Tour Overview
The Lemosho Route is one of the best and most popular routes on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is known for its beautiful scenery, quiet trails, and high success rate.
The trek starts on the western side of the mountain and passes through rainforest, moorland, and alpine desert. In the first days, you walk through a remote and peaceful area with fewer people.
This 7-day itinerary gives good time for acclimatization, which helps your body adjust to the altitude. The route follows the “climb high, sleep low” method to improve your chance of reaching the summit.
The highlight of the trek is reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa. After the summit, you descend through the rainforest to the exit gate.
Accommodation: Camping (tents)
Difficulty: Moderate
Best for: Climbers who want beautiful views, good acclimatization, and a quieter start
Itinerary
Elevation: 2,100 m → 2,650 m
Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Accommodation: Mti Mkubwa Camp (tents)
You drive to Londorossi Gate for registration. After that, you start hiking through the rainforest.
The trail is green and full of trees. You may see monkeys and birds. The path can be muddy, so walk carefully.
You arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp in the afternoon. This is a quiet camp inside the forest.
Activities
Trekking from Londorossi Gate → Mti Mkubwa Camp
Elevation: 2,650 m → 3,500 m
Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
Accommodation: Shira 1 Camp (tents)
You leave the forest and enter the moorland area. The trees become smaller, and the views open.
The trail goes uphill but at a steady pace. You will see wide views of the Shira Plateau.
You arrive at Shira 1 Camp and enjoy the open landscape.
Activities
Trek from Mti Mkubwa → Shira 1 Camp
Elevation: 3,500 m → 3,850 m
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Accommodation: Shira 2 Camp (tents)
Today is a shorter and easier day. You walk across the Shira Plateau with great views of the mountain.
This day helps your body adjust to altitude. Walk slowly and drink water.
You arrive early at Shira 2 Camp and rest.
Activities
Trek from Shira 1 Camp → Shira 2 Camp
Elevation: 3,850 m → 4,630 m → 3,960 m
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 6–8 hours
Accommodation: Barranco Camp (tents)
You climb up to Lava Tower, which is a high point. The air is thinner, so walk slowly.
After lunch, you go down to Barranco Camp. This helps your body adjust to altitude.
Barranco Camp is very beautiful, with views of the Barranco Wall.
Activities
Trek from Shira 2 Camp → Lava Tower → Barranco Camp
Elevation: 3,960 m → 4,035 m
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Accommodation: Karanga Camp (tents)
You start by climbing the Barranco Wall. It looks steep, but it is safe and manageable.
After that, the trail goes up and down across valleys. This is a shorter day.
You arrive at Karanga Camp early and rest.
Activities
Trek from Barranco Camp → Karanga Camp
Elevation: 4,035 m → 4,673 m
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Accommodation: Barafu Camp (tents)
You climb slowly to Barafu Camp. This is your base camp for the summit.
You arrive early, eat lunch, and rest. Your guide will explain the summit plan.
You sleep early because the summit climb starts at midnight.
Activities
Trek from Karanga Camp → Barafu Camp
Elevation: 4,673 m → 5,895 m → 1,640 m
Distance: 5 km up + 18 km down
Hiking Time: 12–15 hours
You wake up around midnight and start climbing in the dark. It is very cold and steep.
After many hours, you reach Stella Point at sunrise, then continue to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m).
You celebrate, take photos, and enjoy the moment.
After that, you descend all the way down to Mweka Gate. This is a long and tiring day.
At the gate, you receive your summit certificate and are transferred back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi.
Activities
- Descent from Mweka Camp
- Transfer to hotel
