Start on the quiet western side, cross the Shira Plateau and gain an extra day to acclimatise. Choose 7 or 8 days with local guides from Moshi.
Get a free quoteSee itinerariesThe Lemosho Route begins on the west side of Kilimanjaro and is normally an eight day trip, though a seven day version also runs. It is a relatively new route, created to draw climbers away from the busier Machame and Marangu paths. It joins the Machame Route on the Shira Plateau, so the crowds thin out on the first days and pick up later.
The climb is popular because the first ascent through the forest is gentle and the 8 day plan adds an extra vital day of acclimatisation. That, plus the slightly easier gradient, makes it one of the better options for adjusting to altitude.
The first two days pass through the Lemosho Glades, the rainforest belt that circles the mountain between roughly 2,400 and 3,500 m. Look out for colobus monkeys and plenty of birds in the giant camphor trees. The forest then thins out and the path rises onto the vast Shira Plateau. From there the route skirts the southern flank, with camps at Barranco and Karanga at similar altitudes that help acclimatisation. The final camp is Barafu (“ice” in Swahili), the springboard for the long night push to the summit.
| Stage (8 day plan) | Altitude | Distance | Walking time | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemosho trailhead to Big Tree Camp | 2,100 to 2,780 m | ~6 km | 3–4 hrs | Rainforest |
| Big Tree to Shira 1 Camp | 2,780 to 3,505 m | ~8 km | 5–6 hrs | Forest to moorland |
| Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp | 3,505 to 3,840 m | ~7 km | 3–4 hrs | Shira Plateau |
| Shira 2 via Lava Tower to Barranco Camp | 3,840 to 4,630 to 3,950 m | ~10 km | 6–8 hrs | Semi-desert |
| Barranco to Karanga Camp | 3,950 to 3,995 m | ~5 km | 4–5 hrs | Barranco Wall, alpine |
| Karanga to Barafu Camp | 3,995 to 4,673 m | ~4 km | 3–4 hrs | Alpine desert |
| Barafu to Uhuru Peak, down to Mweka Camp | 4,673 to 5,895 to 3,100 m | ~5 km up, ~12 km down | 10–15 hrs | Arctic summit |
| Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate | 3,100 to 1,640 m | ~10 km | 3–4 hrs | Rainforest |
Distances and times are approximate and vary with pace and conditions. The 7 day plan combines the two Shira nights into one. Registration at Londorossi Gate and the drive to the trailhead add a few hours on day one.
A shorter version for fit trekkers, with one fewer night on the plateau.
Day 1: Londorossi Gate, drive to trailhead, walk to Big Tree Camp.
Day 2: Big Tree to Shira Camp.
Day 3: Shira via Lava Tower to Barranco Camp.
Day 4: Barranco to Karanga Camp.
Day 5: Karanga to Barafu Camp.
Day 6: Summit night to Uhuru Peak, descend to Mweka Camp.
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate.
Our recommended option. An extra day on the Shira Plateau for slower, safer acclimatisation.
Day 1: Londorossi Gate, drive to trailhead, walk to Big Tree Camp.
Day 2: Big Tree to Shira 1 Camp.
Day 3: Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp.
Day 4: Shira 2 via Lava Tower to Barranco Camp.
Day 5: Barranco to Karanga Camp.
Day 6: Karanga to Barafu Camp.
Day 7: Summit night to Uhuru Peak, descend to Mweka Camp.
Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate.
Confirm the exact inclusions for your booking when you request a quote.
The driest and clearest months are January to March and June to October. The long rains fall from about March to May and short rains in November. The western forest can be wet and muddy in the rains, so waterproofs and good boots matter. Dry-season dates fill up early, so book ahead.
Expect misty Lemosho Glades with colobus monkeys, wide views across the Shira Plateau, the acclimatisation walk up to Lava Tower at 4,630 m and the Barranco Wall scramble. A park ranger usually accompanies groups on the first day through the forest.
You leave Barafu around midnight and climb slowly through scree to Stella Point on the crater rim, then continue to Uhuru Peak for sunrise. The push takes about eight hours and it is very cold. Walk “pole pole” (slowly), drink plenty and tell your guide about any headache or nausea. The 8 day plan gives the best acclimatisation profile.
Layered clothing, a warm summit jacket, waterproof shell, broken-in boots, gloves, hat, headlamp, trekking poles, a sleeping bag rated to about –10°C and a 2 to 3 litre water system. Tents and mats are provided, but bring your own sleeping bag.
It starts on the quiet western side with an easier forest ascent and, on the 8 day plan, an extra acclimatisation day. It is scenic and well paced, which improves your summit chances.
We recommend 8 days. The extra night on the Shira Plateau gives your body more time to adjust to altitude.
Lemosho is longer and quieter at the start, and adds a day of acclimatisation. It joins the Machame Route at the Shira Plateau, so both share the same trail from there. See our Machame Route page to compare.
The forest days are gentle, but the route includes Lava Tower, the Barranco Wall and a midnight summit start. No technical climbing is needed, but good fitness is important.
January to March and June to October are driest. Book early for these seasons.
You register at Londorossi Gate, start walking from the Lemosho trailhead on the western side, and finish at Mweka Gate.
Tell us your dates and group size and we’ll send an itinerary and quote.
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