Kilimanjaro Hiking Lemosho Route – 7 Days

Kilimanjaro Hiking Lemosho Route – 7 Days

7
Days

Overview

The Lemosho Route is often regarded as one of the best ways to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. In the past, most climbers used just two main routes—the Marangu Route (also known as the Coca-Cola route) and the Machame Route (the Whiskey route). As tourism in Tanzania grew, the park authorities introduced additional routes to the summit. Among them, Lemosho stands out for its scenic beauty, quieter paths, and high success rate, making it a favorite for many experienced operators. Overall, it offers a well-rounded experience and improves the chances of reaching the summit.

Although the Lemosho Route can be completed in six days (five nights), taking eight days (seven nights) is generally recommended to allow better time for altitude adjustment. The journey starts at Londorossi Gate, on the western side of the mountain, surrounded by rich rainforest. From there, the trail crosses the Shira Plateau and continues along the southern circuit, giving trekkers a variety of stunning views from different angles. The final push to the summit comes from the eastern side, and the descent is made via the Mweka Route.

Highlights

Base Price

From

$ 2,000 / Adult

From

$ 1300 / Child

Pricing Breakdown

1 Person

$ 2,000

2 – 4 Pesons

$ 1,800

5 – 7 Persons

$ 1,700

8+ Persons

$ 1,650

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Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrival in Tanzania – Kilimanjaro International Airport
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed and assisted with your transfer to your hotel, where you can unwind and recover after your journey. If you’re already in Tanzania, pickup can be arranged from Moshi or Arusha, followed by a comfortable transfer to your hotel, where your tour will begin. Later in the evening, you’ll meet your mountain guide for a detailed briefing. They will walk you through the itinerary, share helpful tips, and guide you on what to wear and pack to ensure a safe and enjoyable climb.
Day 2 : Lemosho Glades (2385m) to Big Tree Camp (2780m)
The next morning, your guide will assist you in checking your trekking gear to make sure everything is ready. If anything is missing, you’ll have the chance to rent it before departure. After meeting the rest of the crew, you’ll be driven to Lemosho Gate on the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro. Once registration is complete, your trek begins. You’ll walk through the lush forest of the Lemosho Glades, gradually making your way to Big Tree Camp, where you’ll spend your first night on the mountain.

Distance covered: 7 km / 4.3 mi
Approx. time: 4 hours
Day 3: Big Tree Camp (2780m) to Shira 2 Camp (3900m)
Today is a longer trekking day as you cross a wide plateau of grassy moorland dotted with heather and volcanic rock formations. Passing through Shira 1 Camp, you may catch glimpses of Kibo Peak rising above the clouds as you continue toward Shira 2. The trail involves a steady climb, with some steeper sections, but rewards you with incredible views—including the Northern Ice Fields from the western side of the mountain. This gradual ascent across the Shira Plateau also helps your body adjust to the altitude while offering breathtaking panoramic scenery.

Distance covered: 16.5 km / 10.3 mi
Approx. time: 9–11 hours
Day 4: Shira 2 Camp (3900m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)
Today’s trek begins with an ascent into a more rugged landscape, offering wide, open views as you enter the upland desert zone. You’ll walk along lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. By midday, you’ll reach Lava Tower (4640 m), the highest point of the day, where you’ll stop for lunch. In the afternoon, you’ll descend steeply into the Great Barranco Valley (3960 m), where your camp is set beneath towering cliffs with sweeping views of the plains below.

Distance covered: 10 km / 6.2 mi
Approx. time: 7 hours
Day 5: Barranco Camp (3960m) to Karanga Camp (3963m)
Your day begins with a descent into the Great Barranco, a vast ravine, followed by a climb up the famous Barranco Wall. While not technical, it is a long and demanding climb over rocky terrain. After passing beneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, you’ll head toward Karanga Valley. From there, a short but steep climb brings you to Karanga Camp (3963 m). For those who feel up to it, there’s an optional acclimatization hike in the afternoon before returning to camp.

Distance covered: 5.5 km / 3.4 mi
Approx. time: 5 hours
Day 6: Karanga Camp (3963) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
After a restful night and breakfast, you’ll continue to Barafu Camp (4640 m). The trail crosses barren, rocky slopes with little to no vegetation, and the altitude makes the climb more challenging. Once at camp, you’ll have time to rest and prepare for the summit push. Staying warm and hydrated is essential. After an early dinner, you’ll try to get some sleep before waking around midnight to begin your final ascent.

Distance covered: 3 km / 1.9 mi
Approx. time: 3 hours
Day 7: Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Millennium Camp (3790m)
Your summit attempt begins around midnight. You’ll climb steadily in the dark for several hours, gaining significant altitude in a short distance. As dawn breaks, you should reach Stella Point (5739 m), where the first sunlight reveals stunning views of ice cliffs and surrounding peaks. From there, it’s about another hour to Uhuru Peak (5895 m), the highest point in Africa. After celebrating your achievement, you’ll begin your descent back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, and then continue down to Millennium Camp for a well-deserved rest.

Distance covered: 13.4 km / 8.3 mi
Approx. time: 12–15 hours
Day 8: Trek Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)
Today’s trek is a gentle descent through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. After completing park formalities, you’ll receive your climbing certificate—a proud reminder of your achievement. From there, you’ll be driven back to your hotel in Moshi, where you can finally relax and enjoy a hot shower.

