Mount Kilimanjaro makes up one of the Seven Summits (i.e. highest mountains on each of the seven continents). There are seven routes to the summit and the climb can be done in as little as five days (with major altitude issues) upto 9 days. We are planning to do a conservative eight day climb on the remote Lemosho route with few other trekkers. The most popular routes are the Marangu and the Machame route which are very crowded and we will avoid them,
The Lemosho route is a longer route on Kilimanjaro and allows for optimum acclimatisation time for the summit itself. The additional time on the mountain means that success rates for the Lemosho northern route trekkers are relatively high.
Approx. 35,000 people attempt to climb Kilimanjaro every year. The chances of reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro is highly dependent on the number of days taken to trek the mountain.The more days, the higher the probability of success as your body has more time to adapt and acclimatize.Here are the success rate figures as published by the Kilimanjaro National Park. These numbers are admittedly quite old and success rates are most likely higher as route configurations have improved and the number of people taking 5 day treks has almost ended.
- All climbers, all routes 45% (we estimate this figure is closer to 65% today)
- All climbers, all 5 day routes 27%
- All climbers, all 6 day routes 44%
- All climbers, all 7 days routes 64%
- All climbers, all 8 day routes 85-90%
Who should join this trek?
A good choice for experienced hill walkers, high level of fitness required. Prior experience on treks above 5000 metres desirable.
1) Walking times: average 5-6 hours walking per day (with one very long summit day 14-15 hours and a midnight start)
2) Altitude: up to 5,895 metres on the summit of Kilimanjaro.
3) Terrain: for some of the time following well-travelled trails although also likely to encounter rough and rocky conditions. There is a steep ascent to the summit on the last day which could be rocky scree slopes and can be snow covered.
4) Remoteness: the trek is in a remote mountain area and a long distance from the roadhead and the nearest cities. However mobile phones may work on some days depending on location of the camp.
5) High altitude insurance including emergency evacuation insurance by helicopter is recommended for this trek.
KILIMANJARO LEMOSHO ROUTE – 8 DAYS 70 KM
Day 1 - ARRIVE KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – TRANSFER TO AND OVERNIGHT at Planet Lodge https://planet-lodges.com/arusha_planet_lodge/
Day 2 - Rest day at Planet Lodge BD
Day 3: LEMOSHO GLADES 2389m – FOREST (BIG TREE CAMP) 2785m 5.1 km 3 hours
From Arusha we set out in vehicles to the starting point of the Lemosho trail. Here you meet the rest of your crew and set off at a leisurely pace into afromontane forest. Lunch is taken on trail and camp is reached mid afternoon. Overnight Forest Camp BLD
Day 4: FOREST (BIG TREE CAMP) – SHIRA 1 3504m 8 km 6 hours
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. Lunch is taken on trail and you arrive in camp mid afternoon. Overnight Shira 1 Camp BLD
Day 5: SHIRA 1 CAMP – SHIRA 2 CAMP 3840m 7.5.km 5 hours
After Breakfast, you leave the heather to continue on an ascending path, through the Moorland and, to the east across the Shira Plateau past the Shira Cathedral towards Shira 2 camp. You only gain 340m in elevation - this allows you to acclimatize slowly to the altitude. The views of the plateau are nothing less than spectacular. Overnight at Shira 2 Camp 3840m BLD
Day 6: SHIRA 2 CAMP – BARANCO HUTS 3986m 10.5 km
Semi desert. From the Shira Plateau, you continue to the east, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As you continue, the direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower 4627m , called the “Shark’s Tooth”. It is usually at these point where for the first time some climbers will start feeling symptoms of breathlessness and headache due to high altitude and one should walk slowly –POLE POLE as they say in Kiswahili. You now continue downwards to the Barranco Camp at an altitude of 3,986 meters, situated in a valley below the breach and the great Barranco Wall. Here, you rest enjoy dinner and camp overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation, as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization (climb high and sleep low) and will help your body prepare for the successful summit day BLD
Day 7: BARANCO HUTS TO KARANGA CAMPSITE 4035M 6.5 KM
