The Lemosho route is one of our top choices for Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking. It offers breathtakingly diverse scenery along the way, and its excellent acclimatization profile contributes to a high summit success rate, making it a popular option. Starting on the western slope, the trail winds south of the peak before approaching from the east. The descent takes you down the southeastern slope. The Lemosho route is an incredible path to reach the ‘Roof of Africa’!
Per Person
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Meet with excellent welcomes from our driver and transfer to Kaliwa Lodge. Set in the rainforest with breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro, it is the best place to get acclimated to the time zone and get over jet lag. The lodge has a beautiful room, delicious meals, and a Spa.
Departing from Kaliwa 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, fauna, and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.
After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rainforest and continue on an ascending path; we leave the forest behind now, and the trail climbs steadily with expansive views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. Temperatures begin to drop.
We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciated peak across the plateau, leading 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. Various walks are available on Lent Hill, making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is significant for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau, we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo peak before continuing 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 leading to the Arrow Glacier. We then continued to descend overnight at Barranco Camp.
After breakfast, we continue on a steep ridge up to the adventurous Barranco Wall, go to the Karanga Valley, and the junction, which connects with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see your crew’s power, agility, and strength zip over this wall with what appears to be such ease. Overnight at Karanga Camp.
We continue up toward Barafu Camp, and once you have reached it, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. We have an early dinner and rest as we prepare for summit night. Overnight at Barafu Camp.
Excitement builds as morning arrives, starting early 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 fantastic sense of accomplishment ahead and with a switchback motion in a northwesterly direction, ascending 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, you will likely encounter snow on your remaining 1-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak.
Congratulations, one step at a time, you have 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 then begin our steep descent to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for the uncooperative loose gravel and volcano ash terrain. A well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Overnight at Mweka Camp.
After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue descending to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. The weather is drastically warmer, and the terrain is wet, muddy, and steep, so we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles.
A vehicle will meet you from the gate, where you will complete the necessary formalities and receive your summit certificates.
Hence, say farewell to your mountain crew and board the waiting vehicle to transport you to your luxury accommodation in Arusha. Once you arrive, take a well-deserved hot shower and relax. Then, celebrate your successful climb with a delicious dinner and perhaps share stories and memories of your journey.
Our representative will transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight departure. However, take the memories, the sense of accomplishment, and the everlasting bond with the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. But if you decide to go on a Tanzania Safari, that’s a different adventure; we’ll take care of that for you!
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Meet with excellent welcomes from our driver and transfer to Kaliwa Lodge. Set in the rainforest with breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro, it is the best place to get acclimated to the time zone and get over jet lag. The lodge has a beautiful room, delicious meals, and a Spa.
Departing from Kaliwa 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, fauna, and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.
After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rainforest and continue on an ascending path; we leave the forest behind now, and the trail climbs steadily with expansive views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. Temperatures begin to drop.
We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciated peak across the plateau, leading 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. Various walks are available on Lent Hill, making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is significant for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau, we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo peak before continuing 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 leading to the Arrow Glacier. We then continued to descend overnight at Barranco Camp.
After breakfast, we continue on a steep ridge up to the adventurous Barranco Wall, go to the Karanga Valley, and the junction, which connects with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see your crew’s power, agility, and strength zip over this wall with what appears to be such ease. Overnight at Karanga Camp.
We continue up toward Barafu Camp, and once you have reached it, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. We have an early dinner and rest as we prepare for summit night. Overnight at Barafu Camp.
Excitement builds as morning arrives, starting early 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 fantastic sense of accomplishment ahead and with a switchback motion in a northwesterly direction, ascending 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, you will likely encounter snow on your remaining 1-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak.
Congratulations, one step at a time, you have 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 then begin our steep descent to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for the uncooperative loose gravel and volcano ash terrain. A well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Overnight at Mweka Camp.
After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue descending to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. The weather is drastically warmer, and the terrain is wet, muddy, and steep, so we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles.
A vehicle will meet you from the gate, where you will complete the necessary formalities and receive your summit certificates.
Hence, say farewell to your mountain crew and board the waiting vehicle to transport you to your luxury accommodation in Arusha. Once you arrive, take a well-deserved hot shower and relax. Then, celebrate your successful climb with a delicious dinner and perhaps share stories and memories of your journey.
Our representative will transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight departure. However, take the memories, the sense of accomplishment, and the everlasting bond with the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. But if you decide to go on a Tanzania Safari, that’s a different adventure; we’ll take care of that for you!
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The Lemosho route is approximately 70 km/ 42 miles from gate to gate, with an elevation gain of about 16,000 to 17,000 feet. Lemosho is designed for physically fit people with some hiking experience.
The Machame and Lemosho are both popular routes and, as such, the busiest on the mountain. The Machame is, however, a little busier than the Lemosho. This is mainly because it offers a slightly shorter (and therefore cheaper) itinerary.
I would rate the Lemosho route as moderate, with the summit day challenging. You hike between 4 and 12 km daily at a steady pace and get plenty of rest. I hike a lot and found the first six days relatively easy. However, the summit day was very tough.
Lemosho Route Success Rate is 95%
The 8 or 7-day route from the southwest offers excellent acclimatisation, a good climb high, and a low sleep profile. The 8-day option averages 90% success in reaching the summit, and a 7-day Lemosho has an 85% success rate.
