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 8-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 → 4,200 m
Distance: 10–12 km
Hiking Time: 6–7 hours
Accommodation: Moir Hut (tents)
Today you walk across the Shira Plateau with great views of the mountains.
After reaching Shira 2 Camp, you continue to Moir Hut. This helps improve acclimatization.
You can also take a short extra walk around the area to help your body adjust better.
Activities
Trek from Shira 1 Camp → Shira 2 Camp → Moir Hut
Elevation: 4,200 m → 4,630 m → 3,960 m
Distance: 10–11 km
Hiking Time: 6–8 hours
Accommodation: Barranco Camp (tents)
You climb slowly up to Lava Tower, a high point on the mountain. The air is thinner, so walk slowly.
After lunch, you descend to Barranco Camp. This “climb high, sleep low” helps your body adjust to altitude.
Barranco Camp is very beautiful, with views of the Barranco Wall.
Activities
Trek from Moir Hut → 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 → 3,100 m
Distance: 5 km up + 12 km down
Hiking Time: 10–14 hours
Accommodation: Mweka Camp (tents)
Description:
You wake up around midnight and start climbing in the dark with a headlamp. It is very cold and steep.
After several hours, you reach Stella Point at sunrise. Then you continue to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) — the highest point in Africa.
You celebrate, take photos, and enjoy the moment.
After that, you descend to Barafu Camp for a short rest, then continue down to Mweka Camp.
Activities
Descent from Barafu Camp → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp
Elevation: 3,100 m → 1,640 m
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
After breakfast, you walk down through the rainforest. The air becomes warmer, and walking is easier.
At Mweka Gate, you receive your summit certificate.
Your driver will take you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
Activities
Descending from Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate
