Lemosho Northern Circuit with Crater Camp
Tour Highlights
This 9 day / 8 night Lemosho Northern Circuit Crater Camp route is perfect for those who want the advantages of all Lemosho routes – more remote / less crowded / very beautiful first half of the climb – but don’t want the steepness / scrambling of the Western Breach option, or the crowds of Southern Circuit option. This route’s gentle, slow ascent allows the body enough time to acclimatize to the high altitude, however the actual distance hiked is significantly longer than Lemosho Western Breach or Lemosho Southern Circuit routes, since you will traverse the entire northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro (the less visited and drier side). The stay in Crater Camp allows the possibility of walking over to stand by a glacier, or perhaps hiking to look into the inner ashpit, and allows a short daytime summit ascent.
You will walk through the Shira plateau, a world heritage site. Amazing views can be experienced from the second day of the hike onwards. On clear days, climbers can see as far as the Ngorongoro highlands and catch glimpses of Mt. Meru. Then, as you get to the northern side, views are into Kenya. Eventually you join Rongai and Marangu routes so the trail gets busier the closer you get to the summit, though most of those climbers won’t be staying at Crater Camp.
Client feedback on climbs by this route:
It was absolutely fabulous. Best time of my life, thank you! Lema was a great guide, and Tumaini was also a great assistant guide. Steven was so wonderful too. All the staff were great! Dara N
Safari Itinerary
From your lodge, we will make our way to the Londorosi gate on the Western side of Mt. Kilimanjaro (a few hours drive from Arusha). We will begin our hike at the Lemosho trail head. Please note that in rainy/muddy conditions, sometimes the vehicles can’t make it to the true trailhead so there can be some extra hiking – but Serengeti Pride vehicles usually make it farther than any other company due to our great drivers and vehicles. After a picnic lunch, we will hike for about 4 hours to the forest camp. In the forest, exotic moss and flowers delight the eye while bird calls entertain the ear. You may see Black and White Colobus monkeys as well as signs of the elephants that travel in this area. We will overnight at Forest Camp.
Hiking: 4-5 hours
Overnight Altitude ~8,817’
As we leave the Montane Forest and enter the Hagenia zone, our views open and we will catch our first views of the Kibo peak. This is a good acclimatization hike, as we go up and down several ridges along the way to our highest point of the day at 11,500’ before descending to camp. Overnight at Shira 1 Camp.
Hiking: 6-9 hours
Overnight Altitude 11,300’
We will traverse the Heath zone of the Shira Plateau and begin climbing the western slope of the KIbo Massif. Along the way, we will enjoy a picnic lunch at Scott Fisher memorial camp (the well-known Mt. Everest guide). We will continue on to the upper heath zone and Moir camp. Depending on the weather, acclimatization hikes can be arranged in the late afternoon
Hiking: 5-6 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~13,650′
Hike about 4-7 hours, depending on stops along the way. You have quite a ridge to climb up as you depart Moir camp right after breakfast, so it’s best to start out very slowly until you crest the ridge. This is a great acclimatization day.
Hiking: 4-7 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~13,400′
Continue your traverse around the northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro, with expansive views, as you find your way to Third Cave Camp.
Hiking: 5-7 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~12,800′
While for many School Huts Camp is their final camp before a midnight summit ascent, you’ll have a full night here since you don’t need to depart for Crater Camp until normal hiking time.
Hiking: 4-5 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~15,500’
Ascend to Gillman’s Point, traverse the Crater Rim for a bit, then at Stella Point descend slightly into the Crater. Across the floor of the Crater, you’ll find Crater Camp, with its great views of glaciers.
Hiking: 7-9 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~18,500’
Summit day. We will start our ascent to the summit (19,341ft – 5,896m) around 6:00 AM and reach the summit in 1.5 tp 2 hours. After taking in the view from Uhuru Peak we’ll begin the long descent down to Barafu Hut for lunch and then to our camp at Mweka Camp. Hiking poles will help protect your knees on this steep descent. A long day, around 8-11 hours usually.
Hiking: 8-11 hours
Summit ~19,341’
Overnight Altitude ~10,448’
Hiking: 3-5 hours
INCLUSIONS
Group climb prices are in US Dollars, per person, based on twin or double occupancy. Our prices include ground transportation to and from the trailhead, guides, porters, park fees (these and any government mandated taxes/fees are subject to government increase after booking), 2 nights lodging before the climb and one night after the climb (usually at Planet Lodge, but other options are possible too), all meals during the climb and some meals while staying at hotels/lodges, portable camping toilet in a privacy tent, safety/emergency gear including Gamow bag (hyperbaric chamber), oxygen (brought for emergencies not routine use), pulse oximeter, group first aid kit. Airport transfers (Kilimanjaro or Arusha town airports, or hotels/bus station in Arusha) are included but only if you arrive and depart on the assigned group dates. For arrivals and departures on other dates we charge airport transfer fees extra.
Single Supplement
If you request a single room/tent, we charge a single supplement of $700 US Dollars. If you are traveling solo and willing to share a room/tent, we charge a single supplement of $700 US Dollars but it is waived if a room-mate/tent-mate can be found for you (ie someone else in the group of the same gender is available and willing to share). In the rare case of a climb with only one person in the group, the client may eat meals in the cook tent rather than having a separate mess tent, table and chairs just for one person.
EXCLUSIONS
Our prices exclude flights, tips/gratuities, bottled water/beverages at lodges, and travel visas.
