12-Days Ultimate Lemosho Route trekking & Unforgettable Beach Holidays

Upon arrival, you will be met timeously at Kilimanjaro Airport by our transfer specialist who will welcome you and then transfer you to your arranged hotel in Arusha. That evening your mountain guide will meet you for a briefing on the hike and check your trekking gears and ensure that you have all the necessary equipment that you required for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

In the morning after your breakfast, you will be driven to Londorossi Gate, about 3 hour’s drive from your hotel. Upon completion of all the entry formalities and a final 15 km drive on a bumpy road, you will reach your starting point at the edge of the Montana forest. You will get your lunch before you set out on the trail via the rainforest. Today’s walk is quite short, about 3 hours, as opposed to the days ahead, this will give you time to enjoy the lush scenery which will drastically change over the course of your climb. You might even see white and black colobus monkeys sitting in the branches above. 

As you start walking along the narrow route via the rainforest, you will find the vegetation becoming increasingly sparse until you finally arrive at moorland filled with Lobelia and Erica plants. Ascending via rolling hills, you will approach Shira 1 Camp in about 4 hours. Looking over the Shira Plateau from your camp you will be able to see the snow-capped summit of Kibo. A hearty evening meal and a last glimpse at the starry sky will bring the day to close.

After having your delicious breakfast, you will pass through Shira Ridge with its rocky ground, short grasses, and shrubs. As you hike the path is much flatter than the day before, your hike will become more easily and leisurely, you will admire breathtaking views of the Great Rift Valley and Mount Meru. Beautiful and distinctive Giant Lobelias still dot the moor landscape. Hiking on the ground where lava used to flow you will get to Shira 2 Camp.

After your breakfast, your ascent will begin to Lava Tower through a boulder-strewn terrain. From far you will see Kibo peak encouraging you to continue uphill. Approaching Lava Tower at an altitude of 4,640 meters above sea level, you will have lunch while relaxing and let your body to get used to the higher altitude, after about an hour you will continue downwards to Barranco Camp. This technique of trekking high but sleeping low will allow your body to acclimatize to the different elevations and gives you a good idea of how your body reacts to changes in Altitude. Through the way the scenery changes once more and soon you are surrounded by Senecio Kilimanjaro and smaller Lobelia deckenii plants.

The Barranco Wall is an amazing climb, after breakfast, you will begin to climb the famous Barranco Wall, which is probably the steepest part of the entire route. Although climb Barranco wall some parts require technical climbing, some parts will require you to use your hands for a better grip and to pull yourself up. Your guide will be always close to help you during climbing the Barranco wall. After you have pulled yourself around the Kissing Rock you will start walking along the ridge of the mountain and via the Karanga Valley. You will cross the last water point as you finally arrive at Karanga Camp after 4 hours.

After your breakfast, you will begin your way to Barafu Camp at around 4,640m above sea level, which you will be at Base camp for about 3 hours. The scenery is very dry and the ground cracks like glass under your boots. As your walking via the afro-alpine desert to the rocky Barafu Camp, a sense of excitement sweeps over you as your final climb is but a few hours away. The Barafu Camp with its rocky scenery allows for a stunning view of Mawenzi Peak and the summit trail ahead. After getting an early dinner and the last preparation for tomorrow, you will go to bed early as well.

After having hot tea and light snacks, the trek will start at midnight. By using a headlight, you will climb the screes of Kibo. After 5 to 6 hours of climbing in the dark, you will get to Stella Point, the crater rim of Mount Kilimanjaro. You will have Another 1-hour trekking along the crater ridge will take you to Uhuru Peak (the summit) at 5,895 meters. Here you will see Kilimanjaro in all its glory, enjoying the 360° view over the landscape below as the sun rises. You are now standing on the “Top of Africa”. After taking pictures and all your explorations, the simple descent starts almost along the same route and shortly before midday you will arrive back at Barafu Camp, after having a hot meal and a well-deserved break of approximately 1 hour, you will be on the way going down to Mweka Camp 3,100 meter.

After breakfast then continue to go down to Mweka gate where you sign your name and details in a register.  This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates.  Those climbers who reached Stella Point are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates. Meet by a driver guide and drive to last point Kijiji for hot lunch, and drive back to your hotel. It is a welcome treat to sleep in a bed, take a hot shower and celebrate.

Upon arrival at Zanzibar International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. After check-in spend the day relaxing and acclimatizing to the tropical island.

After breakfast, embark on a guided tour of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore its narrow winding streets, bustling markets, and historical landmarks such as the Old Fort and the Sultan’s Palace. Learn about Zanzibar’s rich Swahili culture, Arab, Indian, and European influences, and take plenty of photo opportunities.

After breakfast, take a short boat ride to Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island. Discover the island’s history, including its use as a former prison and quarantine station. Meet the famous giant Aldabra tortoises, some over 100 years old, and enjoy the pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters.

After breakfast, depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred to Zanzibar International Airport for your departure. This marks the end of your memorable Zanzibar holiday with Tanzania Classic Tours.