Lemosho Route VIP

Day 2: Arusha National Park On day 2, prepare yourself to be amazed by the beauty of Arusha National Park, which is just a short drive away. This park is a symphony of diverse landscapes, featuring stunning natural gems such as the Momela lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, and the majestic Mount Meru. Your guide will take you on a scenic hike through the park’s lush forests, which are home to a fascinating array of wildlife including bushbucks, duikers, and the elusive colobus monkey, waterbuck, reedbuck, and giraffe. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to observe and learn about the park’s 400 species of birds and other wildlife. As you explore this natural wonderland, your guide will provide you with insights into the park’s history, geology, and ecology, enhancing your understanding and appreciation of the area’s unique biodiversity. A picnic lunch in a picturesque setting is included, providing a perfect opportunity to rest, refuel, and take in the breathtaking scenery. After a day of adventure in the park, return to the Gran Melia Hotel for a general briefing from your guide regarding your Kili climb. You’ll then pack your bags in preparation for the next day, have dinner, and get a good night’s sleep to prepare for Day 1 of your Kilimanjaro climb. Please note that you are free to leave behind anything that you don’t need to take with you to the mountain. However, do not leave anything in the rooms as you will be checking out today. Instead, hand them to the reception for storage, where you can collect them on your way back. Your DKE guide will be there to assist you with this.

Day -3 Forest Camp
Depart from Arusha and head towards the Lemosho entrance gate with lunch boxes in hand. Once you arrive, it’s time to begin your trek through the lush Afromontane forests. As you walk, you will be surrounded by a variety of unique flora and fauna found only in this region. Be on the lookout for hagenia, fig, and juniper trees that line the trail through dense montane forest. This part of the journey will take approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours.

As you climb higher, the vegetation will change to heath and moorland, and you will have an opportunity to spot wildlife such as colobus monkeys and various bird species. After a steady ascent, you will reach Shira 1 Camp in the afternoon, where you will have dinner and an overnight stay.

Once you arrive at the forest camp, situated at an elevation of 2780 meters or 9120 feet, you will enjoy a delicious dinner before settling in for the night.

Day - 4 Shira Camp
You will be woken up at 5:30 am with a cup of your preferred hot drink. At 6:15 am, you will pack up your bags and have breakfast, and then be ready to start your trek for the day to Shira 1 Camp. The hike will take approximately 5-6 hours, and your guide may adjust the pace based on your group’s abilities.

Upon arrival at the camp, you will have lunch and then have some free time to explore the surrounding area. You can take a short walk to the nearby Shira Cathedral, an impressive rock formation that offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

In the evening, your guide will conduct a briefing on the next day’s trek and provide any necessary equipment for your climb. Dinner will be served at the campsite, followed by a good night’s rest to prepare for the next day’s adventure. The camp is situated at an elevation of 3610 meters or 11600 feet.

Day 5 - Moir Camp
You will be woken up at 5:30 am with a cup of your preferred hot drink. At 6:15 am, you will pack up your bags and have breakfast, and then be ready to start your trek. Today, you will walk to Moir Camp, which will take approximately 5-6 hours, with an expected arrival at the camp for lunch. In the afternoon, your guide will take you for an acclimatization hike to help you adjust better to the altitude. This hike will also allow you to practice the “go high, sleep low” technique, which can aid in acclimatization.

Dinner and overnight will be at Moir Camp, with an elevation of 3995 meters or 13200 feet.

Day 6 - Baranco Camp
You will be woken up at 5:30 am with a cup of your preferred hot drink. At 6:15 am, you will pack up your bags and have breakfast, and then be ready to start your trek. Today, you will walk for about 5 hours to Baranco, via Lava Tower Camp where the elevation is 4600 meters or 15000 feet. You’ll stop for lunch and acclimatization for about 1-2 hours, allowing your body to adjust more easily to the altitude. After lunch, you’ll continue on to Baranco Camp for dinner and overnight where the elevation is 3900 meters or 13000 feet.

Day 7 - Karanga Camp
You will be woken up at 5:30 am with a cup of your preferred hot drink. At 6:15 am, you will pack up your bags and have breakfast, and then be ready to start your trek. We take a break from the rigorous climb to encourage acclimatization as we hike from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp. The day begins with an exciting climb up the imposing Great Barranco Wall, a towering lava flow that provides an exciting morning. As you ascend, take a moment to catch your breath and marvel at the awe-inspiring views of the surrounding landscape. Unlike with other Guides who try to shorten your journey, you’ll end up at Karanga Camp. This is where the success rate is affected because the more time you spend in the altitude, the higher the success rate is. Take your time and immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of the Karanga Valley before settling in for a well-deserved rest. Lunch, dinner, and overnight at Karanga Camp. The elevation of Karanga Camp is 3930 meters or 13000 feet.

Day 8 - Barafu Camp
You will be woken up at 5:30 am with a cup of your preferred hot drink. At 6:15 am, you will pack up your bags and have breakfast, and then be ready to start your trek. Today, you will be walking 3 to 4 hours to Barafu Camp. Reach the camp for lunch. This afternoon, your guides will help you plan how to dress for the summit. After all the forecasting and lunch you will go to bed this afternoon before being woken up at around 5:00pm for early dinner. At this point the most significant philosophy is to make sure that you get plentiful rest since your journey will start at midnight. It will take you 6 to 7 hours from Barafu Camp to the summit (Uhuru). The elevation of Barafu Camp is 4600 meters or 15000 feet.

Day 9 - Mweka Camp
Today, you are reaching the majestic summit of Kilimanjaro with breathtaking views after 6 to 7 hours of hiking. Now, just take your pictures and start your way down to Barafu Camp where your tent will still be set up waiting for you to change your back into your regular hiking gear. Pack your bags, have lunch, and proceed your way down to Mweka Camp. This is usually the longest day of your trip as the estimated time of hiking is about 12 to 13 hours, but it’s rewarding. Dinner and overnight at Mweka Camp. The elevation of Mweka Camp is 3100 meters or 10000 feet.

Day 10 - Gran Melia Hotel Arusha.
Today, you will wake up knowing that you are returning to civilization and a nice hot shower. After a farewell breakfast, you will have a few minutes to meet the entire team and say goodbye before starting your descent to Mweka Gate, which will take approximately 4 hours. Your driver will be waiting for you at the gate to pick you up and drive you back to the Gran Melia Hotel in Arusha.