The 8 Day Lemosho Route is one of the most scenic and less crowded routes for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, offering stunning views and a high success rate due to its excellent acclimatization profile. The 8-day itinerary allows climbers to ascend gradually, reducing the risk of altitude sickness and increasing the chances of reaching the summit successfully.
Tour Features
Budget camping
This is a budget camping tour.
Shared tour
On this shared tour, you will join a group of other travelers. Max 6 people per group.
Can start any day
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Can be customized
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Suitable for single travelers
Single travelers can join this group tour.
Minimum age of 15 years
The minimum age for this tour is 15 years.
Activities & Transportation
Getting around: minivan & hiking/walking
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where a Kilimanjaro 360 representative will greet you and arrange your transfer to the hotel included in your package. The hotel offers everything needed for a pleasant stay: comfortable rooms, hot water, courteous staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening, a briefing with our managers will ensure you’re fully prepared for the climb.
Private tour packages include group-shared airport transfers, with additional fees for individual transfers. Please coordinate your group’s arrival and departure times to avoid extra costs.
Day 2
Arusha – Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp
Elevation: 2,100m to 2,750m
Distance: ~6 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
You will depart from your hotel in Arusha for the trek, it begins at Londorossi Gate with registration, followed by a drive to the trailhead. You hike through the lush rainforest, encounter wildlife such as colobus monkeys, and arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp (Big Tree Camp).​
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Main Destination: Mt Kilimanjaro
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Accommodation: Budget Camping​
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Meals & Drinks:All meals included​
Day 3
Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
Elevation: 2,750m to 3,500m
Distance: ~8 km
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
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A few hour's walk, you will see the end of the forest and the beginning of a climb through the heather forest to the edge of the Shira Caldera. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Shira 1 Camp.
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Main Destination: Mt Kilimanjaro
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Accommodation: Budget Camping​
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Meals & Drinks:All meals included
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Day 4
Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Hike time: 5 - 6 hrs
Elevation change: + 240 M/+787 ft
Elevation distance: 5 km
Final elevation: 3849 m/12,628 ft.
You'll explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. Then you divert from the main trail to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
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Main Destination: Mt Kilimanjaro
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Accommodation: Budget Camping​
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Meals & Drinks:All meals included
Day 5
Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Hike time: 5 hrs
Elevation change: +100 M/+328 ft
Estimated distance: 6 km
Final elevation: 3948 m/12,956 ft.
After breakfast, you will leave Shira 2 Camp (3,900 m) and start your way to the key point of the route: Lava Tower (4,630 m). This section of the route has a lot of ascents and descents that end in a camp at over 4,600 meters. It might be difficult, and you may feel some discomfort, but to successfully acclimate to the altitude, you have to spend at least 1–2 hours here, so this is where lunch will be.
Then, you will descend to Barranco Camp (3,960 m). Here, you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness! Next day, you will be climbing it, but don't worry: it features a very simple hiking trail.
Day 6
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Hike time: 3.5 hrs
Elevation change: +100 m/+328 ft
Estimated distance: 4km/2.5 miles
Final elevation: 3,963 m/13,000 ft
You'll have an early wake-up, breakfast, and the start of summiting Barranco Wall (we recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid crowds of the other groups). Hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. After the climb, you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano.
Then, you'll start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route, but don't worry: our guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the group. After reaching the camp, you will be offered a warm lunch. After a couple of hours, you will have to complete an acclimatization hike in the direction of Barafu Camp with a 200-meter gain in altitude and then descend back down to the camp.
Day 7
Karanga Valley - Barafu Camp
Hike time: 3.5 hrs
Elevation change: +600 m+1,968 ft
Estimated distance: 4km2.5 miles
Final elevation: 4,600 m15,091 ft
The trail from Karanga to Barafu reaches the bleak high desert of Kilimanjaro. Barafu Camp is a basic camp geared towards the business of reaching the summit.
Day 8
Barafu Camp - Uhuru Peak - Mweka Camp
Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 7-8 hours to descend to Mweka
Distance: Approximately 7 kilometers ascent and 23 kilometers descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Excitement is building as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
Congratulations, one step at a time you have now reached Uhuru Peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa! After photos, celebrations, and maybe a few tears of joy, you'll take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. You'll begin your steep descent down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a very brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for uncooperative loose gravel and volcano ash terrain. Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Your overnight stay will be at Mweka Camp.
Day 9
Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate - Moshi Town or Arusha Town
Hiking time: 3 hours
Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers
Habitat: Forest
After a heavy breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. On the mountain, you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The national park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reach Stella Point (5685m) receive green certificates, and hikers who reach Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, hikers will descend into the Mweka village for 1 hour (3 kilometers). You will be served a hot lunch. Then, you will drive back to Mosh or Arusha for long overdue showers and more celebrations.
1. What makes the Lemosho Route ideal for climbing Kilimanjaro?
The Lemosho Route is considered one of the most scenic and less crowded routes on Kilimanjaro. It provides a gradual ascent, allowing for better acclimatization, and has a high summit success rate. The route offers diverse landscapes, including lush rainforests, open moorlands, and dramatic views of the Shira Plateau.
2. How difficult is the 8-day climb via the Lemosho Route?
The 8-day Lemosho climb is moderately challenging but manageable with proper preparation. The extra day is designed for acclimatization, reducing the risk of altitude sickness. While no technical climbing is involved, trekkers should expect long days of walking, steep ascents, and changing weather conditions.
3. What kind of accommodations are available during the climb?
Accommodation on the Lemosho Route consists of camping in tents at designated campsites. Professional porters set up the tents and carry most of the gear, leaving you to focus on the trek. Meals are prepared fresh and served in a communal dining tent.
4. What is included in the 8-day Lemosho Route package?
The package typically includes:
Park entry and camping fees.
Round-trip airport transfers.
Experienced guides, cooks, and porters.
Three meals per day on the mountain.
Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats).
Emergency medical supplies (including oxygen).
It usually excludes personal gear, tips, and international flights.
5. What is the best time of year to climb Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route?
The best times are during the dry seasons:
January to mid-March: Cooler weather with clear skies.
June to October: Warmer, drier conditions and excellent visibility.
Avoid the rainy seasons (April-May and November), as trails can become slippery, and views may be obscured by clouds.
