Why Choose The Lemosho Route?

The Lemosho route, starting in the west, travels through lush forests and high moorlands of Mount Kilimanjaro. Known for its scenic beauty and high summit success rates, it offers a good acclimatization profile.

Lemosho Route Itinerary

The itinerary below describes the 7 nights/8 day Kilimanjaro climb via the Lemosho route. To shorten the below itinerary to 7 days you combine days five and six, going from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp without staying at Karanga. A nine day variation that includes an overnight at Crater Camp is available as a private climb by special request.

Arrival in Tanzania

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Moshi town. You will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.

  • Driving distance: 55 km

  • Driving Time: 1 hour

Londorosi Gate – MTI Mkubwa Camp

You will be picked up at your hotel at around 08:00am and transferred to the Lemosho route at Londorosi gate which is located at western side of Kilimanjaro. After the registration process you will still start our climb steadily through the forests of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree camp where you will be spending the night.

  • Distance: 8km/5miles

  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

  • Elevation: 7,742ft 9,498ft
  • Habitat: Rain Forest

Mti Mkubwa – Shira One

On day two you will trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. Our destination for today is the Shira 1 Camp from where there are often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds. We gain a reasonable amount of altitude today and parts of the route are fairly steep.

  • Distance: 5km/3miles
  • Hiking Time: 5-6hours
  • Elevation: 9,498ft to 11,500ft
  • Habitat: Heath

Shira Camp One – Shira Camp Two

On day three you will get the chance to view the Northern Ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. Our steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will help with acclimatization and we enjoy great panoramic views. Our destination today is the Shira 2 Camp. In the afternoon you will take an acclimatization walk then head back to camp for dinner and overnight.

  • Distance: 8km/5miles

  • Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

  • Elevation: 11,500 ft to 12,631 ft

  • Habitat: Heath

Shira Camp Two – Lava Tower – Baranco

Your trek starts with an ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking into the climatic zone of the upland desert and on the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. You will reach the distinct pinnacle of the Lava Tower (4640 m), our high point for the day and a great place to enjoy your lunch. In the afternoon we make a steep descent to our camp for the night, located in the base of the Great Barranco Valley (3960 m), sheltered by towering cliffs but with extensive views of the plains below.

  • Distance: 10km/6miles

  • Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

  • Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190ft to 13,044 ft

  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

Baranco Camp – Karanga Camp

Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.

  • Distance: 5km/3miles

  • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

  • Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp

After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.

  • Distance: 4km/2miles

  • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

  • Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
  • Vegetation: Alpine Desert

Barafu Camp – Uhuru– Millennium Camp

You’ll wake at 11:30 for hot tea and biscuits, then start the steep ascent of Kibo in darkness. After a break at Hans Meyer Cave, you’ll climb to Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters) in 5-6 hours. Enjoy the dawn and Mawenzi Peak views, then trek 2 more hours to Uhuru Peak. After quick photos, descend to Stella Point (5,739 meters) and Barafu Camp (4,680 meters). After a short break, continue to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) for your final night. The trek lasts 14-16 hours, so pace yourself, stay hydrated, and keep your energy up.

  • Distance: 5km/3miles and 7km/4mile
  • Hiking Time: 6-8 hours and 2-4 hours
  • Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341ft and 12,434 ft
  • Vegetation: Arctic to Heath

Millennium Camp– Mweka Gate

A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower then celebrate with cold drinks. Overnight at your arranged Hotel.

  • Distance: 12km/7miles
  • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
  • Elevation: 12,434 ft to 5,380 ft

  • Vegetation: Rain forest
Arrival Departure
January 8th January 16th
January 31st February 8th
March 7th March 15th
July 20th July 28th
August 1st August 9th
August 18th August 26th
September 5th September 13th
September 16th September 24th
October 13th October 21st
December 7th December 15th
Arrival Departure
January 10th January 19th
January 20th January 29th
January 29th February 7th
February 7th February 16th
February 17th February 26th
February 20th February 29th
February 24th March 5th
March 18th March 27th
May 28th June 6th
June 4th June 13th
June 8th June 17th
June 13th June 22nd
June 23rd July 2nd
July 3rd July 12th
July 7th July 16th
July 15th July 24th
July 22nd July 31st
August 5th August 14th
August 11th August 20th
August 21st August 30th
August 26th September 4th
September 8th September 17th
September 19th September 28th
October 7th October 16th
October 19th October 28th
October 27th November 5th
November 2nd November 11th
November 17th November 26th
December 2nd December 11th
December 17th December 26th
December 25th January 3rd

Trek Highlights

Throughout your journey you will Witness incredible natural landscapes from lush forests to towering peaks, and if you’re lucky, catch a glimpse of diverse wild animals, including majestic elephants, in their natural habitat.

What’s Included In The Price

We take a lot of pride in the value for money we provide to each and every client. Below are the prices for this adventure with per-person prices based on how many people are looking book. Our prices prioritize your health, safety and experience along your journey.

