near Scott Fisher Memorial Camp (the well-known
Mt. Everest guide).
We will continue on to the upper heath zone and Moir camp. Depending on the weather, Acclimatisation hikes can be arranged in the late afternoon.
Hiking: 5-6 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~13,650

We leave the heath zone and enter the alpine zone as we hike for around 6 hours past Lava Camp
(up to nearly 15,000’ for acclimatisation) with its volcanic landscape, and then down into the
scenic Barranco Valley to camp.
Hiking: 6-7 hours (possibly longer if climbing Lava Tower, which is weather, time, and energy
dependent)
Overnight Altitude: ~13,500'

Ascend the Great Barranco Wall with views of Kilimanjaro’s ice fields, then hike up and down
across some small valleys on your way to Barafu Camp. After settling into camp, we’ll have a
demonstration on the use of safety equipment such as the Gamow (hyperbaric) bag and oxygen, if not
done already. Although other groups doing the midnight ascent will only get a few hours of rest
after an early supper, you will have the full night in Barafu camp and a morning departure
tomorrow.
Hiking: 6-8 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~15,100’

Even though the distance is relatively short, today’s hike is challenging due to high altitude. We
climb for around 6-8 hours to Stella Point (views into the Crater and of surrounding Africa) then
another hour into and across the Crater to camp in view of the glaciers. If time and energy
permit, hike to the inner ash pit this afternoon, or walk around the small glacier near camp.
Hiking: 6-8 hours
Overnight Altitude: 18,500’

Summit day! We usually start our ascent to the summit (19,340ft - 5,896m) around 6:00 am
(when it's starting to get light - perhaps hiking a short time by headlamp) and reach the summit in 1 1/2 to 2 hours. After celebrating and taking in the view from Uhuru Peak, we’ll begin the
long descent down to Barafu Hut for lunch and then to our camp at Mweka Camp. Hiking poles
will help protect your knees on this steep descent. A long day, around 8-11 hours for average
speed groups
. Hiking: 8-11 hours
Summit ~19,341’
Overnight Altitude ~10,448’
A note about the descent: Hiking poles will help protect your knees on your steep descent. To
help prevent the all-too-common problem of toenails getting black and blue/falling off after a
climb, and knee/foot pain from the steep descent: 1) make sure your toenails are trimmed before
the climb, 2) at Stella Point, where you start your steep descent, lace your boots a little firmly
around the ankle for the descent to prevent “toe bang” – ask your guide to show you how to do
this, 3) use two poles for support and to prevent knee injuries on the descent, and 4) don’t feel
You must keep up with the front of the group – go at your own pace on the descent (individual
differences in speed appear today when altitude issues quickly lessen, and breathing becomes
easier but footing is loose gravel/scree at times)

Climbers: We make the final descent to the trailhead today, about 3-5 hours hiking. Here you
will have lunch and say goodbye to your mountain crew before leaving Mount Kilimanjaro and
heading back to town. Arrive at your lodge usually between 3-5 PM.
Hiking: 3-5 hours