Overview
The Lemosho Route starts on the remote western side of Kilimanjaro and crosses the Shira Plateau before joining the southern circuit. It is quieter in its first days, very scenic, and its gradual profile gives one of the highest summit rates on the mountain.
We run it in 8 days, which builds in a proper acclimatisation rhythm of climbing high and sleeping lower.
Who it suits
Lemosho Route is best for
- First-time climbers who want the best odds
- Photographers who want variety, from rainforest to glaciers
- Groups who prefer quieter trails in the first days
Altitude profile
How the climb builds, day by day
- Stage
- Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa
- Camp
- Mti Mkubwa Camp
- Sleeping altitude
- 2,650 m
- Highest point
- 2,650 m
- Walking
- 3–4 hours
Altitudes are indicative and confirmed per route by your guide.
Itinerary
Day-by-day plan
Day 1Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa
- Sleep 2,650 m
- High point 2,650 m
- 3–4 hours
- 6 km
Drive to Londorossi Gate for registration, then walk through rainforest to the first camp.
Day 2Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1
- Sleep 3,610 m
- High point 3,610 m
- 5–6 hours
- 8 km
Leave the forest for heath and moorland, then climb onto the Shira Plateau.
Day 3Across the Shira Plateau
- Sleep 3,850 m
- High point 3,850 m
- 3–4 hours
- 7 km
A gentle day across the plateau with Kibo ahead of you.
Day 4Lava Tower to Barranco
- Sleep 3,960 m
- High point 4,630 m
- 6–7 hours
- 10 km
Climb to Lava Tower for acclimatisation, then descend to sleep in the Barranco Valley.
Day 5Barranco Wall to Karanga
- Sleep 4,035 m
- High point 4,200 m
- 4–5 hours
- 5 km
Scramble the Barranco Wall, then contour to Karanga Valley.
Day 6Karanga to Barafu
- Sleep 4,673 m
- High point 4,673 m
- 4–5 hours
- 4 km
Short climb to base camp. Early dinner and rest before the summit.
Day 7Summit day
- Sleep 3,100 m
- High point 5,895 m
- 12–16 hours
- 17 km
Start around midnight, reach Stella Point at dawn and Uhuru Peak soon after, then descend to Mweka Camp.
Day 8Mweka Gate
- Sleep 1,640 m
- High point 3,100 m
- 3–4 hours
- 10 km
Walk out through the rainforest to collect your summit certificate.
Group departures
Join a group on this route
Lemosho · 8 days
$2,690
Reserve · $200 deposit for Lemosho · 8 daysLemosho · 8 days
$2,690
Reserve · $200 deposit for Lemosho · 8 daysLemosho · 8 days
$2,690
Reserve · $200 deposit for Lemosho · 8 daysThe price
What's included
Included
- Park, camping and rescue fees
- Licensed lead guide, assistant guides, cook and porters
- All meals on the mountain and filtered drinking water
- Four-season tents, sleeping mats and a mess tent
- Oxygen, pulse oximeter checks twice a day and first-aid kit
- Two nights at a hotel in Moshi or Arusha
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
Not included
- International flights and Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance with high-altitude cover
- Tips for the mountain crew (guideline provided)
- Personal gear and sleeping bag (rental available)
- Drinks and meals in town not listed
Questions
Frequently asked
How hard is the Lemosho Route?
No technical climbing is needed. You walk 4–7 hours most days; summit night is the hardest at 12–16 hours. A steady pace and good acclimatisation matter more than raw fitness.
Is 8 days enough to acclimatise?
Longer itineraries give your body more time to adjust and have clearly higher summit rates. Your advisor can add an extra acclimatisation day if you want more margin.
What happens if someone feels unwell?
Guides check oxygen saturation and pulse twice a day. Every group carries bottled oxygen and a stretcher, and anyone showing serious altitude symptoms descends with a guide straight away.
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