Climb Kilimanjaro via
Lemosho Route
The most scenic and successful route
to the Roof of Africa
Why Choose the Lemosho Route?
✔️ Most Scenic Route: Lemosho is widely considered the most beautiful trail on Kilimanjaro. You’ll trek through pristine rainforest, expansive moorlands, high alpine desert, and finally up to glacial zones with breathtaking summit views.
✔️ Best Acclimatization: With its gradual ascent profile and optional 8-day itinerary, Lemosho offers excellent altitude adaptation — increasing your summit success rate.
✔️ Less Crowded: For the first two days, the trail is much quieter than the busier Machame and Marangu routes, allowing for a more peaceful and immersive experience in nature.
✔️ Diverse Landscapes: Traverse 5 unique ecological zones, from rainforest to glaciers, all in one unforgettable adventure.
Lemosho Route at a Glance
- 📏 Total Distance: ~70 km (43.5 miles)
- 🗓️ Duration: 7–8 days (8 recommended)
- 💪 Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- ⛺ Accommodation: Camping only (no huts)
- 🏞️ Scenery: Rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, glaciers
- 👣 Crowds: Low for first 2 days, moderate after
- ⛰️ Max Elevation: 5,895m (Uhuru Peak)
- 📈 Summit Success Rate: 85–90% (8-day), 75–80% (7-day)
🗓️ Day 1
📍 Moshi → Londorossi Gate → Mti Mkubwa Camp
🏔️ Elevation: 2,100m → 2,820m
🚶 Distance: ~6 km
⏱️ Time: 3–4 hours
🌿 Highlight: Rainforest & Colobus Monkeys
📜 After an early breakfast in Moshi, we drive westwards to Londorossi Gate for registration and permits. Once formalities are complete, the trek begins through pristine rainforest. The trail is rich with wildlife — you may spot black-and-white Colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and exotic birds. The hike is gentle and scenic, leading to Mti Mkubwa (“Big Tree”) Camp, your first overnight stop in the forest.
🗓️ Day 2
📍 Mti Mkubwa Camp → Shira 1 Camp
🏔️ Elevation: 2,820m → 3,500m
🚶 Distance: ~8 km
⏱️ Time: 5–6 hours
🌄 Highlight: Moorland Views & Shira Plateau
📜 Today the forest gives way to moorland and heather. The trail ascends steadily through ridges and volcanic rock formations. As you gain altitude, the vegetation becomes sparse, offering your first sweeping views of the Shira Plateau and Kilimanjaro’s glacier-capped summit in the distance. You’ll camp at Shira 1 under a sky full of stars.
🗓️ Day 3
📍 Shira 1 Camp → Shira 2 Camp
🏔️ Elevation: 3,500m → 3,900m
🚶 Distance: ~7 km
⏱️ Time: 3–4 hours
🌌 Highlight: Kibo Peak Views
📜 A shorter day to aid acclimatization, you’ll cross the Shira Plateau, one of the highest alpine plateaus in the world. The trail is relatively flat but offers breathtaking views of Mount Meru behind and Kibo Peak ahead. By afternoon, you’ll arrive at Shira 2 Camp, where you’ll join climbers from the Machame Route.
🗓️ Day 4
📍 Shira 2 Camp → Lava Tower → Barranco Camp
🏔️ Elevation: 3,900m → 4,630m → 3,960m
🚶 Distance: ~10 km
⏱️ Time: 7–8 hours
🏔️ Highlight: Acclimatization at Lava Tower
📜 This is a key acclimatization day. You’ll ascend to Lava Tower (4,630m), where you’ll have lunch in the high alpine desert. Then, you descend to Barranco Camp, following the “climb high, sleep low” principle that enhances your body’s adjustment to altitude. Barranco is located in a spectacular valley below the famous Barranco Wall.
🗓️ Day 5
📍 Barranco Camp → Karanga Camp
🏔️ Elevation: 3,960m → 4,035m
🚶 Distance: ~5 km
⏱️ Time: 4–5 hours
🧗 Highlight: Barranco Wall Climb
📜 Today begins with the exhilarating scramble up the Barranco Wall — a steep but non-technical climb with epic views. After reaching the top, you continue along ridges and valleys to Karanga Camp. This short but strategic day allows for added acclimatization and rest before the summit push.
🗓️ Day 6
📍 Karanga Camp → Barafu Camp
🏔️ Elevation: 4,035m → 4,673m
🚶 Distance: ~4 km
⏱️ Time: 4–5 hours
❄️ Highlight: Alpine Desert Scenery
📜 A steep climb takes you through barren alpine desert to Barafu Camp, the final base before the summit. You’ll arrive by early afternoon to rest, eat, and prepare your gear. Early sleep is crucial, as the summit attempt begins around midnight.
🗓️ Day 7
📍 Barafu Camp → Stella Point → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp
🏔️ Elevation: 4,673m → 5,895m → 3,100m
🚶 Distance: ~17 km
⏱️ Time: 12–16 hours
🌄 Highlight: Summit at Sunrise!
📜 Your summit push begins just after midnight. You’ll hike by headlamp through the cold, star-lit night, reaching Stella Point at sunrise and continuing along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak — the highest point in Africa. After celebrating, you descend to Barafu for a short rest and continue to Mweka Camp for your final night on the mountain.
🗓️ Day 8
📍 Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate
🏔️ Elevation: 3,100m → 1,640m
🚶 Distance: ~10 km
⏱️ Time: 3–5 hours
🌳 Highlight: Final Descent Through Rainforest
📜 A gentle descent through the rainforest brings you to Mweka Gate, where you’ll receive your official summit certificate. After saying goodbye to your mountain crew, a vehicle will transfer you back to Moshi for a well-earned rest and celebration.
