Overview

• Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
• Travelers: 2 – 15 guests
• Language: English

The 8-day Lemosho Route is widely regarded as one of the most scenic and rewarding ways to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. The journey begins in lush rainforest, gradually ascending through heath and moorland, across alpine meadows, and into the stark alpine desert before reaching the arctic zone near Uhuru Peak. The descent follows a different path, returning through beautiful rainforest landscapes.

This diverse progression through distinct climate zones makes Lemosho one of the most picturesque routes on the mountain. Covering approximately 46 kilometers (28.5 miles), the extended 8-day itinerary allows for excellent acclimatization, significantly increasing summit success rates while offering some of the best panoramic views Kilimanjaro has to offer.

Itinerary

Day 1: Lemosho (2385m) – Big Tree Camp (2780m)

In the morning, you will be taken to Londorossi Gate (2,250m). Upon completion of all the entry formalities and a final 15km drive on a bumpy road, you will reach your starting point at the edge of the rainforest. You will enjoy lunch before you set out on the trail through the rainforest. Today’s walk is quite short, thus giving you time to enjoy lush scenery which will drastically change over the course of your trek. You might even catch a glimpse of the Colobus monkeys sitting in the branches above you. Your dinner and overnight stay await you at the Big Tree Camp.

Day 2: Big Tree Camp (2780m) – Shira Camp 1 (3500m)

As you walk along the thin trail through the rainforest, vegetation becomes scarce until you reach moorland filled with lobelia and erica plants. Ascending through rolling hills, you reach Shira Camp 1 in about 3 to 4 hours. From camp, you can see the snow-capped summit of Kibo. Dinner and overnight stay at camp.

Day 3: Shira Camp 1 (3500m) – Shira Camp 2 (3900m)

Today you cross Shira Ridge with rocky ground, low grasses, and shrubs. The terrain is flatter, offering views of the Great Rift Valley and Mount Meru. Giant lobelias dot the landscape. You reach Shira Camp 2 for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4: Shira Camp 2 (3900m) – Lava Tower (4640m) – Barranco Camp (3960m)

After breakfast, ascend to Lava Tower through boulder terrain. After resting for acclimatization, descend to Barranco Camp. This “climb high, sleep low” method helps acclimatization. You pass giant senecios and lobelias before reaching Barranco Camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5: Barranco Camp (3960m) – Karanga Camp (4035m)

After breakfast, you face the Barranco Wall, the steepest section of the route. No technical climbing is required, but hands are needed in some areas. After crossing the wall and Karanga Valley, you reach Karanga Camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6: Karanga Camp (4035m) – Barafu Camp (4640m)

Today you ascend to Barafu Camp through dry alpine desert terrain. The landscape is harsh and rocky. From camp, you see Mawenzi Peak and the summit route ahead. Early dinner and rest in preparation for summit night.

Day 7: Barafu Camp (4640m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka Camp (3080m)

Around midnight, begin your summit climb toward Stella Point (5730m), then continue to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. After summit photos, descend back to Barafu Camp, rest briefly, then continue down to Mweka Camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 8: Mweka Camp (3080m) – Mweka Gate (1630m) – Arusha

After breakfast and a farewell ceremony, descend through rainforest to Mweka Gate in 2–3 hours. A transfer driver will take you back to the hotel for rest and celebrations.

Includes

• Porterage
• Rescue fee
• Park fees
• All activities (Trekking)
• All accommodation
• Camping equipment
• A professional driver/guide
• All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
• All Taxes/VAT
• Roundtrip airport transfer
• Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
• Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Excludes

• Climbing gear
• International flights (From/to home)
• Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
• Sleeping bag
• Bath towels
• Tips
• Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
• Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees