A day full of expectations will start with early morning breakfast, after you will dress up in your trekking gear and drive to the park headquarters for a briefing, after the briefing you will then start your trek on foot into the rain forest in search of the mountain gorillas, upon locating the mountain gorillas you will spend 1 hour with them and later return to the lodge for relaxation and overnight.

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Depending on the time of Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport where you are met by our representative and Transferred to Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge and have a comprehensive briefing and equipment check with your climbing manager and your guide. Overnight at Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge.

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7,742 ft. to 9,498 ft., 4 miles, approx. 3-4 hours

From Arusha, set out in vehicles for the long drive to the starting point of the Lemosho Trail, the Londorossi Gate. Approaching the mountain from the west, the Lemosho Route starts in the Afromontane Rainforest, which is the first of four ecological zones you encounter on Kilimanjaro. Here you meet the rest of your crew and set off at a leisurely pace while keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife. Lunch is taken on the trail and camp is reached mid-afternoon.

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9,498 ft. to 11,500 ft., 5 miles, approx. 5-6 hours

From the forested slopes of Lemosho, you ascend through a Podocarpus and juniper forest and then break out onto a zone of heather and lichen-draped volcanic rock and the Shira Plateau, which used to be Kilimanjaro’s third peak before it collapsed. Lunch is taken on the trail and you arrive in camp mid-afternoon. The view of Kibo (the peak of Kilimanjaro) is breathtaking from this vantage point.

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11,500 ft. to 13,800 ft., 7 miles, 5-7 hours

Crossing the Shira Plateau – one of the highest plateaus on Earth – is one of the most scenic parts of this trip during your 3–4-hour hike across moorland meadows to the lunch point. After lunch you ascend to Moir camp, arriving in the mid-afternoon. If you have the energy, a hike in the late afternoon is possible in the surrounding Lent Hills, which makes this an excellent acclimatization opportunity.

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13,800 ft. to 15,223 ft. (Lava Tower), down to 13,044 ft., 7km, 4-6 hours

From Moir you traverse the slopes of Kibo. Here relatively little flora or fauna can survive the extreme temperature ranges and conditions that typify this zone. Lunch is normally taken close to a volcanic rock formation known as the Lava Tower. If you feel very strong there is an optional ascent of the 300-foot-tall Lava Tower before descending down to Barranco camp in the afternoon, passing through the strange yet beautiful ‘Garden of the Senecios’ (giant groundsel) which also features many giant lobelias. The Barranco Valley is one of the prettiest areas of the entire trail.

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13,044 ft. to 13,123 ft., 3 miles, 4-5 hours

You now have a relatively short day to reach Karanga Camp, after conquering the intimidating Barranco Wall. Be prepared to use all four limbs as you traverse the wall to the top of the Karanga Valley. From here, follow a path that sojourns through many inclines and declines to Karanga Camp, arriving in the late afternoon. Our selection of Karanga Camp is strategic – significant time at altitude is essential for safe acclimatization. Sunsets here are particularly spectacular with views of the southern glacial valleys and ice fields towering over 3000 feet above you.

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15,288 ft. to 19,341 ft. to 12,467 ft., 3 miles ascent, 7 miles descent, 7-8 hours ascent, 4-6 hours descent.

Today is another half day ascending to Barafu Camp; Once again lunch is taken in this high camp, allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate alpine desert and, at times, strong winds rip over this camp, yet in the evenings’ splendid views of Mawenzi peak are the norm. A relatively early dinner is taken before resting for the evening.

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12,467 ft. to 5,380 ft., 6 miles, 3-4 hours

Depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence are required to reach the summit, and this is the coldest, windiest section of your adventure. Most likely by dawn, as the first rays of light start to appear across the Tanzanian landscape, you arrive near the rim at Stella Point, at an altitude of 18,652ft. Here, you are rewarded with the most glorious sunrise you are ever likely to see, appearing over Mawenzi Peak. Ascending via Stella Point affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa! Take as many pictures as you can! After a short celebration at the summit, begin the ebullient trek down. Go slowly and enjoy the wonderful rainforest scenery as you head towards Mweka Camp, arriving before dusk. With every step, the air has more and more oxygen -Overnight Mweka Camp.

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After breakfast, you descend once again through montane forest and at around midday, after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transferred back to your hotel for a well-deserved shower and a celebratory dinner!

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You will enjoy lazily morning if your flight is in the evening and enjoy delicious lunch and later you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro airport for your onward journey.

End of Expedition

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