Climb Kilimanjaro
Lemosho Route Duration – 7 Days
Discover the Lemosho Route Your Ideal Climb
The Lemosho route is one of the newer and most spectacular ways to ascend Mount Kilimanjaro. It offers a perfect blend of low traffic, stunning scenery, and a high summit success rate. It’s our favourite route, and our clients love it, too! The adventure begins with a scenic drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent hiking through the lush rainforest to Shira Ridge.
Unlike the popular Machame route, which intersects the Shira Plateau, the Lemosho route gracefully crosses the entire plain from west to east. The route provides a pleasant, relatively flat hike while enjoying low traffic until it joins the Machame route. From there, Lemosho follows the scenic southern circuit through Lava Tower, Barranco, and Barafu, with the descent via the Mweka route.
We recommend the seven-day Lemosho variation over the six-day option. The extra day allows for better acclimatization with a more gradual ascent. On the seven-day journey, you’ll walk from Forest Camp to Shira Camp 1 on the second day, with a reasonable altitude gain of 2,000 feet. Then, on the third day, you continue to the little-used Moir Hut at 13,800 feet. This gradual exposure to higher altitudes prepares your body for the challenging days ahead.
While the treks from Barranco to Barafu and the summit day remain unchanged from the six-day variation, the extra day on the seven-day route makes the demanding schedule more manageable. This additional day helps climbers handle the exhausting itinerary better, enhancing their overall experience and success rate.
Embark on the Lemosho route for an unforgettable Kilimanjaro adventure filled with breathtaking landscapes and the thrill of conquering Africa’s highest peak!
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Trip Duration:
7 days
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Route:
Lemosho Route
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Your Day to Day Itinerary
All our itineraries are suggestions; they can be adapted and customised to suit your needs and preferences or for any seasonal changes or migratory animal movements.
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Elevation:
7,800ft to 9,500ft -
Climb Time:
3-4 hours -
Distance:
6 km -
Habitat:
Rainforest
Your adventure begins with a departure from Moshi to Londorossi Gate, a scenic drive that sets the stage for your journey. After completing the entry formalities at Londorossi Gate, you’ll continue to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch before starting your trek.
The hike starts through the lush, undisturbed rainforest, winding its way to the first campsite. This initial leg of the journey is a gentle introduction to the diverse and vibrant ecosystems of Mount Kilimanjaro, providing ample opportunities to spot wildlife and enjoy the serene surroundings. As you make your way to Forest Camp, the tranquillity of the rainforest will envelop you, making this first day both peaceful and exhilarating.
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Elevation:
7,800ft to 9,500ft -
Climb Time:
3-4 hours -
Distance:
6 km -
Habitat:
Rainforest
On the second day, you’ll leave the lush rainforest behind as the trail leads you into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock adorned with lichen beards. The landscape changes dramatically as you ascend through the rolling hills, offering a new and breathtaking environment to explore.
You’ll cross several streams to the Shira Ridge, enjoying the lush scenery and unique vegetation. The path drops gently down to Shira Camp 1 as you reach the ridge. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing, providing a stunning backdrop as you settle into the camp for the night. This day offers a perfect blend of scenic beauty and a sense of adventure as you trek through Kilimanjaro’s diverse habitats.
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Elevation:
11,500ft to 13,800ft -
Climb Time:
5-7 hours -
Distance:
14 km -
Habitat:
Moorland
Today, you’ll spend the day exploring the expansive Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus on earth. The journey is a gentle walk eastward towards Kibo’s glaciated peak, traversing the stunning moorland meadows. You’ll first reach Shira 2 Camp, located by a serene stream, offering picturesque views and a tranquil resting spot.
From Shira 2, the hike continues to Moir Hut, a little-used site at the base of Lent Hills. This part of the hike provides excellent acclimatization opportunities, with various walks available on Lent Hills. The unique landscape and the elevated terrain make this day both beautiful and beneficial for adjusting to the higher altitudes. Enjoy the serene and majestic environment as you settle in at Moir Hut for the night.
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Elevation:
13,800ft to 13,000ft -
Climb Time:
4-6 hours -
Distance:
7 km -
Habitat:
Semi Desert
Leaving Moir Hut, you’ll continue eastward from the Shira Plateau, ascending a ridge and passing the junction that leads to Kibo’s peak. The trail then heads southeast towards the impressive Lava Tower, known as the “Shark’s Tooth.”
After a short break at the Lava Tower, you’ll reach the second junction, which brings you to the Arrow Glacier at 16,000ft. This altitude gain is significant for acclimatization, preparing your body for higher elevations.
Following this, you’ll descend to Barranco Camp at 13,000ft. The descent provides a unique landscape perspective and helps with acclimatization, even though you end the day at roughly the same elevation as you started. Upon arrival at Barranco Camp, you’ll rest, enjoy dinner, and spend the night, all while soaking in the stunning semi-desert surroundings. This day is crucial for adjusting to the altitude and preparing for the summit push in the days to come.
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Elevation:
13,000ft to 15,000ft -
Climb Time:
8-10 hours -
Distance:
9 km -
Habitat:
Alpine Desert
After breakfast, you’ll leave Barranco Camp and tackle the challenging Barranco Wall. This steep ridge climb is both exhilarating and rewarding, offering stunning views as you make your way up. Once over the Wall, you’ll descend into the Karanga Valley, reaching the Karanga Valley campsite.
You’ll continue your ascent from Karanga, hitting the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. The trail then takes you to Barafu Camp, the base camp for your summit attempt. By now, you will have completed the South Circuit, providing you with incredible views of the summit from various angles.
At Barafu Camp, you’ll set up camp, rest, and enjoy dinner while taking in the magnificent views of the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. This is your final stop before the summit push, so take this time to rest and mentally prepare for the exciting challenge ahead.
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Elevation:
15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft) -
Climb Time:
7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent -
Distance:
5 km ascent / 12 km descent -
Habitat:
Arctic
In the early morning hours, between midnight and 2 am, you’ll begin your final ascent to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Guided by the light of your headlamp, you’ll navigate between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, heading northwesterly. The climb’s most mentally and physically challenging part is the ascent through heavy scree to Stella Point on the crater rim.
Upon reaching Stella Point at 18,600ft, you’ll take a short rest and witness one of the most magnificent sunrises you’re ever likely to see, weather permitting. From here, a one-hour ascent through potential snow will lead you to Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Those who are faster may catch the sunrise from the summit itself.
After celebrating your incredible achievement at the summit, you’ll begin your descent straight down to Mweka Hut, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The descent is steep and requires gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel. Mweka Camp is in the upper forest, where you can expect mist or rain in the late afternoon.
In the evening, you’ll enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned rest, reflecting on your amazing accomplishment and the unforgettable journey you’ve experienced.
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Elevation:
10,000ft to 5,400ft -
Climb Time:
3-4 hours -
Distance:
10 km -
Habitat:
Rainforest
After breakfast, you’ll embark on the final leg of your descent to the Mweka Park Gate. Here, you’ll receive your well-deserved summit certificates, a testament to your incredible journey. The trail can be wet and muddy at lower elevations, so gaiters and trekking poles will be helpful. Shorts and t-shirts should be comfortable for this part of the hike, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy just in case.
From Mweka Gate, you’ll continue for another hour to Mweka Village, where a vehicle will be waiting to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi. Enjoy the ride back, reflecting on your remarkable achievement and looking forward to a well-earned rest and a hot shower. Celebrate your success and the unforgettable adventure you’ve completed on Mount Kilimanjaro!