8-Day Kilimanjaro Climbing Via Lemosho Route
Lemosho Route
Featuring captivating scenic vistas, pristine wildlife, excellent acclimatization opportunities and low traffic of climbers, Lemosho is our personal first favorite for reaching the roof of Africa.
After a 4-hour long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate you'll find yourself on the western slope of Mt Kilimanjaro, from there the route will take you to the world-famous Shira Plateau. That's where you'll embark on your adventure through all climate zones - from alpine meadows to eternal ice. The climb is smooth and gradual, featuring the highest success rate of all routes on Kilimanjaro.
Six, seven and eight-day programs are available, so you can choose depending on the amount of time at your disposal. Longer programs are always recommended over the shorter ones for better acclimatization.
6 and 7-day Lemosho programs start from a high-altitude drop-off: you’ll be transferred to the elevation of 3,500 m/ 11,500 f by an off-road vehicle and start the hike from there. This is meant to maximize acclimatization transition - the higher you start, the easier your adaptation will be.
Lemosho Route 8-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Londrossi Gate – Mti Mkubwa Camp: 4.8km /3mi | 3-4 Hrs | Rainforest
Departing from Moshi a 45-minute drive will take you through welcoming mountainside villages to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead. Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.
Mti Mkubwa Camp
Elevation:2389m/7838ft to 2785m/9137ft
Altitude gained: 396m
Day 2
Mti Mkubwa Camp – Shira I Camp: 7.9km/5mi | 4-6hrs | Moorland
Elevation: 2785m/9137ft to 3504m/11,496ft
Altitude gained: 719m
After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, we leave the forest behind now, the trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. Temperatures begin to drop
Shira I Camp
Day 3
Shira I Camp –Shira Hut: 6.9km/4.3mi | 5-7hrs | Moorland
Elevation: 3504m/11,496ft to 3895m/12,779ft
Altitude gained: 391m
We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo&rsquo's glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue 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 is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
Shira Hut
Day 4
Shira Hut – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp: 10.1km/6.3mi | 4-6hrs| Semi-Desert
Elevation: 3895m/12,779ft to 3986m/13,077ft
Altitude gained: 91m
Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo peak before we then continue, South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev. 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to a second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier. We then continue to descend to overnight at Barranco Camp.
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Day 5
Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp: 5.2km/3mi | 4-5hrs | Alpine Desert
Elevation: 3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft
Altitude gained: 48m
After breakfast, we continue on a steep ridge up to the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction, which connects, with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see the power, agility, and strength of your crew zip over this wall with what appears such ease. Overnight at Karanga Camp.
Day 6
Hike Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp: 3.3km /2 Mi | 4-5hrs | Alpine Desert
Elevation: 4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft
Altitude gained: 628m
Elevation: 4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft
Altitude gained: 628m
We continue up toward Barafu Camp, and once reached you have now completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. An early dinner and rest as we prepare for summit night. Overnight at Barafu Camp.
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Day 7
Barafu Camp – Summit: 4.86km /3mi Up | 5-7hrs | – Mweka Camp: 13km /8mi Down | 5-6hrs | Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit
Elevation: 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft
Altitude gained: 1233m,
Descent to 3106m/10,190ft
Altitude lost: 2789m
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. We continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers trying to stay warm and focused on the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here on your remaining 1 hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way.
“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 we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. We begin our 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. Overnight Mweka Camp.
Day 8
Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Moshi: 9.1km/6mi |3-4hrs | Rainforest
Elevation: 3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft
Altitude lost: 1473m
After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. Remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters, since you will be leaving them today. We continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy, and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles.
From the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner, and celebrations!
Overnight Karibu Heritage House (Bed & Breakfast only) before being transferred to your journey home, safari, or a relaxing trip to Zanzibar.
The climb cost includes:
Transfers:
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Return transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to accommodation;
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Return transfer from accommodation to the entry gate into Kilimanjaro National Park.
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Accommodation:
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Accommodation at 5* Legendary Lodge (Arusha) one night before and one night after the expedition. Legendary Lodge is the ultimate premium retreat with the highest service standards to be found in northern Tanzania;
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Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (spacious, custom-designed, 4-season walk-in tents).
Please note: by default, you will share a room and a tent with your travel companion. Single occupancy is available upon request.
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Park Fees:
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All park fees collected by Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fee and all others).
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Meals:
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Breakfast and dinner at the hotel before and after the climb, including soft drinks from the minibar in your room;
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All meals on the hike. Our premium Kilimanjaro packages feature enhanced meals with a wider variety of cheeses, nuts, desserts, snacks, yoghurts, local and imported fresh fruit and berries. We guarantee top-notch catering in camping conditions. Vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost;
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All drinks on the hike (juices, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water);
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Bottled water for the whole climb.
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Hiking and Safety Equipment:
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4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;
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Camping cots;
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All group equipment (spacious and comfortable dining tent, camping table and chairs, crockery and cutlery);
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Sleeping bag Mountain Hardwear Lamina (Comfort -29°C/-20F);
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Portable toilet;
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Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;
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GPS-tracking service;
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Complete medical kits;
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Satellite phone (20 min credit included, 3 USD per every extra min);
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Complete medical kits including Diamox.
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Climbing Crew:
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Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All guides are holder of Wilderness First Responder certification. All of them have 7+years of successful experience;
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Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).
We are proud to be the members of KPAP (Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project). It is an unbiased evaluation of our commitment to fair treatment of our mountain crews. Of all operators Spirit of Kilimanjaro is paying the highest wages to the porters, guides, cooks and other Kilimanjaro teammates. You may read more about our Kilimanjaro crews here.
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Taxes:
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18% VAT, 1% TDL and 0.3% Service Levy. Spirit of Kilimanjaro is an honest and responsible tour operator working in full compliance with the tax law of the United Republic of Tanzania.
The climb cost excludes:
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International flights;
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Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others);
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Personal gear rentals;
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Tips (450–600 USD per climber for the whole mountain crew);
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Mountaineering insurance. You'll need special insurance for climbing Kilimanjaro that covers high-altitude trekking up to 6000 m.
Other Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes
MACHAME ROUTE
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RONGAI ROUTE
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MARANGU ROUTE
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