Trip overview
The 8 Days Lemosho Route is one of the best options for acclimatization on Mount Kilimanjaro. This remote and less-traveled route offers a beautiful approach across the Shira Plateau, with stunning scenery and a gradual ascent that greatly improves summit success.
While the minimum duration for the Lemosho Route is 6 days, we strongly recommend the 8-day itinerary. The additional days allow your body more time to acclimatize, significantly reducing the risk of altitude sickness and giving you extra rest before the summit attempt.
Tour Highlights
High summit success rates
Stunning scenery along the route, including some of the best sunrise and sunset viewpoints
Diverse landscapes and varied hiking terrain
Lemosho route map
Itinerary
7 days Lemosho route
Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Moshi town. Upon arrival, you will meet your mountain guide who will brief you on the upcoming trek and conduct a full equipment check to ensure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Any missing items can be rented on this day. You will spend the night at the hotel on a bed and breakfast basis, allowing time to rest and prepare for the climb.
Driving distance: 55 km
Driving time: Approximately 1 hour
Habitat: Cultivated zone
Accommodation: Hotel (Bed & Breakfast)
Day 1 - Arusha - Starting Point Lemosho - Big Tree Camp
In the morning, you will be taken to Londorossi Gate (2,250m). After completing all the entry formalities and a final 15 km drive on a bumpy road, you will reach your starting point at the edge of the rainforest. You will enjoy lunch before setting out on the trail through the rainforest. Today’s walk is quite short, giving you time to appreciate the lush scenery that will drastically change over the course of your trek. You might even catch a glimpse of the thumbless colobus monkeys sitting in the branches above you. Your dinner and overnight stay await you at the beautiful Big Tree Camp.
- Elevation: 2100 meters to 2650 meters
- Distance covered: 7 km
- Approximate time taken: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Rain forest
- Meal provided: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Day 2 - Big Tree Camp - Shira Camp 2
After breakfast, the climb continues as the trail gradually steepens and enters the spectacular giant heather and moorland zone. Crossing several clear mountain streams, you ascend onto the Shira Ridge, enjoying expansive views across the Shira Plateau. Passing Shira 1 Camp, the trail continues gently across open moorland meadows to Shira 2 Camp, set beside a small stream. This day allows for steady acclimatization while showcasing the unique landscapes of Mount Kilimanjaro.
- Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3850m/12,600ft
- Distance: 16km/10mi
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Shira Camp 2 - Lava Tower - Barranco Camp
Today, you will cross Shira Ridge with its rocky ground, low grasses, and shrubs. As the terrain is much flatter than the day before, your hike will feel more leisurely, allowing you to enjoy fantastic views of the Great Rift Valley and Mount Meru. Beautiful and distinctive giant lobelias still dot the moor landscape. Walking on ground where lava once flowed, you will reach Shira Camp 2, where you will have your evening meal and overnight stay.
- Elevation: 3,600 meters to 3,900meters
- Distance covered: 10 km
- Approximate time taken: 4 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp
After breakfast, you will start your ascent to Lava Tower through boulder-strewn terrain. In the distance, you will see Kibo, encouraging you to continue uphill. Upon reaching Lava Tower, you will rest and allow your body to acclimatize to the higher altitude. Following your rest, you will continue downwards to Barranco Camp. This method of climbing high but sleeping low helps your body adjust to the differing altitudes and gives you a good sense of how it reacts to changes in elevation. Along the way, the scenery changes once more, and you will soon be surrounded by giant senecios and smaller lobelias. After 6 to 7 hours, you will reach the beautiful and green Barranco Camp, which offers great views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains. After dinner, you will settle in for the night.
- Elevation: 3,900 meters to 3,900 meters
- Distance covered: 10 km
- Approximate time taken: 6 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp
After breakfast, the famous Barranco Wall, which is probably the steepest part of the entire route, awaits you. Although no technical climbing is necessary, some spots require you to use your hands for a better grip and to pull yourself up. Your guide will be close by to assist you if needed. After navigating around the Kissing Rock, you will continue along the mountain ridge and through the Karanga Valley. You will also pass the last water spot before finally reaching Karanga Camp. After a well-deserved meal, it is off to bed.
- Elevation: 3,900 meters to 4,000 meters
- Distance covered: 6 km
- Approximate time taken: 4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Barafu Camp - Uhuru Peak - Mweka Camp
Today, you will make your way to Barafu Camp. The landscape is very dry, and the ground cracks like glass under your boots. As you traverse the afro-alpine desert to the rocky Barafu Camp, a sense of excitement sweeps over you as your final stretch is only a few hours away. Barafu Camp, with its rocky scenery, offers stunning views of Mawenzi Peak and the summit path ahead. After an early dinner and some last-minute preparation for tomorrow, you will go to bed.
- Elevation: 4,000 meters to 4,640 meters
- Distance covered: 4 km
- Approximate time taken: 3 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate
At around midnight, you will be awoken with some hot tea and biscuits to get ready for today’s ascent. You will climb in a north-westerly direction through heavy scree toward Stella Point, arriving there in about 5 to 7 hours. At Stella Point (5,730m), you may rest if necessary before taking on another 1 to 2 hour stretch along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak – the highlight of your trip. A breathtaking view awaits you as you stand on the highest mountain in Africa. After taking as many pictures as your camera will allow, you will leave behind the glistening glaciers and snowy peaks and make your way back down to Barafu Camp. Here, you will have time to catch your breath before heading further down to Mweka Camp, an approximate 3-hour walk. A scrumptious dinner and a peaceful night’s sleep await you.
- Elevation: 5895 meters to 2,820 meters
- Down to 3,100
- Distance covered: 20 km
- Approximate time taken: 14 hours
- Habitat: Glacier/Moorland/Rain forest
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included
- Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- 3 Season mountain tents
- Double layered Sleeping Mats
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Professional mountain guides, cooks, and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Filtered water throughout the trek
- Pre & Post Trek accommodation at the Parkview Inn
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- 2- way private airport transfers
- Oxygen cylinder
- Oximeter
Excluded
- Flights
- Tips to mountain crew
- Items of a personal nature
- Laundry Services
- Travel Insurance
