Lemosho southern circuit route via Barafu camp
Day 1; Arusha hotel to Lemosho gate to Mti Mkubwas
Distance 4.8 km : Altitude gain 390 m
The first day on Kilimanjaro begins at the Lemosho gate (2,389 m) where park authorities ensure all required licences and permits are in place for a safe and proper climb.
This half-day hike is through dense jungle forest with an average daytime temperature of 18-25 degrees centigrade. The annual rainfall is this region is between 2000 mm and 3000 mm – by comparison Edinburgh, Scotland averages 670 mm; and Miami, Florida averages 1,570 mm.
The forest provides a habitat for a great deal of wildlife. Among the different species of flora and fauna commonly seen are Black and White Colobus monkeys; Blue Monkeys; many birds and insects; forest floor ants, and different species of forest birdsong within the canopy.
The trail gently and smoothly through the forest, making for a relaxing and enjoyable day. Made especially so by the previous days on Mount Meru.
Your first night on Kilimanjaro will be spent camped at Mti Mkubwas (2,785 m), also known as Big Tree Camp, and Forest Camp.
Day 2; Mti Mkubwas to Shira 1 camp
Distance 7.9 km: Altitude gain 713 m
After breakfast, the trek departs from Mti Mkubwas (2,785 m) and continues to climb towards the tree line where you leave the forest zone and enter the spectacular moorland/heather zone. The giant heather plants and volcanic earth are incredible.
The second night on Kilimanjaro is spent at Shira 1 camp (3,504 m).
Day 3; Shira 1 camp to Shira two camp
Distance 6.9 km ( 10 km via the Cathedral point 3862 m): Altitude gain 391 m
Shira two camp:3895 m
Day 4; Shira two camp to Barranco via Lava Tower
Distance 10 km ( 6.7 km to Lava Tower): Altitude gain 91 m ( 732 m to Lava Tower ( 4627 m) then 641 m descend to Barranco camp (3986 m)
Day 5; Barranco Camp to Karanga camp
Distance is 5.5 with 49 m altitude gained as this w
- Duration;3-4 hours reach Karanga camp via Karanga valley
- Distance;5.5; altitude gained;49m/158ft
- Karanga camp;4035/13,235ft
After breakfast initially climb heading on scrambling over the Barranco wall which is like a rock climb although it’s untechnical climbing it could require self-awareness to cross this section up to the top of the wall (……… m) then from this point most of the part are downhill to Karanga Valley before shorter steep to Karanga camp aside of the trail growing Senecio and Lobelia the endemic plants on Kilimanjaro.
Day 6 ; Karanga camp to Barafu camp
Distance;3.5m/2.2 miles; altitude gained;627m/2060ft
Barafu camp;4662m/15,295ft
The day is very short though it needs more slowly for your preparation for the summit assault could start from Barafu camp here the path is more smoothly with elevation increasing and experience your hike on the alpine dese
Day 7; From Barafu camp to UHURU PEAK via Stella point back to Barafu camp and then proceeding descent down to Mweka camp
Duration;7-8 hours to UHURU peak plus 3-4 hours back to Barafu camp then 3.5-4 hours descent to Mweka camp
Distance;11.5 km ;altitude lost;2789m
Kosovo camp;4863m/15,955ft
Stella point;5745m/18848ft
UHURU PEAK;5895m/19,341ft
High camp;3827m/12,556ft
Mweka camp;3106m/10,190ft
SUMMIT DAY
Summit bid begins from Barafu camp either is midnight or day depends on your guide and the schedule you follow however summit walking start at least 1200 A.M at midnight move toward up to the top of crater rim along southern ice field on your left-hand side, the route is very popular as join with trekkers from Lemosho route then at the rim almost meet with all trekkers have summited the same day whether are on way up or down although each one trying to do best to experience memorable dreamt.
After summit achievement then mostly walk back to Stella Point and then from here cut straight ski-run down which are optional of the gentle descent on the right-hand side this descent is quite steep down when you take a shortcut way down to Barafu camp to escape zig-zag way going up and sometimes easy way down but not only that if you are not experiencing that before to descent along the loose sands or snows. Do not hesitate to ask your guide for more help which could be accompanied or follow the zig-zagging way down slowly safe.
Day 8; From Mweka camp to Mweka gate
Distance; 9.1km; altitude lost;1473m descent
Duration; 3 to 3.5hours to reach Mweka gate
Mweka camp; 3106m/10,190ft
Mweka Gate;1653m/5423ft
Finally from this camp will start walking the very pretty forest trail alive with birdsong and flowers and authorities have decided to build steps on the steep parts which we are sure is good for combating erosion through cloud forest then around 2hours you will find yourself walking on the start of the 4WD track down to the gate which takes 45minitus away