Overview
The Lemosho Route is one of the best ways to summit Kilimanjaro, offering stunning scenic views, abundant wildlife, and excellent acclimatization opportunities with fewer climbers. Starting with a 3-hour drive from Moshi to the Lemosho Gate, you’ll ascend through the world-famous Shira Plateau, experiencing a variety of climate zones, from lush alpine meadows to the icy summit. Known for its gradual and smooth climb, the Lemosho Route boasts the highest success rate of all Kilimanjaro routes. With options for 6, 7, or 8-day programs, longer treks are recommended for better acclimatization, ensuring an unforgettable and rewarding journey to the top of Africa.
Itinerary
Lemosho route 8 days
arrival - Kilimanjaro Airport - Arusha
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, our driver will be waiting for you. He will take you to Mvuli hotel in Arusha. The rest of the day is for you to relax and prepare for your upcoming trip. You can also visit the town of Arusha (taxi required). In the late afternoon, our Kilimanjaro team will meet you at the lodge to brief you on your upcoming trek and check your equipment.
Meals Provided: Dinner
Day 1 - Lemosho Gate (2100m) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2650m)
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.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 - Mti Mkubwa Camp (2650m) to Shira I Camp (3600m)
As you walk along the thin trail through the rainforest, you will notice the vegetation becoming scarcer until you finally reach moorland filled with lobelia and erica plants. Ascending through rolling hills, you will reach Shira Camp 1 in about 3 to 4 hours. From your camp, you can look over the Shira Plateau and see the unmistakable snow-capped summit of Kibo. A hearty evening meal and a last glimpse at the starry sky will bring the day to a close.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Shira I Camp (3600m) to Shira II Camp (3900m)
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.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Shira II Camp (3900m) to Barranco Camp (3900m)
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.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Barranco Camp (3900m) to Karanga Camp (4000m)
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.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinne
Day 6 - Karanga Camp (4000m) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
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.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) to Mweka Camp (3100m)
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.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Mweka Camp (3100m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)
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.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cost Breakdown
Included
National Park fees
Including once-off rescue fee of USD $20 per person. Other National Park fees are charged per person and based on the number of days spent in the Park. These other required fees are: entry fee of USD $70 per day and public campsite fee of USD $50 per night. NOTE: in Marangu they don't have public campsites so we supposed to pay Hut fee which is USD 60 per person per night,
VAT
From the government
Wages
For Guides, Assistant Guides, cooks and porters consistent with the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP)
Transport
to and from airport to Hotel
to and from Hotel to National Park Gate (starting point)
Fresh local ingredients for three meals per day during the hiking and filtered drinkable water.
Equipments
such as quality sleeping tents, communal meals tent, portable toilet, and sleeping pad
for your safety and well-being, such as mandatory First Aid Kit, Oxygen tank, Oximeter, and stretcher and handheld radio
Other cost not Included
Equipments
such as sleep bags, hiking poles, head-lamps are not included in the pricing. However, these equipment along with others, like down jacket, rain gear, and hiking shoes are available for rent. See our rental equipment table for the full list
Tipping
is part of the local culture and is an expectation. While our team earns above minimum wage, tips are a key way to support local staff—especially those working in tough conditions like on the mountain. While wages are taxed heavily in Tanzania, tips are not taxed. So in Tanzania, guides, cooks and porters rely on tips to support 5–10 family members. Tips help them achieve their goals and are a meaningful way to say thank you. We ask that you kindly budget for tips
VISA fee and Travel insurance
Additional Hotel night
Laundry service
is not provided during the hike. However, you may use the hotel’s laundry services which they provide for a cost
Cost of meals during your stay at the hotel.
The hotel we’ll organize your stay at has a restaurant. There are also a number of cafes and restaurants located near the hotel within walking distance.