A high view over the moorland, the trail threading through it

Recommended

8 Days Lemosho Route

The signature western approach

8 days
Duration: 5,895 m
Highest point: Challenging
Difficulty: Lemosho
Route: Mountain camping
Accommodation: Jan–Mar / Jun–Oct
Best time: Londorossi Gate → Mweka Gate
Start / finish

Overview

A beautifully paced western approach that crosses rainforest, heath, moorland and the high-alpine desert before joining the Southern Circuit. Lemosho is our signature recommendation for climbers who want scenery, acclimatization time and a complete Kilimanjaro experience.

Why choose this climb

1 Two nights on the Shira Plateau between roughly 3,500 and 3,900 m, which is where most of the adaptation happens.
2 A full climb-high-sleep-low day past Lava Tower at around 4,600 m, descending to sleep at Barranco at 3,960 m.
3 The western trailhead is materially quieter than Machame Gate for the first two days.
4 A shorter final push to Barafu than the seven-day version, so you reach summit night less tired.

This trip is best for

First-time high-altitude trekkers, photographers, private groups and climbers prioritizing acclimatization and scenery.

Consider another route if

You strongly prefer sleeping in huts rather than tents — look at Marangu.
You have fewer than eight days available on the mountain — look at the 7-day Lemosho or 7-day Machame.
You want the most conservative profile there is and have nine days — look at the Northern Circuit.

Highlights

Two nights on the Shira Plateau, the single most useful acclimatisation feature on the mountain.
The Barranco Wall — a hands-on scramble, not a technical climb, and the best morning of the trek.
Lava Tower at roughly 4,600 m, then down to sleep 670 m lower the same day.
Sunrise on Uhuru Peak with the Rebmann and Furtwängler glaciers below you.
A descent through the southern rainforest that most climbers barely remember and always enjoy.

The altitude profile

Circles mark where you sleep. Those are the altitudes that decide how you feel, not the high points you walk over during the day.

8 Days Lemosho Route elevation profile Route Sleeping altitude

8 Days Lemosho Route elevation profile
Day	Location	Altitude (m)	Distance (km)	Overnight
1	Londorossi Gate	2,100	0	No
1	Mti Mkubwa Camp	2,650	6	Yes
2	Shira 1 Camp	3,610	14	Yes
3	Shira 2 Camp	3,850	21	Yes
4	Barranco Camp	3,900	31	Yes
5	Karanga Camp	3,995	36	Yes
6	Barafu Camp	4,673	40	Yes
7	Uhuru Peak	5,895	48.5	No
7	Mweka Camp	3,100	57	Yes
8	Mweka Gate	1,640	67	No

Day by day

Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

2,100 m → 2,650 m
6 km
3–4 hrs
Rainforest

↑ 550 m gained

A gentle opening trek through lush montane forest. The objective is restraint: settle into a sustainable pace, hydrate consistently and allow the body to begin adapting.

From: Londorossi Gate
To: Mti Mkubwa Camp
Sleeping altitude: 2,650 m (8,694 ft)
Highest point: 2,650 m

Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp

2,650 m → 3,610 m
8 km
5–6 hrs
Rainforest to heath

↑ 960 m gained

The forest thins and views open across the Shira Plateau. The substantial altitude gain makes deliberate pacing and hydration important.

From: Mti Mkubwa
To: Shira 1 Camp
Sleeping altitude: 3,610 m (11,844 ft)
Highest point: 3,610 m

Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp

3,610 m → 3,850 m
7 km
3–4 hrs
Moorland

↑ 240 m gained

A shorter day across the plateau creates valuable recovery time. An optional acclimatization walk may be added in the afternoon.

From: Shira 1
To: Shira 2 Camp
Sleeping altitude: 3,850 m (12,631 ft)
Highest point: 3,850 m

Shira 2 via Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

3,850 m → 3,900 m
10 km
6–8 hrs
Alpine desert

↑ 50 m gained

Climb high toward Lava Tower at about 4,600 m before descending to Barranco. This classic climb-high, sleep-low day is one of the itinerary’s most important acclimatization stages.

From: Shira 2 via Lava Tower
To: Barranco Camp
Sleeping altitude: 3,900 m (12,795 ft)
Highest point: 3,900 m

Barranco to Karanga Camp

3,900 m → 3,995 m
5 km
4–5 hrs
Alpine desert

↑ 95 m gained

Begin with the Barranco Wall, a steep but non-technical scramble where guides manage spacing and hand placement. Continue through undulating terrain to Karanga.

