7-day Lemosho Route

The Lemosho Route is widely considered to be the best route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Not too long ago, there were only two main routes used to climb Kilimanjaro – the Marangu  (Coca-Cola) route and the Machame (Whiskey) route. But as Tanzania’s tourism industry flourished, the Kilimanjaro Park Authority created more trails to Africa’s highest peak.

Lemosho, a relatively new route, is preferred by reputable operators due to its beauty, remoteness, and success rate. In short, it maximizes the chances that a climber will reach the summit, and enjoy the experience overall.

The Lemosho route can be done in as little as six days (five nights) on the mountain, like this itinerary.  However, it is ideally tackled over eight days (seven nights) for a better altitude acclimatization schedule. The trek begins at Londorossi Gate, located at the western base of the mountain, within its lush, fertile rainforest. The route heads across the Shira Plateau, before circling along the southern circuit halfway around the mountain, exposing the climber to great views from all angles. The approach to the summit is made from the East, and the descent follows the Mweka trail.

DAY 1 – Lemosho Glades to Big Tree Camp

Elevation: 7,824 to 9,121ft (2385 to 2780m)
Distance: 4.3 mi (7 km)
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

You will be picked up at your hotel at around 8:00 am and transferred to the Lemosho gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. After the registration process, you will still start the climb steadily through the forests of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree camp, where you will be spending the night.

DAY 2 – Big Tree Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Elevation: 9,121 to 12,795ft (2780 to 3900m)
Distance: 10.3 mi (16.5 km)
Hiking Time: 9-11 hours

Today you will cover a lot of ground as you trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. We will trek through Shira 1 Camp, from which there are often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds as we head toward our destination. We gain a reasonable amount of altitude as we head towards Shira 1 and parts of the route are fairly steep. As you proceed towards Shira 2, 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 will enjoy great panoramic views.

DAY 3 – Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp

Elevation: 12,795 to 12,992ft (3900 to 3960m)
Distance: 6 mi (10 km)
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

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 (15,223ft / 4640m), 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 at the base of the Great Barranco Valley (12,992ft / 3960m), sheltered by towering cliffs and extensive views of the plains below.

DAY 4 – Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation: 12,992 to 13,002ft (3960 to 3963m)
Distance: 3.4 mi (5.5 km)
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

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. For those feeling strong, we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 13,780ft / 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.

DAY 5 – Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation: 13,002 to 15,223ft (3963 to 4640m)
Distance: 1.9 mi (3 km)
Hiking Time: 2-4 hours

After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp. 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 will have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep, as we will be getting up between 11 pm and 12 am to start the climb to the summit.

DAY 6 – Barafu Camp to Summit to Millennium Camp

Elevation: 15,223 to 19,345ft; down to 12,434ft (4640 to 5896m; down to 3790m)
Distance: 8.3 mi (13.4 km)
Hiking Time: 12-15 hours

We start off at around midnight and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours, but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (18,829ft / 5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to the jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak. We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point, and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long, well-earned rest.

DAY 7 – Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate

Elevation: 12,434 to 5,348ft (3790 to 1630m)
Distance: 7.5 mi (12.1 km)
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

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 hot welcome shower.

DAY 8 – Departure

If your time in Africa ends today, our transfer team will drive you back to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your departure. If you have booked a safari with us, or a few days to dissolve into the pristine sandy beaches and tropical waters of Zanzibar, we will be there to help you comfortably transition from your climb into your next Tanzanian adventure.