Kilimanjaro Hiking Lemosho Route 8 Days Join Group
8
Days
2 to 25
5,895 Meters (19,340 Feet)
High Altitude Camping
Easy to Moderate
Moshi/Arusha Town
Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO)
June to October
Hiking
English, French, Swahili
All meals during the trek
Overview
The Lemosho route is very scenic as you pass through the western Kilimanjaro captivation local farms area. You pass through the forest vegetation towards the park's gate. The route is an unspoiled and beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
The Lemosho route, 8 days, starts on the Western side of Mount Kilimanjaro at the Londorossi Gate and was introduced as an alternative to the Shira Route, which begins at a higher, more challenging altitude. The Londorossi Gate is a fair drive from the town of Moshi. At the gate, you will register with the authorities before being driven a further 12km to the starting point.
On day three, the Lemosho Route joins the Machame Route at Lava Tower and down towards Barranco Valley via the Southern Circuit. As with the Machame Route, Lemosho trekkers need to traverse the Barranco Wall and then summit from Barafu Camp. The seven-day route typically stops for a night at both Shira Camp 1 and Shira Camp 2. Eight-day treks stop again at Karanga Camp for another acclimatization day.
Tour Highlight
You can start through the scenic and less-crowded Lemosho Glades.
Walk across lush rainforest alive with birds and monkeys.
Enjoy wide views from the stunning Shira Plateau.
Experience all five Kilimanjaro climate zones.
Benefit from great acclimatization for summit success.
Conquer the famous Barranco Wall adventure.
Witness magical sunsets at Karanga Camp.
Summit Uhuru Peak via Stella Point at sunrise.
Climb with expert and caring mountain guides.
Celebrate reaching the highest point in Africa!
Tour Plan
Day 01
Lemosho Glades (2385m) to Big Tree Camp (2780m)
You will be picked up at your hotel at around 08:00am 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
4 hour
Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Mountain Camping
Day 02
Big Tree Camp (2780m) to Shira 1 Camp (3500m)
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
7 hour
Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Mountain Camping
Day 03
Shira I Camp (3500m) to Shira 2 Camp (3900m)
Today you will get the chance to view the Northern Ice fields 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
5 hour
Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Mountain Camping
Day 04
Shira II Camp (3900m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)
Your trek starts with an ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking in to 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
7 hour
Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Mountain Camping
Day 05
Barranco Camp (3960m) to Karanga Camp (3963m)
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
5 hour
Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Mountain Camping
Day 06
Karanga Camp (3963) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
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 at between 11pm and 12 pm to start the climb to the summit.
Distance covered: 3km / 1.9mi
Approx. time taken: 3 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
3 hour
Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Mountain Camping
Day 07
Barafu Camp (4,680 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then Mweka Camp (3,100 meters)
You will be awoken around 23:30 with hot tea and biscuits. Hopefully you have managed to get a few hours’ sleep; don’t worry if you haven’t as most people struggle to sleep before summit night. Do however make sure that all your kit, including warm clothes, headlamp, insulated water reserves and snacks are ready for a sharp departure at 24:00. The trek up Kibo is steep and slow. The trick is to keep your momentum moving forward, one step at a time. It takes about 6-8 hours to reach the top of the crater rim where you will see the sign for Stella Point (5,739 meters). You still have another 156 meters of altitude to walk around the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters). After reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro, a 4.5km / 3 mile ascent, you still have an 11km / 7 mile descent to Mweka Camp (3,100 meters)! Mweka is situated in the upper part of the rain-forest zone. The richness of oxygen and moisture in the air will be a very welcome surprise.
Distance: ~4.5km / 3 miles ascent and then 11km / 7 mile descent
Trekking time: 6-8 hours to the summit and then 5-8 hours to Mweka
Zone: Glacial zone and the all preceding zones
8 hour
Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Mountain Camping
Day 08
Mweka Camp (3,100 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters)
In the morning after breakfast you will be trekking down to Mweka gate. The trek is a pleasant one through the lower rain-forested slopes and down to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters). Although you cover 9km / 5.5 miles, the trek only takes 3-4 hours. Assuming you successfully reach Stella Point or Uhuru Peak you will be presented with official certificates – a green certificate for the former and a gold certificate for the latter. It is customary to tip your trekking crew before being transported back to your hotel in Moshi.
Distance: ~9km / 5.5 miles
Trekking time: 3-5 hours
Zone: Rainforest
5 hour
Breakfast
Mountain Camping
Pricing Table
Number of People
Price in USD
1
$2,450
2
$2,070
3
$2,000
4
$1,980
5
$1,940
6
$1,900
7
$1,850
8
$1,800
9
$1,750
10
$1,700
Cost Includes
All transportation in destination location
Hotel accommodations, before and after the trek
All government taxes and park entrance fees
Airport arrival and departure transfers
All meals while on the mountain
Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro
Emergency oxygen cylinders and oximeters
Complete expedition medical kits
Comfortable sleeping mats
All group camping equipment (sleeping tents, dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery)
Portable radios – Taken on every trek to enable convenient communication.
Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, chefs, etc.)
Experienced professional mountain guides
Salaries for the trekking crew
Medical evacuations with AMREF Flying doctors
Purified water while on the mountain
Portable tented private flush toilet
Fair and ethical treatment of porters
Environment-friendly trek
Cost Excludes
Personal gear rentals
Tanzania Visa fee
Tipping to the trekking crew
Travel insurance
Any private expenses
FAQ's
Where is Kilimanjaro?
The mountain is in Tanzania, East Africa, about 350km from the equator. The nearest towns are Moshi and Arusha.
How high is it?
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain in the world and the highest mountain in Africa. Its highest point is Uhuru Peak on the Kibo crater at 5895m above sea level.
What kind of experience do I need?
None, but previous hiking or climbing experience will help. You need to be fit and healthy and have a good pair of worn-in hiking boots. The fitter you are the more you are likely to enjoy it.
How much will it cost?
Getting to Tanzania and hiking up Kilimanjaro is not cheap. But the once in a lifetime experience is worth every penny. Costs (usually quoted in USD) will depend on the tour operator and what you need. Luxuries such as portable toilets and glassware will cost more. Land costs should include transport to and from Kili, full board, porters, guides, cooks, national park fees and permits. Do not choose the cheapest operator, choose an operator who discloses all costs and who offers value for money.
Do we sleep in hotels?
No. There are no hotels on the mountain and no cable cars to the top. You will most probably sleep in tents, or in basic huts if you take the Marangu route. Tents and sleeping mats are carried and set up by the porters. You do need to bring a very warm sleeping bag or rent it from Kilimanjaro-Experience.
Will I have a cell phone signal on the mountain?
On the first day of your climb, you are likely to lose signal before reaching the gate and will not regain it until day two. From then onwards, for most routes, you will find the signal at some point, and sometimes even in camp. On the Rongai route and Northern, Circuit reception can be more limited and tends to be via Kenyan networks, as the routes pass close to the border.
Are there charging stations on Kilimanjaro?
There are no charging stations on Kilimanjaro. You will need battery packs or solar charges to charge electrical items. Please ensure you bring the right cables and keep electrical items warm whilst on the mountain to preserve battery life.
How does the tipping process work?
Our crew all receive fair salaries; however, they also rely on the income they receive from tips. Below are standard tipping recommendations to be split between everyone in your group. We prefer you to distribute tips to crew members individually and directly at a ceremony held at the end of your climb. It is a good idea to bring some notes in lower denominations to assist with splitting funds. We will provide a tipping guide with specific crew numbers at your briefing, with envelopes to help you separate money into individual amounts.
Head Guide:
USD$20 per day
Assistant Guide(s):
USD$12 per day
Cook(s):
USD$12 per day
Porters:
USD$5-7 per day
Our crew all receive fair salaries; however, they also rely on the income they receive from tips. Below are standard tipping recommendations to be split between everyone in your group. We prefer you to distribute tips to crew members individually and directly at a ceremony held at the end of your climb. It is a good idea to bring some notes in lower denominations to assist with splitting funds. We will provide a tipping guide with specific crew numbers at your briefing, with envelopes to help you separate money into individual amounts.
Head Guide:
USD$20 per day
Assistant Guide(s):
USD$12 per day
Cook(s):
USD$12 per day
Porters:
USD$5-7 per day
In order to help you calculate a rough total tipping amount, we work with ratios of at least one guide per two clients and approximately four porters per client. Please remember porters carry food, gas, tents, etc. in addition to your personal luggage.
Will I descend the same way as I go up?
Only the Marangu Route goes up and down the same way, which we don’t recommend. Lemosho, Machame, and the Northern Circuit descend via the Mweka Route, which is used only for descent and food re-supply to the camps. Rongai descends via the Marangu Route. Descent routes are more direct, whereas ascent routes pass over ridges and valleys to allow your body to better acclimatize.
What kind of food will I eat?
Our cooks prepare three hot, nutritious meals daily, as well as snacks and afternoon tea. Delicious vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other special meals can be provided. Please let us know in advance. If you would like more details or a sample menu, please ask.
Do I need to bring a water filter or anything to purify water?
No! We use either a Katydyn filter or water purification tablets to treat the water, making it safe for you to drink. You do not need to bring these yourself. Since the tablets are usually chlorine-based, there can be a slight lingering taste in the water. You can bring neutralizing tablets, electrolytes or flavored cordial/squash to cover the taste.
Where can I store items I don’t need on the mountain?
Additional luggage you do not need to take up the mountain can be left safely in storage at your accommodation or our offices. We recommend you ensure any valuables are signed in to the hotel safe, and where possible left at home!
