VIP / 8 DAY CLIMB
TOTAL 9 NIGHTS/10 DAYS (Includes one night pre and post accommodation)
The Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route is the best ascent route but this offers the complete Kilimanjaro experience, more acclimatisation time, more culture, and more spectacular scenery. Note: this itinerary ascends via Stella Point and NOT the Western Breach and is for that reason considered to be a safer route.
An 8 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, Barranco valley and up to the summit via Stella Point. Descent is via the Mweka route. The trip is fully supported with shower tent, spacious walk in guest tents, bed cots, and pillow as well as a mess tent with lightweight tables and chairs and all cutlery. Our trips also include a toilet tent in camp and most importantly knowledgeable professional guides that go through bi-annual training. Our logistics team at our base monitors your trip from start to finish.
10 day itinerary
Day 1 / ARRIVAL / LODGE
Upon arrival into Kilimanjaro International Airport you are personally met and transferred to your well-appointed lodge in Arusha. There is a comprehensive briefing and equipment check with the Climbs Manager and your guide. Dinner & overnight Lodge (dinner).
Day 2 / KILIMANJARO / FOREST
From Arusha we set out in vehicles to the starting point of the Lemosho trail. Here you meet the rest of your crew and set of at a leisurely pace into afromontane forest. Lunch is taken on trail and camp is reached mid afternoon. Overnight Forest Camp (breakfast – lunch – dinner).
Day 2 / Afromontane Forest
Day 3 / Podocarpus and Juniper Forest
Day 3 / KILIMANJARO / SHIRA 1
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. Lunch is taken on trail and you arrive in camp mid afternoon. Overnight Shira 1 Camp (breakfast – lunch – dinner).
Day 4 / KILIMANJARO / MOIR
Crossing the Shira plateau can be one of the most scenic parts of the trip and this morning we hike for around 3-4 hours to the lunch point. After lunch we ascend to Moir camp, arriving in the mid afternoon. For those with the energy a hike in the late afternoon is possible. dinner & overnight Moir Camp (breakfast – lunch – dinner).
Day 4 / Shira Plateau
Day 5 / Enroute to Lava Tower
Day 5 / KILIMANJARO / BARRANCO
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. Lunch is normally taken close to Lava Tower and for those that feel very strong there is an optional ascent of Lava Tower before descending down to Barranco camp in the afternoon. Dinner & overnight Barranco camp (breakfast – lunch – dinner).
Day 6 / KILIMANJARO / KARANGA
An early start is recommended to hike the Barranco wall. After about 2 hours you reach the top and then hike over glacial valleys to Karanga camp. Sunsets here are particularly spectacular with views of the southern glacial valleys and ice fields towering 1000 meters (over 3000 feet) above you. Overnight Karanga Camp (breakfast – lunch – dinner).
Day 6 / Karanga Camp VIP Walk in Tent
Day 7 / View of Mount Meru
Day 7 / KILIMANJARO / BARAFU
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 and yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi volcano are the norm. Overnight Barafu Camp (breakfast – lunch – dinner).
Day 8 / KILIMANJARO / SUMMIT - MWEKA
Most people depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence is the name of game to reach the summit 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! What goes up must come down and your goal today is to reach Mweka camp. Overnight Mweka Camp (breakfast – lunch – dinner).
Day 8 / Summit Day
Day 8 / Uhuru Peak