Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route – MODERATE / CHALLENGING
The Perfect Balance of Adventure and Acclimatization
Are you looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that will challenge you, inspire you, and connect you with a team of like-minded explorers? The Lemosho Route offers an unforgettable experience through diverse landscapes on your way to the roof of Africa! Whether it’s your first-time taking on a high-altitude trek, or if you’re an experienced climber looking for a new challenge, this route provides the perfect balance of adventure, acclimatization, and achievement. You can climb in a group and make friends for life, create unforgettable memories, and push your limits in this ultimate bucket list adventure!
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The Journey to Africa’s Highest Peak
The Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route is a popular climbing route, known for its high success rates and stunning views of diverse landscapes including rainforest, heath, moorland, and alpine desert. It is considered one of the most beautiful routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, and it provides a varied climbing experience. It also includes the option to take a detour to climb the nearby peak of Shira, adding an additional challenge and scenic reward to the climb. This is generally less crowded than some of the other popular routes on the mountain, such as the Marangu and Machame Route, which gives a more isolated and peaceful climbing experience with fewer people on the trail. The Lemosho Route travel plan is typically climbed in seven to nine days, making it one of the longer routes on the mountain. This longer duration allows for a more gradual ascent, which can help climbers acclimatize better and reduce the risk of altitude sickness. Climbers on this route have a good chance of reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and completing the climb successfully. Just imagine taking those last steps with your fellow climbers, adrenaline pumping, as the sun rises above the clouds. This truly is a journey of personal victory. Standing at 5,895 meters, you’ll feel on top of the world, both literally and figuratively. Climbing Lemosho Route solo? Don’t worry, all travelers have the option to choose between a private climb or to be placed in a group with other climbers. Solo adventurers looking to join a group will be well taken care of, ensuring they can share the experience with other trekkers.
More Than Just a Climb
Your Kilimanjaro adventure doesn’t necessarily have to end at the summit! Why not celebrate your success with an epic Zanzibar beach getaway or a thrilling Safari adventure? After conquering Kilimanjaro, you deserve to kick back on white sandy beaches or witness Africa’s incredible wildlife up close. Extend your journey and make your bucket list experience even more legendary! Anything is possible with World Adventure Tours! If you want to explore other unique perspective of the majestic Kilimanjaro, check out the Marangu and Machame routes.
Challenge Level
Best Time to Go
Mar–May: Wet & muddy
Jun–Sep: Dry & popular
Oct–Nov: Short rains, fewer crowds
Route Features
Weather
20–30 °C lower slopes
Below 0 °C at summit
Highlights
Why Climb with World Adventure Tours?
World Adventure Tours isn’t just about safaris. We also arrange high-altitude mountain climbs with trained teams who have strong experience on the mountain. Whether you’re a first-time climber or have been hiking for many years, our team will guide you throughout the climb, keeping your safety and success in focus.
Gear, Packing & Pro Tips
Sustainable & Ethical Trekking
Safety & Acclimatization First
Expert Guides
Personalized Comfort
Diverse Routes
“Wonderful experience from start to finish! Guides were super knowledgeable and all of their crew very helpful with anything we needed. We trained a lot for this hike, but I give our group at least 50% credit for us reaching the summit. Lemosho Route is beautiful! I loved the forest and seeing all animals, flowers, birds, and giant trees, ferns, and vines. Simply gorgeous.”
– Michelle, Tourradar
9 Days – Day-to-Day Program
Arrival in Moshi
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport where you will be picked up and transferred to Springlands Hotel or similar for an overnight bed and breakfast.
