05/12/2024
LEMOSHO NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE ITINERARY
Day 0 - Pre -Trekking Briefing, If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha airport and transfer you to your hotel in Arusha,Pre-trek briefing at your Arusha hotel. You should be planning to arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. Today we will spend in having a pre-trek briefing. We will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed.
Day 1 - Lemosho Gate To Mti Mkubwa, We depart from Arusha to Lemosho gate stopping at Boma for our final shopping, The drive may take 2-3 hours, after reaching the gate where we register, pay the park fees – and where the porters have their luggage weighed to ensure that they are not carrying more than the specified maximum, we then start our ascent through the rain forest you may encounter with some wildlife on your way to Mti Mkubwa camp. Elevation = 2100m to 2820m , Habitat - Rain Forest.
Distance (KM) 6 , Hiking Time - 2-3 hours
Day 2 - Mti Mkubwa to Shira One, After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams are crossed we continue over the Shira Ridge then gently downwards to Shira 1 camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.
Elevation = 2820m to 3610m , Habitat - Moorland.
Distance (KM) - 8 , Hiking Time - 4-5 hours
Day 3 - Shira One to Moir Hut, "As we depart Shira 1 Camp today, we will continue to hike through the Shira plateau, meaning the first half of our hike will be on flat ground. The second half of our hike will include a gradual upward climb. We will see some unique high-altitude plants along the trail today. After hiking about 7 hours, we will arrive at Moir Hut Camp. If weather and energy permit, we may do a short, evening hike to practice ""climb high, sleep low"".
Elevation = 3610m to 4140 m , Habitat - Health/Moorland.
Distance (KM) - 9.4, Hiking Time - 7 Hours
Day 4 - Moir Hut to Pofu Camp , Today it involves a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. Trekkers can take a small detour here to climb the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375 meters before returning to the Northern Circuit trail. From here the route follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting around the northern slopes of Kibo to Pofu Camp (4,020 meters). The trek gives great views out across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan / Tanzanian border. You will arrive at Pofu Camp just after midday, where you will have lunch and have time to rest after a long day hiking.
Elevation = 4140 m to 4020m, Habitat - High Alpine.
Distance (KM) - 7 , Hiking Time 5-6 hours
Day 5 - Pofu Camp to Rongai Third Cave , Starts with a climb up the Pofu Camp Ridge, The route then continues east around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3,800m meters. The trek is shorter than the day before and by now you should be feeling well acclimatized to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon, Overnight at Rongai Third Cave. Elevation = 4020m to 3800m , Habitat - High Alpine
Distance (KM) - 8 , Hiking Time 2- 3 hours
Day 6 - Rongai Third Cave to School Hut , "Today involves a steady incline up and over the Saddle which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. Trekkers then continue walking south-west up to School Hut. After arriving at School Hut you will be served an early dinner and then you should get some shut-eye as you will be awoken before midnight to start your summit attempt. Remember to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, headlamp and camera before going to bed.
Elevation = 3800m to 4800m , Habitat - Alpine Desert.
Distance (KM) - 5 , Hiking Time 4 - 5 hours
Day 7 - School Hut - Summit - Mweka Camp , "Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. At Gilman’s point (18,600 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. 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.
Elevation = 4800m to 5895m - 3100m , Habitat - Glacial Zone.
Distance (KM)-6 up & 12 down,Hiking Time 6-8 up & 4-8 hrs down
Day 8 - Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate , "After breakfast, we continue to climb down to Mweka Gate where we sign the Official Kilimanjaro National Park Register, have a cold drink, and get presented our official Kilimanjaro Certificate by our Head Guide.
We then head to our bus and head back to Hotel in Arusha, Enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations.This drive takes approximately 2 hrs. .
Elevation = 3100m - 1640m , Habitat - Rain Forest.
Distance (KM) - 9 , Hiking Time 3 - 5 hours.
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