The 8-Day Lemosho Route offers a scenic and less crowded Kilimanjaro climb. It’s a fast, rewarding adventure led by expert guides to the summit.
The Lemosho Route is considered one of the most scenic and well-balanced routes to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. With its gradual ascent and longer itinerary, it offers excellent acclimatization, making it ideal for climbers aiming for a high success rate. Over 8 days, you’ll experience rainforest, moorlands, alpine deserts, and glacier-covered summit zones culminating in the unforgettable sunrise at Uhuru Peak (5,895m).
This route is popular for its high summit success rate, lower crowd levels (especially at the beginning), and the chance to experience a wide variety of ecosystems—from lush rainforest to alpine desert and glacier zones.
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights on the mountain
Start Point: Londorossi Gate (Western side of Kilimanjaro)
End Point: Mweka Gate (Southern side)
Highest Point: Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters / 19,341 feet)
Trekking Style: Camping (tents provided)
Best For: Climbers seeking a well-balanced mix of scenery, challenge, and success rate.
Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Your journey begins with a drive to Londorossi Gate for park registration, followed by a short 4×4 transfer to Lemosho Gate. The trek starts through the dense, misty rainforest where you may encounter monkeys and tropical birds. After a few hours of gentle hiking, you’ll arrive at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp, your first overnight stay in the wild.
Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
Vegetation Zone: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
You’ll continue through the forest, ascending gradually to reach the Shira Plateau. The vegetation thins as you enter the moorland zone, and the scenery opens up to reveal stunning views of Kilimanjaro’s western slopes. You’ll arrive at Shira 1 Camp, where the high-altitude landscape feels completely different from the lush start.
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Vegetation Zone: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
A relatively short and gentle trekking day across the Shira Plateau helps with acclimatization. You’ll enjoy sweeping views of Kibo Peak and Mount Meru. Arriving early at Shira 2 Camp, you’ll have the chance to rest or take an optional acclimatization walk to higher elevations before returning to camp.
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 6–8 hours
Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today follows the “climb high, sleep low” strategy to improve altitude adaptation. You’ll ascend to the dramatic Lava Tower, a volcanic rock formation at 4,600m, where you’ll stop for lunch. Afterward, the trail descends to Barranco Camp, located beneath the imposing Barranco Wall. This camp is one of the most scenic on the mountain.
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
The day begins with a thrilling scramble up the Barranco Wall (not technical but fun and steep). Once at the top, the trail gently descends and ascends across several valleys before arriving at Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant to help your body further adjust before the push to base camp.
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
You’ll hike steadily uphill to Barafu Camp, your base camp before the summit attempt. After arriving around midday, you’ll rest, hydrate, and prepare for the early morning summit bid. Dinner is served early, and you’ll sleep a few hours before beginning the midnight climb to Uhuru Peak.
Distance: 17 km (5 km up, 12 km down)
Hiking Time: 12–15 hours
Vegetation Zone: Arctic to Rainforest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
You’ll start the climb to the summit around midnight, navigating switchbacks through freezing alpine terrain with headlamps. After 6–8 hours, you’ll reach Stella Point (5,739m) and continue for about an hour to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. After a brief celebration and photo session, you’ll descend back to Barafu Camp for rest, then continue down to Mweka Camp in the rainforest zone for overnight.
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest
Meals: Breakfast
On your final day, enjoy an easy descent through the lush green rainforest. Upon arrival at Mweka Gate, you’ll receive your summit certificates. Our driver will meet you and transfer you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha for a well-earned shower and rest.
Professional mountain guides, cook, and porters
All park fees and rescue fees
Transport to/from Kilimanjaro International Airport
Transfers to the Lemosho Gate and from Mweka Gate
Accommodation in mountain tents with sleeping mattresses
All meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Clean, purified drinking water throughout the trek
Fair wages for porters and guides
Government taxes and levies
Emergency oxygen and first aid kit
Pre and post-trek hotel accommodation (1 night each) in Moshi
Kilimanjaro climbing certificate after a successful summit
International and domestic flights
Tanzanian Visa fee
Travel insurance and evacuation cover
Sleeping bags and personal trekking gear
Tips for guides, porters, and cook (recommended)
Additional hotel stays before or after the trek (if applicable)
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, souvenirs)
A scenic Kilimanjaro route with a shorter acclimatization period. Ideal for fit trekkers seeking a challenge and fewer crowds.
The most recommended option for high summit success. Allows better acclimatization with a gradual ascent through diverse landscapes.
Known as the “Coca-Cola Route,” it’s the only route with hut accommodations. A classic and comfortable climb with moderate difficulty.