Habitat: Alpine desert After Breakfast, you will depart from Barranco Camp and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall through the Karanga Valley at 4035m and it is the LAST WATER STOP as you shall not find water at the Barafu Camp. Here, one gets a better chance to view the glaciers at a very near distance. You shall have hot Lunch at Karanga Valley. After a short rest, you can view the Mawenzi Slopes as well as the Tanzania Sugar Plantation farms. (TPC) with a short walk to see the sedimentary rocks which sound like iron when stepped on and return to the Karanga Valley Campsite for dinner and overnight. BLD
Day 8: KARANGA CAMPSITE TO KOSOVO CAMPSITE VIA BARAFU HUTS 4870m 7.5 km
After Breakfast, you will depart from Karanga Valley campsite at (4200m), for the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. You continue to the Barafu Hut, which is located at an altitude of 4600 meters. You have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views for the summit from many different angles. There is no water at Barafu Camp, even though Barafu is the Kiswahili word for “ice”. The famous snows of Kilimanjaro are far above Barafu Camp near the summit of the mountain. Continue on the Kosovo camp about 2 hour’s way. Your tent will be pitched on a narrow, stony, wind-swept ridge, so make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. Prepare your equipment and warm clothing for your summit climb, and drink a lot of fluids Here you can, rest, enjoy dinner and go to bed for a few hours of precious sleep BLD
Day 9: KOSOVO CAMP TO STELLA POINT 5745M TO UHURU PEAK 5895m –TO MILLENIUM CAMP 3827m OR MWEKA CAMP 3106m – Kosovo Camp to Summit via Stella Point 4.5 km Summit to Mweka Camp: 11.5km Total = 16 km
Rising early normally before midnight you start out from Kosovo Camp towards the peak. At night time the scree sections are normally much firmer and the night time start enables the best chance of a clear summit attempt. It is a hard climb primarily due to the lower oxygen levels. It takes around 5 hours or so to reach Stella Point and then a further 1 to 1.5 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, the highest free standing point in the world and the highest point in Africa. From the summit it is a steady downhill which is taxing on the knees all the way past Barafu Camp 4662m and then down to Millenium Camp. From Barafu you will usually descend to Mweka Camp 3106m for overnight. If your guide judges that a shorter day will benefit you and preserve sore knees and ankles, he may decide to stop short at Millennium Camp 3827m instead. Overnight Millenium Camp or Mweka Camp BLD
Day 10: MILLENIUM CAMP 3827m OR MWEKA CAMP to MWEKA GATE 1635m – END Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate 9.1 km
The final descent takes you back through the heath zone and forest to the Marangu gate. Here you are met by drivers and transferred back to your hotel for a well deserved shower and celebratory dinner. https://planet-lodges.com/arusha_planet_lodge/ BLD
Day 11- Departure Day: Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for those returning home
The dates for the trek /climb is likely to be in the January 2024 - exact date will be provided nearer the time. Those who are interested to join should tentatively block of these dates as per the itinerary given.
COSTS To be intimated
The cost is per person Kilimanjaro airport to Kilimanjaro airport 11 days as per the itinerary given
Costs given above are at current rates of 2022 and may change without notice in case park fees, other costs go up.
Costs include:
All transport including airport pick up, drop, to the start and from the finish of the trek.
Three nights hotel with breakfast in Arusha at Planet Lodge one of the loveliest garden hotels in Arusha on twin sharing basis. Tents on the trek on twin sharing basis.
All meals on trek.
Cost of guides and porters for your duffle bag on the trek. Please keep the duffle bag within 11-12 kgs as possible.
Kilimanjaro per day park fees, porter and guide fees, flying doctor fees and other permit costs to climb the mountain are included.
Costs not included
Lunch and Dinner in Planet Lodge Arusha
Alcohol, cold drinks (coca cola, sprite, beer), juices, ice cream, bottled water etc not included.
Client travel and medical insurance of any kind. Emergency evacuation insurance and costs if needed.
Personal clothing and equipment; sleeping bag; down/ goretek jacket, medicines for personal use etc.
