HIGHLIGHTS:

Conquer the “Roof of Africa” atop Mt Kilimanjaro Lemosho route

Day 1: Arusha

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure – rest in your room, relax in the manicured gardens with a good book, enjoy a swim in the pool or explore Arusha and the surrounding areas on one of our day tours, the choice is yours.

Overnight –

Day 2: Arusha – Londorossi Gate – Mti Mkubwa

After an early breakfast (07.00), we leave the hotel one hour later to arrive at the Londorossi Gate (2360 meters) for registration around 12.00, and in time to have our picnic lunch. After Londorossi, we have a short drive to the start-point of today’s walk. Today our walking time will be less than 6km, but with an expected 3 to 4 hours of walking time.

Our approach to the mountain using the Lemosho Route is from the west and some people say this provides the very best views of Kilimanjaro. At the start of our walk, we may be lucky enough to spy some colobus or blue monkeys, though an encounter with buffalo, elephant or leopard – while possible – would be rare nowadays. Our walk, steadily upwards, is a wonderful experience, with fantastic forest and some really colourful flowers. Mti Mkubwa Camp 2895 meters (‘Big Tree Camp’) is normally reached by 18.00 and dinner is served at 19.30.

Starting Point: Londorossi Gate 2,360m End Point: Mti Mkubwa Camp 2,895m

Walking Time: 6km / 4miles – (3-4 Hours approx.)

Overnight – Mti Mkubwa Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Mti Mkubwa – Shira 1 Camp

You will soon become used to the early, 07.00 breakfast. Our departure time today is at 08.00. Although our walking distance is only slightly longer than yesterday, today we will be ascending from 2895 metres to over 3505 metres and we can expect a longer walking time of

between 5 and 6 hours. Indeed, we start climbing straightaway, to the top of a ridge as we head eastwards and upwards. Today, the trees of our first day’s walk thin out, and we eventually leave the forest environment behind as we move onto the moorland. From here, we are able to get our first view of both the Shira Plateau and mighty Kibo itself.

As ever, you should concentrate on walking pole pole (slowly) to reduce the chances of feeling unwell. Our direction is largely eastwards, and picnic lunch is taken around 13.00. Walking is steep at first after lunch, but then flattens and with the snow-topped Kibo ahead of you, you actually descend slightly to the Shira 1 Camp 3505 meters. Arriving at around 16.00, there will be some welcome resting time before dinner, which will be served at 18.30.

Starting Point: Mti Mkubwa Camp 2,895m End Point: Shira 1 Camp 3,505m

Walking Time: 8km/5miles – (5-6 Hours approx.)

Overnight – Shira 1 Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Shira 1 Camp – Shira 2 Camp

Today we potentially have less climbing to do than yesterday, so we celebrate (!) with a later breakfast, at the leisurely hour of 08.00 and a departure about one hour later. We say ‘potentially’ as your guide will explain that today we have the option of trekking via the Shira Cathedral, depending on how you are feeling (see below).

The standard walking distance we cover today will be about 11km/7 miles. It is a steady, uphill climb and you should expect about 5 to 6 hours of walk time in total. We set off first in a south-eastern direction across the moor and heathland of the Shira Plateau. Buffalo, dik-dik and klipspringer graze here and can occasionally be seen. By this standard route, we intend to reach Shira 2 Camp 3804 meters – which is also known as Shira Huts – by 13.00, in time to be served a cooked lunch. Dinner tonight will be 18.00

(As we mentioned above, you will be given the option today of diverting via the Shira Cathedral (3862 meters, or 12670 feet). This involves more walking, but your extra hours of trekking will be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the plateau and beyond. Your guide will discuss this option with you in detail.)

Starting Point: Shira 1 Camp 3,505m End Point: Shira 2 Camp 3,804m

Walking Time: 11km / 7miles - 5-6 Hours approx.

Overnight – Shira 2 Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Shira 2 Camp – Barranco Camp

Today we are back to our early, 07.00 breakfast time, ready for 08.30 departure. We have around 10km/6 miles to cover, but although we will finish our day only 90 metres higher than we started it, in between we have to climb to the foot of the Lava Tower (4630 metres) before we then descend once more, down to Barranco Camp 3950 meters for our overnight stop.

You can expect a total of around 6 to 8 hours of walking, during which time you leave the Shira Ridge. The Lemosho Route joins up with the more popular Machame trail, which will make it more crowded! The scenery today changes to predominantly Alpine desert. Your picnic lunch will be at 13.00, arrival at Barranco 3950 meters around 16.00 and dinner at about 19.00.

Starting Point: Shira 2 Camp 3,804m End Point: Barranco Camp 3,950m

Walking Time: 10km/ 6miles (6-8 Hours approx.)

Overnight – Barranco Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp

We breakfast slightly later (07.30) with a departure time from camp scheduled for 08.30. Today’s walk is actually quite short, being only 5km/3 miles but it will still take between 4 and 5 hours of trekking time. We will break for cooked lunch at around at 13.00 on reaching Karanga 4033 meters and have the afternoon to enjoy the views before eating our dinner at 18.00.

At the beginning of the day, we encounter the hardest part of the stage as we have to scramble up the near-vertical face of the Barranco Wall (also commonly referred to as the ‘Breakfast Wall’ as you tackle it right after your breakfast!). At the top of this climb, you will be rewarded with views of the Heim Glacier. After this, the rest of today’s walk becomes a bit easier as we first gradually descend to the gully below, and into the cold but beautiful Karanga Valley. We then continue and finally climb up a steep series of zig-zags until reaching the Karanga Camp 4033 meters. Our overall altitude gain today is only 83 metres.

Starting Point: Baranco Camp 3,950m End Point: Karanga Camp 4,300m

Walking Time: 5km/3miles (4-5 Hours approx.)

Overnight – Karanga Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp

Another short day -in terms of distance – begins with our breakfast at the camp at 07.30 and another 08.30 departure. Today we will ascend about 523 metres in a distance of around 5km/3 miles and walking time once again is between 4 and 5 hours.

We will be aiming to arrive at the Barafu Camp 4556 meters by 13.00, when we will be rewarded with a cooked lunch. (With tomorrow being the summit day, it will be important to relax and prepare for the hard work ahead.) Dinner tonight is served at 17.30, giving you time to get to bed early. After leaving Karanga, today’s stage climbs steadily, passing through barren, rocky landscape, with the Decken and Kersten glaciers visible away to your left. At the top of the climb, the landscape remains bleak as you descend into a valley and you get your first sight of another glacier, Rebmann. At the end of this valley is today’s goal, the Barafu Camp 4556 meters, at which you arrive after a short, steep scramble and a walk

Starting Point: Karanga Camp 4,033m End Point: Barafu Camp 4,556m

Walking Time: 5km/3miles (4-5 Hours approx.)

Overnight – Barafu Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Barafu Camp – Summit – Mweka Camp

If there is one certainty on Kilimanjaro, it is that ‘summit day’ will be the toughest! But although hugely challenging, hopefully it will be matched with the great sense of achievement and exhilaration at reaching your goal – the summit of Kilimanjaro!

Our schedule for our ‘Summit Day’ is of course very different to what has gone before. Rising at 23.00, we take our tea and biscuits (23.30) before a midnight departure. We begin with a long, tough climb from Barafu at 4556 metres to Stella Point at 5756 metres; for some of this you will be walking on screen, making your trek more difficult.

From Stella Point 5756 meters, there is still another 139 metres of ascent and 45 minutes’ walk to the summit. Our goal is to reach the top by around 07.00 then celebrate (of course!) take our precious photos and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience. After the summit, we return to Barafu 4556 meters, where we rest for a couple of hours, take a brunch and then leave again at 13.30 to continue to descend to Mweka Camp (3100 metres) where we spend the night. We would expect to arrive there at 17.00 and take our dinner at 19.00. (In total, we

cover around 17km/10 miles today with about 11-14 hours of walking – tough going, but with our objective hopefully achieved!)

Starting Point: Barafu Camp 4,556m Summit Point: 5,895m

Ending Point: Mweka Camp 3,100m

Walking Time: 17km/10miles (11-14 Hours approx.)

Overnight – Mweka Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate - Arusha

Still thrilled by your achievement, breakfast is taken at 07.00 and at 08.00 you can take the

chance to reward your trekking team at the ‘Tipping Celebration.’

Although we still have 10km/6 miles to walk, departure is at a leisurely 09.00 and you descend down to the Mweka Gate which sits at an altitude of 1640 metres.

There, you will be served a cooked lunch at midday and be presented with your hard-earned certificate.

