5.0 Excellent
Dorine M11 months ago
Grateful experience
As a solo female traveler, I felt super safe and well taken care of the entire time.
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Lemosho Route
Kilimanjaro's most scenic, best-balanced climb — a quieter western approach with excellent acclimatization.
~70km (43 miles) on the 8-day itineraryTotal distance
Londorossi Gate, 2–3 hours’ drive from MoshiStarting point
Camping throughoutAccommodation
The Barranco Wall, on the way from Shira to KarangaRoute highlight
Route overview
A gentler way up the mountain
Lemosho approaches Kilimanjaro from the quieter western side of the mountain, crossing the Shira Plateau before joining the busier southern routes higher up. It's widely considered one of the most scenic ways up the mountain, and one of the best-balanced for acclimatization — the extra distance and gentler profile give your body real time to adjust before the altitude gets serious. Along the way you'll pass through every one of Kilimanjaro's climate zones, and — on the acclimatization hike toward Cathedral Peak — a chance to see Dendrosenecio kilimanjari, the giant, alien-looking senecio plants found nowhere else on the mountain's slopes but here and a handful of other East African peaks.
Plan your dates
Choosing your itinerary length
Lemosho is offered as a 6, 7 or 8-day climb. The extra days aren't padding — each one is real acclimatization time.
6 days
For experienced high-altitude trekkers
The fastest Lemosho option, starting with a vehicle drop-off higher up the mountain rather than a walk in from the gate. It works well if you already have experience above 4,000m within the last few months.
Best for: Climbers with recent high-altitude experience
7 days
The most popular balance
The standard Lemosho itinerary — enough time on the mountain for solid acclimatization without adding an extra day at the start. A good fit whether or not you have prior trekking experience.
Best for: Most climbers, experienced or not
8 days
The most gradual option
Starts lower, at the park gate itself, adding a full extra day of walking through the rainforest before the climb proper begins. The best choice if you're new to multi-day trekking or simply want the largest acclimatization margin.
Best for: First-time trekkers, or anyone prioritizing summit chances over speed
Route at a glance
Camp by camp
The real camps used on the standard Lemosho itinerary, from the gate to the summit and back down.
The Scenic Route
Lemosho Route
Widely considered one of the best all-round routes — a longer, gentler approach across the Shira Plateau gives excellent acclimatization without feeling rushed.
6–8 daysModerateCamping
Camp by camp
- Londorossi Gate2,250 m
- Shira Plateau
- Shira 1 Camp3,500 m
- Shira 2 Camp3,850 m
- Lava Tower4,600 m
- Barranco Camp3,960 m
- Karanga Camp4,035 m
- Barafu Camp4,673 m
- Uhuru Peak5,895 m
- Millennium Camp3,950 m
- Mweka Gate1,640 m
Lemosho Route • 6–8 daysAscentDescent
Switch routes above to redraw the map
Where Lemosho differs
Lemosho begins farther west at Londorossi, enters the Shira Plateau, then merges with the southern circuit near Shira 2 before continuing toward Lava Tower, Barranco, Karanga and Barafu.
Know before you go
What's included
Included
- Professional guide & porter team
- All camping equipment
- All meals on the mountain
- Park fees & camping permits
- First-aid kit & supplemental oxygen
- Transport between your hotel and the gate
Not included
- International flights
- Tanzania visa fee
- Tips for your guide & porter crew
- Personal gear rental
- Travel & medical insurance
Day by day
Day by day itinerary — 8-day Lemosho Route
The standard 8-day Lemosho route, camp by camp. Every trip is adjusted to your fitness, dates and chosen itinerary length.
1Day 1
Into the rainforest
2,750 mLondorossi Gate (2,250m) → Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree Camp) (2,750m)
After registering permits at Londorossi Gate, you enter dense montane rainforest — look out for colobus monkeys and a huge variety of birdlife on this first, gentle stretch.
Note: This is your first day at altitude. Drink water often rather than in large amounts, and tell your guide immediately if you notice any headache or nausea.
6km 3–4 hours Montane rainforest
2Day 2
Onto the Shira Plateau
3,500 mMti Mkubwa (2,750m) → Shira 1 Camp (3,500m)
The forest thins into moorland as you climb onto the vast Shira Plateau — an ancient volcanic caldera floor — with your first proper views of Kibo's summit ahead.
