Tour Overview
The Lemosho Route is widely regarded as the most scenic route on Mount Kilimanjaro and offers one of the highest summit success rates due to its excellent acclimatization profile. Beginning on the remote western side of the mountain, the route traverses lush rainforest, expansive moorlands, the famous Shira Plateau, and the dramatic Southern Circuit before reaching Uhuru Peak.
The route provides climbers with breathtaking panoramic views, fewer crowds during the early stages, and ample time for acclimatization, making it an ideal choice for both first-time and experienced trekkers.
Route: Lemosho Route
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights on the Mountain
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Summit: 5,895m (19,341 ft)
Success Rate: Very High
Accommodation: Camping
Tour Highlights
- Most scenic route on Kilimanjaro
- Excellent acclimatization profile
- High summit success rate
- raverse the spectacular Shira Plateau
- Climb beneath the famous Lava Tower
- Explore the Southern Circuit
- Stunning views of Kibo, Mawenzi, and Mount Meru
- Stunning views of Kibo, Mawenzi, and Mount Meru
- Sunrise summit at Uhuru Peak
Included
- Kilimanjaro National Park fees
- Professional mountain guides
- Assistant guides, cook, and porters
- Mountain tents and sleeping mattresses
- Emergency oxygen
- Pulse oximeter health checks
- All meals on the mountain
- Drinking water
- Transfers to and from the mountain
- Summit certificates
- Crew wages and government taxes
Excluded
- International flights and Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance
- Hotel accommodation before and after the trek (unless specified)
- Personal trekking gear
- Sleeping bag
- Tips for mountain crew
- Laundry services
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Lemosho Gate (2,100m) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650m)
Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 Hours
Altitude Gain: +550m
After breakfast, drive to the western side of Kilimanjaro for registration at Lemosho Gate. The trek begins through a pristine rainforest filled with towering trees, ferns, moss-covered trunks, and abundant wildlife.
This beautiful forest zone is home to black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and numerous bird species. The gradual ascent provides a comfortable introduction to the mountain while allowing your body to begin acclimatizing.
Arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp (Big Tree Camp) in the afternoon for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650m)
Weather: 15°C–25°C
Hiking Time: 3–4 Hours
Altitude Gain: +550m
After breakfast, drive to the western side of Kilimanjaro for registration at Lemosho Gate. The trek begins through a pristine rainforest filled with towering trees, ferns, moss-covered trunks, and abundant wildlife.
This beautiful forest zone is home to black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and numerous bird species. The gradual ascent provides a comfortable introduction to the mountain while allowing your body to begin acclimatizing.
Arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp (Big Tree Camp) in the afternoon for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650m)
Weather: 15°C–25°C
Day 2 Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650m) to Shira 1 Camp (3,505m)
Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 5–6 Hours
Altitude Gain: +855m
Leaving the rainforest behind, the trail ascends into the heath and moorland zone. The vegetation changes dramatically, featuring giant heathers and unique alpine flora.
As you gain elevation, spectacular views of Kibo Peak emerge. The route eventually joins the expansive Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus in the world.
The afternoon offers magnificent views across the plateau toward Mount Meru.
Overnight: Shira 1 Camp (3,505m)
Weather: 8°C–18°C
Hiking Time: 5–6 Hours
Altitude Gain: +855m
Leaving the rainforest behind, the trail ascends into the heath and moorland zone. The vegetation changes dramatically, featuring giant heathers and unique alpine flora.
As you gain elevation, spectacular views of Kibo Peak emerge. The route eventually joins the expansive Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus in the world.
The afternoon offers magnificent views across the plateau toward Mount Meru.
Overnight: Shira 1 Camp (3,505m)
Weather: 8°C–18°C
Day 3 Shira 1 Camp (3,505m) to Shira 2 Camp (3,850m)
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 Hours
Altitude Gain: +345m
Today's relatively short hike allows for important acclimatization. Trek across the vast Shira Plateau while enjoying breathtaking views of Kibo Peak and surrounding volcanic landscapes.
The gentle pace gives your body additional time to adapt to the increasing altitude. Upon arrival at camp, an optional acclimatization walk can be arranged.
Overnight: Shira 2 Camp (3,850m)
Weather: 5°C–15°C
Hiking Time: 3–4 Hours
Altitude Gain: +345m
Today's relatively short hike allows for important acclimatization. Trek across the vast Shira Plateau while enjoying breathtaking views of Kibo Peak and surrounding volcanic landscapes.
The gentle pace gives your body additional time to adapt to the increasing altitude. Upon arrival at camp, an optional acclimatization walk can be arranged.
Overnight: Shira 2 Camp (3,850m)
Weather: 5°C–15°C
Day 4 Shira 2 Camp (3,850m) – Lava Tower (4,630m) – Barranco Camp (3,960m)
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 6–8 Hours
Altitude Gain: +780m
Altitude Loss: -670m
This is one of the most important acclimatization days on the mountain.
The trail ascends steadily toward the imposing Lava Tower, a volcanic rock formation standing at 4,630 meters. Many climbers begin feeling the effects of altitude here, making this day crucial for adaptation.
