Lemosho 7 Day via Stella Point
(L7S)
When it comes to walking the Lemosho Trail in 7 days, guests are provided 2 options, which are detailed below.
It is the exact same route as the Lemosho 8 Day but completed in a day less.
Guests can choose to either miss out Shira 1 Camp or Karranga Camp.
Shira 1 - Missing this camp means an aggressive altitude gain and long 2nd day but 2 half days before the summit bid.
Karanga Camp - Missing this camp means a more relaxed 1st few days on trail but a reasonable hike from Barranco to Barafu (Base Camp) on the day before the summit bid.
This option is for the fit/pre acclimatised guests need to shave off a day from the trip.
Lemosho 7 day
no shira 1
WHY THIS ITINERARY
The complete Kilimanjaro experience in 7 days. A shorter version of the Lemosho 8 Day Trip (recommended). This variation MISSES OUT Shira 1 and ascends from Forest Camp (2860m) to Shira 2 (3850m) in one day – an aggressive altitude gain on day 2. That said it makes for 2 short half days before the summit attempt.
DESCRIPTION
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. It joins the Machame route above Shira Camp on Day 4. Then from Barafu Camp, ascends to the summit via Stella Point. Descent is via the Mweka route.
HIGHLIGHTS
Kilimanjaro! Afromontane forest, Shira plateau, glacial valleys and alpine desert, views of Mawenzi, ascent of Kibo and possible views of Kibo caldera and ash pit. Glaciers and the roof of Africa!
In Brief
Hike Distance – 44miles / 71 km
Vertical Gain – 15,421ft / 4700m
Drop – 16,930ft / 5160m
Trekking Time – 50 hours
In Detail
DAY 1 - KILIMANJARO FOREST
START – 6,890FT / 2100M
END – 8,695FT / 2650M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 7KM
TIME – 4-6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST
After breakfast you depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park. At the gate your crew finalise packing and after finishing with formalities you return to your vehicle for another 30 minutes or so until you arrive at the start of the Lemosho Trail. Today's hiking is through verdant afromontane forest and is steep in places. A picnic lunch is usually taken on trail during the hike before reaching Forest Camp for the night.
DAY 2 – SHIRA 2
START – 8,695FT / 2650M
END – 12,632FT / 3850M
DISTANCE – 11 MILES / 17KM
TIME – 10-12 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE - HEATH
From the forested slopes of Lemosho you ascend through Podocarpus and Juniper Forest and break out on to the heath zone and the extensive Shira Plateau. It is a long day with some serious altitude gained so your guide will set the easy, slow pace to ensure you acclimatise as best you can. Lunch is taken on trail at Shira 1 Camp before trekking across the plateau to Shira 2 Camp.
DAY 3 – BARRANCO CAMP
START – 12,632FT / 3850M
END – 12,796FT / 3900M
DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM
TIME – 6-7 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
From Shira 2 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. Today is a “walk high sleep low” day. You ascend into alpine desert to Lava Tower (Alt: 15,092ft, 4600m) where lunch is taken before descending to Barranco Camp. This is a long day but note that the next time you head to this altitude is at base camp – a great acclimatisation day!
DAY 4 - KARANGA CAMP
START – 12,796FT / 3900M
END – 13,108FT / 3995M
DISTANCE – 3 MILES / 5KM
TIME – 4-5 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
From Barranco Camp, famous for its giant groundsels (Senecio species), you ascend the Barranco Wall and hike glacial valleys to Karanga Camp. Today is a relatively short day’s hike and lunch is taken at Karanga camp. The afternoon is spent relaxing and acclimatising. In the evening a practice walk for the summit is taken to make sure you are completely comfortable with the kit you are going to summit in.
DAY 5 - BARAFU
START – 13,108 / 3,995M
END – 15,332FT / 4673M
DISTANCE – 2.5 MILES / 4KM
TIME – 4-5 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
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; yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi are the norm. A relatively early dinner is taken before heading to rest for the remainder of the evening.
DAY 6 - SUMMIT BID / MWEKA CAMP
START – 15,332FT / 4673M
END – 10,171FT / 3100M
DISTANCE – 11 MILES / 18KM
TIME – 14-16 HRS
CLIMATE ZONES – ALPINE DESERT, ARCTIC, HEATH
Most people depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence are the name of game to reach the summit (Uhuru Peak: 19341ft, 5895m) and by dawn as the first rays of light start to appear, most arrive near the rim. Ascending via Stella Point (Alt: 18,865ft, 5750m) affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa! What goes up must come down however. The first stage is to get back to our base camp for a quick change of clothes and refuel before the long hike downhill to Mweka Camp. The downhill is hard on the knees and walking poles at this stage are highly recommended. You should reach Mweka Camp before dusk for your final night on the mountain.