🍽 Meals: None
🏨 Accommodation: Springlands Hotel or Similar
⭐ Upgrades: Chanya Lodge or Gran Melia Hotel
Into the Rainforest
Altitude: 2,200 m – 2,600 m
Hiking distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 3 hours
After breakfast, drive to the Londorosi Park Gate. The drive is about 5 hours. The drive through the Shira plateau is one of the best opportunities to see big game on Kilimanjaro. Walk up to Mti Mkubwa camp. Arrive at the campsite, set up camp, and enjoy dinner.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Mti Mkubwa Camp or Similar
Crossing the Moorland
Altitude: 2,600 m – 3,600 m
Hiking distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
Wake to breakfast and begin the short hike from Mti Mkubwa to Shira camp. This usually takes no more than 5 hours, but a calm pace is required for adequate acclimatization. The west face of the Kibo volcano looms above the campsite. Have lunch, set up camp, rest, or take a day hike. This hike traverses the lower moorland where large shrubs and wildflowers dominate the landscape.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Shira Camp 1 or Similar
Shira Plateau Explorations
Altitude: 3,600 m – 3,840 m
Hiking distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 5–6 hours
Wake to breakfast, break camp, and begin a short hike to Shira Camp 2. This makes it a perfect acclimatization day.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Shira Camp 2 or Similar
Lava Tower Challenge
Altitude: 3,840 m – 3,940 m
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 7–8 hours
The route now turns east into a semi-desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4600m after about 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower. Definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability, and headaches. After lunch, you descend again almost 680m to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of Lava Tower, the true acclimatization benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner and overnight at Barranco Camp.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Barranco Camp or Similar
The Great Barranco Wall
Altitude: 3,960 m – 4,640 m
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 7–8 hours After breakfast, we leave Barranco Camp, hiking up the Barranco Wall which takes about 1 hour. Continue to Barafu Camp, where you’ll rest and prepare for the final ascent to the summit.
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏠 Accommodation: Barafu Camp or Similar
Summit Day – Uhuru Peak
Altitude: 4,670 m – 5,895 m – 3,100 m
Hiking distance: 17 km
Hiking time: 15+ hours
Rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the night. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walk to Stella Point is for many climbers the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5,685 m) you stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment, and a day to remember for the rest of your life. The walk back to Barafu Camp from the summit takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka Camp for dinner and overnight.
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏠 Accommodation: Mweka Camp or Similar
Back to Moshi
After breakfast, from the Mweka Gate, you will continue down into the Mweka Village, normally a muddy and long hour walk. From the Mweka Village drive to Springlands Hotel, and you will be served a hot lunch and a long overdue shower. Overnight in Springlands Hotel. Tips can be given to the guide at Springlands Hotel. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5,685 m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) receive gold certificates.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
🏨 Accommodation: Springlands Hotel or Similar
⭐ Upgrades: Chanya Lodge or Gran Melia Hotel
Departure Day
After an early breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for your departure flight back home.
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast
🏠 Accommodation: None (end of safari)
10 Days – Day-to Day-Program
Arrival in Moshi
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport where you will be picked up and transferred to Springlands Hotel or similar for an overnight bed and breakfast.
🍽 Meals: None
🏨 Accommodation: Springlands Hotel or Similar
⭐ Upgrades: Chanya Lodge or Gran Melia Hotel
Into the Rainforest
Altitude: 2,200 m – 2,600 m
Hiking distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 3 hours
After breakfast, drive to the Londorosi Park Gate. The drive is about 5 hours. The drive through the Shira plateau is one of the best opportunities to see big game on Kilimanjaro. Walk up to Mti Mkubwa camp. Arrive at the campsite, set up camp, and enjoy dinner.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Mti Mkubwa Camp or Similar
Crossing the Moorland
Altitude: 2,600 m – 3,600 m
Hiking distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
Wake to breakfast and begin the short hike from Mti Mkubwa to Shira camp. This usually takes no more than 5 hours, but a calm pace is required for adequate acclimatization. The west face of the Kibo volcano looms above the campsite. Have lunch, set up camp, rest, or take a day hike. This hike traverses the lower moorland where large shrubs and wildflowers dominate the landscape.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Shira Camp 1 or Similar
Shira Plateau Explorations
Altitude: 3,600 m – 3,840 m
Hiking distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 5–6 hours
Wake to breakfast, break camp, and begin a short hike to Shira Camp 2. This makes it a perfect acclimatization day.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Shira Camp 2 or Similar
Lava Tower Challenge
Altitude: 3,840 m – 3,940 m
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 7–8 hours
The route now turns east into a semi-desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4600m after about 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower. Definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability, and headaches. After lunch, you descend again almost 680m to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of Lava Tower, the true acclimatization benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner and overnight at Barranco Camp.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Barranco Camp or Similar
The Great Barranco Wall
Hiking distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
After breakfast, we leave Barranco Ridge and walk up the Barranco Wall that ends up at the foot of the Heim glacier. Passing the Barranco Wall, walk along to Karanga Valley and on to Karanga Camp.
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏠 Accommodation: Karanga Camp or Similar
Final Push to Barafu
Altitude: 4,035 m – 4,670 m
Hiking distance: 4 km
Hiking time: 3–4 hours
Continue to Barafu Camp, located at an altitude of 4,670 m. Here you make camp, rest, and enjoy dinner before the summit attempt. From this position, you can see both Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks.
