Lemosho Route Trail to Mount Kilimanjaro
The Lemosho Route:
The Lemosho route – the newer route, is celebrated as the most scenic route on Kilimanjaro, offering sweeping views of Kilimanjaro and granting breathtaking vistas on several sides of the mountain.
The Lemosho route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the West, and is highly recommended due to the perfect equilibrium of, low crowds, magnificent scenery and has a high success rate to reach Uhuru peak.
From Moshi, take a long drive to Londorossi Gate. Then trek through the rain forest to Shira rim in the first two days. The beautiful Lemosho route passes through the whole Shira plateau from the West to the East in an attractive, and comparatively flat climb.
This route is usually less crowded, until it meets Machame route near the Lava Tower. The route then proceeds beneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on the Southern Ice Field before climbing from Barafu and exiting via Mweka.
A perfect trek along the Lemosho route takes at least 7 days or 8 days private hike. A typical 7 days Mt. Kilimanjaro climbing via Lemosho route skips 1 day, from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp, leaving out Karanga, whereas a 9 day Kilimanjaro climb spends an extra night at Crater camp (only on request).
In a nutshell, Lemosho route is suitable for hikers who would love to adjust their time for summiting to the Uhuru peak, rather than the ancient Machame & Marangu Route. The route is more difficult compared to the other two because of the steeper and more demanding sections of the trail. Despite its success rate & outstanding features, trekkers still spend 1 or 2 extra nights its success rate.

8 Days Mt. Kilimanjaro Trekking via Lemosho route begins from Londorosi Gate to the peak and exiting at Mweka Gate.
All inclusive 8 days Lemosho Route Itinerary
7 nights / 8 days Climbing
Day 1 – Lemosho Glades
Hiking: 3-4 hours
Transfer by road in a 4×4 safari jeep from the lodge to the Western side of Londorosi gate to start your hike from the Lemosho Trail Head. Sometimes it may be hard to drive (navigate) to the trail head where the actual trek begins. This may call for an additional hike.
Picnic lunch will be served at the Lemosho trail head, then after you will hike for approximately 4 hours to Forest camp. Trekking passes through the forest, having beautiful exotic moss and flowers along side the beautiful bird sounds. Mammals you may encounter include: Black and White Colobus monkeys and sometimes elephants that move around.
Spend an overnight at Forest Camp.
Overnight Altitude 9,498m.
Day 2 – Shira Plateau
Hiking: 6-9 hours
Leave Montane Forest behind, then continue into the Hagenia zone, where you will glimpse impressive first views of Kibo peak. A fine acclimatization trek for 6-9 hours, takes you through to the highest & lowest rims enroute up to the furthest peak of the day at, 11,500’ before sloping down to the camp.
Dinner and overnight at Shira 1 Camp.
Overnight Altitude 11,500’
Day 3 – Moir Camp
Hiking: 5-6 hours
Trek the Heath Zone of the Shira Plateau, then connect to the Western slope of the Kibo Range. Picnic lunch will be enjoyed at the Scott Fisher Memorial Camp, enroute, then after you will proceed to the upper heath zone and Moir camp. Following the weather conditions, acclimatization hikes can be arranged in the late afternoon.
Overnight Altitude: 13,650′
Day 4 – Barranco Camp
Depart the heath zone for the alpine zone for a 4-6 hour hike via the Lava Camp (up to about 14,300) with its volcanic landscape, then descend into the beautiful Barranco Valley to Barranco camp.
Hiking: 4-6 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~13,044′
Day 5 – Karanga Camp
Hiking: 3-5 hours
Hike up the Great Barranco Wall, featuring breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro’s ice fields, then trek up and down over some small valleys on your way to Karanga Camp.
Overnight Altitude: 13,106m
Day 6 – Barafu Camp
You will then hike up & down for approximately 3-5 hours across small valleys to Barafu Camp. Upon settling, you will be urged to organize all the safety gear & equipment in preparation for the summiting day, supper will be served early, for an overnight sleep, since you will be up by midnight.
Hiking: 3-5 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~15,100’
Day 7 – Summit and Mweka Camp
Wake up call will be at 11:00pm or midnight for an ascent to Uhuru peak at 5896m. Due to hiking speed differences, energy, and altitude acclimatization for each individual to summit, you set off with headlamps for an ascent of 6-7 hours to Stella Point, thereafter an additional 1-2 hours to Uhuru Peak, up to the summit of ount Kilimanjaro. You then celebrate your success up the summit, as you take panoramic photos, after which you will descend to Barafu camp for lunch, to reach at Mweka camp for an overnight.
Summit 19,341’
Overnight Altitude: 10,448’
Day 8 – Mweka Park Gate
Be up in the morning for a 3-4 hours descent back down to the trailhead, where you will be given lunch, and bid the mountain crew a good bye. Head back to town for dinner and overnight in your hotel.
End of 8 days lemosho safari