10 Days Mt Kilimanjaro Trekking–Lemosho Route
Overview:
The Lemosho Route is considered the most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro, offering panoramic views, rich biodiversity, and a gradual ascent for better acclimatization. It’s ideal for both beginners and seasoned hikers, with a higher summit success rate.
6 nights Camp
1 night mountain hut
Day 2 - 8 All meals included
Day 9 Breakfast & lunch included
Day 10 Breakfast included
Highlights:
Most popular and scenic route: Mount Kilimanjaro Summit through Lemosho route
Rainforest Adventure: Trek through lush rainforest with rich wildlife and vibrant scenery.
Expert Guides and Full Support: Health and Safety care High successful rates
Diverse Landscapes in One Journey: Cross five unique climate zones from rainforest to alpine desert.
Perfect for Acclimatization: Lemosho’s gradual ascent maximizes your chance to reach the summit.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Moshi
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transfer to Moshi. Evening pre-climb briefing and gear check.
Accommodation | Hotel
No Meal
Day 2: Londorossi Gate - Mti Mkubwa Camp
After breakfast, drive about 2 hours from Moshi to Londorossi Gate for registration and trip prep. Begin a 3-hour hike through the rainforest to Mti Mkubwa Camp, spotting Colobus monkeys along the way. On arrival, your porters will set up camp, and the chef will prepare your dinner.
Accommodation | Mti Mkubwa Campsite
Meal | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Mti Mkubwa - Shira Camp 1
Start with breakfast and a gradual 5–6 hour trek to Shira Camp 1. Enjoy your first views of Shira Plateau and Kibo Volcano. Lunch, rest, and optional short hike before dinner and overnight at camp.
Accommodation | Shira Camp One
Meal | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Shira Camp 1 - Shira Camp 2
After breakfast, enjoy an easy trek to Shira Camp 2 with stunning views of Kilimanjaro and unique high-altitude flora. Hike up Shira Peak for acclimatization. If skies are clear, spot Mount Meru in the distance. Dinner and overnight at Shira Camp 2.
Accommodation | Shira Camp Two
Meal | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Shira Camp 2 - Barranco Camp via Lava Tower
After breakfast, trek through rocky alpine terrain to Lava Tower for lunch and optional climb. Then descend to Barranco Camp for acclimatization. Enjoy sunset views near the dramatic Barranco Wall, with dinner and rest at Barranco camp.
Accommodation | Barranco Camp
Meal | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Barranco Camp - Karanga Valley Camp
Climb the famous Barranco Wall. Enjoy amazing glacier views before continuing to Karanga Valley.
Accommodation | Karanga Valley Camp
Meal | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Karanga Valley Camp - Barafu Camp
After breakfast, hike to Barafu Camp, located on a windy, rocky ridge. Rest, enjoy an early dinner, and get a detailed briefing from your guide before the midnight summit push. Lights out by 7:00 PM for a good night’s rest.
Accommodation | Barafu Camp
Meal | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Summit Uhuru Peak & Descend to Mweka Hut
At 23:30, begin your summit climb with a slow, steady ascent to Stella Point, then continue to Uhuru Peak for a breathtaking sunrise. After a short rest and photos, descend to Barafu Camp for lunch, then continue to Mweka Hut for dinner and overnight in the rainforest.
Accommodation | Mweka Hut
Meal | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Mweka Hut - Mweka Gate – Return to Moshi
After breakfast, celebrate with your team before descending to Mweka Gate. Receive your climbing certificate, then continue to Mweka Village for pickup and transfer back to your hotel in Moshi. End of climb.
Accommodation | Panama Hotel
Meal | Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10: Moshi
Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for departure.
Meal | Breakfast
✓ What's included
Airport transfers as per itinerary
Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tent
Certified, experienced, English speaking mountain guides
All Kilimanjaro National Park Fees
Government Taxes
Climbing permits
Food on Mountain as per itinerary
Guides, Porters and Cook Salaries
Enough porters to carry your luggage
Personal Summit Certificate signed by the National Park and your Guide
Water
Accormodation
2 nights Panama Resort Garden
6 nights Camp
1 night mountain hut
✕ Not included
Visa and International flight tickets fees
Personal items
Personal trekking equipment such as hiking boots, clothes, etc. (available for renting)
Tips for guides, porters and cook
International airfares and departure taxes
All items of person nature such as telephone call, fax, email, etc
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
ⓘ Need-to-know
ⓘ Health & Safety
• Mandatory Travel Insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance is a condition of booking. Your policy must cover high-altitude trekking up to 6,000m and include emergency medical evacuation by helicopter.
• Medical Clearance: Trekking at this altitude is a serious undertaking. We require that you consult with your doctor before the trip. It is not recommended for individuals with significant pre-existing health conditions.
• Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from a country with a risk of Yellow Fever transmission.
ⓘ Visas & Passports
• A visa is required for most nationalities and can often be obtained on arrival or as an e-visa in advance. Please check the latest requirements.
• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date from Tanzania.
ⓘ Gear & Packing
• You are responsible for your own personal hiking gear, including waterproof hiking boots, layered clothing, a warm down jacket, a headlamp, and a four-season sleeping bag. Gear is also available to rent in Moshi.
• Plastic Bag Ban: Tanzania has a strict ban on single-use plastic bags. Please ensure you do not bring any in your luggage.
ⓘ Tipping
• Tipping the mountain crew (guides, porters, cook) is a mandatory and deeply ingrained tradition on Kilimanjaro.
ⓘ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why is the Lemosho Route considered the most scenic on Kilimanjaro?
A: The Lemosho Route is renowned for its beauty because it offers a traverse of the mountain from west to east. It begins in pristine rainforest, crosses the vast and dramatic Shira Plateau with panoramic views, and circles the Kibo cone. This path showcases nearly all of Kilimanjaro's diverse ecosystems.
Q: Does this route have a high summit success rate?
A: Yes, the 8-day Lemosho itinerary has one of the highest summit success rates on the mountain. Its longer profile, gradual ascent, and a key "climb high, sleep low" day via the Lava Tower (4,630m) provide superior acclimatization, significantly increasing your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak comfortably and safely.
Q: What is the accommodation like on this route?
A: This is primarily a camping route. You will spend 6 nights in high-quality, four-season mountain tents (shared by two people). Your porters will pitch and pack up the tents for you each day. The final night of the descent is at Mweka Hut, a basic mountain hut. This provides a true wilderness experience.
Q: What is the Barranco Wall? Is it dangerous?
A: The Barranco Wall is a famous and exciting feature of this route. It is a steep, 257m (843 ft) rock face that you must climb. However, it is a non-technical scramble that requires no climbing skills—you will use your hands and feet to navigate the path. It's considered a fun challenge by most trekkers and offers incredible views from the top. Your guides will be there to assist you the entire way.
Q: How does Lemosho compare to the Marangu Route?
A: The main differences are accommodation and scenery. Lemosho uses tents and is considered more scenic due to its panoramic traverse. Marangu uses huts and follows the same path up and down. Lemosho's longer itinerary generally offers better acclimatization and a higher success rate than the shorter Marangu treks.