We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you 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.
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.
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. Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
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 stop for lunch and acclimatization after you descend to Barranco camp. Although you will end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, 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.
You will wake up around 11:00pm for some tea and snacks that will warm you for the summit. At 12:00am you will start your summit with steep rocks for about 2 to 3 hours and then you will start crossing zigzag area and keep moving to crater rim and finally Stella point 18800feet/ 5657m on around 06:00am. At Stella point, you will meet with other hikers from other route and join them heading to Uhuru peak and you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (if weather permitting) on your way or at the summit. Once you arrive at the summit, you will stay for 10 to 15 minutes for pictures and sightseeing and descend down via the same trail for about 3 hours to Barafu Camp for rest, brunch, and descend to Mweka Hut. The distances from the base camp to the summit is 10km round trip.
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
From the gate A vehicle will meet and drive you back to hotel in Moshi for hot shower and Kilimanjaro beer.
| NUMBER OF PEOPLE | US DOLLAR P/P |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $2300 |
| 2-3 People | $2150 |
| 4-7 People | $2050 |
| 8-10 People | $1900 |
January to March (Dry and Quiet season)
The weather in the first few months after the short rainy season is generally warm and dry. Away from the high season so relatively quiet, this is one of our favorite times to climb Kilimanjaro.
April and May (Long rainy Season)
The long rainy season in Tanzania normally occurs in April and May although it has become more unpredictable in recent years. If you don’t mind the rain you can have the mountain pretty much to yourself. And bear in mind you can nearly always get a good discount in this period.
June to November (Dry but busy season)
June to early November are the driest months for your Kilimanjaro climb but particularly during August to October this means the mountain is very busy. The shoulder months of June and July and early November are good compromises if a little rain doesn’t deter you.
November to Mid-December (Short Rainy Season)
The short rainy season normally starts towards the back end of November and continues for 3-4 weeks. Generally rain is less persistent than in the main rains and so this is a good time to be on the mountain without the crowds
Climbers always say that mountains make their own weather and standing almost 6,000 meters in height, Kilimanjaro certainly has its own climate zones and the weather, along with the flora and fauna, changes drastically as you ascend the mountain.
These climate zones can be separated into 4 distinct areas. The first and lowest is the rain forest zone which extends from 800 meters up to 3,000 meters. The zone is warm and humid and attracts a fair amount of rain, especially in the wet season! At 2,800 meters the temperature averages between 12 – 15 degrees Celsius. This zone is where you are most likely to spot animals including the Blue and Colobus monkeys!
The second zone is known as the Low Alpine Area and extends from 3,000 meters to 4,200 meters. This is a semi-arid grassland zone with temperatures averaging between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius. Small shrubs and heather cover much of the landscape and the air is noticeably dyer compared to the humid lower reaches.
The third zone is known as the High Alpine zone. With an arid desert-like landscape, zone three extends from 4,200 meters to 5,000 meters with average temperatures around the freezing point. Temperatures in the day can actually be quite hot whilst at night the temperature plummets, so remember to bring some warm gear and some sunscreen!
The highest area is known as the Glacial zone and the temperature is usually below freezing with an average of -6 degrees Celsius. The area is often covered in snow and the high winds at this altitude make the temperature feel far lower than it is. Glacial silt cover the upper slopes and a number of huge glaciers can be seen from the crater rim of Kilimanjaro. At this height your body is getting half the oxygen it was at ground level, so don’t hang around!
Please remember that cold weather effects your body more at higher altitudes as your body is having to counter the effects of altitude in regards to oxygen levels. Your body extremities (feet, hands, nose etc.) will feel it most and -6 degrees could feel like -20 degree!
And remember that if it is raining at the bottom of the mountain it is almost certainly snowing at its summit.
Underwear(4-5 pairs of sports underwear.),Base Layer,Trekking Shirts(4 x short sleeve shirts and 2 x long sleeve shirts.), Trekking Trousers(1-2 x pairs of hiking trousers),Insulation Layer,Core Jacket or Third Layer,Warm Jacket,Insulated Trousers, Hard Shell and Rain Gear,Kilimanjaro Sleeping Bags,Hat with Neck Cover,Beanie or Headband,Neck Warmer,Headlamp,Sunglasses Hiking Boots,Trekking Socks,Thermal Socks,Gaiters,Inner Gloves,Outer Gloves / Mitts,Trekking Poles,Duffle Bag with Raincover, Water Bottle,Hydration Bladder,Water Purification Tablets,Wet Wipes,Sweat Resistant Sunscreen.
Altitude sickness, also called Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), hypobaropathy and soroche, is an illness caused by exposure to the low air pressure, especially low partial pressure of oxygen, which many climbers experience at high altitudes.
