8 days / 7 nights
Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Trek
Lemosho Gate · Shira Plateau · Barranco · Karanga · Barafu · Uhuru Peak
Experience one of the most scenic and rewarding routes to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. The Lemosho Route approaches the mountain from the west, beginning in a remote rainforest before crossing the spectacular Shira Plateau and joining the southern circuit.
This 8-day itinerary provides a strong acclimatisation profile, allowing trekkers to climb high and sleep lower on selected days before the final summit attempt at Uhuru Peak (5,895 m).
Trek highlights
- Summit Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m, the highest point in Africa
- Begin through Kilimanjaro's remote western rainforest
- Cross the spectacular Shira Plateau
- Tackle the famous Barranco Wall
- Trek through Kilimanjaro's changing ecological zones
- Experience scenic mountain camping
- Summit during the early morning for sunrise views
- Enjoy spectacular views of Kibo, Mawenzi and the surrounding landscape
- Benefit from a longer itinerary designed for better acclimatisation
- Excellent opportunities for mountain and landscape photography
On the mountain
Day by day
8 days, 7 nights
Distances and walking times are the usual figures for this route. Your pace, the weather and how the group is acclimatising all move them on the day.
- 1
Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp
Transfer from Moshi to Lemosho Gate for registration and trek preparation.
Begin hiking through the lush montane rainforest. The western approach is quieter and offers beautiful forest scenery as you gradually gain altitude.
- Distance
- Approximately 7 km
- Trekking time
- 3-4 hours
- Altitude
- 2,100 m → 2,780 m
- Overnight
- Mti Mkubwa Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 2
Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
Continue through the rainforest before entering the moorland zone.
The vegetation gradually becomes shorter and the landscape opens up as you approach the Shira Plateau, one of Kilimanjaro's most spectacular areas.
- Distance
- Approximately 8 km
- Trekking time
- 5-6 hours
- Altitude
- 2,780 m → 3,500 m
- Overnight
- Shira 1 Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 3
Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp
Spend the day crossing the expansive Shira Plateau.
Enjoy impressive views of Kibo while trekking across high-altitude moorland. This relatively moderate day allows your body to continue adapting to the altitude.
- Distance
- Approximately 8 km
- Trekking time
- 4-5 hours
- Altitude
- 3,500 m → 3,850 m
- Overnight
- Shira 2 Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 4
Shira 2 to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Begin a key acclimatisation day by ascending toward Lava Tower at approximately 4,630 m.
After spending time at higher altitude, descend toward Barranco Camp. This "climb high, sleep low" profile is valuable for acclimatisation.
Enjoy spectacular views of the Western Breach and Barranco Valley.
- Distance
- Approximately 10-11 km
- Trekking time
- 6-8 hours
- Altitude
- 3,850 m → 4,630 m → 3,960 m
- Overnight
- Barranco Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 5
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Start the day by climbing the famous Barranco Wall. Although impressive in appearance, it is a non-technical scramble and can normally be completed with assistance from your guide.
Continue across the alpine desert toward Karanga Camp.
- Distance
- Approximately 6 km
- Trekking time
- 4-5 hours
- Altitude
- 3,960 m → 4,035 m
- Overnight
- Karanga Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 6
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Continue toward Barafu Camp, the final high camp before the summit.
The landscape becomes increasingly barren as you enter the alpine desert. Arrive at camp, have an early meal and rest while your guide prepares you for the summit attempt.
- Distance
- Approximately 4 km
- Trekking time
- 4-5 hours
- Altitude
- 4,035 m → 4,640 m
- Overnight
- Barafu Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 7
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak, then Mweka Camp
Begin the summit attempt around midnight.
Trek slowly through the darkness toward Stella Point (5,739 m) on the crater rim. Continue along the rim toward Uhuru Peak (5,895 m).
Celebrate reaching the highest point in Africa before beginning the descent toward Barafu and continuing to Mweka Camp.
- Distance
- Approximately 17 km
- Trekking time
- 12-15 hours
- Altitude
- 4,640 m → 5,895 m → 3,080 m
- Overnight
- Mweka Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 8
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate & Moshi
After breakfast, begin your final descent through the rainforest toward Mweka Gate.
Complete Park formalities and receive your summit certificate where applicable. Your vehicle will then transfer you back to Moshi.
- Distance
- Approximately 10 km
- Trekking time
- 3-4 hours
- Altitude
- 3,080 m → 1,640 m
- Meals
- Breakfast & Lunch
Included
What the price covers
- Private transfers between Moshi and Kilimanjaro gates
- Professional, certified Kilimanjaro mountain guide
- Experienced mountain crew and porters
- 7 nights of mountain camping
- Quality mountain tents and sleeping arrangements
- Kilimanjaro National Park entry and applicable conservation fees
- Camping and rescue fees
- All meals during the mountain trek
- Drinking water during the trek
- Porters' services for permitted trekking equipment and luggage
- Park registration and applicable government fees
- Accommodation in Moshi before and/or after the trek as specified in the confirmed package
Accommodation options: Your accommodation will be selected according to your preferred comfort level, travel dates, availability and safari route. Exact properties will be confirmed in your personalised quotation
Not included
What you arrange yourself
- International flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal trekking equipment and clothing
- Sleeping bag unless specifically included
- Tips for mountain guide, porters and support crew
- Personal snacks and beverages
- Laundry
- Optional hotel nights outside the confirmed itinerary
- Medical or evacuation costs not covered by insurance
- Souvenirs and personal expenses
- Any service not specifically mentioned under Included
Important Trekking Information
The Lemosho Route is considered one of the best routes for acclimatisation and scenery, but reaching 5,895 metres is physically demanding.
There are no technical climbing requirements under normal conditions, but altitude sickness remains a possibility. Our mountain team follows a gradual pace, monitors trekkers throughout the ascent and prioritizes proper acclimatisation and safety.
Best for
Ideal for adventure travellers, experienced hikers, couples, photographers and trekkers looking for a scenic route with excellent acclimatisation opportunities. The 8-day Lemosho itinerary offers a rewarding combination of remote wilderness, spectacular landscapes, gradual altitude gain and a well-paced summit attempt.
Accommodation levels
Choose the level, and we build the trip around it
The same route can be run four ways. The level you pick decides where you sleep, how far you drive to the wildlife each morning, and most of what the safari costs.
Budget
Clean, simple camps and small lodges. Everything you need after a day in the park, and nothing you do not.
Mid-range
Comfortable lodges and permanent tented camps with en-suite bathrooms, pools and full service. Where most safaris sit.
Luxury
High-end lodges and luxury tented camps in prime locations, with the shorter drives to the wildlife that come with them.
Premium
The best addresses in each park. Exclusive-use camps, private guiding and the quietest corners of the reserves.
Why there is no price on the page
A safari price that fits everyone fits nobody. Two people in a premium camp in August and a family of four in a mid-range lodge in April are different trips at different costs, on the same itinerary. Rather than publish a figure that would be wrong for most people reading it, we price each trip properly.
Tell us your dates, your group and the level you want, and you get an accurate quote back with the accommodation named.
What the quote is built from
- Accommodation level and the type of camp or lodge
- Where you sleep: park rates differ, and so do the drives
- Travel dates, since low, high and peak seasons are priced apart
- Group size, and the ages of any children
- Safari style: private, shared, or tailor-made
- Length of the trip, the parks you enter and the activities you add
- Vehicle and transport arrangements
- Anything special: flights, transfers, honeymoon touches, dietary needs
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