Air fare from residence country to Arusha and back
Tips to porters and guide at the end of trek - amount will be advised to you nearer the time.
Climb & Safari Gear List
The equipment list is meant to help you compile your personal kit.. Most items are required, while a few are optional.
Travel Items
(1) Duffel Bags: Two duffel bags with name tags – one bigger size for the climb and the other smaller size or another suitcase. One of the duffle bags goes on the climb with you and will be carried by the porters. Expect for it to get wet and muddy, so a rugged, waterproof duffle is good. You will store the other bag at the hotel with your clothes for travel and safari so it does not need to be as robust. Bags with wheels are nice for the airport, but the porters don't like to carry them, so don't bring two wheeled bags.
(2) Daypack: Large daypack or bag with a shoulder strap, so you don't have to set it down while doing the duffle shuffle or handling travel documents while going through passport control and customs at the airport. It needs to be big enough to hold everything you'll need for an overnight stop.
(3) Travel Wallet: A secure travel wallet is a must for carrying your important documents including passport, extra photos, and money. We suggest that you use a travel wallet that you can hang around your neck and place inside your shirt, or around your waist tucked under your shirt or trousers.
(4) Passport. Carry a photocopy of the first two pages and an extra photo in a separate location. Send copies of all important documents to your own e-mail address, to be able to retrieve at any time any where.
Trekking Gear
(5) Trekking Poles: Poles come in handy for balance and easing impact to your knees. Get collapsible poles that can attach to your backpack.
(6) Backpack: You need a pack big enough for your clothes, water, camera, food, etc during the day. Packs should be in the 50 litre / 3000 cu in range. Not too big, not too small.
(7) Pack Cover: Waterproof rain cover for your pack.
(8) Sleeping Bag: Rated to minus 10 degrees Celsius zero degree Fahrenheit) .
(9) Sleeping Pad: (chose either a self-inflating or closed-cell foam pad)
(10) Tip: Bring 5 large plastic rubbish bags to pack gear inside duffels to protect gear from rain.
Clothing
(11) Base Layer: 2 pair synthetic long johns: one mid-weight set and one expedition weight set.
(12) Mid Layers: One additional warm layer (wool sweater, another fleece jacket, shelled vest, etc, that can be worn in conjunction to the other layers).
(13) Warm Pants: Look for construction that provides freedom of movement and/or stretch materials. Fleece is good. Wear over long-johns with shell on top for cold weather.
(14) Shell Jacket: Waterproof/breathable jacket with hood.
(15) Shell Pants: Waterproof/breathable pants (full side zips are best).
(16) Parka: REQUIRED (it gets VERY COLD on summit morning!). Down or synthetic. This should be big enough to go over other garments.
(17) Rain Poncho.
(18) Hiking Clothes: Light hiking trousers and / or hiking shorts - NOT cotton. Shirts for hiking on nice days (t-shirts OK, quick-drying synthetic fabric far better.)
(19) Casual Clothes: For travel/safari/meals in dining rooms. You'll want a shirt or two with a collar to wear on flights and in the lodges. A sweatshirt or light jacket might be nice in the evening. – you can leave in the hotel
(20) Swimming trunks/suit Some of the hotels have pools. – you can leave in the hotel.
Clothing Accessories
(21) Gloves and Mittens: Light gloves for hiking and around camp, warm ski gloves or similar, and down or warm insulated mittens for summit day.
[ ] Hats: Balaclava best - Warm wool or heavy fleece hat, sun hat and bandana. Face mask
Footwear
(22) Lightweight Shoes: Running/tennis shoes for camp, around town, safari, etc.
(23) Hiking Boots: Medium-weight hiking boots, waterproofed and broken-in.
(24) Gaiters: To keep snow, mud, and scree out of your hiking boots.
(25) Socks: 3 complete changes of socks, Make sure your boots are roomy enough for the sock you intend to use. Tight boots will make your feet cold.
Camp Accessories
(26) Headlamp with extra batteries.