  • Return transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to accommodation in Moshi
  • Return transfer from accommodation in Moshi to the entry gate into Kilimanjaro National Park
  • Accommodation at 3* hotel in Moshi (WeruWeru Lodge) one night before and one night after the expedition. You will have all for a comfortable stay – friendly staff, clean rooms, Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool
  • Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern comfortable 4-season North Face VE-25 tents)
  • Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike
  • All meals on the hike. You will find delicious energy-rich meals on our mountain menus. Our professional chefs will prepare assorted soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables. Vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost
  • All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water)
  • Park Fees: all park fees collected by Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fee and all others).
  • 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats
  • All group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery)
  • If you choose extra comfort package you additionally will have walk-in tents, sleeping cots, hot water bottles for the night as well as portable toilets included
  • Oxygen cylinders and oximeters • GPS-tracking service
  • Complete medical kits including Diamox.
  • Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All guides are holder of Wilderness First Responder certification. All of them have 7+years of successful experience
  • Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.)
  • 18% VAT, 1% TDL and 0.3% Service Levy. Popote Africa is an honest and responsible tour operator working in full compliance with the tax law of the United Republic of Tanzania.
  • International flights
  • Tips (250-300 USD per climber for the whole mountain crew)
  • Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others)
  • Personal gear rentals, lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the climb)
  • Portable toilets (if required – 250 USD per unit, one can be shared between 3 people)
  • Mountaineering insurance (special insurance for climbing Kilimanjaro that covers high-altitude trekking up to 6000m)

About Our Accommodation and Facilities

After an invigorating hike through breath-taking landscapes, you’ll arrive at our fully equipped camps. Rest assured, these aren’t just empty spaces; our camps are meticulously prepared with all the food, water, and necessities you’ll need to refuel and recharge. From delicious, freshly prepared meals to ample supplies of purified drinking water, we’ve taken care of every detail, ensuring your comfort and well-being are paramount as you move along your adventure.

About Our Expert Team

It goes without saying that we treat our porters, cooks, and guides with the utmost respect and fairness. This is not just a policy, but an unbiased evaluation of our unwavering commitment to the fair treatment of our dedicated crew members.

How We Keep You Safe On The Mountain

We prioritize your wellbeing throughout your journey. We provide frequent health checks, fresh food, drinks and security to ensure that your adventure is the best it can be.

Physical Preparation & Packing

We strive to ensure you health & safety during your adventure, the best way to do that is to prepare yourself before you begin. Your journey will be challenging, so make sure that you are in tip top condition, Below are a few exercises we recommend.

  • Cardiovascular Fitness: Engage in aerobic activities such as hiking, jogging, cycling, or swimming. Aim for at least 30-60 minutes of exercise, 4-5 times a week.
  • Strength Training: Focus on building leg muscles through squats, lunges, and stair climbing. Core and upper body strength are also important.
  • Hiking Practice: Go on hikes with a weighted backpack to simulate what you will experience on Kilimanjaro.

You can find more information on our Treq FAQs page by pressing the button below.

What Our Customers Say

Hear what our trekkers have to say about their incredible journey!

Sonja H

We wanted to say thank you for this perfect organisation for our Tour. And we wanted to let you know, that we were really really happy with all porters, cook, waiter and guides. But especially Paul as a guide did a fantastic job. He let us feeling so well, was cared about us all the time. That was really amazing!

Ahmed Dakshi

I did the lemosho 7 day tour. I had a fantastic time. Management communicated very well and are customer friendly. Everything was explained clearly and we had amazing guides called Gabrielle and Prudence, porters and the chef and his assistant. The team went above and beyond my expectation and I am grateful for their help to reach the summit of kilimanjaro. I have no hesitation to recommend this company to my family and friends!. Asanti 😁

Guillaume

Incredible experience climbing Mount Kilimanjaro through Lemosho route. Fantastic scenery from beginning until the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
The Trek was very well organized and all members of the team were very well prepared and so helpful during the trek. They really make everything they can to make you feel good. Thanks a lot for the unforgettable experience!!!

Frequently Asked Questions

From the perspective of acclimatization and daily altitude gain, the Lemosho Route is considered one of the easiest routes to climb Kilimanjaro. The extra time and distance of this route helps acclimatize well and minimizes the risk of altitude sickness. However it still includes the challenging ascent up the Barranco Wall and a steep climb to the summit on the final night.
The exact trekking distance for the Lemosho Route is 71km or 43 miles fom start to finish. This is done over 7 or 8 days. The average daily altitude gain is about 500m mainly because of the much higher starting point at 2360m and the longer duration of the trek. On the summit night you will climb 1200m from Barafu camp to Uhuru peak.
Due to its longer length, summit success rates on the Lemosho route are one of the highest on the mountain. Whilst there are no official statistics, the average success rate across all operators is 90% for the 8 day trek and a 85% success rate for the 7 day trek. However, we have a success rate of over 95% for the 8 day Lemosho route and a 92% success rate for the 7 day option.
The Lemosho Route is considered to be the most scenically beautiful of all the routes. The route takes trekkers from the west side of the mountain through lush rainforest before joining up with the Lemosho Route to cross the spectacular Shira Plateau. The route takes in the west and south of the mountain and the views are incredible, particularly from on the southern circuit.

Have a Question About Our Kilimanjaro Climbs?

Planning your Kilimanjaro climb? Get the answers you need about difficulty, acclimatization, and what’s included in our trekking packages.