Overview
The Lemosho route is one of the best choices for climbing Kilimanjaro. It’s less crowded, has amazing views, and gives you a good chance to reach the top. The hike starts on the western side, with a drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. The first two days take you through a beautiful rainforest to reach Shira Plateau. While 7 days is the minimum time suggested, 8 days is better for adjusting to the altitude and increasing your chances of success. This route eventually meets the Machame route at Shira 2 Camp and continues along the southern path, ending the trek at Mweka Gate.
Highlights
- Trek through 6 ecological zones—from rainforest to arctic summit
- Climb the Barranco Wall with panoramic views
- Camp under the stars with full porter and guide support
- Cross alpine desert and summit Uhuru Peak at 5,895m
- Enjoy stunninHigh success rate due to optimal acclimatization profileg vistas from Shira Plateau and Stella Point
Itinerary
On your first day, you’ll arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania. A friendly person from African Resources Adventure will meet you, help with your bags, and take you to the hotel in Arusha.
The hotel is located in the center of Arusha, near beautiful places like Arusha National Park. It’s peaceful, has lovely gardens, and offers things like a pool, free morning nature walk, and spa to make you comfortable.
After your trip, you can relax and enjoy the amazing view of Mount Meru from the hotel’s terrace. Get ready for an incredible adventure up Mount Kilimanjaro with African Resources Adventure!
Elevation: 2,385 meters > 2,780 meters (7,825 ft > 9,121 ft)
Distance: 7 km / 4.3 miles
Trekking time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest/Rain Forest
Accommodation: Big Tree Camp
Leave Arusha with your packed lunch and head to the Lemosho entrance gate. Once there, start your hike through the beautiful Afromontane Forest. As you walk, you’ll come across unique plants and animals found only in this area. Look out for trees like hagenia, fig, and juniper along the trail. This part of the hike takes about 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
When you reach the forest camp, at 2780 meters (9120 feet), you’ll have a tasty dinner and then rest for the night.
All meals are included
Elevation: 2,780 meters > 3,500 meters (9,121ft > 11,483ft)
Distance: 8.5km / 5.3 miles
Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Accommodation: Shira Camp 1
You’ll wake up at 5:30 am and enjoy a hot drink of your choice. By 6:15 am, you’ll pack your bags, have breakfast, and get ready to start hiking to Shira 1 Camp. The hike will take around 5-6 hours, and the guide will adjust the speed to suit the group.
When you arrive at the camp, you’ll have lunch and some free time to look around. You can take a short walk to see Shira Cathedral, a big rock formation with amazing views of the area.
In the evening, your guide will talk about the next day’s plan and give you any gear you might need. After dinner, you’ll rest for the night and prepare for the adventure ahead. The camp is at 3610 meters (11600 feet).
All meals are included
Elevation: 3,500 meters > 3,9o0 meters (11,482ft > 12,795ft)
Distance: 8km / 5 miles
Trekking time: 5 hours
Habitat: Moorland/Semi desert
Accommodation: Moir Camp
You’ll wake up at 5:30 am and enjoy a hot drink of your choice. At 6:15 am, you’ll pack your bags, have breakfast, and get ready to start hiking. Today’s trek to Moir Camp will take around 5-6 hours, with lunch waiting for you when you arrive.
In the afternoon, your guide will lead a short hike to help you get used to the altitude. This walk follows the “go high, sleep low” method, which helps your body adjust.
You’ll have dinner and spend the night at Moir Camp, which is 3995 meters (13200 feet) above sea level.
All meals are included
Elevation: 4,200 meters (13,780ft)
Distance: 11km / 7 miles
Trekking time: 7 -9hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Accommodation: Barranco Camp
At 5:30 am, you’ll start your day with a warm drink of your choice. By 6:15 am, you’ll pack your bags, eat breakfast, and begin the hike. The journey to Baranco Camp takes about 5 hours, and along the way, you’ll pass through Lava Tower Camp, which sits at 4600 meters (15000 feet). You’ll stop there for 1-2 hours to have lunch and help your body adjust to the altitude.
Afterward, you’ll continue walking to Baranco Camp, where you’ll have dinner and spend the night. Baranco Camp is located at 3900 meters (13000 feet).
