Team Sole Sisters

We have chosen to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro via the TK Lemosho Route. Our guides, Team Kilimanjaro, have pioneered a route that is very beautiful and unspoilt and still enjoys sighting of wild game along the forest section. It is a quiet route away from the crowds. Although there are other shorter routes, we have selected this route for its better aclimatization opportunities. The Lemosho Route is approximately 80 kilometres from gate to gate and takes 8 days, with 7 nights spent on the mountain.

The trek begins at Londorossi Gate, located in the western base of the mountain, within its lush, fertile rainforest. The route heads across the Shira Plateau, before circling along the southern circuit halfway around the mountain, exposing the climber to great views from all angles. The approach to the summit is made from the north via School Hut, and the descent follows the Mweka trail.

The following gives you a good idea of what’s in store for us each day.

DAY 1 (11th October)

• ›    Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp
• ›    Elevation: 7 800 ft to 9 500 ft (2 377 m to 2 895 m)
• ›    Distance: 6 km
• ›    Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• ›    Habitat: Rain Forest

We depart Arusha for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where we will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at trailhead, we eat lunch, then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.

DAY 2 (12th October)

• ›    Forest Camp to Shira Camp 1
• ›    Elevation: 9 500 ft to 11 500 ft (2 895 m to 3 505 m)
• ›    Distance: 8 km
• ›    Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
• ›    Habitat: Moorland

We continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.

DAY 3 (13th October)

• ›    Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2
• ›    Elevation: 11 500 ft to 12 500 ft (3 500 m to 3 810 m)
• ›    Distance: 10 km
• ›    Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• ›    Habitat: Moorland

We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of walks are available on the Plateau making this an excellent acclimatization day. There is the option to visit the ancient collapsed Shira cone, the oldest of Kilimanjaro’s three volcanoes. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

DAY 4 (14th October)

• ›    Shira Camp 2 to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
• ›    Elevation: 12 500 ft to 13 000 ft (3 810 m to 3 962 m)
• ›    Distance: 15 km
• ›    Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• ›    Habitat: Semi Desert

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although we end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help our bodies prepare for summit day.

DAY 5 (15th October)

• ›    Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
• ›    Elevation: 13 000 ft to 13 100 ft (3 962 m to 3 993 m)
• ›    Distance: 5km
• ›    Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• ›    Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.

DAY 6 (16th October)

• ›    Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
• ›    Elevation: 13 100 ft to 15 300 ft (3 993 m to 4 663 m)
• ›    Distance: 4 km
• ›    Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• ›    Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

DAY 7 (17th October) – HANNAH’S 10th BIRTHDAY

• ›    Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
• ›    Elevation: 15 300 ft to 19 345 ft and down to 10 000 ft (4 663 m to 5 896 m and down to 3 048 m)
• ›    Distance: 5 km ascent + 12 km descent (17km)
• ›    Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent + 4-6 hours descent (11-14 hours)
• ›    Habitat: Arctic

At around midnight, we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. We head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point (18 600 ft / 5 669 m), we will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise we are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, we may encounter snow all the way on your 1 hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, we have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. If we’re lucky enough we will see the sunrise from the summit.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Our gaiters and trekking poles are essential here for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

DAY 8 (18th October)

• ›    Mweka Camp to Moshi
• ›    Elevation: 10 000 ft to 5 400 ft (3 048 m to 1 646 m)
• ›    Distance: 10 km
• ›    Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• ›    Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive our summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. Our vehicle will meet us at Mweka village to drive us back to our hotel in Arusha.