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7 Days Kilimanjaro Trek via Lemosho Route

7 Days Kilimanjaro Trek via Lemosho Route

Tour snapshot

Duration:
7 Days / 6 Nights
Safari Type
Mountain Climbing
Can be Tailor-made:
Yes
Free Cancellation
Learn more

Activities

Climbing / Trekking

Overview

The Lemosho Route is often considered the most beautiful of all the trekking trails up Mount Kilimanjaro. It crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. Crowds are low until the route joins the Machame route near Lava Tower. 

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival Day – Arusha / Moshi Town
Hotel

Pick up from Kilimanjaro airport and transfer to hotel in Moshi/ Arusha. A pre-climb briefing can be organized where we will provide you all the information to prepare for your climb. This will include a day to day guide of your climb, the gear required as well as discussing acute mountain sickness and all health and safety on Kilimanjaro.

Day 2
Arusha/Moshi Town – Londorossi Gate (3000 m) – Shira 1 Camp (3500 m)
Shira 1 Camp

You will be picked up at your hotel at around 08:00am and transferred to the Londorossi gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. After the registration process you will still start our climb steadily through the forests of the Lemosho glades to reach Shira 1 camp where you will be spending the night.

Distance: About 5 km | Approx. time: 1-2 hours | Habitat: Meadows

Day 3
Shira 1 Camp (3500 m) – Shira 2 Camp (3845 m)
Shira 2 Camp

This section you will get the chance to view the Northern Ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. A steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will help with acclimatization and we enjoy great panoramic views to destination Shira 2 Camp. In the afternoon you will take an acclimatization walk then head back to camp for dinner and overnight.

Distance: About 7 km | Hiking time: 3-4 hours | Habitat: Moorland

Day 4
Shira 2 Camp (3845 m) – Lava Tower (4630 m) – Barranco Camp (3950 m)
Barranco Camp

Your trek starts with an ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking in to the climatic zone of the upland desert and on the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. You will reach the distinct pinnacle of the Lava Tower (4630 m), our high point for the day and a great place to enjoy your lunch. In the afternoon we make a steep descent to our camp for the night, located in the base of the Great Barranco Valley (3950 m), sheltered by towering cliffs but with extensive views of the plains below. Dinner and overnight at the Camp.

Distance: About 11 km | Hiking/Descending time: 6-8 hours | Habitat: Moorland, Semi desert

Day 5
Barranco Camp (3950 m) – Karanga Camp (4035 m)
Karanga Camp

We starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3950 m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200 m before descending back to camp for the night.

Distance: About 5 km | Hiking time: 4-5 hours | Habitat: Moorland

Day 6
Karanga Camp (4035 m) – Barafu Camp (4640 m)
Barafu Camp

 After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on walk to Barafu camp at 4640 m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit. Dinner and overnight at the Camp.

Distance: About 3 km | Hiking time: 4-5 hours | Habitat: Alpine desert

Day 7
Barafu Camp (4640 m) – Uhuru Peak (5895 m) – Millennium Camp (3790 m)
Millennium Camp

We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739 m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895 m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest. Dinner and overnight at the Camp.

Distance: About 13.4 km | Hiking time: 8–12 hours | Habitat: ArcticMontane forest

Day 8
Millennium Camp (3790 m) – Mweka Gate (1630 m) – Moshi / Arusha Town
Hotel

Make the final descent through the rain forest to Mweka Gate. Here we will collect or summit certificate, have lunch and say goodbye to our mountain crew before drive back to Moshi/Arusha for dinner and overnight.

Distance: About 12.1 km | Hiking time: 4-5 hours | Habitat: Montane forest

Day 9
Departure Day / Go on a Safari

After breakfast, depart for your next destination, which is optional or can be arranged:

  • Safari to the National Parks
  • Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport
  • Transport to Other Towns in Tanzania i.e. Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar
  • Nairobi via border town Namanga
94% of travelers recommend this experience
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

FAQs about
7 Days Kilimanjaro Trek via Lemosho Route

How difficult is the Lemosho Route?

The Lemosho route is considered one of the easiest routes on Kilimanjaro as it’s longer itinerary allows for better acclimatization. However, hikers will still need to ascend the Barranco Wall and climb steeply on summit night. No technical climbing is required but a good level of fitness is highly recommended. You can read more on training to climb Kilimanjaro and our Kilimanjaro training program page to help you prepare accordingly.

What is the distance of the Lemosho Route and how many days does it take?

The exact trekking distance for the Lemosho Route is 71 km or 43 miles. The shortest number of days required for Lemosho Route is 7 days, but by the time you have added on arrival and departure days it is 10. However, as it is a much longer approach route it is actually best done over 8 or 9 days to increase your changes of success.

What is the Lemosho Route Summit Success Rate?

Due to its longer length profile, summit success rates on the Lemosho route are one of the highest on the mountain. Whilst there are no official statistics, the average success rate across all operators is 90% for the 8 day trek and a 85% success rate for the 7 day trek. However, we have a success rate of over 95% for the 8 day Lemosho route and a 92% success rate for the 7 day option. Read more about how many days it takes to climb Kilimanjaro to know why we recommend longer treks.

What is the Scenery like on the Lemosho Route?

The Lemosho Route is considered to be the most scenically beautiful of all the routes. The route takes trekkers from the west side of the mountain through lush rainforest before joining up with the Lemosho Route to cross the spectacular Shira Plateau. The route takes in the west and south of the mountain and the views are incredible, particularly from on the southern circuit.

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