Side
Western
approach
Days
6/7/8
options
Distance
67 Km
round trip
Grade
Easy
Success
High
Trip overview
Lemosho is considered the most beautiful route on Kilimanjaro and grants panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. It offers a great balance of lesser traffic, scenic views and a high summit success rate. It is highly recommended for those looking for a leisurely climb with a great acclimatization profile. On average you can expect to hike for 6-8 hours per day, covering a distance of about 8-15 kilometers. The maximum daily vertical gain in a day is about 1,200 meters, with an average being 500-600 meters per day.
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
8 days Lemosho route
Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Moshi town. You will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
Driving distance: 55 km
Driving time: Approximately 1 hour
Accommodation: Hotel (Bed & Breakfast)
Day 1 - Arusha - Starting Point Lemosho - Big Tree Camp
After breakfast, you will drive 3-4 hours to Londorossi Gate for park registration. The trek starts in lush rainforest, where you may spot colobus monkeys and other wildlife.
The hike is short and gradual, helping your body adjust to the altitude.
You will pass through dense vegetation, feeling the cool, humid air of the rainforest.
By late afternoon, you will arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp (“Big Tree Camp”), where you will have dinner and rest.
- 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 1
Today you will trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. Our destination for today is the Shira 1 Camp from where there are often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds. We gain a reasonable amount of altitude today and parts of the route are fairly steep.
- Elevation: 2650meters to 3600 meters
- Distance covered: 7 km
- Approximate time taken: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Rainforest/Moorland
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Shira Camp 1 - Shira Camp 2
A relaxed trek across the Shira Plateau, offering panoramic views of Kilimanjaro’s peaks.
The terrain is mostly flat, making for an easy day of trekking.
You’ll see unique Senecio plants, which are only found at high altitudes in East Africa.
In the afternoon, you may take an optional short acclimatization hike.
At Shira 2 Camp, enjoy a gorgeous sunset over the mountain before dinner.
- 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 - Shira Camp 2 - Lava Tower - Barranco Camp
Your trek starts with an ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking into the climatic zone of the upland desert and on the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. You will reach the distinct pinnacle of the Lava Tower (4600 m), our high point for the day and a great place to enjoy your lunch. In the afternoon we make a steep descent to our camp for the night, located in the base of the Great Barranco Valley (3900 m), sheltered by towering cliffs but with extensive views of the plains below.
- 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 - Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp
Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.
- 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 - Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.
- 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 - Barafu Camp - Uhuru Peak - Mweka Camp
You’ll wake at 11:30 for hot tea and biscuits, then start the steep ascent of Kibo in darkness. After a break at Hans Meyer Cave, you’ll climb to Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters) in 5-6 hours. Enjoy the dawn and Mawenzi Peak views, then trek 2 more hours to Uhuru Peak. After quick photos, descend to Stella Point (5,739 meters) and Barafu Camp (4,680 meters). After a short break, continue to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) for your final night. The trek lasts 14-16 hours, so pace yourself, stay hydrated, and keep your energy up.
- 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
Day 8 - Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate
A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower then celebrate with cold drinks. Overnight at your arranged Hotel.
- Elevation: 3,100 meters to 1,630 meters
- Distance covered: 10 km
- Approximate time taken: 3 hours
- Habitat:Rain forest
- Meals Provided: Breakfast
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
Lets plan
Talk To Our Travel Expert
