Lemosho Route

The most scenic route on Kilimanjaro, Lemosho crosses the full breadth of the Shira Plateau before joining the southern circuit to the summit. Eight days, the best views on the mountain, and the highest summit success in our records.

7–9 Days

Duration

Moderate to Challenging

Difficulty

Jan-Mar, Jun-Oct

Best season

Contact for pricing

From (per person)

Why Climb Lemosho

The Lemosho Route is an 8-day trek up the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro, widely rated the most scenic way to the summit. It starts at Londorossi Gate, climbs gradually across the Shira Plateau, and joins the southern circuit for the final push to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters. What sets Lemosho apart is time — it is one of the longer routes on the mountain, and on Kilimanjaro time is what gets you to the top. The extra days across Shira and around the Lava Tower let your body adjust before summit night, which is why we book more first-timers on Lemosho than any other route.

Pricing Note

Price varies by group size and season. Contact Allen for a custom quote.

Free cancellation

Up to 30 days out

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Highlights

  • Remote Londorossi Gate western start
  • Shira Plateau traverse with sweeping panoramas
  • Lava Tower acclimatization hike to 4,630m
  • Barranco Wall scramble with vast summit views
  • Colobus monkey rainforest on Day 1
  • 8-day acclimatization profile for highest success rate
  • Quieter trail before merging with southern circuit

Lemosho Route Details

  • Duration & Schedule

    • 8-day trek on the mountain
    • Departs year-round; best seasons are January to early March and June to October (dry seasons)
    • Long rains (late March through May) and short rains (around November) are generally avoided
    • Summit night begins around midnight on Day 7, reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895m) at dawn
    • Final descent and lodge transfer on Day 8

  • Departure & Meeting Point

    • Departs from Arusha; transfer to Londorossi Gate trailhead included
    • Trek begins at Londorossi Gate on the western side of Kilimanjaro
    • Transfers to and from the trailhead are included in the package
    • Summit descent finishes at Mweka Gate; transfer back to lodge included

  • Number of Travelers

    • Available for solo travelers, couples, and small groups
    • Every climb is guided by a lead guide and an assistant guide
    • A full porter team is included to carry camp equipment and supplies
    • Private climb arrangements available — contact Allen to discuss group size and options

  • What to Bring & Accessibility

    • Broken-in hiking boots (essential — not new boots)
    • Sleeping bag rated for deep cold (sub-zero temperatures)
    • Warm down jacket
    • Moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layers, and waterproof outer layers
    • Warm gloves and a hat
    • Sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, hat)
    • Headlamp with extra batteries for summit night
    • Daypack for water and layers during daily hikes
    • Fitness level: solid cardiovascular fitness required — able to hike several hours with a light pack, ideally on hills
    • No technical mountaineering skills or experience needed
    • Training recommended 3 to 6 months in advance: long weekend hikes, stairs with a weighted pack, regular cardio
    • A detailed gear list is sent after booking; a gear check is run before departure

  • What's Included

    • Park entry, conservation, and rescue fees
    • Lead guide and assistant guide
    • Full porter team
    • All camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, dining tent, kitchen tent)
    • All meals on the mountain
    • Transfers to and from the trailhead
    • Gate registration
    • Summit certificate
    • Pre-climb gear check
    • Daily pulse oximeter (oxygen-saturation) checks
    • Emergency oxygen carried by lead guides

  • Not Included

    • International flights to/from Tanzania
    • Tanzania tourist visa (to be arranged independently)
    • Personal climbing gear (boots, sleeping bag, down jacket, layers — full gear list provided)
    • Tips for guide and porter team (customary and appreciated)
    • Travel insurance with high-altitude evacuation cover (required)
    • Personal expenses and extras

  • Pricing & Booking

    • Pricing depends on group size, season, and exact itinerary
    • General Kilimanjaro climb range: approximately $2,800 to $4,500+ per person; Lemosho is at the top of the range given its length and lower summit success rates on shorter routes
    • Transparent, line-item quote provided before any commitment — no hidden fees
    • Booking process: speak directly with Allen (founder) before anything is confirmed
    • Submit an inquiry via the Request a Custom Quote form or WhatsApp Allen directly
    • Cancellation and deposit policies provided at time of quote

What to Expect

  • Day 1: Arusha → Londorossi Gate → Mti Mkubwa Camp

    Drive from Arusha through the forest slopes of Kilimanjaro to the remote Londorossi Gate (2,100m) — a longer drive that puts you well away from the busier southern entry points. Register with park rangers, meet your full guide and porter team, and begin your ascent through thick montane rainforest. Camp is set in a forest clearing nicknamed Big Tree Camp for its ancient hardwoods. Altitude: 2,750m. Accommodation: Tented camp. Meals: Lunch & Dinner

  • Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp → Shira 1 Camp

    The forest thins and opens as you climb onto the Shira Ridge, one of the most dramatic transitions on Kilimanjaro. The landscape shifts from dense canopy to open heathland with the first clear views of the summit cone. Shira 1 sits at the edge of the ancient Shira caldera — an extinct volcano that forms the plateau. Altitude: 3,500m. Accommodation: Tented camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

  • Day 3: Shira 1 → Shira 2 Camp (Shira Plateau Traverse)

    A long, steady traverse across the Shira Plateau — one of the highest plateaus in Africa. The landscape is otherworldly: vast moorland punctuated by giant groundsel and lobelia, with Kilimanjaro's summit dominating the horizon. This is some of the most distinctive terrain on the mountain and a highlight of the Lemosho route. Altitude: 3,850m. Accommodation: Tented camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

  • Day 4: Shira 2 → Lava Tower → Barranco Camp

    Today uses the classic 'climb high, sleep low' acclimatization strategy. You ascend steeply to Lava Tower (4,600m) — a striking volcanic plug and a critical acclimatization point — before descending sharply to Barranco Camp in the valley below. The altitude swing triggers red blood cell production and is one of the most effective acclimatization techniques on Kilimanjaro. Altitude: 3,976m (camp). Accommodation: Tented camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

  • Day 5: Barranco Camp → Karanga Camp (Barranco Wall)

    The morning begins with the Barranco Wall — a near-vertical rock scramble that looks intimidating from below but is manageable with hands and feet. Your guides know every handhold. At the top, views across the Southern Circuit open in every direction. From there, a ridge walk through the alpine desert leads to Karanga Camp in a quiet valley. Altitude: 4,035m. Accommodation: Tented camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

  • Day 6: Karanga Camp → Barafu Camp (High Camp)

    A short but significant day: the final push to Barafu, your high camp and the launch point for tonight's summit attempt. Arrive early, rest, eat a proper meal, and sleep as much as you can. Your guides will brief you on the summit night schedule and kit check. Everything from here is about conserving energy. Altitude: 4,673m. Accommodation: Tented camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

  • Day 7: Barafu Camp → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp (Summit Night)

    Midnight departure. You climb through the night by headlamp — Stella Point first (5,739m), then the final crater rim traverse to Uhuru Peak, Africa's highest point at 5,895m. The summit is cold, the air is thin, and the sunrise from the top of the continent is unlike anything else on earth. Descent to Mweka Camp the same morning — a long day but the adrenaline carries you. Altitude: 5,895m (summit), 3,100m (camp). Accommodation: Tented camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

  • Day 8: Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate → Arusha

    Final descent through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where your porter team receives their tips and certificates. Transfer back to Arusha for a celebratory lunch and overnight rest before onward travel. Altitude: 1,640m (gate). Accommodation: Arusha lodge. Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

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