7 Days Lemosho Route
Mount Kilimanjaro offers six established routes for climbers: Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Shira, Rongai, and Umbwe. The southern approaches, namely Marangu, Machame, and Umbwe, while the western approaches consist of Lemosho and Shira. The Rongai route comes from the northern region near Kenya. Except for Marangu, all routes descend via Mweka.
Among these options, the Lemosho route stands out as a lesser-known path to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro. This route begins on the western side of the mountain, offering a picturesque ascent to the stunning Shira Plateau. Notably, it is considered one of the best routes for acclimatization.
What sets the Lemosho route apart is the possibility of having an armed ranger accompany groups on the first day. This measure is taken due to the presence of wildlife, including buffalo, elephants, and other animals in the forests surrounding the Lemosho Glades.
While the minimum duration for completing the Lemosho route is six days, we highly recommend opting for a seven-day hiking experience. The additional seventh day allows your body to adjust to the altitude, reducing the risk of altitude sickness.
Furthermore, it provides valuable time for rest and preparation before embarking on the summit attempt.
Highlights
Day 1-12
- Dar 0: Arrival in Tanzania – drive to Moshi + Pre-trek Briefing
- Day 1: Trekking Londorossi Gate 2,250 meter to Mti Mkubwa Camp 2,780 meter.
- Day 2: Trekking Mti Mkubwa camp 2,780 meter to Shira 2 Camp 3,900 meter
- Day 3: Trekking Shira 2 Camp 3,900 meter to Lava Tower 4,640 meter Barranco Camp 3,960 meter.
- Day 4: Trekking Barranco Camp 3,960 meter to Karanga Camp 4,035 meter.
- Day 5: Trekking Karanga Camp 4,035 meter to Barafu Camp 4,640 meter.
- Day 6: Trekking Barafu Camp 4,640 meter to Uhuru Peak 5,895 meter to Mweka Camp 3,080 meter.
- Day 7: Trekking Mweka Camp 3,080 meter to Mweka Gate 1,630 meter to Moshi.
- Day 8: Departure from Moshi to Kilimanjaro Airport.
Dar 0: Arrival in Tanzania – drive to Moshi + Pre-trek Briefing
You will be met on time of your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport by our transferring drive who will you will welcome and escort you to the waiting vehicle then drive to Key’s Annex Hotel in Moshi for the rest of the day your trek will start the next day morning.
The rest of the day will be spent at the pool relaxing at the hotel or explore the town of Moshi. Your mountain guide will meet you in the evening for briefing on the next morning trek.
Accommodation: Key’s Annex Hotel
Meal Plan: none.
Day 1: Trekking Londorossi Gate 2,250 meter to Mti Mkubwa Camp 2,780 meter.
In the morning you will be taken to Londorossi Gate, a 2 hour’s drive from your hotel. Upon completion of all the entry formalities and a final 15 km drive on a bumpy road you will reach your starting point at the edge of the rainforest. You will enjoy lunch before you set out on the trail through the rainforest.
Today’s walk is quite short, about 3 hours, compared to the days ahead, thus giving you time to enjoy the lush scenery, which will drastically change over the course of your trek. You might even catch a glimpse of the thumbless colobus monkeys sitting in the branches above you.
- Distance: 6.5 kilometers (4 miles)
- Habitat: Rainforest and moorland.
- Elevation: 1,830m/6,000ft to 2,650m/8,700ft
- Difficulty: Moderate difficulty.
- Hiking/Climbing Time: 2 – 3 hours
- Accommodation: Mti Mkubwa camp.
- Meal Plan: Full Board.
Day 2: Trekking Mti Mkubwa camp 2,780 meter to Shira 2 Camp 3,900 meter
Day 2 of the Lemosho 7day itinerary takes you from Mti Mkubwa camp (2,780 meters) to Shira 2 Camp (3,900 meters). This trek leads to higher elevations, offering stunning landscapes along the way. As you hike, you’ll notice the changing vegetation, becoming sparser as you gain altitude.
Enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views during the trek, which will challenge you physically but reward you with magnificent vistas. Reaching Shira 2 Camp at 3,900 meters, settle into your campsite for the night. Take this opportunity to rest, connect with fellow hikers, and appreciate the remarkable beauty of the surroundings before the next day’s adventures.
- Distance: 16 kilometers (10 miles)
- Habitat: Moorland
- Elevation: 2,780 meters (9,121 feet) to 3,900 meters (12,795 feet)
- Difficulty: Moderate difficulty
- Hiking/Climbing Time: 7-8 hours
- Accommodation: Shira 2 camp
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 3: Trekking Shira 2 Camp 3,900 meter to Lava Tower 4,640 meter Barranco Camp 3,960 meter.
After breakfast, you’ll begin your ascent to Lava Tower, navigating a terrain filled with boulders. As you climb, Kibo, the highest peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, will motivate you from a distance. Reaching an altitude of 4,640 meters (15,223 feet) at Lava Tower, you’ll take a break to allow your body to adjust to the higher altitude. Afterwards, you’ll continue your journey downhill towards Barranco Camp.
