The Kilimanjaro Lemosho route is one of the newer routes and starts at the west-side of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The route is arguably the most beautiful route to climb Kilimanjaro and has a high succes rate. The route passes incredible views on the west side and then connects with the Machame route. This means that you get to experience the best views and highlights from two different routes. It is slightly more expensive, but if you are looking for a truly unique and quieter route, the Lemosho is the route for you.
Over the course of these 7 or 8 days, we’ll be spending our nights at the established campsites and reach the summit of Kilimanjaro on day 6 or 7, right at sunrise! Throughout the journey, you’ll be part of a solid team consisting of professional guides, porters, and a skilled cook. Our expert guides will lead the way to the summit, equipping you with essential insights, tips, and strategies for a successful ascent. Rest assured, our guides boast specialized training and years of experience.
Our dedicated porters will handle the transport of your belongings, tents, and food, allowing you to climb comfortably with just your daypack. Additionally, our cook will ensure you’re well-fed and full of important nutrients throughout the whole expedition.
On the first day of the Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route, we´ll pick you up and drive from Moshi to the gates of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. On the way we´ll pass the village Machame, which lies below the mountain. After reaching the gate, we´ll begin our final preparations so you´ll be fully ready. Starting from the gate, our hike brings us trough the forest at the feet of Kilimanjaro, all the way to the first camp. Here we rest, have dinner together and overnight.
After a good breakfast, we will leave the forest and ascend into the heather moorland zone. We will hike untill lunch. In between we’ll pass through lush rolling hills and cross several streams. After lunch we will trek into the Shira Caldera, an impressive high altitude desert which is rarely visited. Shira is the third of Kilimanjaro’s volcanic cones, and is filled with lava flow from Kibo Peak. At the end of our full-day-hike we will overnight at Shira 1 Camp at 3500m.
Today is a good day on the lemosho route to let your body acclimite to the high altitudes, as we will only gain 340m in elevation. This helps reduce the chances of altitude sickness and will prepare your body for greater hights. In the morning we will start hiking again, through the Moorland and to the east, crossing the Shira Plateau and passing the Shira Cathedral. At the end of the day, we will reach Shira 2 camp at 3840m.
From the Shira Plateau, we´ll continue on a desert-like rocky landscape towards the Lava Tower or “Shark’s Tooth”. For most people, this is the toughest day of the climb. Here is the highest chance of breathlessness and headache due to the high altitude. So make sure to take one step, and one breath at a time. Slowly Slowly. Once we’ve reached Lava Tower, we will head down once again, towards the Barranco Camp. The way down has beautiful views of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. A great moment to take a photo. After about two hours we’ll reach the camp, which is situated in a valley below the Breach and the Great Barranco Wall.
Here we will enjoy dinner and rest our bodies from the impact of the high altitude. This day is necessary to let your body acclimatize as we will ‘climb high and sleep low’. This will prepare your body for a successful summit day.
Even though this day is ‘optional’, it is still strongly recommended. We climb according to the ‘climb high, sleep low’ principle, which gives your body the chance to get used to the high altitudes. This increases your chance of reaching the summit and is highly recommended for inexperienced climbers.
After Breakfast, we will depart from Barranco Camp and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall and further through the Karanga Valley. Here you will get the chance to see the glaciers up close. After, we will have Lunch and a little break at the Karanga Valley campsite. Here you can view the Mawenzi Slopes as well as the Tanzania Sugar Plantation farms. Before returning to the campsite for dinner and overnight stay, you can take a short walk in the surrounding area.
In the early morning, we will leave Karanga Valley campsite, onwards to the junction that will take us on the Mweka Trail. From here we’ll continue to the Barafu Hut at 4600m high, which offers views of the summit. At this point, we have completed the Southern Circuit. This is a great moment to grab your camera, as the two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are visible from this site. Here we will set up camp, so we can overnight with our eyes on the prize.
Make sure to eat well and drink lots, as tonight is summit night!
In the early, early morning. Still shivering from our short and cold night, we will enjoy warm coffee or tea together to lift our spirits. Now we will hike in the dark, with flashlights towards the summit of Uhuru peak at 5895meters high. Our last ascent of the Lemosho Route. Once at the top, we will enjoy one of the world’s most incredible sunrises. Such moments make the climb well worthwhile. You’ve made it! Uhuru Peak is the highest point of Kilimanjaro ánd the whole of Africa. A place never to forget.
Make sure to bring two sets of clothing. The night will be bitterly cold, but after the sun rises over the peak of Kilimanjaro, the temperature will quickly rise. After the summit, we will make our descent straight down to the Mweka Hut Campsite, stopping at Barafu Camp for lunch. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and some well-earned sleep.
Hopefully well rested and not too soar from the long hike the other day, we will have breakfast. We continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your Kilimanjaro-Lemosho summit certificate. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy.
The car will be waiting for you at the Mweka Gate to take you back to hotel in Moshi for a hot shower.
Before and after the climb, we provide a stay in our climbers accommodation in Moshi, where we have a good last night and mentally prepare for the climb to come.
On the Lemosho Route we camp at the established campsites mentioned in our day-to-day. On this route we will camp in tents. Our tents are of high quality, capable of withstanding the sometimes harsh conditions on Mt. Kilimanjaro. The tents will be carried by our porters, who will walk up front to set up camp for you. Once you arrive at the campsites, you can relax without having to worry about setting up camp.
The cook will prepare 3 good meals a day, so you can take on everyday like a champion. A good meal provides the energy you need to take on the mountain. During the climb, drinking water will be provided, which will be refilled with a water filter at various points on the mountain.
2persons 3persons 4-5persons 6-8persons 9+persons
7 day route €2020 €1960 €1930 €1895 €1860
8 day route €2240 €2155 €2090 €2045 €1995
*Prices are per person.
*It’s possible to join a group
Tip: Go on Safari, Spend a couple of days on Zanzibar or check out one of our many other activities!