Lemosho Route – 8 Days “Scenic Route”
Overview
The Lemosho Route is often regarded as the most beautiful and varied route up Kilimanjaro. Approaching from the western side, it begins in the wild rainforest, crosses remote valleys, and gradually joins the Machame Route near Lava Tower. With excellent acclimatization and diverse landscapes, it offers a higher summit success rate and fewer crowds at the start. It’s ideal for trekkers seeking a longer, more rewarding adventure.
Duration: 8 days
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Scenery: Rich rainforest, Shira Plateau, alpine desert, glaciers
Accommodation: Camping in tents
Day 1: Londorossi Gate → Mti Mkubwa Camp
Daily Elevations & Distance: 2,100 m → 2,820 m | 6 km / 3–4 hrs
Habitats & Vegetation: Rainforest; giant fig trees, colobus monkeys
Temperature Ranges: 15–20°C daytime, 10°C night
Meals & Accommodation: Lunch & Dinner | Mti Mkubwa Camp (camping)
Activities & Highlights: Begin with registration at Londorossi Gate, trek through untouched rainforest, chance to spot monkeys and rare wildlife.
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp → Shira 1 Camp
Daily Elevations & Distance: 2,820 m → 3,500 m | 8 km / 5–6 hrs
Habitats & Vegetation: Moorland; giant heathers, wildflowers
Temperature Ranges: 10–15°C daytime, 5°C night
Meals & Accommodation: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Shira 1 Camp
Activities & Highlights: Steady climb out of the forest onto the Shira Plateau, vast open views across rolling moorland.
Day 3: Shira 1 Camp → Shira 2 Camp
Daily Elevations & Distance: 3,500 m → 3,840 m | 7 km / 4–5 hrs
Habitats & Vegetation: Moorland transitioning to alpine desert
Temperature Ranges: 5–10°C daytime, below 0°C at night
Meals & Accommodation: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Shira 2 Camp
Activities & Highlights: Gentle trek across the plateau, acclimatization day, spectacular views of Kibo’s snow-capped peak.
Day 4: Shira 2 Camp → Lava Tower → Barranco Camp
Daily Elevations & Distance: 3,840 m → 4,630 m → 3,960 m | 10 km / 6–8 hrs
Habitats & Vegetation: Alpine desert → Moorland
Temperature Ranges: 0–10°C daytime, below 0°C at night
Meals & Accommodation: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Barranco Camp
Activities & Highlights: Trek high to Lava Tower for acclimatization, descend to Barranco Valley surrounded by giant senecios and lobelias.
Day 5: Barranco Camp → Karanga Camp
Daily Elevations & Distance: 3,960 m → 4,035 m | 5 km / 4–5 hrs
Habitats & Vegetation: Alpine desert with scattered vegetation
Temperature Ranges: 0–8°C daytime, below 0°C at night
Meals & Accommodation: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Karanga Camp
Activities & Highlights: Climb the Barranco Wall (a thrilling but safe scramble), descend into valleys and ridges, arrive at Karanga Camp.
Day 6: Karanga Camp → Barafu Camp
Daily Elevations & Distance: 4,035 m → 4,640 m | 4 km / 3–4 hrs
Habitats & Vegetation: Alpine desert, barren rocky slopes
Temperature Ranges: 0–5°C daytime, -5°C at night
Meals & Accommodation: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Barafu Camp
Activities & Highlights: Short but steep climb to the high camp, rest and prepare for summit night, early dinner and sleep.
Day 7: Barafu Camp → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp
Daily Elevations & Distance: 4,640 m → 5,895 m → 3,110 m | 16 km / 12–15 hrs
Habitats & Vegetation: Arctic summit zone → Rainforest at descent
Temperature Ranges: -7°C to -20°C at summit
Meals & Accommodation: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Mweka Camp
Activities & Highlights: Midnight summit push via Stella Point to Uhuru Peak, enjoy sunrise over Africa, descend to Mweka Camp.
Day 8: Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate
Daily Elevations & Distance: 3,110 m → 1,640 m | 10 km / 3–4 hrs
Habitats & Vegetation: Rainforest; lush vegetation and birdlife
Temperature Ranges: 15–25°C daytime
Meals & Accommodation: Breakfast & Lunch | Transfer to hotel
Activities & Highlights: Gentle descent, certificate collection at the gate, return to Moshi/Arusha for celebration.
✅ Inclusions (What’s Included)
All park fees, camping/hut fees, and government taxes
Professional mountain guides, cook, and porters
Rescue fees (as required by Kilimanjaro National Park)
Airport transfers (Kilimanjaro International Airport – Moshi/Arusha)
All meals during the trek (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Drinking water (treated and safe)
Accommodation before and after the climb (standard hotel, double occupancy)
Camping equipment (tents, chairs, tables, mattresses) – except personal sleeping bags
Oxygen cylinder, pulse oximeter & first aid kit for emergencies
Hot water for washing daily
Transport to and from the Kilimanjaro gate
❌ Exclusions (What’s Not Included)
International flights & visas
Travel insurance & medical evacuation coverage
Personal climbing gear (sleeping bags, trekking poles, clothing, boots, etc.)
Tips for guides, porters, and cook (highly recommended)
Alcoholic & soft drinks at hotels and on the mountain
Extra nights in hotels due to early arrival, late departure, or early mountain exit
Personal expenses (laundry, phone, internet, souvenirs, etc.)
Optional activities before/after the climb (safaris, cultural tours, Zanzibar extensions)
Lemosho Route