DAY 7 - ARUSHA
START – 10,171FT / 3100M
END – 5,381FT / 1640M
DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM
TIME – 3-4 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST
After breakfast you descend once again through afromontane forest and around midday, after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transferred back to your lodge for a well deserved shower! Later that evening you will be visited by a Summits Africa Representative to congratulate you, to find out how the trip went and to answer any final questions you may have about your onward journey.
lemosho 7 day
no karanga
WHY THIS ITINERARY
The complete Kilimanjaro experience over 7 days. This trip is a shorter version of the Lemosho 8 day Trip and skips out Karanga Camp, instead going DIRECT from Barranco to Barafu in one day. For those that are very fit or pre-acclimatised (for instance on Mt Meru or the Ngorongoro Highlands) this could be a good choice to reduce a day.
DESCRIPTION
A 7 day ascent to the roof of Africa. Starting at Lemosho on the Western side and traversing across the most spectacular parts of the mountain. It joins the Machame Route above Shira Camp on Day 4. Then from Barafu Camp it ascends to the summit via Stella Point. Descent is via the Mweka Route.
HIGHLIGHTS
Kilimanjaro! afromontane forest, Shira plateau, glacial valleys and alpine desert, views of Mawenzi, ascent of Kibo and possible views of Kibo caldera and ash pit. Glaciers and the roof of Africa!
In Brief
Hike Distance – 44 miles / 71 km
Vertical Gain – 14,748ft / 4495m
Drop - 16,257ft / 4955m
Trekking Time – 50 hours
In Detail
DAY 1 - KILIMANJARO FOREST
START – 6,890FT / 2100M
END – 8,695FT / 2650M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 7KM
TIME – 4-6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST
After breakfast you depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park. At the gate your crew finalise packing and after finishing with formalities you return to your vehicle for another 30 minutes or so until you arrive at the start of the Lemosho Trail. Today's hiking is through verdant afromontane forest and is steep in places. A picnic lunch is usually taken on trail during the hike before reaching Forest Camp for the night.
DAY 2 - SHIRA 1
START – 8,695FT / 2650M
END – 11,844FT / 3610M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 7KM
TIME – 5-7 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – HEATH
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. A hot lunch is taken at Shira 1 Camp and the rest of the afternoon is spent relaxing and acclimatising to the new environment.
DAY 3 – SHIRA 2
START – 11,844FT / 3610M
END – 12,632FT / 3850
DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM
TIME – 3-5 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – HEATH
After a relatively long hike and significant altitude gain on day 2, today is a short day and you arrive at Shira 2 Camp in time for lunch. A good day for acclimatisation with the option of an afternoon walk with your guides to increase your acclimatisation - highly recommended!
DAY 4 – BARRANCO CAMP
START – 12,632FT / 3850M
END – 12,796FT / 3900M
DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM
TIME – 6-7 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
From Shira 2 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. Today is a “walk high sleep low” day. You ascend into alpine desert to Lava Tower (Alt: 15,092ft, 4600m) where lunch is taken before descending to Barranco Camp. This is a long day but note that the next time you head to this altitude is at base camp – a great acclimatisation day!
DAY 5 - BARAFU
START – 13,108 / 3,995M
END – 15,332FT / 4673M
DISTANCE – 2.5 MILES / 4KM
TIME – 4-5 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
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; yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi are the norm. A relatively early dinner is taken before heading to rest for the remainder of the evening.
DAY 6 - SUMMIT BID / MWEKA CAMP
START – 15,332FT / 4673M
END – 10,171FT / 3100M
DISTANCE – 11 MILES / 18KM
TIME – 14-16 HRS
CLIMATE ZONES – ALPINE DESERT, ARCTIC, HEATH
Most people depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence are the name of game to reach the summit (Uhuru Peak: 19341ft, 5895m) and by dawn as the first rays of light start to appear, most arrive near the rim. Ascending via Stella Point (Alt: 18,865ft, 5750m) affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa! What goes up must come down however. The first stage is to get back to our base camp for a quick change of clothes and refuel before the long hike downhill to Mweka Camp. The downhill is hard on the knees and walking poles at this stage are highly recommended. You should reach Mweka Camp before dusk for your final night on the mountain.
DAY 7 - ARUSHA
START – 10,171FT / 3100M
END – 5,381FT / 1640M
DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM
TIME – 3-4 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST
After breakfast you descend once again through afromontane forest and around midday, after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transferred back to your lodge for a well deserved shower! Later that evening you will be visited by a Summits Africa Representative to congratulate you, to find out how the trip went and to answer any final questions you may have about your onward journey.