After lunch near Lava Tower, descend to Barranco Camp. The principle of "climb high, sleep low" significantly enhances acclimatization and improves summit success.
Barranco Camp sits in a spectacular valley beneath the towering Barranco Wall.
Overnight: Barranco Camp (3,960m)
Weather: 0°C–10°C
Hiking Time: 6–8 Hours
Altitude Gain: +780m
Altitude Loss: -670m
This is one of the most important acclimatization days on the mountain.
The trail ascends steadily toward the imposing Lava Tower, a volcanic rock formation standing at 4,630 meters. Many climbers begin feeling the effects of altitude here, making this day crucial for adaptation.
After lunch near Lava Tower, descend to Barranco Camp. The principle of "climb high, sleep low" significantly enhances acclimatization and improves summit success.
Barranco Camp sits in a spectacular valley beneath the towering Barranco Wall.
Overnight: Barranco Camp (3,960m)
Weather: 0°C–10°C
Day 5 Barranco Camp (3,960m) to Karanga Camp (4,035m)
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4–5 Hours
Altitude Gain: +75m
Begin the day by climbing the famous Barranco Wall, one of the most exciting and rewarding sections of the route. Although steep in places, the climb is non-technical and offers incredible views over the southern slopes of Kilimanjaro.
After reaching the top, continue through valleys and ridges before arriving at Karanga Camp.
The short trekking day allows for rest and acclimatization.
Overnight: Karanga Camp (4,035m)
Weather: 0°C–10°C
Hiking Time: 4–5 Hours
Altitude Gain: +75m
Begin the day by climbing the famous Barranco Wall, one of the most exciting and rewarding sections of the route. Although steep in places, the climb is non-technical and offers incredible views over the southern slopes of Kilimanjaro.
After reaching the top, continue through valleys and ridges before arriving at Karanga Camp.
The short trekking day allows for rest and acclimatization.
Overnight: Karanga Camp (4,035m)
Weather: 0°C–10°C
Day 6 Karanga Camp (4,035m) to Barafu Camp (4,640m)
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 Hours
Altitude Gain: +605m
Continue climbing through the alpine desert zone toward Barafu Camp, the final base camp before the summit attempt.
Upon arrival, enjoy lunch, rest, and prepare all equipment for summit night. Your guides will conduct a final briefing and discuss safety procedures for the ascent.
Early dinner is followed by several hours of rest before waking shortly before midnight.
Overnight: Barafu Camp (4,640m)
Weather: -5°C to 5°C
Hiking Time: 3–4 Hours
Altitude Gain: +605m
Continue climbing through the alpine desert zone toward Barafu Camp, the final base camp before the summit attempt.
Upon arrival, enjoy lunch, rest, and prepare all equipment for summit night. Your guides will conduct a final briefing and discuss safety procedures for the ascent.
Early dinner is followed by several hours of rest before waking shortly before midnight.
Overnight: Barafu Camp (4,640m)
Weather: -5°C to 5°C
Day 7 Barafu Camp (4,640m) – Stella Point (5,756m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Mweka Camp (3,100m)
Distance: 17 km
Hiking Time: 10–14 Hours
Altitude Gain: +1,255m
Altitude Loss: -2,795m
Shortly after midnight, begin the final ascent toward Uhuru Peak.
The climb is challenging due to the steep terrain, freezing temperatures, and high altitude. As dawn approaches, reach Stella Point on the crater rim before continuing to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.
Standing at 5,895 meters, you will witness one of the world's most spectacular sunrises above the clouds and glaciers.
After celebrating and taking photographs, descend to Barafu Camp for a short rest before continuing to Mweka Camp.
Overnight: Mweka Camp (3,100m)
Weather: -20°C to -5°C at the summit
Hiking Time: 10–14 Hours
Altitude Gain: +1,255m
Altitude Loss: -2,795m
Shortly after midnight, begin the final ascent toward Uhuru Peak.
The climb is challenging due to the steep terrain, freezing temperatures, and high altitude. As dawn approaches, reach Stella Point on the crater rim before continuing to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.
Standing at 5,895 meters, you will witness one of the world's most spectacular sunrises above the clouds and glaciers.
After celebrating and taking photographs, descend to Barafu Camp for a short rest before continuing to Mweka Camp.
Overnight: Mweka Camp (3,100m)
Weather: -20°C to -5°C at the summit
Day 8 Mweka Camp (3,100m) to Mweka Gate (1,640m)
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3–5 Hours
Altitude Loss: -1,460m
After breakfast, descend through lush rainforest to Mweka Gate.
Upon arrival, receive your official Kilimanjaro summit certificate before transferring back to your hotel for a well-deserved celebration.
Weather: 15°C–25°C
End of Trek
Hiking Time: 3–5 Hours
Altitude Loss: -1,460m
After breakfast, descend through lush rainforest to Mweka Gate.
Upon arrival, receive your official Kilimanjaro summit certificate before transferring back to your hotel for a well-deserved celebration.
Weather: 15°C–25°C
End of Trek
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