The less-trodden Londross Route, a hidden gem for Mount Kilimanjaro trekkers. This route, akin to the scenic Lemosho Route, offers an unparalleled approach to Kilimanjaro’s summit from the west. Starting from Londross Gate at 2,360 meters, the trail winds through lush rainforests, home to diverse wildlife including the rare Colobus monkeys, before ascending to Shira Ridge and Plateau. Witness the striking contrast as the landscape transitions to an alpine desert and eventually arctic conditions near the summit.
This route is rated as moderately difficult, making it suitable for experienced hikers as well as determined beginners. The journey typically unfolds over 7 to 8 days, allowing for optimal acclimatization. Along the way, you’ll encounter unique flora such as the giant lobelias and groundsels, specific to Kilimanjaro’s ecological zones.
Accommodation and Acclimatization: A Tailored Experience
The Londross Route exclusively offers tented accommodation, immersing you fully in the wilderness. This feature, coupled with the climb high, sleep low method, greatly enhances your acclimatization prospects. You’ll ascend to Lava Tower at 4,630 meters for acclimatization before descending to Barranco Camp at 3,950 meters, a crucial step for a successful summit bid.
Why Choose the Londross Route?
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Hiking Time: 4 hrs
Distance: 15km
Habitat: Montane Forest
The drive from your hotel at Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park –Londross Gate which takes about 3 hours. The journey passes through the village of Sanya Juu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you reach the park gate, climbers are requested to register for the climb. After that you drive for 2hrs, almost 11kms to the starting point at the Morum Barrier, porters will be seen arranging their packs containing the food, water, and other equipment. Make sure that you have all your day pack items with you as the porters travel very quickly. The guides will be pleased to assist with any additional information. You now trek for 4hours through the main forest on a winding trail to the first camp almost 4km, which is located at an altitude of 3000 meters.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Hiking Time: 1 hour
Distance: 3 km
Habitat: Heather
After Breakfast, you leave the forest to continue on an ascending crossing through the Heather and Moorland up to Shira 1 Camp at 3500 meters, until the ridge ends. Time for rest, dinner, and camp overnight at the Shira 1 Campsite.
Activity duration may vary
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Hiking Time: 3 hours
Distance: 7km
Habitat: Moorland
After Breakfast, you leave the Heather to continue on an ascending path, through the Moorland and, to the east across the Shira Plateau past the Shira Cathedral towards Shira 2 camp. You only gain 340m in elevation – this allows you to acclimatize slowly to the altitude. The views of the plateau are nothing less than spectacular. Overnight at Shira 2 Camp 3840m
Activity duration may vary
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Hiking Time: 7 hours
Distance: 11km
Habitat: Semi-desert.
From the Shira Plateau, you continue to the east, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As you continue, the direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth”.
It is usually at these points where for the first time some climbers will start feeling symptoms of breathlessness and headache due to high altitude and one should walk slowly –POLE POLE as they say in Kiswahili. You now continue downwards to the Barranco Camp at an altitude of 3,950 meters, situated in a valley below the breach and the great Barranco Wall. Here, you rest, enjoy dinner, and camp overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation, as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization (climb high and sleep low) and will help your body prepare for a successful summit day.
Activity duration may vary
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Barranco Camp (3840m) – Karanga Campsite (4200m)
Hiking time: 4 hours
Distance: 7 km
Habitat: Alpine desert
After Breakfast, you will depart from Barranco Camp and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall through the Karanga Valley at 4200m and it is the LAST WATER STOP as you shall not find water at the Barafu Camp. Here, one gets a better chance to view the glaciers at a very near distance. You shall have hot lunch at Karanga Valley. After a short rest, you can view the Mawenzi Slopes as well as the Tanzania Sugar Plantation farms. (TPC) with a short walk to see the sedimentary rocks which sound like iron when stepped on and return to the Karanga Valley Campsite for dinner and overnight.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Hiking Time: 3hours
Distance: 8km
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After Breakfast, you will depart from Karanga Valley campsite at (4200m), for the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. You continue to the Barafu Hut, which is located at an altitude of 4600 meters. You have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. There is no water at Barafu Camp, even though Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice”.
The famous snows of Kilimanjaro are far above Barafu Camp near the summit of the mountain. Your tent will be pitched on a narrow, stony, wind-swept ridge, so make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. Prepare your equipment and warm clothing for your summit climb, and drink a lot of fluids. Here you can, rest, enjoy dinner, and go to bed for a few hours of precious sleep.
Activity duration may vary
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Hiking Time: – 8hrs to reach Uhuru Peak 7-8 hrs down to Mweka camp.
Distance:– 8km – 23km
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Early in the morning, you continue towards the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5895 meters. It can be bitterly cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothings for both extremes with you. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. You now make your descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut Campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp at 3100 meters, is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected during the late afternoon. This part of the descent takes about 7 to8 hours. Later in the evening, you enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Hiking Time: – 8hrs to reach Uhuru Peak 7-8 hrs down to Mweka camp.
Distance: – 8km – 23km
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Early in the morning, you continue towards the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5895 meters. It can be bitterly cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want a clothing for both extremes with you. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. You now make your descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut Campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp at 3100 meters, is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected during the late afternoon. This part of the descent takes about 7 to8 hours. Later in the evening, you enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Activity duration may vary
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
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