Description

Mt. Kilimanjaro Climb 

8-DAYS LEMOSHO ROUTE 

Day 1: Pick up from Kilimanjaro Airport, 45 Minutes drive to Arusha for overnight, with debriefing for tomorrow’s program and Time to be picked up at the hotel

Day 2: Arusha National Park walking tour; relax. Rehydrate from the trans-Atlantic flight today. 

Day 3: Pick up at the hotel at 7:15 am with your mountain team. Drive to the Lemosho gate. Start hiking from 7950 feet above sea level to Forest camp at 9250 feet ASL. The walking distance is 3.36 miles through the Tanzanian tropical forest with the possibility of seeing unique wildlife such as the playful and fascinating colobus monkey or the blue monkey. We recommend that you drink LOTS of water to stay hydrated. 

Hunt an antelope for your first meal. I know you know what it takes to survive in the wild. Just kidding. Hunting is not permitted in any Tanzania National Park, but you are allowed to shoot as many pictures as you want. Just remember to save your battery and memory card for the summit On this day you will gain about 1300 feet in altitude. 

Day 4: Hike 4.8 miles from Forest Camp to Shira 1 Camp (11,500 feet ASL) on the western edge of the Shira plateau. Your guide will set breakfast and start time the night before. You may experience mild headaches on this day. You are welcome to use pain relief recommended by 

your doctor. If you want to use Diamox, start this morning with half a tablet(125mg), and the last half at dinner time. 

There will be an optional afternoon acclimatization ascent of Shira Ridge 13,000 feet ASL and back to the camp. The excursion distance is 4.7 miles. Shira Ridge is Kilimanjaro’s third volcanic summit. If the weather is friendly you will be able to capture a fabulous view of Kibo. 

Day 5: Hiking from Shira 1 to Moir Hut 5.8 miles. Enjoy the Shira plateau scenery and gain about 2200 feet of elevation. 

Sunset excursion for acclimatization (14,100 feet) to the ridge and return to Shira for dinner. 

Day 6: Hiking 7.5 miles clockwise around the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro from Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp (13,188 feet ASL).

Day 7: Hiking 5 miles from Buffalo Camp to Third Caves Camp (13,000 feet). Sentinels explore the mountain with astonishing views of Amboseli National Park in neighboring Kenya. 

Day 8: Hiking 3.04 miles from 3rd Caves to School Hut camp at 15,500 feet gaining about 2,500 feet of elevation. 

Day 9: Summit night, night ascended from School Hut via Hans Meyer cave (17,200 feet), and Gilman’s point (18,700 feet) to Uhuru Peak 19,340. 

For the dawn summit, we break camp from around 11:30 pm to 1 am. Your guide will determine the start time according to his perception of the group’s pace. Tonight is the most challenging –particularly the final 1,800 feet. 

From the summit, you will descend passing Stella Point to Barafu Camp two miles for lunch, and then from Barafu to Mweka Camp, about four miles, overnight. 

Optional: Excursion to the crater (45-minute walk, one/way) for an additional $45/person 

Day 10: This morning we descend about 5 miles from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate where we sign the summit register. Then we will walk to our vehicle and transfer to Arusha for lunch. You should expect to be back at your hotel around 2-6 pm. 

Day 11: Arusha city tour/free day 

Day 12: Transfer to the airport 

Typical tips for mountain crew is 10-15% of climb cost. All member contributions are usually added together and the total amount is presented to the chief guide at Mweka Camp. The Chief Guides always divide tips fairly among the crew according to a customary scale that is determined by the responsibilities and experience of each staff member. It will be very beautiful if you will participate in handing the divided tips in envelopes to each member of the crew while shaking hands as a show of appreciation for their care and support throughout these 8 days of lifetime experiences. 

 ASANTE SANA AND KARIBU SANA FROM JOY AFRICA SAFARI WITH LOVE

The Price includes

Private trekking

Transport and crew wages

Services of a professional English-speaking trained Mountain Guide

All reserve entry fees

Mineral water per person on day one and the Last day, the rest of the days on the Mountain will be provided with pumped clean filtered, and treated water

Full Board hotel and camps fees as per itinerary

Value Added Tax by Tanzania Revenue Authority

Airport pick-up and drop-off transfers in private car

Accommodation Bed and Breakfast at Arusha on arrival and after the safari (2 nights before the expedition and 2 nights after )

The price does not include

International Flights

Any domestic connection flights on arrival or departure

All items of a personal nature

Gratuities for safari guide, Mountain crew, and lodge staff (please tip separately)

Travel insurance if needed

Visa fee (50 US$ /100 US$ for American or Irish Passport holders – to be paid upon arrival)

Drinks and beverages in lodges

Hot Air Balloon Safari at Serengeti National Park, including concession fees (we can do a reservation for you though)