8km 5–6 hours Rainforest to moorland
3Day 3
Acclimatization on the plateau
3,850 mShira 1 Camp (3,500m) → Shira 2 Camp (3,850m)
A short, easy day across open moorland. Guides often offer an optional side hike up Cathedral Peak (3,872m) on the way — non-technical, and one of the best viewpoints on the whole route, weather permitting.
Acclimatization hike: Optional Cathedral Peak side-trip: Shira Plateau (~3,850m) up to roughly 3,872m and back down to camp at the same elevation — a "climb high" acclimatization boost with no net height gain for the night.
7km 3–4 hours Moorland
4Day 4
Climb high, sleep low
3,960 mShira 2 Camp (3,850m) → Barranco Camp (3,960m)
The classic acclimatization day: you climb up past the Lava Tower (4,600m) for lunch, then descend again to sleep at Barranco — letting your body adapt to thinner air before it has to sleep there.
Note: Expect some discomfort at Lava Tower — this is normal and exactly why the route is built this way. It should ease as you descend to camp.
Acclimatization hike: Shira 2 Camp (3,850m) up to Lava Tower (4,600m) for lunch, then down to Barranco Camp (3,960m) to sleep — a net altitude gain for the night of only about 110m, despite touching 4,600m during the day.
10km 6–7 hours Alpine desert
5Day 5
The Barranco Wall
4,035 mBarranco Camp (3,960m) → Karanga Camp (4,035m)
An early start to scramble up the Barranco Wall — steep-looking but a straightforward, non-technical hands-on-rock scramble that takes about an hour. Most climbers find it more fun than frightening. A shorter, undulating walk to Karanga follows.
Note: Start as early as you comfortably can — the Wall gets congested once several groups reach it at the same time.
5km 4–5 hours Alpine desert
6Day 6
Staging for the summit
4,673 mKaranga Camp (4,035m) → Barafu Camp (4,673m)
A shorter day to Barafu, the last camp before the summit push. Your crew has camp ready when you arrive — rest, an early dinner, and sleep as much as you can before a midnight start.
6km 3–4 hours Alpine desert
7Day 7
Summit night
3,100 mBarafu Camp (4,673m) → Mweka Camp (3,100m)
A midnight departure, timed to reach Uhuru Peak (5,895m) around sunrise, followed by a long descent — first back to Barafu, then on down to Mweka Camp. The longest and hardest day of the climb, both physically and mentally.
Note: Most descent injuries happen on this day, from fatigue rather than terrain — take the way down slowly and use trekking poles.
15km 10–12 hours Arctic summit zone, then descent through alpine desert
8Day 8
Back to the gate
1,640 mMweka Camp (3,100m) → Mweka Gate (1,640m)
A final, easy descent back through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you'll collect your summit certificate before the transfer back to your hotel.
10km 3–4 hours Montane rainforest
Good to know
Lemosho route FAQ
7 days or 8 days — which should I choose?
The 7-day itinerary is the standard, well-tested option for most climbers. The 8-day version adds a rainforest walk-in day at the very start, giving the largest acclimatization margin — the better choice if you're new to multi-day trekking or simply want to maximize your summit chances over saving a day.
How does Lemosho compare to the Northern Circuit?
Both are excellent, gradual-acclimatization routes. Lemosho is more scenic in its lower sections and generally busier; the Northern Circuit is longer, quieter, and circles the mountain for panoramic views from multiple sides, at the cost of extra days.
See all Kilimanjaro routesHow long is the Lemosho route?
Around 70km (43 miles) on the full 8-day itinerary, with a total elevation gain of roughly 3,650m from the gate to the summit.
Where does the Lemosho route start?
At Londorossi Gate on the western side of the mountain, about a 2–3 hour drive from Moshi. Shorter itineraries sometimes use a vehicle drop-off further along the route to save a day.
Does Lemosho cross the Barranco Wall?
Yes — on day 5 of the standard itinerary. It looks intimidating from below but is a straightforward, non-technical scramble that takes about an hour.
How difficult is Lemosho compared to other routes?
Moderate — no technical climbing skill is needed, and its longer, gentler profile actually makes it easier to acclimatize on than some shorter routes. It's a strong choice for both first-timers and experienced trekkers.
Keep exploring
Other ways up Kilimanjaro
Machame Route
The "Whiskey Route" — Kilimanjaro's most popular path, steeper and more direct than Lemosho.
ExploreMarangu Route
The "Coca-Cola Route" — the only route with sleeping huts instead of tents, and generally the most affordable.
ExploreFull Kilimanjaro Guide
Every route compared, fitness guidance, altitude safety, packing lists and more, all in one place.
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