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8 Days Lemosho Route
Mount Kilimanjaro
Overview
Itinerary
Cost Include
Cost Exclude
Overview
Overview
The Lemosho Route is one of the most scenic and successful ways to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. It is known for its beautiful views, lower crowd levels, and high summit success rate. This 8-day trek gives climbers plenty of time to adjust to the altitude, improving the chances of reaching the top.
The route begins on the western side of the mountain. You start your journey at the Lemosho Glades. The trail first passes through thick rainforest, home to wildlife like monkeys, buffalo, and even elephants. On the first day, an armed ranger may join your group for safety, especially in the forest area.
As you climb higher, the forest gives way to heath and moorland. The trail leads to the Shira Plateau, one of the most scenic parts of the mountain. Wide open views stretch in all directions, offering a unique look at Kilimanjaro’s vast landscapes.
You will cross several ecological zones during the trek. From lush rainforest to alpine desert, each day brings a new environment. The slow pace of the climb and the extra days help your body get used to the changing altitude. This lowers the risk of altitude sickness.
The Lemosho Route also includes important acclimatization hikes. These are short climbs that help your body adjust, even if you return to the same campsite afterward. The “climb high, sleep low” method is used to boost your chances of success.
One of the highlights of this route is the Barranco Wall. This is a steep but safe scramble up a rock face that adds adventure to the trek. From the top, you are rewarded with incredible views and a great sense of achievement.
After Barranco, the route continues to Barafu Camp. This is the base camp for your final summit push. On the summit day, you begin climbing at midnight. The goal is to reach Uhuru Peak at sunrise. It’s a tough challenge, but the views from the top make it worth the effort.
After celebrating at the summit, you begin your descent. The route down takes you through a different trail — the Mweka Route. It leads you through moorland and forest, eventually arriving at the Mweka Gate, where your journey ends.
Throughout the trek, you are supported by a professional mountain crew. Guides, porters, and cooks work hard to ensure your safety and comfort. Camps are set up for you, and meals are prepared fresh every day.
The 8-day Lemosho Route is ideal for both beginners and experienced hikers. It offers a well-paced itinerary, excellent acclimatization, and breathtaking scenery. If you’re aiming to climb Kilimanjaro with the best chance of success, this route is a top choice.
Whether you’re climbing for adventure, a personal goal, or charity, the Lemosho Route promises an unforgettable experience on Africa’s highest mountain.
Itinerary
Day-By-Day Tour Plan
Day 0: Pre-trek Briefing
If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi.
Pre-trek briefing at your Moshi hotel. You should be planning to arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. Today we will spend in having a pre-trek briefing. We will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed.
Day 1: Hotel to Mti Mkubwa Camp
After breakfast and briefing, drive to Lemosho Park Gate. From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.
Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams are crossed we continue over the Shira Ridge then gently downwards to Shira 1 camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.
Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3500m/11,500ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
After breakfast, a gentle hike across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of hikes are available on the Plateau, making this an excellent acclimatization day.
Elevation: 3500m/11,500ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Elevation:3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 4km/2mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft Down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
Monkey Adventures vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (around 60 minutes).
Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast
Cost Include
Cost Included
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
- Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Sleeping Mattress
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Cost Exclude
Cost Excluded
- Hotel (available as an optional addon)
- Tanzania Visa
- Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
- Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Transfers (available as an optional addon)
- Tips and gratuities
- International and domestic flights
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Travel insurance
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
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