Your vehicle transport will be waiting to return you back to your Hotel in Arusha, where you can choose to relax – or, if you have any energy left, to celebrate!

Starting Point: Mweka Camp 3,106m Ending Point: Mweka Gate: 1,633m

Walking Time: 10km/6miles

Then 2 hours driving back to Arusha

Overnight –

Day 10: Departure Day

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

Congratulations – you have conquered the “Roof of Africa” and summited Africa’s highest

free standing mountain!

RECOMMENDED PACKING LIST:

CLOTHING:

Shorts, mid-thigh or longer

Lightweight, breathable pants

Undergarments, socks

Sport bra for women (roads can be bumpy)

Sun hat with brim and chin strap

Bandana (for dust, washing etc.)

Short-sleeved shirts, cool and breathable

Belt

Pajamas

Long-sleeved shirt or sweater for evening.

Rain racket and pants or rain poncho

Gloves

Warm head protection

Waterproof jackets

COLD WEATHER CLOTHING

Long underwear

Fleece jacket or wool sweater

Fleece pants

Mittens and/ or gloves (waterproof, one thin pair, one thick pair that can be layered)

Wool or pile hat

Balaclava or neck gaiter

Hand and foot warmers (chemical activated)

Down jacket or parka (for temperature below freezing plus wind)

FOOTWEAR – Be sure to break in your shoes before the hike

Trekking shoes for hiking during the day, preferably warm, waterproof, and with ankle support (not too light and not too heavy)

Tennis shoes or sandal for lounging in the evening

Hiking socks for warmer conditions

Wool socks for colder conditions

Sock liners to wick away moisture

Gaiter (for mud)

Snow cleats (optional)

BAGGAGE:

Large duffel bag or backpack with rain cover, for porters to carry

Day pack and rain cover, for you to carry

Waterproof plastic bags for storing clothing and gear (zip locks are great)

Bottled water is also available for purchase on safari

Sun hat with brim

Money

Bandana (for dust, etc)

Maps, guidebooks

ELECTRONICS – Store electronics in sealed water – proof bags (double bagged if possible)

Head lamp

Camera, lenses, filters, memory disks

Video camera, tapes /disks

Tripod

Cell phone

Batteries

GPS – (for Geocaching)

TOILETRIES

Soap

Shampoo, conditioner

Shaving supplies

Nail clippers, file, brush

Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss

Deodorant

Moist hands-wipes

Hand sanitizer

Lotion (Badger foot balm is also helpful)

Hairbrush, comb, mirror

Small towel and washcloth

Toilet paper

Facial tissue

Sunscreen

Lip balm with sunscreen

Insect repellent

Q-tips

Sewing kit

Feminine products

Cosmetics

FIRST AID - You really only need one first aid kit in your travel group, so coordinate with your travel companions.

Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen

Band-Aids/plasters

Disinfectant, antiseptic cream, antibiotic ointment

Gauze bandages and tape

Throat lozenges

Vitamins

Diarrhea medicine

Antihistamines

Ace bandage

Melatonin, Acetaz Acetazolamide, or other sleep aid

Malaria pills (talk to doctor)

Antibiotics (talk to doctor)

Prescription drugs (talk to doctor)

Diamox for altitude (talk to doctor)

Ginger and Gingko can be helpful for stomach problems

OTHER ITEMS

Sunglasses with straps

Eyeglasses, contacts, solution

Binoculars

Pocket knife

Notebook, pencil and pen

Playing cards, games, crossword puzzles, books, frisbee, football, kite

Energy bars, hard candy, snacks, and comfort foods

Duct tape (can be wrapped around water bottle)

Matches or lighter

Energy bars (also nice to share with other climbers, guides, and porters)

Gatorade or other drink mix helps with taste and minerals.

A plastic syrup bottle with handle and spout makes a good water bottle. Put a rope or lanyard through the handle, and it fits nicely under your jacket.

Write your name on your bottles and bladders to easily identify whose is whose.

SUMMIT DAY - A few more packing tips for summit day:

Keep your camera and water bottle inside your jacket

Don't forget to put on sunscreen when the sun comes out -- on your lips too!

Keep hydrating constantly.

Wear layers that you can remove and won't be embarrassed to be seen in (maybe wear shorts over your long underwear)

To prevent water from freezing on summit day, keep your water and tube inside your jacket. For Camelbacks, blow air back into the bladder after each sip and drink often.