Lemosho Western Breach with Crater Camp Route
Tour Highlights
Lemosho Western Breach with Crater Camp 8 day / 7 night climb is a less crowded, highly successful route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Not a lot of companies offer it as there is very steep and unstable section of terrain on one day, the Western Breach day. The history of accidents on the Western Breach in 2006 and again in 2015 mean this route is not for everyone. But for those looking for an adventurous, less traveled, scenic, successful option it’s worth considering the risk vs. benefits. The gentle, slow ascent during the first 5 days allows the body enough time to acclimatize to the high altitude-like all our versions of Lemosho route. Then, things get vertical as you go up one very steep day – the Western Breach. This day has areas of scrambling – using your hands and body, not just feet, to get up steep rocky formations. Because steep, rocky mountainous terrain is often unstable, this is the controversial day of this climb. Like all our versions of Lemosho, this route offers the climbers the opportunity to hike through Kilimanjaro’s different vegetative zones. While walking through the Lemosho Glades, into the Montane forest, you may see monkeys, as well as elephant and buffalo tracks. Lemosho route in general, and especially this version of it, is much less crowded than other routes – a wonderful way to get away from the crowds.
We will walk through the Shira plateau, a world heritage site. Here bird enthusiasts will be thrilled to see the Malachite Sunbird and the Alpine Chat. 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.
The Western Breach is a very challenging day. While wearing helmets, we will scramble up rocky steep terrain, made even more challenging by the high altitude. Our guides are properly trained, and certified as Wilderness First Responders (WFR); during the entire trip your safety and wellbeing is our top priority. The crew is equipped with a hyperbaric chamber (Gamow bag) and an oxygen tank along with other safety equipment, to ensure that they are properly prepared to respond to any unforeseen circumstances.
Client feedback on climbs by this route:
Amazing trip. Enjoyed every second of it. The crew made us very comfortable. Kapange was amazing! Did everything he could to give us the best possible experience. The food exceeded all expectations. From Jacob S, August 2015
You guys did an excellent job – the final itinerary and prep information was extremely well done and very helpful!!! From Jeannine V, August 2015
Exceeded expectations on all accounts! Both Agger and Phillipo were awesome – led the group smoothly, good communication and paying attention to individuals. From Syed U, January 2015
Kapange was an excellent guide, who communicated well, knew the mountain well, and had the support of his whole team. John the cook produced the most amazing meals out of nowhere! Thanks to John and his helpers, we ate really well! From Charles P, August 2015
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
We will hike slowly along the Western side of the Kibo massif today, entering the alpine zone – a rocky and volcanic landscape, where only the hardiest of vegetation survives. The Western Breach will be visible above us in all its imposing glory. An afternoon scramble up Lava Tower may be possible if energy, time, and weather permit.
Hiking: 5-7 hours
Overnight Altitude ~ 15,214’
After our morning coffee, we will gather around our expert guides for a safety equipment demonstration. Serengeti Pride climb safety equipment includes a Gamow bag (hyperbaric chamber), oxygen and pulse oximeter, as well as group first aid kit. After, we will hike to Arrow Glacier Camp. There is plenty of time to explore the area around camp and take photos of the stunning views of the sunset and Mount Meru poking through the clouds. Exploring the area around camp will help our acclimatization and improve our performance tomorrow.
Hiking: 2-3 hours
Overnight Altitude ~ 15,960’
After an early start (5 AM, with up to an hour hiking by handlamp), we will wind our way slowly up the Western Breach route to the crater rim of Kilimanjaro, 7-8 hours of hiking due to the altitude – despite the short distance. Although the Western Breach does not have any technical climbing, it has areas of scrambling where you use your hands to help you up steep rocky areas. Once in the Crater, if time and energy permit we might explore the inner Crater and the ash pit, or simply rest in camp. This route puts you in Crater Camp usually early enough in the day to maximize your chance of seeing the inner crater and ash pit. Our Camp has wonderful view of the Crater’s glaciers, and it is amazing to walk over to and around the nearest one.
Hiking: 7-8 hours
Overnight Altitude ~18,769’
Summit day. We will start our ascent to the summit (19,341ft – 5,896m) around 6:00 AM (just as it’s getting light usually) and reach the summit in 1 1/2 to 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’
We make the final descent to the trailhead today, about 3-5 hours hiking. Here we will have lunch and say goodbye to our mountain crew before leaving Mount Kilimanjaro and heading back to town. Arrive at your lodge usually between 3-5 PM.
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.
