8 Days – Kilimanjaro Climbing - Lemosho Route
8 Days / 7 Nights Days
Arusha or Moshi, Tanzania (hotel pickup) → Mweka Gate, then hotel in Arusha or Moshi
Climbing
Difficult
Why Choose This Safari?
The Lemosho route is one of the most beautiful and least crowded ways up Mount Kilimanjaro. It starts in remote rainforest on the western side of the mountain, where colobus monkeys and birdlife are common, and crosses the Shira Ridge onto the wide Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus in the world. From there it joins the scenic southern circuit via Lava Tower, the Barranco Wall and Karanga before the summit push via Stella Point to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa. Over eight days the route climbs gradually and follows a climb-high, sleep-low profile, giving excellent acclimatisation and one of the best chances of reaching the summit.
Safari Highlights
- US$ 2,200 per person sharing
- Extra days on the Mountain: US $ 275 per person per day
- Minimum 2 Pax
- Tour above can be customized based on your needs or requirements. You can add with Wildlife Safari, Beach Holidays etc...
Destinations to Travel
Londorossi Gate · Lemosho Glades · Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) · Shira Ridge · Shira Plateau · Shira 1 and Shira 2 Camps · Lava Tower · Barranco Camp · Karanga Camp · Barafu Camp · Stella Point · Uhuru Peak (Mount Kilimanjaro) · Mweka Camp · Mweka Gate
Itinerary
Day 1 — Arusha or Moshi to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp
You are picked up from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi and driven to Londorossi Gate on the western side of Kilimanjaro to register with the park, then on to the trailhead at Lemosho Glades (2,100 m). The drive takes about three to four hours. You walk along forest trails, rich in wildlife and birdlife, to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp. Because buffalo and elephants live in this forest, an armed park ranger may accompany your group for this first section. Dinner and overnight at camp.
Trek: 2,100 m to 2,750 m · about 3 hours · rainforest
Day 2 — Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp
The trail steepens and crosses several streams as you climb through the giant heather zone. You cross the Shira Ridge at about 3,600 metres and drop gently onto the Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus in the world, to Shira 1 Camp beside a stream. Dinner and overnight at camp.
Trek: 2,750 m to 3,500 m (via 3,600 m) · about 5 to 6 hours · heather and moorland
Day 3 — Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
A gentle walk across the plateau brings you to Shira 2 Camp, on moorland meadows beside a stream, with wide views of Kibo’s Western Glaciers. With a short walking day and a choice of walks on the plateau, this is an excellent acclimatisation day. Dinner and overnight at camp.
Trek: 3,500 m to 3,840 m · about 2 hours, plus optional walks · moorland
Day 4 — Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower
A rocky path leads east up to Lava Tower (about 4,630 m), a 90-metre volcanic plug. Shortly beyond it, you descend through giant groundsels into the Barranco Valley to Barranco Camp. Climbing high and sleeping lower like this is one of the best ways to acclimatise. Dinner and overnight at camp beneath the Great Barranco Wall.
Trek: 3,840 m up to 4,630 m, down to 3,960 m · 5 to 6 hours · alpine desert
Day 5 — Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
You scramble up the Barranco Wall, a steep but non-technical climb, to the top of the Great Barranco, then traverse over scree and ridges beneath the icefalls of the Southern Glaciers to Karanga Camp. Dinner and overnight at camp.
Trek: 3,960 m to 4,035 m · about 3 to 4 hours · alpine desert
Day 6 — Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
The trail climbs a rocky ridge to Barafu Camp, an airy spot with almost no vegetation and the base camp for the summit. After an early dinner you rest and prepare for the night ascent.
Trek: 4,035 m to 4,680 m · about 3 to 4 hours · alpine desert
Day 7 — Summit to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Mweka Camp
You start just after midnight and climb the scree by headlamp to Stella Point (5,752 m) on the crater rim, which takes about six hours and is usually reached around sunrise. A further 40 minutes along the rim brings you to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa. You then descend to Barafu Camp for a rest and brunch, before continuing down to Mweka Camp for dinner and a well-earned sleep.
Trek: Up to 5,895 m · about 7 hours · Down to 3,100 m · 4 to 6 hours · 11 to 14 hours in total
Day 8 — Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and Arusha or Moshi
A descent of three to four hours through beautiful rainforest brings you to Mweka Gate (1,640 m), where you collect your summit certificate. You are then transferred to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
Trek: 3,100 m to 1,640 m · 3 to 4 hours · rainforest
What's Included
Rate Includes
- Transport To And From Mountain Gates.
- All Parks Entry Fees.
- All Camping Fees.
- Rescue Fees.
- Guide and Porters Fees.
- Guide and Porters Salaries.
- All Accommodations on the Mountain Based On Three Meals A Day.
- Cook and All Kitchen Utensils.
Rate Excludes
- International And Domestic Flights (We Can Arrange On Request)
- Accommodation On The First Night Upon Your Arrival Before Climb And On The
- Last Day After Climb (Book With Us)
- Airport Transfers (Book With Us)
- Tips, Drinks And All Items Of Personal Nature
- Hard And Soft Drinks And Tips
- Sleeping Bags But We Can Provide For Hire On Request.
- All Mountain Gears (We Can Arrange Hire Of This)
Best Time to Go
This trek can be taken all year round. In general, the dry seasons from about January to March and June to October are the most popular times to climb Kilimanjaro, with clearer skies and less mud on the forest trails. The wetter months from about April to May and November to December bring more rain and cloud, which can hide the Shira Plateau and the summit views. Our team can advise on the best dates for your trek.
Pricing
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the trek start and end, and how long is it?
It starts with a pick-up from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi and a drive to Londorossi Gate and the Lemosho trailhead. It ends at Mweka Gate, followed by a transfer to your hotel. The trek lasts eight days and seven nights on the mountain.
Which places do we pass through?
You pass through the Lemosho Glades and Mti Mkubwa, cross the Shira Ridge onto the Shira Plateau, and continue via Lava Tower, Barranco, Karanga and Barafu. The summit push goes via Stella Point to Uhuru Peak, then down to Mweka Camp and Mweka Gate.
Will we see wildlife on the first day?
The forest on the first day is home to colobus monkeys, birds and, more rarely, buffalo and elephants, so an armed park ranger may walk with your group for this section. Sightings can’t be guaranteed.
Why choose eight days?
Eight days gives you some of the best acclimatisation of any Kilimanjaro itinerary, with a gradual climb, a short day on the Shira Plateau and the climb-high, sleep-low day via Lava Tower. This gives you one of the highest chances of reaching the summit.
Can we combine this route with another?
Some trekkers use the Lemosho route to approach the Western Breach, a steeper and more demanding way to the crater, or extend the trek on the Northern Circuit. These options are not part of this itinerary, so please ask our team about them.