Distance covered: 12.1 km / 7.5 mi
Approx. time: 6 hours
Day 9: Departure
Today brings your incredible journey to an end. Take in your last moments in Tanzania before your transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home.

If you’d like to extend your trip, there are plenty of options from thrilling сафари experiences in Tanzania’s national parks to a relaxing beach escape in Zanzibar the perfect way to round off your Kilimanjaro adventure.
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FAQS

Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed year-round, but the best times are during the dry seasons, from mid-June to October and December to February. These months offer clear skies and better weather conditions for the climb.

There are two rainy seasons: the long rains from March to May, and the short rains in November. While weather can vary, the dry months of July, August, September, and part of October, January, and February are considered the high season. The transition months—December, March, and June—are less predictable. The wettest months, with heavy rains and poor visibility, are April, May, and November.

For those seeking clear skies and good visibility, climbing during the dry season is ideal. However, some climbers prefer summiting during a full moon for a bright, beautiful ascent under the moonlight, adding to the experience with enhanced visibility and stunning landscapes.

Our guides are highly experienced, with years of climbing Kilimanjaro to earn their KINAPA National Park license. They are Wilderness First Responders, trained to handle injuries or emergencies.

They are proficient in using medical equipment, including oxygen, pressure altitude chambers, and stretchers. In case of an emergency, they can quickly facilitate communication with the Jaribu base using our Thuraya satellite phone.

Guides are also trained to assess when an evacuation is necessary and know how to carry it out safely.

Equatorial to arctic conditions are present on Mt Kilimanjaro and temperatures vary widely; it may be in the 20-32C range in the rain forest and -20C nearer the summit. Above the rain-forest and tree line, most days range between 0-20 C, however, the weather often changes dramatically without warning, so you must always be prepared for four seasons in one day including, rain, snow or a sudden hailstorm therefore making it very important to carry your waterproof shell at all times.

The most flexible way of adjusting to the ever-changing conditions as you trek higher is the layering of several thin articles of clothing which you can add or remove as the conditions dictate.

Choosing the right route for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro depends on your preferences, experience, and goals. Here are some key factors to consider:

  • Marangu Route: Known as the “Coca-Cola” route, it’s the only route with hut accommodation and is popular for its relatively easier ascent. It’s ideal for those with limited backpacking experience and for those seeking a shorter climb (5-6 days).

  • Machame Route: This is one of the most popular routes, offering stunning scenery and a slightly more challenging climb. It’s suitable for climbers looking for a more immersive experience with varied landscapes (6-7 days).

  • Rongai Route: For a more remote, less crowded experience, the Rongai route is ideal. It’s the only route approaching from the north and is great for avoiding heavy rainfall during the rainy season (6-7 days).

  • Lemosho Route: This route is known for its beautiful scenery and a longer duration (7-8 days), which provides better acclimatization. It’s ideal for those looking for a less crowded experience with a slower ascent.

  • Northern Circuit: The longest and newest route, offering incredible views and a true wilderness experience. It’s perfect for those seeking a more gradual ascent and an off-the-beaten-path experience (9 days).

The time needed (days, weeks, or months) to train for Kilimanjaro depends upon your level of fitness. But usually, it requires around a month to be prepared for your trek. It is advisable to do staircase training, cardiovascular exercises and upper body exercises. Eat right and do more of aerobic exercises before the trip. Also if possible you can climb a hill to practice for the trek. Overall it is not necessary to be perfectly fit for climbing the mountain. As apart from physical training, mental preparedness is more important for high success rate on the summit.

For experienced climbers, Mount Kilimanjaro will take around 5 to 6 days to reach the top, and is not that hard. Even for new climbers, our guides will help you climb the mountain with ease. But you need to give extra days for acclimatization for maximum success rate at the summit. For new climbers however, climbing Kilimanjaro becomes easier with our trained professionals and porters who help the climbers carry their essential equipment or gear up the summit.

We recommend you wear multiple layers of clothing. It is the best way to keep your body within the desired temperature range, no matter the environment. The temperatures you may encounter on Mount Kilimanjaro can be over 37 °C (degrees Celsius); 100 °F (degrees Fahrenheit) to well below zero.

At the Uhuru Point, temperatures can range between -7 °C to -29 °C (degrees Celsius); 20 °F to -20 °F (degrees Fahrenheit). Mount Kilimanjaro has extreme, variable, and impossible weather to predict. It is therefore advised to get many layers of clothing gear for the trek. Layering helps keep the body warm in extreme cold wave conditions on the summit. Migration Venture Africa provides these gears as a rental option as well.

At the Uhuru Point, temperatures can range between -7 °C to -29 °C (degrees Celsius); 20 °F to -20 °F (degrees Fahrenheit). Mount Kilimanjaro has extreme, variable, and unpredictable weather. It is therefore advisable to bring multiple layers of clothing for the trek. Layering helps keep the body warm in extreme cold wave conditions on the summit. Migration Venture Africa provides these gears as a rental option as well.

A comfortable sleep is very important to get reenergized at next morning to continue the trek. Kilimanjaro gear is necessary for a cozy sleep. Essential gear like a K-way sleeping bag, foam mattress, and Kilimanjaro pillow can be carried on the trek. Migration Venture Africa also provides these gears on rent for which it is necessary to apply beforehand. You can speak to our staff personally regarding any queries about the Kilimanjaro gears.

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