From: Barranco
To: Karanga Camp
Sleeping altitude: 3,995 m (13,107 ft)
Highest point: 3,995 m

Karanga to Barafu Camp

3,995 m → 4,673 m
4 km
3–4 hrs
High alpine desert

↑ 678 m gained

A measured ascent to high camp. After an early dinner, the team completes summit preparation, layering checks, hydration and a detailed summit briefing.

From: Karanga
To: Barafu Camp
Sleeping altitude: 4,673 m (15,331 ft)
Highest point: 4,673 m

Barafu to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

4,673 m → 3,100 m
17 km
12–16 hrs
Arctic summit to rainforest

↑ 1,222 m gained ↓ 2,795 m descended Sleeps 3,100 m

Depart around midnight for Stella Point and Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Descend to Barafu for a short recovery, then continue to Mweka Camp. This is the expedition’s longest and most demanding day.

From: Barafu
To: Mweka Camp
Sleeping altitude: 3,100 m (10,171 ft)
Highest point: 5,895 m

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

3,100 m → 1,640 m
10 km
3–4 hrs
Rainforest

A final descent through the forest to Mweka Gate for park formalities and summit certificates, followed by transfer to your Moshi hotel.

From: Mweka Camp
To: Mweka Gate
Sleeping altitude: 1,640 m (5,381 ft)
Highest point: 1,640 m

Route map

Where this itinerary goes, night by night. Every camp and altitude on the map is the one in the day-by-day above.

Ascent Descent Overnight camp Schematic map, not to scale: positions are approximate and not for navigation. Altitudes are from our itineraries. Terrain: SRTM (NASA), via Terrain Tiles on AWS.

What is and is not included

What is included

Transfers

Airport pick-up and drop-off - Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to/from your hotel
Private transfers to/from the mountain gate - Hotel to Kilimanjaro trailhead and exit gate to hotel

Meals & water

Pre & post-climb accommodation - 2 nights in Moshi (1 night before and 1 night after the climb) on Bed & Breakfast basis
Three freshly prepared meals per day on the mountain - breakfast, lunch and dinner
Nutritious snacks during the trek
Clean, purified drinking water throughout the climb
Hot water for washing each morning and evening where practical

Permits & park fees

Kilimanjaro National Park entrance fees
Camping fees / Hut fees - depending on the selected route
All applicable government taxes & VAT
Kilimanjaro summit certificate for successful climbers

Safety equipment

Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees
Emergency supplemental oxygen
Pulse oximeter for monitoring blood oxygen saturation and pulse during the climb
First-aid kit and mountain emergency equipment
Daily health monitoring by the mountain guide
24/7 emergency communication support between the mountain team and operations office

Guides & crew

Professional, licensed English-speaking Kilimanjaro mountain guide
Assistant mountain guides - according to group size
Professional mountain chef/cook
Porters - to carry group equipment, food and clients permitted duffel luggage
All mountain crew wages and salaries
Cooking tent and complete camp equipment
Private portable flush/chemical toilet with dedicated toilet tent and porter - throughout the trek on camping routes

Camping equipment

Quality four-season mountain tents - on camping routes
Comfortable sleeping mattresses
Dining/mess tent with tables and chairs

Also included

Pre-climb briefing and equipment check
All logistical and operational support throughout the expedition

What is not included

International and domestic flights
Tanzania entry visa
Travel and medical insurance - clients should have appropriate coverage for high-altitude trekking up to at least 6,000 metres
Helicopter/air evacuation or specialist medical evacuation unless specifically included by the client insurance policy
Personal trekking equipment and clothing, including hiking boots, sleeping bag, down jacket, trekking poles, daypack and other personal gear
Equipment rental, unless specifically included in the quotation
Tips/gratuities for mountain guides, assistant guides, cook and porters
Lunch and dinner at the hotel before or after the climb unless specified
Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and bottled drinks outside those specifically included
Personal snacks and energy bars brought by the client
Laundry services
Telephone calls, SIM cards, internet/data charges and other communication expenses
Additional hotel nights or transfers caused by flight changes, early arrival or late departure
Single-room or single-tent supplement, where applicable
Extra porter required for luggage exceeding the permitted mountain weight
Personal expenses such as souvenirs and shopping
Any activities, accommodation, meals, transfers or services not specifically stated in the itinerary
Costs arising from itinerary changes requested by the client or circumstances outside the company control

Dates and prices

Private climb prices by party size
Party size	Per person
1 climber Private Solo Expedition — Maximum privacy.	US$3,559

Scheduled group prices by party size
Party size	Per person
2–4 climbers Small Group Rate — Shared value.	US$3,279
5–7 climbers Group Discount Rate — Preferred group rate.	US$2,999
8–10 climbers Best Group Rate — Best value per climber.	US$2,799

Single supplement US$260 for a private hotel room before and after the climb. On the mountain, solo climbers have their own tent as standard.

