Lemosho Route in Brief
The Lemosho route will unfold nature’s wonders gradually for you. You will begin the climb amidst a lush forest, where elephants occasionally grace the scene, and lively colobus and blue monkeys add a touch of wild charm. Along the way, you will traverse the Elephant’s Spine, a wide ridge offering breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro’s plains.
You will also face the Barranco Wall, a 257-meter challenge that demands courage, not technical skills. On day two, weather permitting, catch a glimpse of Kibo Peak, a rewarding sight on the horizon. As the trail climbs, each day reveals a new chapter in your adventure. Though the path gets steeper, the Lemosho Route ensures the journey is as rewarding as the destination.
Elevating the allure of the adventure, accommodation on Lemosho route is in tents. Great vistas of the Shira Plateau, the serene Karanga valley, Lava Tower and Moshi town from Mount Kilimanjaro await you when you take the Lemosho route.
Interesting facts about the Lemosho route
- Widely accepted as the most beautiful Mount Kilimanjaro climbing route.
- Used to be quiter and less crowded but it has become very popular nowdays hence not so quite anymore.
- You will witness Shira Plateau, a 10kms caldera formed after Shira peak eroded and collapsed.
- There have been sightings of elands on this route.
- Our Lemosho route offer starts at $2150 per person
Some photos from Lemosho route
Lemosho Route Itineraries
7 Days Lemosho Route, Starts at $2150 Per person
Distance: 7km
Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Tropical Rainforest
Altitude gain: 550 meters
Ngowi’s Kilimanjaro team will lead you from your hotel in Moshi or Arusha to the Lemosho gate, the starting point for this trek. After registrations and clearances at the Lemosho gate, you will commence the climb through a captivating forest, which offers glimpses of wildlife.
Today’s final destination is Mti Mkubwa Camp. Note Mti Mkubwa is a Swahili translation of Big Tree as the camp site is situation under a big tree.
Distance: 17km
Trekking time: 7-9 hours
Zone: Tropical Rainforest then Moorland zone
Altitude gain: 1200 meters
The second day distinguishes our 8-day Lemosho Itinerary from the 7-day version. Departing from Mti Mkubwa, we deviate towards Shira 2 Camp, instead of heading to Moir Hut Camp. While today you will have a lengthy walk, the trail promises spectacular scenery, potentially revealing the Northern Ice Fields if weather conditions permit.
Brace yourself for a challenging ascent—steep with significant altitude gain.
Distance: 11.5 km
Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: Low Alpine Desert zone/ High Alpine Desert zone
Altitude gain: 750 meters then attitude loss of 700 meters
After breakfast, we will bid farewell to Shira 2 campsite and head towards Barranco Camp. En route, you will encounter the renowned Shark’s Tooth rock formation called Lava Tower at 4600 meters. Climbing to 4600 meters before descending to sleep at Barranco Camp (3900 meters) aids acclimatization, a strategic approach to the altitude. This day offers both physical and acclimatization benefits.
Distance: 6 km
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Zone: Moorlands
Altitude gain: 95 meters
The eagerly awaited summit night is upon you, where both your mental resilience and physical strength will be put to the ultimate test.
Today you will conquer the famous Great Barranco Wall (257 meters tall) to reach the top of Karanga Valley. Though the 257-meter rock face may seem daunting, the ascent is surprisingly manageable without the need for technical skills or specialized trekking gear.
However, you will need to be extra careful as you scramble to the wall’s apex, where breathtaking views await. Capture the moment with memorable photos before continuing through undulating terrains to Karanga Camp.
Distance: 4 km
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Zone: High Alpine desert zone
Altitude gain: 678 meters
Our trek today concludes the Southern Circuit. En route, you may encounter fellow trekkers descending towards Mweka Campsite (one of the campsite when you descend the mountain via the Mweka route) at the Mweka Trail junction. Today’s destination is at Barafu campsite, one of the base camps on Mount Kilimanjaro.
If the weather permits, you will have great views of both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks.
An early dinner sets the stage for rest, crucial preparation for the impending summit attempt.
Distance: Total 10 km to the summit and back to the base camp, then from base camp to Mweka Camp it will take approximately 11 km
Trekking time: 6-8 hours to the summit, then another 6-7 hours back to the base camp. From base camp to Mweka Camp you may spend 5-8 hours.
Zone: Glacial zone and all preceding zones.
Altitude gain: 1222 meters, altitude loss: 2795 meters.
Today you will have a test of both mental fortitude and physical endurance.
Summit night commences around 11:00 PM or 12:00 AM, dictated by the decision of your head guide. Before the ascent, a key tip: tuck snacks and a water bottle beneath your first layer for quick access. Adorned in proper trekking gear, the ascent begins with deliberate steps, adhering to the “pole pole” pace (slowly, slowly). A pivotal pause occurs at Stella Point (5756 meters), offering a brief break with snacks and hot tea.
After a fleeting rest at Stella Point, the journey persists towards Uhuru Peak. Following the summit triumph, a challenging descent follows. Descend to the base camp for a brief stay, then descend further down to Mweka Camp (3100 meters).
Distance: Total 10 km
Trekking time: 3-4 hours.
Zone: Moorlands at Mweka Camp then descending to Montane forest zone at Mweka gate.
Altitude loss: 1460 meters
Following breakfast at Mweka Camp, we will begin a concluding descent toward the exit gate (Mweka gate) through a lush tropical rainforest. At the Mweka Gate, complete the sign-out process. After administrative formalities, transportation will convey you to your hotel for you to have a well-deserved rest.
