Loading ...
The Lemosho Route is one of the most scenic paths up Kilimanjaro, renowned for its beautiful landscapes and diverse ecosystems. It typically starts at the Lemosho Glades on the western side of the mountain, allowing for a longer acclimatization period. The route is known for its lower traffic, especially in the early days, and offers stunning views of the Shira Plateau and the Barranco Wall. While the standard itinerary is 8 days, it can also be done in 7 days for those with better acclimatization or more experience. The route is renowned for its success rate due to the gradual ascent, which helps climbers acclimatize more effectively.
6 km
4 h
Your journey begins at the Lemosho Gate with a beautiful hike through a thick, green rainforest. The path is gentle and welcoming, and youʼll spend about 4 hours walking under the canopy to reach Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp.
Today, the trail climbs out of the forest and into the moorland zone. You will cross several streams and hike along a rocky ridge onto the Shira Plateau. It is a steady 5-hour trek that rewards you with your first wide-open views of the mountain.
8 km
5 h
7 km
4 h
This is a shorter, relaxing day that allows you to explore the vast Shira Plateau. Youʼll walk for about 4 hours across the high-altitude meadows toward Shira 2 Camp. This slow pace is excellent for helping your body adjust to the altitude.
Today is an important "climb high, sleep low" day. Youʼll trek to the massive Lava Tower for lunch (reaching 4,600m) before descending into the beautiful Barranco Valley. This 6– 7 hour journey through rocky paths is excellent for acclimatization.
10 km
6 - 7 h
5 km
4 - 5 h
The morning begins with a fun scramble up the famous Barranco Wall. Once at the top, youʼll enjoy incredible views before following a series of ridges and valleys. This is a shorter 4-hour day designed to give you time to rest at Karanga Camp.
Youʼll move into the alpine desert today, trekking for 3 – 4 hours up a steep ridge to reach Barafu Camp. This is your "base camp" before the summit. Youʼll have an early dinner and try to sleep before your midnight wake-up call.
4 km
4 - 5 h
18 km
12 h
Starting at midnight, youʼll climb the steep volcanic scree to reach the summit at sunrise. After celebrating at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, youʼll begin a long descent back to Barafu for a rest, then continue down to Mweka Camp.
On your final day, youʼll enjoy a pleasant 3–4 hour descent back through the rainforest. Once you reach the Mweka Gate, youʼll sign out and receive your summit certificate before a short drive back to the hotel for a hot shower.
10 km
3 - 4 h