8 Days Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route
Lemosho Road is a very recent route. The Shira Route, which starts at a higher, more difficult height, was replaced by this route, which begins at the Londorossi Gate on the western slope of Mount Kilimanjaro. Route Lemosho: 8 Days, 7 Nights A premium path for Kilimanjaro climbing and trekking that lasts six to eight days is Lemosho Kilimanjaro Climbing. It begins on heaths and makes its way past alpine meadows until reaching the arctic zone close to Uhuru Peak, traversing a variety of temperature zones. The jungle is then traversed on the descent. Because of all of this, this is the most picturesque Kilimanjaro route. The 8 awesome days via Lemosho provides the smoothest acclimatization and the highest success rates The Lemosho Route covers 46 km (28.5 miles) in total. If you are willing to pay a little more for a vehicle drop-off at a high altitude, Kilimanjaro on Foot suggests this trek. It is still rather wild on the western side of Kilimanjaro, and if you are lucky, you might see buffalo, elephants, or even giant antelope.
8 Days Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route
Lemosho Route 8 days Kilimanjaro climb offers stunning scenery, excellent acclimatization, expert guides, and one of the highest summit success rates.
Your personal driving guide or a representative from Rioba Safaris will meet you at the airport (Kilimanjaro International Airport/JRO or Arusha Airport/ARK) and take you to your lodging in Arusha or Moshi. Enjoy your night in preparation for the commencement of your excursion the next day.
- Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft
- Distance: 6km/4mi
- Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast and briefing, drive to Lemosho Park Gate for registration and park formalities. From here a 4WD track takes you to the Lemosho Glades, the starting point of your trek. The hike begins gently through the montane rainforest, where you may spot colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and a variety of birds. The trail gradually ascends until you reach Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Campsite, where you will have dinner and overnight surrounded by the forest’s natural sounds.
- Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3500m/11,500ft
- Distance: 8km/5mi
- Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. The scenery changes dramatically from lush forest to open moorland with tall grasses, heathers, and volcanic rock formations. After crossing several small streams, the trail climbs steadily over the Shira Ridge, offering the first clear views of Kibo Peak on a clear day. From here we descend gently to reach Shira 1 Camp, beautifully set by a stream on the Shira Plateau. This is your first night on the plateau, where the wide-open landscapes give you a real sense of Kilimanjaro’s vastness.
- Elevation: 3500m/11,500ft to 3850m/12,600ft
- Distance: 8km/5mi
- Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, a gentle hike across the wide-open Shira Plateau takes you to Shira 2 Camp. The plateau offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and volcanic landscapes. Along the way you pass through moorland meadows dotted with giant senecio and lobelia plants. Shira 2 provides an excellent location for acclimatization, with optional short hikes around the plateau.
- Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
- Distance: 8km/5mi
- Walking Time: 5–6 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
From Shira Plateau, the trail continues east up a ridge, passing the junction towards Kibo Peak. You ascend steadily towards the Lava Tower, a striking volcanic rock formation nicknamed the “Shark’s Tooth” (4650m/15,250ft). After lunch near the tower, you descend into the Barranco Valley, one of the most scenic areas on the mountain with towering cliffs and hanging glaciers. Although you finish at nearly the same elevation as you started, this climb high/sleep low day is crucial for acclimatization.
- Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Climbing Time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, begin the adventurous climb up the Barranco Wall, a steep but non-technical scramble that offers some of the most exciting views on Kilimanjaro. From the top, the trail continues through alpine desert landscapes before descending into the Karanga Valley. A final short climb brings you to Karanga Camp, where you can rest and prepare for the next stage.
- Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
- Distance: 4km/2mi
- Climbing Time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Continue your trek upward to reach Barafu Camp, your base camp for the summit push. This campsite sits on a rocky, exposed ridge offering dramatic views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, giving you spectacular perspectives of the mountain. The afternoon is spent resting, enjoying dinner, and making final preparations for summit night.
- Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft (Summit)
Down to 3090m/10,150ft - Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
- Hiking Time: 5–7 hours up / 5–6 hours down
- Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Very early in the morning, begin the summit attempt. The climb follows a steep path of scree between Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers. This is the most demanding part of the trek, both mentally and physically. As dawn approaches, you reach Stella Point (5730m/18,800ft) on the crater rim, where you will witness an unforgettable sunrise.
From Stella Point, it is about one more hour to Uhuru Peak (5895m/19,340ft), the highest point in Africa. After celebrating and taking photos, begin your descent back to Barafu for lunch, then continue down through diverse terrain to Mweka Camp for your last night on the mountain.
- Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Forest
- Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, continue the final descent through the lush montane forest, where the trail may be wet and muddy. Look out for colobus monkeys and exotic bird species along the way. At the Mweka Gate, you will receive your summit certificates, a proud memento of your achievement.
A vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to Moshi or Arusha where a hot shower, a comfortable bed, and a well-earned rest await.
Cost Includes
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- Sleeping Mattress
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
- All meals while on the Mountain
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
Cost Excludes
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Tanzania Visa
- Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
- Transfers (available as an optional addon)
- Tips and gratuities
- Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- International and domestic flights
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
- Travel insurance
- Hotel (available as an optional addon)
