Watch the Sunrise Over Africa

One of the Best Kilimanjaro Tours

Summit Africa’s Highest Point!

Accommodation: Hotel & tent

Fitness level: Able to hike 4-5 miles at a time

Maximum Altitude: 5,895m/19,341 ft

Watch Sunrise Over Africa by Climbing the Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route

The Lemosho route is known to be one of the most scenic routes on Mt. Kilimanjaro.

This eight-day trek allows extra time for acclimatization. In turn, this makes for a very achievable climb, with an overall success rate of 95%.

The Lemosho Route is hailed as one of the least crowded and most accessible routes on Kilimanjaro. You will never forget the quiet beauty as you make your way to Uhuru Peak.

Being one of the newer Kilimanjaro routes, Lemosho is an excellent choice for your climb.

For more adventure inspiration, browse our other Mount Kilimanjaro tours.

If you have any questions you’d like to ask us before booking, please feel free to get in touch.

Trip Details

Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route — Important Details

Price

$2,849 USD


Departure time

8:00 am


Meeting point

We’ll pick you up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and then transfer you to your hotel in Moshi, Tanzania. You will then stay overnight and in the morning, we’ll drive to the gate where we will start our Kilimanjaro trek. Please note: the hotel and transfers are included in the price.


Availability

January through mid-March
Mid-June through October
December


Duration

8 days, 7 nights + 2 days at hotel


Group size

2 min. – 12 max.


Included

  • Dedicated Customer Satisfaction Associate
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off
  • Hotel lodging the night before and the night after the climb
  • Breakfast before and after the climb
  • All meals and water on the mountain
  • All park fees and taxes
  • Transportation to and from the hotel and trailhead
  • Tents (3-person mountaineering tent)
  • Sleeping mat
  • Private toilet tent
  • Support team (certified guides, porters, and cooks)
  • Kilimanjaro SAR evacuation insurance

Not included

  • Airfare to and from Tanzania
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Visa
  • Tips for the support team
  • Sleeping bags and other personal gear
  • Rental gear
  • Lunch and dinner at the hotel
  • Drinks and snacks

Gear list

  • Top thermal layer
  • Bottom thermal layer
  • 1-2 pairs of hiking pants
  • 1 hardshell jacket
  • 1-2 short-sleeved t-shirts
  • 1 pair of warm trekking pants
  • 1-2 long-sleeved hiking shirts
  • 1 softshell insulated winter jacket
  • 4-5 pairs of underwear
  • 1 cozy fleece jacket
  • 1 pair of worn-in sturdy hiking boots
  • 3-4 pairs of socks. Merino wool is recommended
  • Rain coat
  • Rain pants
  • Day backpack
  • Duffel bag (recommended size 90L)
  • Sleeping bag
  • Headlamp
  • Snacks

Meals

On all of our Kilimanjaro tours, all of our meals are freshly prepared on the mountain by our talented chef, so when we arrive to camp after a long day of hiking, we have a delicious hot meal waiting for us.

Please note: we can accommodate any dietary needs, so please let us know what your meal requirements are and we will be sure to have our chef whip you up something yummy!


About your guide

All of our guides have extensive experience and training, certification, and knowledge of the area and all of the routes. You’ll be in great hands from top to bottom and by the end of the trip, you’ll be sad to say goodbye!

Depending on the number of hikers, there will be generally 1 guide for every 2 people and 3 porters per person.

The Lemosho Route in 8 Days — Highlights

What Sets This Route Apart

Spectacular scenery through various habitats

Sweeping vistas of Mt. Kilimanjaro from the western slope looking out toward Mt. Meru and Moshi Town

An extra day to acclimatize (climb high, sleep low is what they say!)

An unforgettable summit sunrise

A less crowded route with a high success rate (around 95% of climbers summit)

Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route 8 Days Itinerary

Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa

Elevation: 2,460m/7,742ft to 2,895m/9,498ft

Distance: 6 km/4 miles

Hiking time: 3-4 hrs

Habitat: Rain forest

We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, roughly a 4-hour drive, where you will complete the entry formalities. We will then drive to the Lemosho trailhead and upon arrival, we will begin the hike through undisturbed forest which winds its way to the first campsite. Keep your eyes peeled for the blue monkeys swinging through the trees!

Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp

Elevation: 2,895m/9,498ft to 3,505m/11,500ft

Distance: 8 km/5 miles

Hiking time: 5-6 hrs

Habitat: Heath

We continue on the trail leading out of the rainforest 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 Moir Hut

Elevation: 3,505m/11,500ft to 4,206m/13,800ft

Distance: 11 km/7 miles

Hiking time: 5-7 hrs

Habitat: Heath

Today, we will spend the full day exploring the Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus on earth. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. We then divert from the main trail to Moir Hut, a lesser-used camping site at the base of the Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity.