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏠 Accommodation: Barafu Camp or Similar
Summit Day – Uhuru Peak
Altitude: 4,670 m – 5,895 m – 3,100 m
Hiking distance: 17 km
Hiking time: 15+ hours
Rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the night. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walk to Stella Point is for many climbers the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5,685 m) you stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment, and a day to remember for the rest of your life. The walk back to Barafu Camp from the summit takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a short rest and collect the rest of your gear before heading down to Mweka Camp for dinner and overnight.
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏠 Accommodation: Mweka Camp or Similar
Back to Moshi
After breakfast, from the Mweka Gate, you will continue down into the Mweka Village, normally a muddy and long hour walk. From the Mweka Village, drive to Springlands Hotel, and you will be served a hot lunch and a long overdue shower. Overnight in Springlands Hotel. Tips can be given to the guide at Springlands Hotel. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5,685 m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) receive gold certificates.
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
🏨 Accommodation: Springlands Hotel or Similar
⭐ Upgrades: Chanya Lodge or Gran Melia Hotel
Day 10
Departure Day
After an early breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for your departure flight back home.
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast
🏠 Accommodation: None (end of safari)
11 Days – Day-to-Day Program
Arrival in Moshi
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport where you will be picked up and transferred to Springlands Hotel or similar for an overnight bed and breakfast.
🍽 Meals: None
🏨 Accommodation: Springlands Hotel or Similar
⭐ Upgrades: Chanya Lodge or Gran Melia Hotel
Into the Rainforest
Altitude: 2,200 m – 2,600 m
Hiking distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 3 hours
After breakfast, drive to the Londorosi Park Gate. The drive is about 5 hours. The drive through the Shira plateau is one of the best opportunities to see big game on Kilimanjaro. Walk up to Mti Mkubwa camp. Arrive at the campsite, set up camp, and enjoy dinner.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Mti Mkubwa Camp or Similar
Crossing the Moorland
Altitude: 2,600 m – 3,600 m
Hiking distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
Wake to breakfast and begin the short hike from Mti Mkubwa to Shira camp. This usually takes no more than 5 hours, but a calm pace is required for adequate acclimatization. The west face of the Kibo volcano looms above the campsite. Have lunch, set up camp, rest, or take a day hike. This hike traverses the lower moorland where large shrubs and wildflowers dominate the landscape.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Shira Camp 1 or Similar
Shira Plateau Explorations
Altitude: 3,600 m – 3,840 m
Hiking distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 5–6 hours
Wake to breakfast, break camp, and begin a short hike to Shira Camp 2. This makes it a perfect acclimatization day.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Shira Camp 2 or Similar
Lava Tower Challenge
Altitude: 3,840 m – 3,940 m
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 7–8 hours
The route now turns east into a semi-desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4600m after about 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower. Definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability, and headaches. After lunch, you descend again almost 680m to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of Lava Tower, the true acclimatization benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner and overnight at Barranco Camp.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Barranco Camp or Similar
The Great Barranco Wall
Altitude: 3,940 m – 4,035 m
Hiking distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
After breakfast, we leave Barranco Ridge and walk up the Barranco Wall that ends up at the foot of the Heim glacier. Passing the Barranco Wall, walk along to Karanga Valley and on to Karanga Camp.
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏠 Accommodation: Karanga Camp or Similar
Day 7
Acclimatization at Karanga
After breakfast enjoy an acclimatization hike toward Barafu Camp. Later return to Karanga Camp for dinner & overnight. This offers you excellent acclimatization increasing your chances of reaching the summit.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Karanga Camp or Similar
Day 8
Final Push to Barafu
Altitude: 4,035 m – 4,670 m
Hiking distance: 4 km
Hiking time: 3–4 hours
Continue to Barafu Camp, located at an altitude of 4,670 m. Here you make camp, rest, and enjoy dinner before the summit attempt. From this position, you can see both Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks.
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏠 Accommodation: Barafu Camp or Similar
Day 9
Summit Day – Uhuru Peak
Altitude: 4,670 m – 5,895 m – 3,100 m
Hiking distance: 17 km
Hiking time: 15+ hours
Rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the night. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walk to Stella Point is for many climbers the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5,685 m) you stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment, and a day to remember for the rest of your life. The walk back to Barafu Camp from the summit takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a short rest and collect the rest of your gear before heading down to Mweka Camp for dinner and overnight.
