- Arusha/Moshi Town
- Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
- Lemosho Route
Overview of the Lemosho Route
Conquer Africa’s Highest Peak via a classic trail that has gained much popularity in recent years!
The Lemosho Route is widely regarded as the most scenic route on Mount Kilimanjaro. It offers a longer trek with excellent acclimatization, increasing summit success rates. The route begins on the western side of the mountain and gradually ascends through lush rainforests, vast moorlands, alpine deserts, and glaciers before reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895m). Over eight days, this trek provides breathtaking landscapes and a well-paced itinerary for a rewarding summit experience.
8-Day Lemosho Route Itinerary
Day 0: Arrival in Moshi/Arusha
Your adventure begins with your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you’ll be met by our team and transferred to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. In the evening, you’ll meet your experienced mountain guide for a detailed trek briefing, final gear check, and packing recommendations. This is also your last chance to rent any missing gear before the climb. Overnight at a comfortable hotel in Moshi or Arusha..
- Meals Included : None
- Overnight Moshi : Stella Maris Executive Lodge
- Overnight Arusha : Malkia Trees Lodge
Day 1: Moshi/Arusha – Londorossi Gate (2,100m) – Big Tree Camp (2,850m)
After breakfast, we drive to Londorossi Gate for registration before heading to the trailhead at Lemosho Glades. The trek starts in dense rainforest, where you’ll see ancient trees, exotic birds, and possibly colobus monkeys. The 6km trek to Big Tree Camp takes about 3–4 hours.
- Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Trekking Distance: 6km (~3-4 hours)
- Accommodation: Big Tree Camp (Forest Camp)
Day 2: Big Tree Camp – Shira 1 Camp (3,505m)
Leaving the rainforest, we enter the heath and moorland zone, with open vistas and rolling hills. The climb is steady but gradual, and as we gain altitude, you’ll begin to feel the effects of thinner air. The 8km trek to Shira 1 Camp takes about 5–6 hours.
- Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Trekking Distance: 8km (~5-6 hours)
- Accommodation: Shira 1 Camp
Day 3: Shira 1 Camp – Shira 2 Camp (3,840m)
Today is an easier trek across the Shira Plateau, one of the most scenic sections of the trek. This high-altitude desert landscape provides incredible views of Mount Meru and Kibo Peak. The gradual ascent to Shira 2 Camp (8km, 3-4 hours) allows for additional acclimatization.
- Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Trekking Distance: 8km (~3-4 hours)
- Accommodation: Shira 2 Camp
Day 4: Shira 2 Camp – Lava Tower (4,630m) – Barranco Camp (3,976m)
A crucial acclimatization day, this route follows a "climb high, sleep low" approach. We trek to Lava Tower (4,630m), where we pause for lunch and acclimatization before descending to Barranco Camp. The 10km hike (6-7 hours) offers breathtaking views.
- Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Trekking Distance: 10km (~6-7 hours)
- Accommodation: Barranco Camp
Day 5: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp (3,995m)
We start the day with an exciting climb up the Barranco Wall, a non-technical but steep section that rewards you with stunning views. Afterward, the trail continues through valleys and ridges to Karanga Camp, where we rest for the night.
- Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Trekking Distance: 5km (~4-5 hours)
- Accommodation: Karanga Camp
Day 6: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp (4,673m)
Today's short but steep trek leads to Barafu Camp, the base camp for the summit attempt. You’ll have an early dinner and rest before beginning the midnight summit push.
- Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Trekking Distance: 4km (~3-4 hours)
- Accommodation: Barafu Camp
Day 7: Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Mweka Camp (3,100m)
Summit day begins at midnight! We ascend in the dark, reaching Stella Point (5,756m) at sunrise before continuing to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. After celebrating at the summit, we descend back to Barafu Camp for a short rest before continuing to Mweka Camp. This long day covers about 16km in 12–14 hours.
- Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Trekking Distance: 16km (~12-14 hours)
- Accommodation: Mweka Camp
Day 8: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate (1,640m) – Moshi/Arusha
The final descent takes us through lush rainforests to Mweka Gate, where you’ll receive your summit certificate before returning to Moshi or Arusha for a well-deserved rest.
- Meals Included : Breakfast and Lunch. Dinner is not included.
- Trekking Distance: 10km (~4-5 hours)
- Overnight Moshi : Stella Maris Executive Lodge
- Overnight Arusha : Malkia Trees Lodge
Day 9: Departure Date/Flight Day
A long or short safari and Zanzibar beach holiday adventure can seamlessly be arranged before or after your Kilimanjaro trek with us. For those wishing to explore Moshi Town and immerse themselves in its vibrant culture, including visits to local attractions, markets, and communities, we recommend adding an extra overnight stay. We’ve curated a dedicated guide to Moshi’s top destinations to enhance your experience. Explore Our Moshi Destination Guide Here.
If you prefer to conclude your journey after the trek, we’ll arrange a timely transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home or onward travel.
- Meals Included : Breakfast Only.
Tour Includes
Here’s a clear breakdown of what’s covered in your trekking package.
- Park fees, camping fees, rescue fees and 18% VAT.
- 4 Season mountain tents
- Camping Equipments. Tables, Chairs etc
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
- All Meals (as specified in the itinerary) While On Mountain
- Hot Water For Wash on all days
- Drinking water on all day
- Fair wages for the mountain crew.