In the evening, reconvene for a farewell dinner, a celebration of shared triumphs and an opportunity for you to receive certificates of completion.
8 Days Lemosho Route, Starts at $2350 Per person
Distance: 7km
Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Tropical Rainforest
Altitude gain: 550 meters
Ngowi’s Kilimanjaro team will lead you from your hotel in Moshi or Arusha to the Lemosho gate, the starting point for this trek. After registrations and clearances at the Lemosho gate, you will commence the climb through a captivating forest, which offers glimpses of wildlife.
Today’s final destination is Mti Mkubwa Camp. Note Mti Mkubwa is a Swahili translation of Big Tree as the camp site is situation under a big tree.
Distance: 8km
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Zone: Tropical Rainforest then Heath zone
Altitude gain: 960 meters
After breakfast, you will start today’s trek towards Shira 1 Camp. Today we will leave the tropical rainforest zone and enter the Heath zone. If the weather permits, you will have your first breathtaking view of Kibo Peak after you have crossed the Shira Ridge.
Distance: 10 km
Trekking time: 6-8 hours
Zone: Low Alpine Desert zone/ High Alpine Desert zone
Altitude gain: 590 meters.
Brace yourself for a day of both physical and visual delights. Today will be a challenging yet rewarding trek from Shira plateau to the historic Moir Hut Camp, one of Kilimanjaro’s oldest campsites. Despite its name, the accommodation comprises tents, with Moir Hut standing as an intriguing abandoned pyramid-shaped structure.
Prepare to capture stunning views of the Shira plateau before arriving at Moir Hut Camp.
Distance: 12 km
Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: High Alpine Desert zone
Altitude gain: 400 meters then attitude loss of 700 meters
After breakfast, we will bid farewell to Moir Hut and head towards Barranco Camp. En route, you will encounter the renowned Shark’s Tooth rock formation called Lava Tower at 4600 meters. Climbing to 4600 meters before descending to sleep at Barranco Camp (3900 meters) aids acclimatization, a strategic approach to the altitude. This day offers both physical and acclimatization benefits.
Distance: 6 km
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Zone: Moorlands
Altitude gain: 95 meters
The eagerly awaited summit night is upon you, where both your mental resilience and physical strength will be put to the ultimate test.
Today you will conquer the famous Great Barranco Wall (257 meters tall) to reach the top of Karanga Valley. Though the 257-meter rock face may seem daunting, the ascent is surprisingly manageable without the need for technical skills or specialized trekking gear.
However, you will need to be extra careful as you scramble to the wall’s apex, where breathtaking views await. Capture the moment with memorable photos before continuing through undulating terrains to Karanga Camp.
Distance: 4 km
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Zone: High Alpine desert zone
Altitude gain: 678 meters
Our trek today concludes the Southern Circuit. En route, you may encounter fellow trekkers descending towards Mweka Campsite (one of the campsite when you descend the mountain via the Mweka route) at the Mweka Trail junction. Today’s destination is at Barafu campsite, one of the base camps on Mount Kilimanjaro.
If the weather permits, you will have great views of both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks.
An early dinner sets the stage for rest, crucial preparation for the impending summit attempt.
Distance: Total 10 km to the summit and back to the base camp, then from base camp to Mweka Camp it will take approximately 11 km
Trekking time: 6-8 hours to the summit, then another 6-7 hours back to the base camp. From base camp to Mweka Camp you may spend 5-8 hours.
Zone: Glacial zone and all preceding zones.
Altitude gain: 1222 meters, altitude loss: 2795 meters.
Today you will have a test of both mental fortitude and physical endurance.
Summit night commences around 11:00 PM or 12:00 AM, dictated by the decision of your head guide. Before the ascent, a key tip: tuck snacks and a water bottle beneath your first layer for quick access. Adorned in proper trekking gear, the ascent begins with deliberate steps, adhering to the “pole pole” pace (slowly, slowly). A pivotal pause occurs at Stella Point (5756 meters), offering a brief break with snacks and hot tea.
After a fleeting rest at Stella Point, the journey persists towards Uhuru Peak. Following the summit triumph, a challenging descent follows. Descend to the base camp for a brief stay, then descend further down to Mweka Camp (3100 meters).
Distance: Total 10 km
Trekking time: 3-4 hours.
Zone: Moorlands at Mweka Camp then descending to Montane forest zone at Mweka gate.
Altitude loss: 1460 meters
Following breakfast at Mweka Camp, we will begin a concluding descent toward the exit gate (Mweka gate) through a lush tropical rainforest. At the Mweka Gate, complete the sign-out process. After administrative formalities, transportation will convey you to your hotel for you to have a well-deserved rest.
In the evening, reconvene for a farewell dinner, a celebration of shared triumphs and an opportunity for you to receive certificates of completion.
Not sure what to choose?
Price Includes and Excludes
Includes
- Expert Guidance from our professional and experienced guides
- Services of porters through out the climb
- Accommodation in shared tents, mattress included
- Pre and post climb accommodation (two nights in total)
- Nutritious and delicious meals to fuel your adventure
- All entrance fees and permits for Kilimanjaro National Park
- Transportation to and from the Kilimanjaro gates
- First aid kit, bottled oxygen and pulse oximeter
- Portable toilet
- Farewell dinner
- Airport pickup and drop off
Excludes
- International flights
- Personal expenses
- Personal trekking gears. Click here to see a packing list.
- Gratuity for guides, porters and support staff
- Alcohol and extra snacks
- Additional accommodation required before or after the trek
- Optional activities such as day trips and safari
- Travel insurance
- Visa