Overview
Considered the most beautiful and successful route up Kilimanjaro, the 7-day Lemosho approach gives your body the time it needs to acclimatise — meaning you reach Uhuru Peak strong, lucid and able to actually enjoy the view from the roof of Africa.
Quick facts
- Start point
- Londorossi Gate (2,250 m)
- End point
- Mweka Gate (1,640 m)
- Distance
- ≈ 70 km / 42 mi round trip
- Highest point
- Uhuru Peak · 5,895 m
- Group size
- Private, 1–12 climbers
- Best season
- Jan–Mar, Jun–Oct
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Traffic
- Low to moderate
- Scenery
- Exceptional
- Accommodation
- Mountain tents
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1Day 1
Londorossi Gate → Mti Mkubwa
Today's StatusHiking Time: 3–4 hoursTotal Distance: 6 kmStarting Altitude: 2,250 m (7,382 ft)Final Altitude: 2,820 m (9,252 ft)Elevation Change: +570 mHabitat: Montane rainforestDrive from Moshi to the Londorossi Gate (2,250 m) for registration. Trek through dense montane rainforest to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) camp.
Meals: Lunch, DinnerMti Mkubwa Camp · 2,820 m - 2Day 2
Mti Mkubwa → Shira 1
Today's StatusHiking Time: 5–6 hoursTotal Distance: 8 kmStarting Altitude: 2,820 m (9,252 ft)Final Altitude: 3,505 m (11,500 ft)Elevation Change: +685 mHabitat: Heather & moorlandClimb out of the forest onto the heather moorland and across the Shira Plateau, an ancient collapsed caldera with stunning views of Kibo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerShira 1 Camp · 3,505 m - 3Day 3
Shira 1 → Shira 2
Today's StatusHiking Time: 4–5 hoursTotal Distance: 11 kmStarting Altitude: 3,505 m (11,500 ft)Final Altitude: 3,810 m (12,500 ft)Elevation Change: +305 mHabitat: Shira Plateau moorlandAn easier day across the plateau for acclimatisation, with an afternoon hike up toward Lava Tower for 'climb high, sleep low'.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerShira 2 Camp · 3,810 m - 4Day 4
Shira 2 → Lava Tower → Barranco
Today's StatusHiking Time: 6–7 hoursTotal Distance: 10 kmStarting Altitude: 3,810 m (12,500 ft)Final Altitude: 3,960 m (12,995 ft)Elevation Change: +820 m / −670 m (via Lava Tower)Habitat: Alpine desertAscend to 4,630 m at Lava Tower for lunch, then descend into the lush Barranco Valley beneath the Western Breach.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerBarranco Camp · 3,960 m - 5Day 5
Barranco → Karanga → Barafu
Today's StatusHiking Time: 7–8 hoursTotal Distance: 9 kmStarting Altitude: 3,960 m (12,995 ft)Final Altitude: 4,673 m (15,331 ft)Elevation Change: +713 mHabitat: Alpine desertScramble the iconic Barranco Wall, cross Karanga Valley, then push on to Barafu — summit base camp. Early dinner, rest before midnight wake-up.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerBarafu Camp · 4,673 m - 6Day 6
Summit Day → Mweka
Today's StatusHiking Time: 12–14 hoursTotal Distance: 17 kmStarting Altitude: 4,673 m (15,331 ft)Final Altitude: 3,068 m (10,065 ft) via Uhuru Peak 5,895 mElevation Change: +1,222 m / −2,827 mHabitat: Arctic → moorlandWake at 23:30 and climb through the night to Stella Point and on to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) for sunrise. Descend all the way to Mweka Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerMweka Camp · 3,068 m - 7Day 7
Mweka Gate → Moshi
Today's StatusHiking Time: 3–4 hoursTotal Distance: 10 kmStarting Altitude: 3,068 m (10,065 ft)Final Altitude: 1,640 m (5,380 ft)Elevation Change: −1,428 mHabitat: Montane rainforestFinal descent through the rainforest. Summit certificates, celebratory lunch, transfer back to your hotel for a hot shower and a cold Kilimanjaro beer.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
What's included & route FAQs
Everything covered on the ground, what's not, and the questions climbers ask most.
What's included
- All park, camping and rescue fees
- KPAP-certified guides, cook and porters
- Mess tent, sleeping tents and mattresses
- Three hot meals per day on the mountain
- Airport transfers and 2 hotel nights in Moshi
- Pulse oximeter daily health checks
The Trip Cost Excludes
- International flights and Tanzania visa
- Personal climbing gear (rental available)
- Tips for the mountain crew
- Travel insurance (mandatory, must cover 6,000 m)
Do I need previous climbing experience?+
No technical climbing is required on any of the standard routes. Good general fitness and prior multi-day hiking experience are strongly recommended — you'll be trekking 5–7 hours per day for a week at high altitude.
How cold does it get on the summit?+
Summit night temperatures typically range from −7 °C to −20 °C with wind chill. Daytime at lower camps is much milder (10–20 °C). We provide a detailed packing list and can rent quality cold-weather gear locally.
What is the summit success rate?+
Our overall summit success across all routes is 96 %. On the 8-day Lemosho itinerary it climbs to 99 %. Success comes down to route length (more acclimatisation days = more oxygen in your blood at 5,895 m) and guide quality.
Is travel insurance required?+
Yes — mandatory. Your policy must cover trekking to 6,000 m and helicopter evacuation. We recommend World Nomads or Global Rescue.
How much should I tip the crew?+
The KPAP guideline is about USD 20–25 per climber per day, pooled and split among guides, cook and porters. We hand out a detailed tipping breakdown at the pre-climb briefing.
What happens if I can't continue?+
Your lead guide monitors your oxygen saturation and heart rate twice daily. If you need to descend, an assistant guide accompanies you down safely while the rest of the group continues. This is why we bring extra guides.
Pricing per person
All-inclusive on the ground. Price per person decreases with group size.
Trail map
A stylised overview of the Lemosho Route — camps, distance and summit approach.
Have a question about Lemosho Route?
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