Tour Overview
The Lemosho route is considered the most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro, granting panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. As one of the newer routes, Lemosho is a superb choice for your climb. It is our preferred route due to its ideal balance of low crowds, beautiful scenery, and a high summit success rate. Climb and Safari Tours® specializes in guiding on the Lemosho route. Most of our clients climb Kilimanjaro using this route and they consistently report that they loved it. Thus, Lemosho is highly recommended. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rainforest to Shira Ridge. The Lemosho route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. Crowds are low until the route joins the Machame route near Lava Tower. 8 Day Kilimanjaro Climb Lemosho Route is unique, challenging, and adventurous. Suitable for experienced climbers and those with enough energy. The climb takes up to 8 days to and from the top of Africa. Book Now
Included/Exclude
Park fees (For non-residents)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified)
Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fee
Tour Plan
Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft Distance: 6 km/4 miles Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Rain Forest. We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at the trail head, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site
Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft Distance: 8 km/ 5miles Hiking Time: 5-6 hours Habitat: Health. We continue on the trail leading out of the rain forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.
Shira 1 Camp to Shira Camp 2 Elevation: 11,500 ft to 13,800 ft Distance: 11 km/ 7 miles Hiking Time: 5-7 hours Habitat: Heath. We explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadow towards Shira 2 Camp. Then we divert from the main trail to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
Start; Barranco Camp (3960 m) Finish: Karanga Camp (4035 m) Altitude: ↑ 100 m ↓ 25 m Walking Time: 3-4hours. Today will start with the daunting Barranco Wall. Soon you will realize it looks worse than it actually is, but there are tricky sections where you will need to hold on tight. Admire the views from the top. The rest of the route follows along the mountain ridge into the Karanga valley and out. You reach Karanga Camp after lunch and you will have fantastic views of the southern glacier of Kibo as well as of the Kibo summit..
Start; Karanga Camp (4035 m) Finish: Barafu Camp (4640 m) Altitude: ↑ 605 m Walking Time: 3-4hours. A few hours hiking through desolate and rocky moon-like landscape lies ahead. It will be a relatively easy day leading steadily uphill. The goal for today is the Barafu campsite on a narrow ridge in full view of Mawenzi peak. You will walk along a trail that passes through the afro-alpine dessert until you reach your destination for today –Barafu Camp at 4640 m. Use the rest of the day to relax and pack your daypack for tonight’s summit attempt. Supper will be served early; drink and eat enough if you can and try to sleep. You will be woken up around midnight to start your walk to the summit.
Start; Barafu Camp (4640 m) Finish: Uhuru Peak (5895 m) – Mweka Camp (3080 m) Altitude: ↑ 1255 m ↓ 2815 m Walking Time: 10-14 hours. It is dark and cold as you set off just after midnight. You will climb the frozen volcanic dust by headlamp going towards Stella Point on the crater rim – about six hours. The sun should be rising when you arrive here. Just an hour or two more and you will be standing on the highest point of the crater: Uhuru peak. On top of the world! Take a short break for pictures and celebratory hugs before you tackle the steep and dusty descent. By now the volcanic ash will have thawed… You will stop for a short tea break at Barafu and then continue downhill for about three hours to Mweka camp (3080 m). This is your overnight stop. Refuel by drinking lots of fluids and have a good helping at supper time.
Start; Mweka Camp (3080 m) Finish; Mweka Gate (1630 m) Altitude; ↓ 1450 m Walking Time; 2-3hours. A traditional farewell ceremony from the porters begins the day. After about three hours of comfortably descending through the greenness of the forest, you should reach Mweka gate where the driver will be waiting. Back at the lodge, a hot shower, cold drinks, a debrief and your certificate of achievement are waiting. Well done!.