- Pick up & Drop Off at Kilimanjaro International Airport
- All accommodation before and after your trek (Bed & Breakfast ONLY)
Tour Excludes
Here’s a clear breakdown of what you’ll need to plan independently.
- Portable chemical toilet - $150 per toilet (including tent & porter)
- Lunch and dinner before and after trek
- Domestic and International flights (from/to home)
- Personal Climbing Gear. You can rent from us See Rental Prices or See Packing List
- Laundry Services
- Travel Insurance (Recommended – Travel insurance with medical cover of 6,000m and above)
- Spending a night in the crater - $200 per person
- Western breach approach without a night at the crater camp - $100 per person
- Tanzanian mountain doctor - $200 per group per day
- Tips to mountain crew
- Tip on Mountain Kilimanjaro is recommended for group sharing as following:
- Guide $20/guide/day
- Cook $15/day
- Porters $10/porter/day.
- Tip on Mountain Kilimanjaro is recommended for group sharing as following:
Lemosho Route Frequently Asked Questions
The 8-day Lemosho route itinerary spans approximately 70 km (43 miles), while the 6 and 7-day variations cover around 56 km (35 miles). This puts Lemosho somewhere in the middle, if we look at the length of other Kilimanjaro routes.
Yes, the Lemosho route goes via the Barranco Wall. Yet, its appearance can be more daunting than the actual experience. Even many seniors have successfully navigated it without significant difficulty! For more information check out our guide on the Barranco Wall.
The Lemosho Route is considered moderate to challenging due to its longer duration and higher altitude. However, its gradual ascent allows for excellent acclimatization, improving summit success rates. It's well within reach for the average person in decent shape. Remarkably, it stands out as the top choice for beginners.
With an 8-day itinerary, the success rate is around 90-95%, making it one of the most successful routes on Kilimanjaro.
You might wonder which Lemosho itinerary is more suitable for your expedition: the 7-day or 8-day variation. The 7-day itinerary begins at 3,414 m (11,200 ft), jump-starting your acclimatization. This way, you can benefit from more days on the altitude, yet this rapid altitude gain might be uncomfortable for some hikers. In addition, the first two days of this itinerary are fairly easy hikes with not much altitude gain.
In contrast, the 8-day route starts at 2,100 m (6,889 ft) and features a more challenging first day. However, starting lower, you’ll get to experience a more gradual acclimatization and enjoy hiking through a rainforest. Overall, both routes are highly recommended for climbers of all levels. They offer great acclimatization profiles, summit success rates of well over 90%, and rank among the most scenic routes on Kilimanjaro.
In contrast, the 8-day route starts at 2,100 m (6,889 ft) and features a more challenging first day. However, starting lower, you’ll get to experience a more gradual acclimatization and enjoy hiking through a rainforest. Overall, both routes are highly recommended for climbers of all levels. They offer great acclimatization profiles, summit success rates of well over 90%, and rank among the most scenic routes on Kilimanjaro.
The 8-day variation begins at Londorossi Gate (2,250 m / 7,381 ft), whereas the 6-7 day options commence with a vehicle drop-off at 3,414 m (11,200 ft) on the Shira Plateau.
Compared to other Kilimanjaro Climb Routes, the Lemosho Route is generally less crowded, offering a quieter and more serene trekking experience with fewer fellow climbers encountered along the way.
Kilimanjaro Trekking Routes Comparison: Lemosho vs. Other Routes
| Feature | Marangu Route | Machame Route | Lemosho Route | Rongai Route | Northern Circuit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate | Strenuous | Challenging | Moderate | Moderate-Strenuous |
| Duration | 5-6 Days | 6-7 Days | 6-9 Days | 6-7 Days | 8-9 Days |
| Success Rate | 85-90% | 85-95% | 90-99% | 70-80% | 90-95% |
| Accommodation | Mountain Huts | Camping | Camping | Camping | Camping |
| Scenery | Rainforest, Moorland | Rainforest, Shira Plateau, Barranco Wall | Remote Wilderness, Lava Tower | Alpine Desert, Less Crowded | 360° Views, Remote Trails |
| Crowd Level | High | High | Moderate | Low | Very Low |
| Best For | Beginners, Budget Travelers | Adventure Seekers | Scenery Lovers | Rainy Season Treks | High Success Seekers |
What Our Customers Are Saying
Emma Thompson
8 Days Lemosho Route
The team was extremely profesional: 1 guide per person and 6 porters (including a cook). We were taken care of with a lot of attention, the team treated us really well (including hot water bags before sleeping for the cold, a gentle a nice touch we were not seeing with the other groups). We had medical checks twice per day.
Michael Chen
9 Days Lemosho Route
Special thanks to our chief guide Wisen. He was brilliant in leading the group, check on us daily and made sure we were in good spirits. He was equally aided by assistance guides Joseph and Starson. They were joined by summit porters Humprhey and John on our last day. I thank them all for looking after our safety on that final accent day and getting us up and down safely (the decent was so much fun!) The team of porters were so professional and helpful.
Sophia Rodriguez
5 Days Marangu Route
Our chef Bakari cooked amazing meals in such extreme conditions - so filling - the soups were delicious! Thanks to the rest of the BantuPori team: Goodluck, Joseph, Mussa, Jackson, Iddi, Richard, Abdul and Richard (apologies if I have left any one out). The entire team were brilliant and and I cannot thank them enough for looking after us through out our expedition and keeping our spirits up.
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