International Mountain Day

Summit 11 December 2026

Start 5 Dec 2026 · gate 12 Dec 2026

Available US$2,999 Join this climb
Full Moon

Summit 24 December 2026

Start 18 Dec 2026 · gate 25 Dec 2026

Available US$2,999 Join this climb
Christmas Day

Summit 25 December 2026

Start 19 Dec 2026 · gate 26 Dec 2026

Available US$2,999 Join this climb

New Year’s Day

Summit 1 January 2027

Start 26 Dec 2026 · gate 2 Jan 2027

Available US$2,999 Join this climb
Full Moon

Summit 22 January 2027

Start 16 Jan 2027 · gate 23 Jan 2027

Available US$2,999 Join this climb

Full Moon

Summit 21 February 2027

Start 15 Feb 2027 · gate 22 Feb 2027

Available US$2,999 Join this climb

International Women’s Day

Summit 8 March 2027

Start 2 Mar 2027 · gate 9 Mar 2027

Available US$2,999 Join this climb
Full Moon

Summit 22 March 2027

Start 16 Mar 2027 · gate 23 Mar 2027

Available US$2,999 Join this climb

World Environment Day

Summit 5 June 2027

Start 30 May 2027 · gate 6 Jun 2027

Available US$2,999 Join this climb
Full Moon

Summit 19 June 2027

Start 13 Jun 2027 · gate 20 Jun 2027

Available US$2,999 Join this climb

Full Moon

Summit 18 July 2027

Start 12 Jul 2027 · gate 19 Jul 2027

Available US$2,999 Join this climb

Full Moon

Summit 17 August 2027

Start 11 Aug 2027 · gate 18 Aug 2027

Available US$2,999 Join this climb

Full Moon

Summit 16 September 2027

Start 10 Sep 2027 · gate 17 Sep 2027

Available US$2,999 Join this climb
World Tourism Day

Summit 27 September 2027

Start 21 Sep 2027 · gate 28 Sep 2027

Available US$2,999 Join this climb

Full Moon

Summit 15 October 2027

Start 9 Oct 2027 · gate 16 Oct 2027

Available US$2,999 Join this climb

International Mountain Day

Summit 11 December 2027

Start 5 Dec 2027 · gate 12 Dec 2027

Available US$2,999 Join this climb
Full Moon

Summit 13 December 2027

Start 7 Dec 2027 · gate 14 Dec 2027

Available US$2,999 Join this climb
Christmas Day

Summit 25 December 2027

Start 19 Dec 2027 · gate 26 Dec 2027

Available US$2,999 Join this climb

New Year’s Day

Summit 1 January 2028

Start 26 Dec 2027 · gate 2 Jan 2028

Available US$2,999 Join this climb
Full Moon

Summit 12 January 2028

Start 6 Jan 2028 · gate 13 Jan 2028

Available US$2,999 Join this climb

Full Moon

Summit 10 February 2028

Start 4 Feb 2028 · gate 11 Feb 2028

Available US$2,999 Join this climb

International Women’s Day

Summit 8 March 2028

Start 2 Mar 2028 · gate 9 Mar 2028

Available US$2,999 Join this climb
Full Moon

Summit 11 March 2028

Start 5 Mar 2028 · gate 12 Mar 2028

Available US$2,999 Join this climb

World Environment Day

Summit 5 June 2028

Start 30 May 2028 · gate 6 Jun 2028

Available US$2,999 Join this climb
Full Moon

Summit 7 June 2028

Start 1 Jun 2028 · gate 8 Jun 2028

Available US$2,999 Join this climb

Full Moon

Summit 6 July 2028

Start 30 Jun 2028 · gate 7 Jul 2028

Available US$2,999 Join this climb

Full Moon

Summit 5 August 2028

Start 30 Jul 2028 · gate 6 Aug 2028

Available US$2,999 Join this climb

Full Moon

Summit 4 September 2028

Start 29 Aug 2028 · gate 5 Sep 2028

Available US$2,999 Join this climb
World Tourism Day

Summit 27 September 2028

Start 21 Sep 2028 · gate 28 Sep 2028

Available US$2,999 Join this climb

Full Moon

Summit 3 October 2028

Start 27 Sep 2028 · gate 4 Oct 2028

Available US$2,999 Join this climb

Full Moon

Summit 2 December 2028

Start 26 Nov 2028 · gate 3 Dec 2028

Available US$2,999 Join this climb
International Mountain Day

Summit 11 December 2028

Start 5 Dec 2028 · gate 12 Dec 2028

Available US$2,999 Join this climb
Christmas Day

Summit 25 December 2028

Start 19 Dec 2028 · gate 26 Dec 2028

Available US$2,999 Join this climb

These are the scheduled dates for this itinerary. See every group departure across all our routes, or ask about your own dates.

What to bring

You will walk through five climate zones in a week, from humid rainforest to sub-zero arctic. Layering is the whole strategy — no single garment solves it.

