Itinerary for Climbing Kilimanjaro via Lemosho Route 

The Lemosho Route is a remarkable choice for those seeking an unforgettable adventure while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Renowned for its scenic beauty and lower foot traffic, this route offers a more secluded and tranquil experience offering climbers panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain with great summit success rates of about 98%. With its longer duration and gradual ascent, the Lemosho Route allows for better acclimatization and higher chances of reaching the summit successfully. As you navigate through diverse landscapes, including lush rainforests and alpine moorlands, you'll be treated to breathtaking views and unique wildlife encounters.

Choose the Lemosho Route for an extraordinary Kilimanjaro climb that combines serenity, natural wonders, and a higher chance of summiting Africa's highest peak. It offers a unique balance for every mountain climber type because of the relatively lower climber numbers, astounding scenery, and higher rates of success.

Starting on the western flanks of Mount Kilimanjaro at the Londorossi Gate, the Lemosho Route wanders its way up one of the more remote sections of the mountain.

The trail takes hikers through a beautiful rainforest where they might have the chance to spot wildlife along the way. Black and white colobus monkeys are routinely seen in the forests, as are blue monkeys, small lizards and a wide assortment of birds. From there, the path wanders out onto the Shira Plateau, crossing it from west to east on relatively flat and easy-to-walk terrain.

Recommended Lemosho Route Itinerary - 7 Days

DAY 1

Lemosho Route Detailed Itinerary

7 nights / 8 days Climb

Day 1 – Lemosho Glades

From your lodge, we will make our way to the Londorosi gate on the Western side of Mt. Kilimanjaro (a few hours' drive from Arusha). We will begin our hike at the Lemosho trailhead.

Please note that in rainy/muddy conditions, sometimes the vehicles can’t make it to the true trailhead so there can be some extra hiking – After a picnic lunch, we will hike for about 4 hours to the forest camp.

In the forest, exotic moss and flowers delight the eye while bird calls entertain the ear. You may see Black and White Colobus monkeys as well as signs of the elephants that travel in this area. We will overnight at Forest Camp.
Hiking: 3-4 hours
Overnight Altitude ~9,498’

Day 2 – Shira Plateau

As we leave the Montane Forest and enter the Hagenia zone, our views open and we will catch our first views of the Kibo peak. This is a good acclimatization hike, as we go up and down several ridges along the way to our highest point of the day at 11,500’ before descending to camp.  Overnight at Shira 1 Camp.
Hiking: 6-9 hours
Overnight Altitude 11,500’

Day 3 –  Moir Camp

We will traverse the Heath zone of the Shira Plateau and begin climbing the western slope of the Kibo Massif. Along the way, we will enjoy a picnic lunch at Scott Fisher memorial camp (the well-known Mt. Everest guide). We will continue on to the upper heath zone and Moir camp. Depending on the weather, acclimatization hikes can be arranged in the late afternoon
Hiking: 5-6 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~13,650′

Day 4 – Barranco Camp

We leave the heath zone and enter the alpine zone as we hike 4-6 hours past Lava Camp (up to about 14,300’) with its volcanic landscape and then down a bit into the scenic Barranco Valley to camp.
Hiking: 4-6 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~13,044′

Day 5 – Karanga Camp

Ascend the Great Barranco Wall with views of Kilimanjaro’s ice fields, then hike up and down across some small valleys on your way to Karanga Camp.
Hiking: 3-5 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~13,106′

Day 6 – Barafu Camp

Hike about 3-5 hours to Barafu Camp, again with some ups and downs across small valleys. After settling into camp, we’ll have a demonstration on use of safety equipment such as the Gamow (hyperbolic) bag and oxygen. Early supper and rest in camp before your wake-up call to start your summit ascent around 11:00 PM or midnight.
Hiking: 3-5 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~15,100’

Day 7 – Summit and Mweka Camp

Summit day. We will start our ascent to the summit (19,340ft – 5,896m) around 11:00 PM or midnight the night prior. The goal for you – and numerous other climbers – is to reach the peak right at sunrise. In reality, due to differences in hiking speed, energy, and altitude acclimatization, there is a several-hour span where most climbers reach the summit.

Using headlamps (bring extra lithium batteries, which last much better in cold dark conditions!) you will ascend 6-7 hours to Stella Point and then another 1-2 hours to Uhuru Peak, the summit. After a summit celebration and photo, descend to Barafu camp for lunch and then to Mweka camp to sleep overnight.
Hiking: Very variable on both the up and the down; 12-17 hours typical
Summit 19,341’
Overnight Altitude: 10,448’

Day 8 – Mweka Park Gate

We make the final descent to the trailhead today, about 3-5 hours of hiking. Here we will have lunch and say goodbye to our mountain crew before leaving Mount Kilimanjaro and heading back to town. Arrive at your lodge usually between 3-5 PM.
Hiking: 3-5 hours

Tour Price for Climbing Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route

Pricing for climbing Kilimanjaro on the Lemosho route ranges from USD1850 to USD4700 per person depending on how many people comprise your group and the number of porters you prefer to go with you on the mountain. It also depends on the number of days you spend on the trek. The shortest for the Lemosho route is 7 days but others go for 8 days, or even 9 days. 

Route Distance for the Kilimanjaro Lemosho route

The Lemosho route's total distance is 43 miles or 70 kilometers and reaches 5,895 meters above sea level. This is counted from the Lemosho Glades trailhead to the Mweka Gate. Lemosho Route is widely considered longer to climb but it will provide you with more time to acclimatize with the mountain and altitude as you take in all the awesome landscape beauty along the way.

Difficulty level assessment for the Kilimanjaro Lemosho route 

The Lemosho route is comparatively easier but with a bit of challenge along the way hence necessitating a robust physical condition for hikers as well as some skills in high-altitude climbing. If you are attempting the summit, Uhuru Peak via the Lemosho route, be aware of the steep and challenging portions - with extreme coldness and lower oxygen levels as you progress in the higher altitudes of the Kilimanjaro Mountain. Nonetheless, climbers lower the gradual ascent of the  Lomosho route which allows for more time to acclimatize to the altitude, and this gives you a better chance to successfully reach the summit.