Moir Hut to Lava Tower

Elevation: 4,206m/13,800ft to 4,629m/15,190ft

Distance: 7 km/4 miles

Hiking time: 4-5 hrs

Habitat: Alpine desert

Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Elevation: 4,629m/15,190ft to 3,963m/13,044ft

Distance: 3 km/2 miles

Hiking time: 2-3 hrs

Habitat: Alpine desert

We begin the day climbing up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is extremely beneficial for acclimatization.

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation: 3,963m/13,044ft to 3,994m/3,106ft

Distance: 5 km/3 miles

Hiking time: 4-5 hrs

Habitat: Alpine desert

We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. We will then climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900ft, cliff. The Barranco Wall, also known as the Kissing Wall, is approximately 3 ft. wide. This narrow section is famous because climbers often place a kiss on the rock as they pass by. Climbers also “hug” the outcrop and breathe a sigh of relief on the other side as they realize it wasn’t nearly as intimidating as it looked.

From the top of the Barranco Wall, we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This shorter day will prepare us for higher elevation at the summit.

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation: 3,994m/3,106ft to 4,672m/15,331ft

Distance: 4 km/2 miles

Hiking time: 4-5 hrs

Habitat: Alpine desert

We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are visible from this position.

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

Elevation: 4,672m/15,331ft to 5,895m/19,341ft

Distance: 5 km/3 miles

Hiking time: 7-8 hrs

Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Elevation: 5,895m/19,341ft to 3,067m/10,065ft

Distance: 12 km/7 miles

Hiking time: 4-6 hrs

Habitat: Rain forest

Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek. At this elevation and time of day, the wind and cold can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent but short breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak.

Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak— the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Here, you can take a moment to reflect on your tremendous accomplishment. You’ll obviously have the opportunity to take a few pictures from the ‘Rooftop of Africa’ to memorialize this special moment.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we will enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Elevation: 3,067m/10,065ft to 1,639m/5,380ft

Distance: 10 km/6 miles

Hiking time: 3-4 hrs

Habitat: Rain forest

On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate where we will be met by our driver who will transport us back to the hotel in Moshi. Here, we can relax with some refreshments, perhaps a local Kilimanjaro beer, while we wait to receive our summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.


Climbing the Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route — Good to Know

Until the Northern Circuit recently opened, the Lemosho Route was widely considered to be the overall best route to climb Kilimanjaro. The great combination of features contributes to the overall trail success rate; by starting further west, it takes you up and over the spectacular Shira Plateau while avoiding the crowds at the beginning of the Machame Route.

Kilimanjaro’s daily temperatures change drastically. They range from the high 20°C (68°F) right down to -15 °C (5°F) at night. To cope with this huge range in temperature, you will need to combine thin layers of clothing.

Please note that Tanzania implemented a ban on single-use plastic bags on 1st June 2019. Please ensure that none of the items in your luggage are packed in plastic bags. Please also be aware that disposable plastic bottles are not permitted on Kilimanjaro. Reusable plastic bags are generally acceptable.

Kilimanjaro National Park operates an absolutely strict limit of 15kg per porter for your main equipment bag, which includes your sleeping bag. This is more than sufficient for your needs on the mountain. Your bag will be weighed before you leave the hotel to start the climb and if it is overweight you will have to take items out and leave them at the hotel.

Safety procedures: twice daily (morning and evening), our expert guides will perform health checks for all trekkers. This is an important protocol to ensure the wellbeing of all our guests. Our lead guide will test oxygen levels using a pulse oximeter and run through a checklist of health measures as a means of determining that everyone can proceed safely. This is crucial in preemptively assessing any symptoms related to altitude sickness. Health and safety are our utmost priorities!

On top of that, we design our treks so that we are walking at a slow pace. You will hear the guides advise everyone to take it “pole pole”, which means easy-going in Swahili. While at times you may be excited and want to rush ahead, it is very important to listen to the guides who are skilled in navigating the mountain, its terrain and weather patterns, and understanding how altitude sickness can quickly incapacitate a person. Going “pole pole” may seem frustratingly slow for those very eager to reach the top, but rest assured, it is the best way to be confident of making it to the summit in good health.

Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route in 8 Days — Dates & Prices

Below is a table of our available Kilimanjaro climb dates and prices. All of our climbs are great value for money and we strive to provide each person with a fun, successful, and unforgettable experience. Join us at the summit today!

Looking to enhance your climb with a full moon?

Every tour date that has a moon icon indicates a climb where the lunar spectacular is in full swing! When the peak of Kilimanjaro and magnificent glaciers are lit up by the full moon, the view is absolutely stunning. For this reason alone, some climbers schedule their trek to coincide with this celestial event. Aside from the lunar spectacular, another reason to choose to climb during a full moon is that the bright light will improve visibility during the climb, and it will be especially beneficial during the summit attempt.

( full-moon-icon = Full Moon)

 

2024 Dates & Group Rates

2024 Christmas & New Year's Summit Treks

Check Out What Other Clients Have Said!

See Our Other Tours