The full packing list What you can rent locally

Questions about this climb

The route

Why eight days rather than seven?

The eighth day adds a second night on the Shira Plateau at around 3,500–3,900 m. That is where most of the useful acclimatisation happens, and it also means you reach Barafu with less accumulated fatigue before summit night. If you have the time, we would almost always suggest taking it.

How busy is the Lemosho route?

The first two or three days on the western side are among the quietest on the mountain. From Barranco onward Lemosho shares the trail with Machame, so the last few camps are considerably busier. If solitude is your priority throughout, the Northern Circuit or Rongai are better choices.

What is the Barranco Wall actually like?

It is a scramble, not a climb. You will use your hands in several places over about an hour and a half. No ropes, harnesses or technical skills are needed, and porters carry loads up it every day. Most people find it the most enjoyable morning of the trek.

Fitness & experience

How fit do I need to be?

Kilimanjaro is a long walk, not a technical climb, but it is a long walk at altitude on consecutive days. If you can walk for six to seven hours over hilly ground on back-to-back days without it ruining you, you have the base you need. Consistent hill walking with a loaded pack in the months beforehand is the single most useful preparation.

Can I climb Kilimanjaro if I have never been at altitude?

Yes, and most people who summit have not. Previous altitude experience is useful mainly because it tells you how your own body responds, which nobody can predict for you. That is a large part of why we recommend the longer itineraries for a first climb.

Altitude

What altitude will I sleep at?

The highest sleeping altitude on this itinerary is Barafu Camp at 4,673 m, on the night before the summit. The plateau nights at Shira 1 and Shira 2 are 3,505 m and 3,900 m.

Will I get altitude sickness?

Mild symptoms — headache, poor sleep, reduced appetite, breathlessness on exertion — are common above 3,000 m and are not in themselves a reason to stop. What matters is recognising the difference between mild symptoms and something more serious, which is why your guides take readings and ask you the same questions every morning and evening. This is informational rather than medical advice; please speak to a doctor with altitude experience before you travel.

Weather

How cold does it get?

Daytime temperatures in the forest can be in the mid-twenties Celsius. Summit night at 5,895 m is routinely between −10°C and −20°C before windchill. You will experience close to a fifty-degree range across a single week, which is why the layering system on the packing list matters more than any single item.

Summit day

What time do we start summit night?

Typically around midnight from Barafu, reaching the crater rim at Stella Point close to sunrise and Uhuru Peak shortly after. The exact time depends on the group and the conditions, and your lead guide will confirm it at the briefing the previous afternoon.

What happens if I cannot continue?

You descend, with a guide, and the rest of the group continues. Every itinerary is staffed so that this is possible without the whole group turning back. Turnaround decisions sit with your lead guide, and they are not negotiable — that is exactly what you are paying an experienced guide for.

Booking & payment

When should I book?

Peak months — January to March and June to October — fill up several months ahead, particularly for scheduled group departures. If your dates are fixed, earlier is better. Private climbs have more flexibility.

Travel logistics

Which airport do I fly into?

Kilimanjaro International Airport, code JRO, which sits between Moshi and Arusha. Airport transfers are included in this package.

From

US$2,799 Per person. The rate falls as the group grows — see the table below.

Next departure 5 Dec 2026

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