High Altitude Ramble - 5 Days
(K5L)
WHY THIS ITINERARY?
Kilimanjaro has many beautiful regions, none more so than the Western side and Shira Plateau. This itinerary is perfect for those that do not want to summit Kilimanjaro, rather enjoy its different vegetation and wilderness zones as well as being in the unique high altitude environment.
DESCRIPTION
Starting on the western side, this trip ascends through the Lemosho glades and on to the Shira Plateau. Over the next 5 days, more time can be spent near the Kibo Massif around Moir Hut exploring areas rarely seen by other hikers before heading back down the Londorosi trail.
HIGHLIGHTS
Lemosho forest, the Juniper forest, the Shira Plateau with stunning views of Kibo, walking
across the Shira plateau, 4 different vegetation zones. Hiking into thin air.
ITINERARY
In Brief
Hike Distance – 28 miles / 44km
Vertical Gain – 6,890ft / 2100m
Drop – 1,575ft / 480m
Trekking Time – 25 hours
In Detail
DAY 1 – KILIMANJARO FOREST
START – 6,890FT / 2100M
END – 8,695FT / 2650M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 7KM
TIME – 4-6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST
After breakfast you depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park. At the gate your crew finalise packing and after finishing with formalities you return to your vehicle for another 30 minutes or so until you arrive at the start of the Lemosho Trail. Today's hiking is through verdant afromontane forest and is steep in places. A picnic lunch is usually taken on trail during the hike before reaching Forest Camp for the night.
DAY 2 – SHIRA 1
START – 8,695FT / 2650M
END – 11,844FT / 3610M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 7KM
TIME – 5-7 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – HEATH
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. A hot lunch is taken at Shira 1 Camp and the rest of the afternoon is spent relaxing and acclimatising to the new environment.
DAY 3 – SHIRA 2
START – 11,844FT / 3610M
END – 12,632FT / 3850
DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM
TIME – 3-5 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – HEATH
After a relatively long hike and significant altitude gain, today is a short day and you arrive in Shira 2 camp well in time for lunch. A good day for acclimatisation with the option of an afternoon walk with your guides exploring the Shira Plateau.
DAY 4 – MOIR HUT
START – 12,632FT / 3850M
END – 13,780 / 4200M
DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM
TIME – 4-6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
From the Shira Plateau we head up to the very base of the Kibo massif. The hike is not overly steep and by lunch time we are in camp and take a hot lunch and then time to relax. An afternoon acclimatisation hike is a good option, this area is awash with flank eruptions that build the base of Kilimanjaro.
DAY 5 – MORUM BARRIER & OUT
START – 13,780 / 4200M
END – 12,205FT / 3720M
DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM
TIME – 4-5 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – HEATH
This morning you hike towards Morum Barrier Gate before descending down towards Londorosi Gate. The hike takes around 4 to 5 hours and picnic lunches are provided at the gate before you transfer to onward arrangements (note: transfer to Arusha is around 3 hours, transfer for West Kilimanjaro airstrip is around 40 minutes).