Overview
The 8-day Lemosho Route is one of the most scenic and gradual routes to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. It begins on the western side of the mountain and passes through lush rainforest, heath and moorland, the spectacular Shira Plateau, alpine desert, and finally the summit zone. The 8-day itinerary provides excellent acclimatization with a slower ascent and additional time on the mountain, increasing the opportunity for a successful summit. The final summit attempt usually begins around midnight, reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) at sunrise before descending to lower elevations.
Tour Features
Hut Camping
This is camping route.
Private Tour
This safari is arranged privately for your group.
Solo Travelers
Suitable for solo travelers.
Customizable
This itinerary can be customized.
Children Policy
Minimum age accepted is 12 years and above.
Start Date
This safari can start on any day.
Highlights
Arrive Kilimanjaro Airport
Moshi to Londorossi gate (2385m) to Big Tree Camp (2780m)
Big Tree Camp (2780m) to Shira 1 Camp (3500m)
Shira 1 Camp (3500m) to Shira 2 Camp (3900m)
Shira 2 Camp (3900m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)
Barranco Camp (3960m) to Karanga Camp (3963m)
Karanga Camp (3963) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Millennium Camp (3790m)
Trek Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka Gate (1630m) to Moshi
Depart Tanzania
Your Safari Map
Moshi
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park
Safari Itinerary
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your 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. The missing gear can be rented on this day. The hotel check-in starts at 12:00 PM.
Accommodation
Park View Inn
You will be picked up at your hotel at around 08:00 AM and transferred to the Lemosho gate located on the 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 covered: 7km / 4.3mi Approx. time taken: 4 hours Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Mti Mkuwa camp
Today 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 covered: 8.5km / 5.3mi Approx. time taken: 7 hrs Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Shira 1 camp
Today you will get the chance to view the Northern Icefields 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 covered: 8km / 5mi Approx. time taken: 5 hours Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Shira 2 camp
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 covered: 10km / 6.2mi Approx. time taken: 7 hrs Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Barranco 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 covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi Approx. time taken: 5 hours Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Karanga 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 between 11 pm and 12 AM to start the climb to the summit. Distance covered: 3km / 1.9mi Approx. time taken: 3 hours Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Barafu Camp
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 (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us, and the views to jagged Mawenzi Peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on a scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long, well-earned rest. Distance covered: 13.4km / 8.3mi Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Millenium Camp
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. Overnight at Park View Inn. Distance covered: 12.1km / 7.5mi Approx. time taken: 6 hours Meals: Breakfast and Lunch Included
Accommodation
Park View Inn
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport. Hotel check out is at 10:00AM Meals: Breakfast Included
Accommodation details are available on request for this part of the itinerary.

Tanzania