AMS is caused by exerting yourself at high altitudes, especially if you have not been properly acclimatised. It is most common at altitudes above 2400 metres. Kilimanjaro’s peak is nearly 6000 metres above sea level. At this height, the air pressure (and the amount of oxygen it contains) is less than half that at sea level, and has been said to be comparable to ‘working with only one lung’.
AMS can be serious, especially as it can be debilitating, and it generally occurs far from places where medical treatment can be easily administered.
Not everyone suffers from AMS, of course, and it is very difficult to predict who is or is not vulnerable to it. Generally speaking, a fit person is less vulnerable than an unfit person, because their cardiovascular system can operate at low pressures longer without as much strain. Even so, anyone can be vulnerable at altitudes above 3500 metres, no matter their fitness level, if they have not spent some time getting used to the low atmospheric pressures first.
Undoubtedly the best way to see how you are going to react to high altitude is to go high and try to do some exercises. For most of us that isn’t an option so a good alternative is to have a session with a specialist altitude training company that have equipment that simulates the effects of altitude. In the UK the leading specialist is The Altitude Centre.
Avoiding AMS
1.Low oxygen saturation
At high altitudes and low pressures, each breath takes in less oxygen, and transfers less to the blood. Blood with low levels of oxygen is said to be poorly saturated. Having slightly low oxygen saturation can lead to fatigue and feeling breathless. Severe low oxygen saturation can cause impaired mental functions, reduce your decision making ability, and have other dangerous effects. All our guides have pulse-oxymeters to check your oxygen saturation daily.
2.Cerebral oedema
Severely reduced air pressure can cause fluid to collect in the sinuses and air cavities in the skull. Initially it presents as a mild headache, but can eventually cause disorientation, coma and even death. Cerebral oedema can present very suddenly, and is an extremely serious medical issue
Pulmonary oedema
This is caused by reduced air pressure in the lungs. Fluid sometimes begins to seep from the lung tissues into the air spaces of the lungs, making breathing even more difficult. This often presents like pneumonia, and is most likely to occur during sleep.
AMS does not present as a slow, gradual worsening of lesser altitude-related symptoms like breathlessness or headache. It is in fact generally a rapid, dramatic onset of symptoms that can render a person unable to walk or take care of themselves at all.
Our guides are trained to recognise AMS and apply the appropriate first aid. They will monitor your blood oxygen saturation and evaluate your overall acclimatisation, but it is vital that you monitor and report your condition accurately, for everyone’s safety.
If our guides believe you may be in poor health or that allowing you to continue the climb may be dangerous, they will require you to begin your descent immediately. If that decision is made, it will be according to this protocol:
>>Measuring your oxygen saturation
If it is below 80%, then you will be required to submit to another test every half hour, for the next two hours. If your saturation does not rise to at least 75%, you will be required to descend immediately. If your saturation is at least 75%, you will be allowed to continue subject to close monitoring. If your condition worsens you must notify your guide immediately, and begin the descent.
>>Evaluation on the Lake Louise Scale
If your score is between 6 and 8 then the guide will consider whether you can continue based on your score, oxygen saturation levels, pulse rate and overall well-being. If you are allowed to continue, you will be monitored closely for the duration of the ascent. If your condition worsens you must notify your guide immediately, and begin the descent. If your Lake Louise Score is higher than 8, you must descend immediately.
Which is the best route to climb Kilimanjaro?
Having helped so many people climb Kilimanjaro we know that for every one of them, the best route was the route which gave them the best chance to stand on the top of this awesome mountain. So there are just four routes up Kilimanjaro that we recommend: the Machame Route, Lemosho route, Rongai route and the Northern Circuit.
MACHAME ROUTE: This is our favourite route for a short climb as it offers a high chance of success over just 7 days. It has an interesting approach through all of Kilimanjaro’s diverse climate zones. Its downside is that everybody likes it, so in peak periods it can be very busy.
LEMOSHO ROUTE: Stepping up in cost and adding an extra day, this is the best 8 day route on the mountain. It has fantastic views and a really interesting approach from the West of the mountain.
NORTHERN CIRCUIT: If money and time are not an issue then it is worth checking out the Northern Circuit. It has the same attractive approach as the Lemosho but then heads north where you will find yourselves nearly alone.
RONGAI ROUTE: This route approaches Kilimanjaro from the north of the mountain close to the Kenyan border. It is a very quiet route, and is not normally our first choice as there is very little vegetation as it has much less rainfall. This means it is a good route to choose in the rainy season and it is always generally quiet.
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Mail: info@hopestarclimbers.com