Will I see wildlife?
You are unlikely to come into contact with many animals on the mountain. As the number of trekkers has increased over the years, the animals have retreated. You may see Colobus and Blue monkeys in the rainforest along with a variety of birds. Large white-necked ravens and four striped mice scavenge in camps. Malachite Sunbirds are often seen and heard in the heath and moorland zone and the national park is working hard to encourage native rodents around the Shira Plateau.
What is the temperature of Kilimanjaro?
At the base of the mountain, average temperatures are 70 to 90°F (21 to 32°C) throughout the year. On the summit, temperatures range from -10 to 23°F (-23 to -5°C) with windchill. Weather is changeable, and you should be prepared for these extremes. Your guide will help you decide on appropriate clothing in a detailed daily briefing.
What is the best time of year to climb Kilimanjaro?
Weather on the mountain is fairly consistent year-round, but should you plan on attaching a safari to your trek, it’s worth keeping in mind Tanzania’s seasonal shifts. June through October is cooler and drier. December through March is warmer and a bit wetter, with lush, green landscapes throughout the country. We wouldn’t recommend climbing in April, early May, or late November, due to heavy rains.
Is the Crater Camp Stop Available on Kilimanjaro Climbs?
An overnight stay at Crater Camp is an optional addition to customized Kilimanjaro climbs, typically included on routes lasting eight days or more, such as Shira, Lemosho, Umbwe, and Machame. This unique and extraordinary campsite is visited by fewer than 5% of the 40,000 to 50,000 climbers who summit Kilimanjaro each year, offering a rare and unforgettable highland experience in northern Tanzania.
Do You Provide Private and Fully Customizable Kilimanjaro Climbing Expeditions?
Your Kilimanjaro adventure is completely tailored to you. We collaborate closely to create the perfect Tanzanian mountain experience that matches your vision. Choose your own team, set your preferred departure date, select your route, and determine the pace and duration of your climb.
Do you have any special dietary needs?
Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, celiac, lactose intolerant, or have any allergies, please let us know in advance so we can accommodate your requirements.
How can you protect yourself from the sun in Tanzania?
Since Tanzania is located close to the equator, the sun remains intense for much of the day. This strong sunlight can lead to sunburn and heat-related illnesses like sunstroke. To stay safe, it’s important to wear a hat and sunglasses and apply sunscreen with a high SPF.
Who operates your treks in Tanzania?
We do. We’re not intermediaries or agents; we organize and lead all our treks through our own locally based Tanzanian company. You can be confident that anyone you speak to on our team has firsthand experience climbing Kilimanjaro, often multiple times.
Is it possible to charge electronic devices while on Mount Kilimanjaro?
Charging electronic devices on Mount Kilimanjaro is not possible, as there are no charging stations available on the mountain. We highly recommend bringing fully charged power banks and extra batteries to keep your devices powered during the trek. However, if you’re combining your climb with a safari, our safari vehicles are equipped with charging ports for your convenience.
Is tipping the hiking crew customary?
Yes, tipping is both expected and greatly appreciated. The recommended amount typically ranges from $150 to $300 per hiker, depending on the length of the trip. All tips are pooled and distributed among the entire crew. Please bring US dollar bills for this purpose.
I am a vegetarian. What kind of food will be available for me during the trek?
As a vegetarian, you will be provided with a variety of regular vegetarian options such as potatoes, rice, pasta, vegetables, eggs, cheese, sandwiches, and fruit. Please make sure to inform your tour operator in advance if you have any food allergies or medical dietary requirements. For non-vegetarians, meals may include sausages, chicken, and meat. Beverages like tea, coffee, and hot chocolate will also be available.
Is it necessary to hire Guides/trekking agency for Annapurna Base Camp trekking?
Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason.
It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.
How long does the hike to Uhuru Peak take?
There are at least six different routes to the summit of Uhuru Peak, ranging in distance from 53 to 73 kilometers, depending on the path you choose. The shortest and most challenging is the 5-day Umbwe Route. Adding extra days to your trek is highly recommended to allow for better acclimatization, which significantly increases your chances of reaching the summit. The Marangu Route is the easiest and most popular option. While it can be completed in five days, we typically allocate six days to ensure a safer and more comfortable ascent.
Do I need any prior experience to take part?
No previous experience is required, but having some background in hiking or climbing can be beneficial. It’s important that you are physically fit, in good health, and equipped with well-worn, sturdy hiking boots. The better your fitness level, the more enjoyable the experience is likely to be.
What is the elevation of Mount Kilimanjaro?
Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest freestanding mountain on Earth and the tallest in Africa, reaches an elevation of 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level at its highest point, Uhuru Peak, located on the Kibo crater.
In which country is Mount Kilimanjaro located, and how close is it to the equator?
Mount Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania, in East Africa. It lies approximately 350 kilometers south of the equator, with the closest major towns being Moshi and Arusha.