All meals are included
Elevation: 3,960 meters > 3,963 meters (12,106ft >13,002ft)
Distance: 5.5km / 3.4 miles
Trekking time: 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Accommodation: Karanga Camp
Your day starts at 5:30 am with a hot drink to wake you up. At 6:15 am, you’ll pack your bags, have breakfast, and begin your hike. This part of the journey takes you from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp, and it’s all about helping your body adjust to the altitude. The highlight of the day is climbing the impressive Great Barranco Wall, a huge lava formation that makes the morning exciting. As you go up, take breaks and enjoy the amazing views around you.
Unlike some guides who rush the trek, you’ll end your day at Karanga Camp. Spending more time at high altitude helps improve your chances of reaching the summit. At Karanga Camp, you can relax and enjoy the peaceful Karanga Valley. You’ll have lunch, dinner, and spend the night there. The camp sits at an elevation of 3930 meters (13000 feet).
Elevation: 3,963 meters > 4,640 meters (13,002ft > 15,223ft)
Distance: 3 km / 1.9 miles
Trekking time: 3 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Accommodation: Barafu Camp
Your day starts early at 5:30 am with a hot drink to wake you up. By 6:15 am, you’ll pack your bags, have breakfast, and get ready for the day’s hike. You’ll walk for 3 to 4 hours to reach Barafu Camp, where you’ll have lunch.
In the afternoon, your guides will help you prepare for the summit climb by discussing what to wear and getting everything ready. After this, you’ll take some rest and have an early dinner around 5:00 pm. Rest is very important at this point because your climb to the summit will begin at midnight. The journey from Barafu Camp to the summit (Uhuru Peak) will take 6 to 7 hours. Barafu Camp is located at an elevation of 4600 meters (15000 feet).
All meals are included
Elevation: 4,640 meters > 5,895 meters > 3,790 meters (15,223ft >19,341ft >12,434ft)
Distance: 13.4km / 8.3 miles
Trekking time: 12-15 hours
Habitat: Arctic
Accommodation: Mweka Camp
Today is the big day—you’ll reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro after 6 to 7 hours of hiking, enjoying incredible views along the way. Once at the top, take some time to capture the moment with photos. Afterward, you’ll head back down to Barafu Camp, where your tent will be ready for you to change back into your regular hiking gear.
Pack your bags, have lunch, and continue descending to Mweka Camp. This will be the longest day of your trip, with about 12 to 13 hours of hiking, but the experience is truly worth it. You’ll enjoy dinner and spend the night at Mweka Camp, located at 3100 meters (10000 feet) above sea level.
All meals are included
Elevation: 3,790 meters > 1,630 meters (12,443ft >5,348ft)
Distance: 12.1km / 7.5 miles
Trekking time: 6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Accommodation: Hotel in Arusha
The last stretch of the journey takes you on a calm hike through the rainforest, ending at Mweka Gate. Here, you’ll wrap up park formalities and receive your certificates—a proud reminder of your achievement! Once that’s done, you’ll meet your transport and head back to your hotel in Moshi. There, you can enjoy a refreshing shower and maybe treat yourself to a cold drink before celebrating your accomplishment. You’ll spend the night at the hotel in Arusha.
Cost
The Cost Includes
- All transfers are as per the itinerary and government expenses.
- One night accommodation at the hotel in Arusha/Moshi.
- All Kilimanjaro Park fees.
- Trained guides in altitude physiology and wilderness first responder (WFR).
- Top-quality food for the duration of the climb, considering maximum nutritional needs. Three meals a day.
- Safety equipment, including an oxygen tank and portable altitude chamber (PAC) for the entire climb. Camping equipment, including top-quality mountain tents and standard bathroom facilities.
- Safety communication, such as satellite phones and cell phones.
- Flying Doctors evacuation within the area.
- Day room on the last day at the hotel in Arusha/Moshi.
- Mattresses and tents.
The Cost Excludes
- International flights (From/to your home country)
- Tips for your guide, cook and crew.
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government-imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Extra accommodation before and after tour
- Extra activities not mentioned on the itinerary
- Beverages, laundry, personal gear or clothing rental, etc.
- Any charges resulting from an early descent, such as additional hotels, transfers, etc. (This applies if a guest descends before finishing the climb.)