(27) Water Bottles: 2 water bottles with foam insulation shells (or camel pack ).
(28) Water Treatment: Iodine tablets (Potable Aqua or similar), iodine crystals, for water purification.
(29) Camera: With spare batteries, and film or memory cards.
Personal Accessories
(30) Wrist Watch: With alarm.
(31) Eyewear: Bring good sunglasses. For contact lens wearers, ski goggles with light colour lenses (for use at night) might be useful in windy conditions that cause dust.
(32) Vision correction: Bring extra prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses if you wear them. Lens solutions are not widely available in Africa.
(33) Skin Care: Maximum SPF sunscreen and lip balm.
(34) First Aid: Hand sanitizer , moleskin, tape, aspirin / ibuprofen / acetaminophen, Imodium for diarrhea, Band-Aids, small towel, antacid, insect repellent, ear plugs, and several rolls of toilet paper.
(35) Prescription Medications:
Antibiotic such as Ciprofloxacin and/or Zithromax Z-Pak
1. Diamox for acclimatization, 125mg tabs recommended, enough for one weekweek - Malaria phrophylaxis (we suggest Malarone, one tablet a day starting two days before the trip and going until one week after the trip)
(36) Personal Snack Food: You should bring some extra snacks for the climb, especially for summit day, and some drink mixes if you like these to add to your water bottle
Tips: for those carry on to other destinations who do not wish to carry such warm clothing, buy second hand and give them to your porters after the climb
CANCELLATION POLICY
The cancellation charges and refunds available are given below:
0-7 days before the start of the trek =100%
8 -15 days before the start of the trek = 50%
16-30 days before the start of the trek = 35%
31-45 days before the start of the trek = 30%
46 days and above = 20%.
IN CASE OF LEAVING THE GROUP
If due to illness or any other reason a client has to leave the group and go down or wait at a lodge for the group to pick him/her up on the way back, all expenses including lodging, fooding and any porter/guide related expenses if any are to be borne by the individual client over and above the trek fees paid for the trek. There are also no refunds for leaving a trek before completion.
HIRING OF PONIES
In the eventuality of a client needed the services of a pony to come down to lower altitudes, if available, the cost of hiring the pony will be paid by the client.
EVACUATION BY HELICOPTER
In the eventuality of not being covered by emergency helicopter evacuation insurance and an evacuation is considered necessary, the cost of the evacuation will be paid by the client in advance to the helicopter company/travel agent etc as deemed necessary.
LODGES ON THE TREK /CAMPING
The choice of lodges to be used on the trek will be decided by South Col and clients will have to stay at these designated lodges. Clients are not permitted to choose their own lodges on the route. In case of camping treks, two person tents will be provided. Designated camp spots as selected by South Col will be used for camping treks.
CANCELLATION OF LUKLA FLIGHTS (FOR EVEREST REGION TREKS ONLY)
In case the Kathmandu to Lukla flight is cancelled, the additional cost for hotel accommodation in Kathmandu is to be paid by the client over and above the contracted days accommodation provided.
In case the Lukla to Kathmandu flight is cancelled, the client has the following options:
A - Continue to remain in Lukla at the client’s cost (both fooding and accommodation) and try for a flight the next day or day after.
B - Depart from Lukla if possible using the services of a helicopter usually US $ 400-500 per person. In this case the one way flight cancellation charges will be refunded to the client.
TREK ROUTE
The trek route and day wise schedule will be fixed by South Col and will have to be followed by the client.
RISKS AND LIABILITY
The trek is in a remote mountain area and has certain additional dangers and risks, some of which include: physical exertion for which the client should be prepared; weather extremes subject to sudden and unexpected changes; remoteness from normal medical services; evacuation difficulties.
In the event of injury or illness South Col Expeditions (Sujoy Das) or its Staff can, at the clients cost arrange any medical treatment and emergency evacuation service as it or they deem necessary for the health and safety of the client.
WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND RELEASE FORM
Clients must sign off the Waiver of Liability and Release form before coming for the trek. The sample form is available here https://www.southcol.com/waiver-of-liability-release/