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.
Today it will be one of our beautiful hike about 6-7 hours including lunch stop to cover distance of 7km and after two hours walk we will be in the moorland zone on the west side of the Shira plateaus where you will be able to see old lava flows and we will enjoying the sun and walking slowly more breaks for acclimatize until we arrive at our camp for overnight.
Today we will hike about 4-6 hours to cover the distance of 9km also we will cross the middle of Shira plateau a world heritage site to our picnic lunch at fishers point. After lunch we will walk for 1-2 hours hiking through moorland zone and arriving to our beautiful overnight camp located at the base of massive lava flow.
Today we will keep walking in alpine desert for 9km about 6-8 hours, We will start by climbing over steep hills and very few rock, then steady uphill climb to Lava tower (150m high volcanic plug that juts out the side of the mountain) and stop for lunch around noon. From this point some people might start to feel mild headache due to altitude change. From lava tower we will descend about 2 hours through dust and rock trail to over night at Baranco camp. 7 Days Kilimanjaro Climb – Londorosi Route
Today is short day for 4-6 hours to cover distance of 6km and we will start by scrambling up the great Baranco wall for about 1-2 hours. In this wall some section will be steep forcing you to use hands to reach and maneuver yourself around rock boulders like rock climbing, Although is not challenging as rock climbing. At the top of the wall you can see Baranco valley and the campsite you spend a night before also you will walk up and down to Karanga valley which is the last water point to the mountain and on top of the ridge it will be our campsite where we will have hot lunch and overnight. 7 Days Kilimanjaro Climb – Londorosi Route
Today we will have another walking of 4km for 3-5 hours in steep uphill with a lot of boulders and shattered rock crossing upper alpine desert. We will go through a steep ridge until we reach a rocky section more scrambling for about an hour and half. Our next camp will be on large rocky with steep faces and we will have earlier dinner and sleep earlier because we have to wake up in the mid night for summit
We will wake up around 11:00pm have some tea and snacks dress up warm for the summit. We will start our summit around mid night by start with steep rocks for about 2-3 hours and then we will start crossing zigzag area and keep moving to crater rim and finally Stella point 5756m around 6am. At Stella point we will meet with other hikers from other route and join them heading to Uhuru peak and we will be able to see sun rise on our way or at the summit. Once we arrive at the summit we will stay for 10-15minutes for pictures and view then descend down via the same trail about 3 hours to Barafu camp for resting, brunch and descend to Mweka hut.
Today after breakfast you will meet our Kilimanjaro crew for group pictures and Kilimanjaro songs afterward we will start descending down via rain forest about 3-4 hours to cover the distance of 10km, Also if you will be lucky we can see blue monkeys, black and white Colobus monkeys and other wildlife. At Mweka gate we will sign out in Kilimanjaro national park log book and our guide will collect certificate for those manage successful summit then drive to your hotel in Moshi for hot shower and Kilimanjaro beer.
| NUMBER OF PEOPLE | US DOLLAR P/P |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $2450 |
| 2-3 People | $2300 |
| 4-7 People | $2150 |
| 8-10 People | $2050 |
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
