9 DAYS CRATER CAMP VIA LEMOSHO ROUTE

Difficulty: Very difficult

Scenery: very good

Traffic: Very low

Acclimatize well. Most climbers in Kilimanjaro experience symptoms of altitude sickness to some degree, but to prevent deterioration, they descend as soon as possible after summiting. When trekkers sleep in the Crater Camp, this often causes problems as you stay high for a full 24 hours.

We provide accommodation option to tourists on the Machame, Lemosho, and Northern Circuit routes. You will also spend more time at the summit itself before descending into the crater to sleep, following the golden rule of acclimatization – ‘climb high, sleep low’.

You should know that some climbers who have booked the Crater Camp option have changed their minds while on the mountain having decided that they have not acclimatized enough to make the overnight stay safe and comfortable. Remember always, sleeping in Crater Camp is optional: getting down safely is mandatory.

Day 01 : Londorossi Gate (2,250m) - Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,780m)

Distance: 3km

Environment: Montane forest

Time: 3 to 4 hours

In the morning you will be taken to Londorossi Gate, a 3 hour’s drive from Moshi. After completing all the park entry formalities and travelling 15 km on a bumpy road, you’ll get to the edge of the rainforest from where you’ll start hiking. Lunch will be served before you begin travelling through the rainforest. The walk on this day is going to be quite short compared to the forthcoming days and will take about 3 to 4 hours. This allows you to enjoy the lush green scenery on the trail which will invariably change over the course of your trek. You might even catch a glimpse of the thumbless colobus monkeys sitting in the branches above you.

Day 02 : Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,780m) - Shira 2 Camp (3,900m)

Distance: 8km

Environment: Moorland

Time: 4 to 5 hours

As you walk along the thin trail through the rainforest, you will notice the vegetation becoming scarcer and scarcer until you finally reach moorland filled with Lobelia and Eric plants. Ascending through rolling hills, you will reach Shira 1 Camp in about 4 - 5 hours.

You’ll be unmistakably able to see the snow-capped summit of Kibo from your campsite looking over the Shira Plateau. After a hearty evening meal you’ll doze off looking at the stars in the night sky which will bring the day to a close.

Day 03 : Shira 1 Camp (3,500m) - Shira 2 Camp (3,900m)

Distance: 7km

Environment: Moorland

Time: 4 to 5 hours

On this day, you’ll get to cross the Shira Ridge by traversing its rocky ground, low grasses, and shrubs. You’ll find that the walking is much more easy and leisurely as the terrain is comparatively flatter. You’ll enjoy the views of the Great Rift Valley and nearby Mount Meru. The giant Lobelias which are distinctive in this area Lobelias still dot the moor landscape. Walking on ground where lava used to flow you will reach Shira 2 Camp, where you will have your evening meal and overnight stay.

Day 04 : Shira 2 Camp (3,900m) - Lava Tower (4,640m) - Barranco Camp (3,960m)

Distance: 12km

Environment: Semi desert

Time: 6 to 8 hours

After breakfast you will start your ascent to Lava Tower through a boulder-strewn terrain. In the distance you will see Kibo encouraging you to continue uphill. After making to the Lava Tower at 4640 meters, you’ll take a short rest and will allow your body to acclimatize properly. After spending some time there, you’ll continue downward to Barranco Camp. This combination of upward climbing but sleeping low provides better acclimatization opportunity to the differing altitude and educates you a good idea on how your body reacts to changes in Altitude. Along the way the scenery changes once more and soon you are surrounded by giant Senecias and smaller Lobelia plants. After 6 – 8 hours you will reach the beautiful and green Barranco Camp, which offers great views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains.

Day 05 : Barranco Camp (3,960m)- Karanga Camp (4,035m)

Distance: 7km

Environment: Alpine desert

Time: 4 to 5 hours

Today the Barranco Wall stands before you to conquer. Some stages will require you to use your hands for a better grip, but no actual climbing is necessary and your guide will be with you every step of the way to provide a helping hand. The route with its numerous ascents and descents allow you a chance for further acclimatization, before reaching the mountain ridge. Walking along the ridge you can take in the beautiful landscape with its stunning contrasts of desert and vegetation, before finally reaching the cloudy Karanga Camp. Your trek will take between 4 to 5 hours, leaving more than enough time to rest and play a game of rummy.

Day 06 : Karanga Camp (4,035m) - Barafu Camp (4,640m)

Distance: 6km

Environment: Alpine desert

Time: 3 to 4 hours

You’ll be awakened with the sunlight dancing off the summit of Kibo. After having your morning breakfast, you’ll set off to today’s destination, Barafu Camp. Much of the time today will involve walking through the dry deserted terrain of the mountain with Kibo present on your left side. After trekking continuously for 3 to 4 hours, you’ll reach Barafu Camp and have an early dinner and overnight. The main highlight of your trip is just few miles away.

Day 07 : Barafu Camp (4,640m) - Crater Camp (5730m)

Distance: 8 km

Environment: Alpine desert/stone scree/ice-capped summit

Time: 6 to 7 hours

You start early in the morning to ascent to Stella Point (5750m), which is at the edge of the crater. The way is steep, winding and the landscape rocky and desert and lasts for about 5-6 hours. From Stella Point, you’ll trek for about 30 minutes to 1 hour and get to Crater camp where you’ll explore the inner crater and have your lunch and a short rest.

Day 08 : Crater Camp (5730m) - Uhuru Peak (5,895m) - Mweka Camp (3,100m)

Distance: 12 km

Environment: Alpine desert/stone scree/ice-capped summit/Montane forest

Time: 6 to 8 hours

Start trekking early from camp 1 ½ hours so that you can watch sunrise from the summit. Here you will spend a short time before you start descending. After passing Stella Point, you’ll have lunch and a short rest at Barafu Camp. In the afternoon ours, you’ll go down to Mweka Camp. Going down from the peak to your overnight camp is a trekking time from 6-8 hours.

Day 09 : Mweka Camp (3,100m) - Mweka Gate (1,630m) – Moshi

Distance: 8 km

Environment: Montane forest

Time: 3 to 4 hours

The final ascend of your amazing Kilimanjaro trekking adventure begins after breakfast with a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain crew. Then a gentle 3 to 4 hours’ descent through the rainforest continues to Mweka Gate, where your transferring driver will be waiting for you. He will take you back to the Hotel in Moshi and after a warm shower, the rest of the day is free to rest, relax at the pool or celebrate your achievement.