10 Day Kilimanjaro Climb: Lemosho Route (8 Days on the Mountain)
The Lemosho Route is one of the most beautiful and least crowded ways up Mount Kilimanjaro. It starts on the remote western side of the mountain, climbs through undisturbed rainforest onto the vast Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus on earth, then joins the Southern Circuit beneath the glaciers, past the Lava Tower and up the Barranco Wall to Barafu Camp and the summit. With eight days on the mountain, including a night at the quiet Moir Hut, it gives you plenty of time to acclimatise and an excellent chance of reaching the top.
Days on the mountain: 8 · Summit: Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m · Accommodation: four-season tents on the mountain · Starts and ends: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and Moshi
Accommodation
| Night 1 · Moshi | Panama Garden Resort (bed and breakfast) |
|---|---|
| Night 2 · Mti Mkubwa | Mountain camping, 2,785 m |
| Night 3 · Shira 1 Camp | Mountain camping, 3,504 m |
| Night 4 · Moir Hut | Mountain camping, 4,201 m |
| Night 5 · Barranco Camp | Mountain camping, 3,976 m |
| Night 6 · Karanga Camp | Mountain camping, 3,995 m |
| Night 7 · Barafu Camp | Mountain camping, 4,673 m |
| Night 8 · Mweka Camp | Mountain camping, 3,068 m |
| Night 9 · Moshi | Hotel in Moshi |
Itinerary
- 1Kilimanjaro Airport Start
- 2Moshi 1 night
- 3Mount Kilimanjaro 7 nights
- 2Moshi 1 night
- 1Kilimanjaro Airport Finish
By road
Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro – Moshi
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), our representative meets you and drives you to the Panama Garden Resort in Moshi (about 950 m). Overnight at Panama Garden Resort.
Overnight (bed and breakfast)
Day 2: Moshi – Londorossi Gate – Mti Mkubwa (LD)
After breakfast, drive about four hours from Moshi to Londorossi Gate to complete the park entry formalities, then continue to the Lemosho trailhead. From here, hike through undisturbed forest along a winding trail to your first camp at Mti Mkubwa (“Big Tree”). Dinner and overnight at Mti Mkubwa Camp.
Hiking: 3–4 hours · 4.8 km · 2,400 m to 2,785 m · Rainforest
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Mti Mkubwa – Shira 1 Camp (FB)
Continue on the trail out of the rainforest into a savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock draped with lichen. Climb through the rolling hills and across several streams to the Shira Ridge, then drop gently down to Shira 1 Camp, where you catch your first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau. Dinner and overnight at Shira 1 Camp.
Hiking: 5–6 hours · 8 km · 2,785 m to 3,504 m · Heath
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Shira 1 Camp – Moir Hut (FB)
Spend a full day exploring the Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus on earth, on a gentle walk east across moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. Then leave the main trail for Moir Hut, a little-used campsite at the foot of the Lent Hills. There are several walks on the Lent Hills, making this an excellent day for acclimatisation. Dinner and overnight at Moir Hut.
Hiking: 5–7 hours · 9.4 km · 3,504 m to 4,201 m · Heath
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Moir Hut – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp (FB)
Begin the day climbing a ridge, then head south-east to the Lava Tower, a 300 ft (90 m) volcanic rock formation at 4,630 m. From here, descend to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio forest of giant groundsels. Although you end the day lower than you started, the time spent at high altitude is very good for acclimatisation. Dinner and overnight at Barranco Camp.
Hiking: 4–5 hours to the Lava Tower (7 km), then 2–3 hours down to Barranco (3 km) · 4,201 m up to 4,630 m, then down to 3,976 m · Alpine desert
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp (FB)
Begin by descending into a ravine to the foot of the Great Barranco Wall, then climb the steep but non-technical cliff, nearly 900 ft (275 m) high. From the top, cross a series of hills and valleys, then descend sharply into the Karanga Valley. One more steep climb brings you to Karanga Camp. This shorter day is planned for acclimatisation. Dinner and overnight at Karanga Camp.
Hiking: 4–5 hours · 5 km · 3,976 m to 3,995 m · Alpine desert
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp (FB)
Leave Karanga for the junction with the Mweka Trail, then continue up the rocky section to Barafu Camp. You have now completed the Southern Circuit, with views of the summit from many angles, and both peaks, Mawenzi and Kibo, are visible from camp. Make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner before summit night. Overnight at Barafu Camp.
Hiking: 4–5 hours · 4 km · 3,995 m to 4,673 m · Alpine desert
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp (FB)
Set off very early, around midnight, on the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek; the wind and cold at this height and time can be extreme. Climb in the dark for several hours with frequent short breaks. Near Stella Point (5,760 m), you are rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see, rising over Mawenzi Peak. Then continue to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point on Kilimanjaro and in Africa. From the summit, descend all the way to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and hard on the knees, so trekking poles help. Mweka Camp is in the upper forest, where mist or rain is common in the late afternoon. Enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Hiking: 7–8 hours up (5 km), then 4–6 hours down (12 km) · 4,673 m to 5,895 m, then down to 3,068 m · Arctic summit zone to forest
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Moshi (B)
On the last day, continue down to Mweka Gate to collect your summit certificate. At lower elevations, the path can be wet and muddy. From the gate, walk about another hour to Mweka village, where a vehicle meets you for the drive back to your hotel in Moshi. Celebration dinner at the hotel.
Hiking: 3–4 hours · 10 km · 3,068 m down to 1,640 m · Rainforest
Breakfast
Day 10: Moshi – Kilimanjaro International Airport
After breakfast, we transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight.
Breakfast
Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Climb Prices
Prices are per person and depend on how many people are climbing together.
Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Climb
8 days on the mountain, with a night in Moshi before the climb
From $2,123 per person
| Group size | 1 person | 2 people | 4 people | 6 people |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per person | $2,794 | $2,525 | $2,365 | $2,123 |
Prices are in US dollars per person sharing, for the full climb as described, including everything listed under Package Includes. Valid for climbs in 2026 and 2027. For other group sizes, please contact us.
Optional Extras
- Private toilet tent – US$ 100 for the whole climb
- Extra night at the hotel in Moshi – US$ 70
- Transfer from Mweka Gate to Arusha – US$ 120
Package Includes
- Pick-up at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transfer to Panama Garden Resort in Moshi
- One night at Panama Garden Resort before the climb, with breakfast
- One night at a hotel in Moshi after the climb (night 9), with breakfast
- Transfers from Moshi to the Lemosho trailhead, and from Mweka back to Panama Garden Resort
- Transfer from Moshi to Kilimanjaro International Airport on Day 10
- Four-season tents on the mountain, with a 3-inch self-inflating mattress for each climber
- All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch and dinner), served hot in a mess tent from the second day
- Kilimanjaro National Park entrance fees, camping or hut fees and rescue fees
- Professional mountain guides, trained as first-aid responders, plus porters and a cook
- A summit porter to carry your daypack and water on summit night, so you climb with nothing on your back
- Emergency oxygen at no extra cost, a comprehensive first-aid kit carried by every guide, and a fingertip pulse oximeter to check your oxygen levels and pulse
- 24-hour standby radio communication
- A hot water bottle for your sleeping bag at night
- Snacks during the climb
- Bottled drinking water for each climber on the first day
- Kilimanjaro forest fees for climbers and crew
- Summit certificate
Package Excludes
- Personal climbing gear and sleeping bag (some gear can be hired; ask us)
- Flying Doctors membership for emergency helicopter evacuation
- Tips for your guides, porters and cook
- Drinks, international flights, visas, travel insurance and personal expenses