This climbing technique, known as “climbing high and sleeping low,” helps your body acclimatize to the changing altitudes and gives you valuable insight into how your body responds to altitude changes. Along the way, the scenery undergoes another transformation, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by towering Senecias and smaller Lobelia plants.
After approximately 6-7 hours of hiking, you’ll arrive at the picturesque and verdant Barranco Camp. From here, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains that surround you.
- Distance: 8 kilometers (5 miles)
- Habitat: Semi-desert
- Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
- Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
- Hiking/Climbing Time: 6-7 hours
- Accommodation: Barranco camp.
- Meal Plan: Full Board.
Day 4: Trekking Barranco Camp 3,960 meter to Karanga Camp 4,035 meter.
After breakfast, you’ll face the famous Barranco wall, the steepest part of the route. Though no technical climbing is needed, you’ll use your hands for better grip. Your guide will be there to assist if needed. Once past the Kissing Rock, you’ll continue along the ridge and through the Karanga Valley. After 3-4 hours, you’ll reach Karanga Camp, the last water spot. Enjoy a meal and rest up for the night.
- Distance: 5 kilometers (3 miles)
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Hiking/Climbing Time: 3 – 4 hours
- Accommodation: Karanga camp.
- Meal Plan: Full Board.
Day 5: Trekking Karanga Camp 4,035 meter to Barafu Camp 4,640 meter.
Today you will make your way to Barafu Camp at around 4,640m, which you will reach in about 3 – 4 hour. The landscape is very dry and the ground cracks like glass under your boots. As you make your way through the afro-alpine dessert to the rocky Barafu Camp, a sense of excitement sweeps over you as your final stretch is but a few hours away. The Barafu Camp with its rocky scenery allows for a stunning view of Mawenzi Peak and the summit path ahead. After an early dinner and last minute preparation for tomorrow, you will go to bed.
- Distance: 4.5 kilometers (3 miles)
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Hiking/Climbing Time: 3 – 4 hours
- Accommodation: Barafu camp.
- Meal Plan: Full Board.
Day 6: Trekking Barafu Camp 4,640 meter to Uhuru Peak 5,895 meter to Mweka Camp 3,080 meter.
Around midnight, you will be woken up with hot tea and biscuits to prepare for today’s journey. You will go up towards Stella Point for about 5-7 hours, facing rough terrain and rocks. At Stella Point, you can take a break if needed before continuing for another 1-2 hours along the edge of the crater to reach Uhuru Peak, the most exciting part of your trip.
When you reach Uhuru Peak, you will see an amazing view from the top of the highest mountain in Africa. Take lots of pictures before starting your descent back to Barafu Camp. After resting there, you will continue walking for about 3 hours to Mweka Gate at 3,080 meters.
You will have a delicious dinner and a peaceful night’s sleep there.
- Distance: 4.5 kilometers (3 miles) up and 11 Kilometer (7 Miles) down
- Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
- Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft – Down to 3090m/10,150ft
- Difficulty: Very strenuous
- Hiking/Climbing Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
- Accommodation: Mweka camp.
- Meal Plan: Full Board.
Day 7: Trekking Mweka Camp 3,080 meter to Mweka Gate 1,630 meter to Moshi.
After a hearty breakfast and a traditional farewell ceremony by your mountain crew, you will start your final descent to Mweka Gate. A leisurely 2 – 3 hours walk will take you once more through the lush rainforest, where the endemic Impatiens Kilimanjari flower grows. Reaching Mweka Gate where your transferring driver will be waiting for you. He will take you back to Key’s Hotel in Moshi and after a warm shower, the rest of the day is free to rest, relax at the pool or celebrate your achievement.
- Distance: 10 Kilometer (6 Miles)
- Habitat: Rainforest
- Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Hiking/Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
- Accommodation: Hotel.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch.
Day 8: Departure from Moshi to Kilimanjaro Airport.
After breakfast, you will be transferred on time to Kilimanjaro Airport, or alternatively, you can extend your trip in Tanzania and go on a safari or to Zanzibar.
Accommodation: none.
Meal Plan: Breakfast.
THE CLIMB COST INCLUDES:
- Park fees
- All specified activities (unless labeled as optional)
- Accommodation as described in the itinerary
- Professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- All meals as detailed in the day-by-day section
- Camping equipment
- Porterage services.
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
THE CLIMB COST EXCLUDES:
- Flights tickets
- Visa fee
- Climbing Gear
- Sleeping Bag
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Items of a personal nature
- Laundry services
- Rescue Fee
- Tips for the mountain
2023 & 2024 prices
| NO. of PAX in one group | 1 PAX | 2 PAX | 3 PAX | 4 PAX | 5 PAX | 6 PAX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price pr. person | $1,076 | $629 | $448 | $413 | $373 | $347 |
Starting price per adult*
$5000
MORE SAFARI OPTIONS
- Lemosho Route
7 Days
- Lemosho Route
8 Days
- Lemosho Route
9 Days
- Machame Route
7 Days
- Machame Route
6 days
- Marangu Route
5 Days
- Marangu Route
6 Days
- Rongai Route
6 Days