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏠 Accommodation: Mweka Camp or Similar
Back to Moshi
After Breakfast, from the Mweka Gate, you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy and long hour walk. From the Mweka village drive to Springlands Hotel and you will be served a hot lunch and a long overdue shower. Overnight in Springlands Hotel. Tips can be given to the guide at Springlands Hotel. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
🏨 Accommodation: Springlands Hotel or Similar
⭐ Upgrades: Chanya Lodge or Gran Melia Hotel
Departure Day
After an early breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for your departure flight back home.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast
🏨 Accommodation: None (end of safari)
What makes Lemosho Special?
Check out our Climbing Gear Tutorial before you go! 👆
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Discover the Scenic Side of Kilimanjaro
The Lemosho Route is widely considered the most beautiful path up Africa’s highest peak. Starting in lush rainforest, it takes you across the dramatic Shira Plateau and through ever-changing landscapes before reaching the glaciers of Uhuru Peak. Its gradual ascent makes it one of the safest routes, with high summit success rates, while offering a true sense of wilderness thanks to fewer crowds. Choosing Lemosho means more time to acclimatize, enjoy the views, and connect with fellow climbers on a shared journey to the top of Africa.
Included in the Price
- Two nights accommodation in Moshi bed and breakfast
- Airport transfers
- Transportation from Moshi to the starting point on the mountain and return to Moshi
- National Park gate fees, hut/camping fees
- Rescue fees, tents, and sleeping mattresses
- Guides’ salaries, porters’ salaries, and all meals on the mountain
- Guides, porters, and cooks’ accommodation and entry fees on the mountain
- Travel Guarantee with the Swedish Kammarkollegiet »
Price Does Not Cover *
- Domestic or International flights
- Entry visa to Tanzania
- Travel and health insurance
- Single room supplement at Springlands Hotel
- Mountain gear e.g. sleeping bags, clothes, and shoes, but some climbing gear will be available for hire at Springlands Hotel
- Gratuities to your guide, hotel staff, and porters – Find guidelines in our Help Center »
* Rest assured, we’re here to assist with anything not covered in the price. Your convenience is our priority.
Don’t Miss Our Group Deals
Accommodation
See all accommodations and upgrades available.
Springlands Hotel
Campsites
Accommodation Upgrades
Please note that accommodation upgrades are exclusively available with our private option. Should you choose the group adventure, the standard – yet comfortable – accommodations will be provided.
Chanya Lodge
Gran Melia Hotel, Arusha
Add-ons
Discover Africa with Our Exhilarating Activities. Pick and choose from our handpicked collection of activities and day trips to enrich your African travel plan with that special touch.
Springlands Hotel
Springlands Hotel in Moshi, 29 km from Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO), offers accommodation with amenities like an outdoor pool, complimentary parking, a bar, 24-hour reception, and free WiFi. Continental or à la carte breakfast is served at the hotel.
Rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a seating area, satellite TV, a kitchenette, dining area, and private bathroom with all essentials, including a kettle. Enjoy a hiking around Moshi, with a mini-supermarket just 3 km away.
Upgrade to Chanya Lodge or Gran Melia Hotel.
Campsites
The campsites offer practical tents that is set up by the porters. You will need a sleeping bag, warm clothes to handle the cold nights and walking poles for the terrain.
The porters will boil drinking and washing water, and cook and serve dinner at the camps.
Enjoy basic and functional amenities in unforgettable scenic locations.
All gear and equipment are available to rent through us!
Chanya Lodge
Chanya Lodge is located at the foothills of the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, just outside Moshi in Tanzania. A convenient drive from the airport, it’s perfect for trekkers, tourists, families, and business visitors.
The residence offers 32 en-suite rooms, a large pool, a diverse cuisine restaurant, and beautiful grassy gardens.
Gran Melia Hotel, Arusha
This magnificent hotel Is located between the majestic Serengeti and Kilimanjaro National Parks, unveiling the natural beauty of Tanzania’s wilderness.
Enjoy an oasis of five-star luxury and comfort with unbeatable facilities, exclusive suites, international cuisine, spa, an infinity pool and a gym – it’s the ideal retreat for an exciting safari adventure or a luxurious business meeting.
Request a Free Quote
- Best price guarantee
- Without any obligation to book
- Your request will be sent directly to the operator
- Travel guarantee with Swedish Kammarkollegiet
Our Client Testimonials
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