Kilimanjaro · Lemosho Route

9 Days Lemosho Route

Duration: 9 Days
Route: Lemosho Route
Highest point: 19,341 ft
Price: From $2,400

Tour Overview

The 9 Days Lemosho Route is one of the most complete, scenic and safest ways to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. This longer version of the Lemosho Route gives you a very good chance of reaching the summit, because you climb slowly and have lots of time to acclimatize.

You start on the quieter western slopes, cross the Shira Plateau, climb high to Lava Tower and drop down to rest at Barranco. Then you go up gradually via Karanga and Barafu before the summit at Uhuru Peak (5,895m). The ninth day means shorter walking days, so this route suits you if you want to lower your risk of altitude sickness and still enjoy the mountain’s many landscapes.

The trail passes through rainforest, moorland, alpine desert and the arctic zone around the summit. Along the way you’ll see the Barranco Wall, the Southern Icefields and wide views of Mount Meru.

Ideal for:

Climbers who want the most acclimatization and comfort
Anyone who wants a relaxed pace for a better summit chance
Nature lovers who like variety and quiet trails

6 Days Lemosho Route – Map — Route map · open full size

Itinerary

Ascent profile, in feet: Londorossi Gate 7,742 ft to Barafu Camp 19,341 ft. Select a point to read that day.

Pre day Arriving in Tanzania

All trekkers need to organize their own flight to Kilimanjaro international Airport [JRO]. From JRO you will be met by our staff and transferred to Moshi in the peaceful surrounds of our comfortable pre and post trek accommodation from where there are great views of the mountain. You can relax by the pool before your briefing with the Guides, who will provide the essential information for your trek to the roof of Africa.

The Hotel we are using is between these

Parkview Inn Hotel

Panama Garden Resort

Weruweru River Lodge
Day 1 Londorossi Gate to MtiMkubwa
We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at trailhead, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Elevation
7,742 ft to 9,498 ft
Distance
6 km
Habitat
Rain Forest
Meals
Lunch & Dinner
Overnight
MtiMkubwa Camp
Day 2 Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp
We continue on the trail leading out of the rain forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.
- Hiking Time 5-6 hours
Elevation
9,498 ft to 11,500 ft
Distance
8 km
Habitat
Health
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight
Shira 1 Camp
Day 3 Shira 1 Camp to Moir Hut
We explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. Then we divert from the main trail to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Elevation
11,500 ft to 13,800 ft
Distance
11 km
Habitat
Heath
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight
Moir Hut
Day 4 Moir Hut to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
We begin the day climbing up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.
- Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
Elevation
13,800 ft to 15,190 ft
Distance
10 km
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight
Barranco camp
Day 5 Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. For many climbers, this 6-hour walk to Stella point is mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak.

The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your live. The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well-earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear. The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be prepared.

Hiking time
8h to reach Uhuru Peak, 7 – 8h to descend to Mweka
Distance
Approximately 7 kms ascent – 23 kms descent
Habitat
Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Accommodation
Camping
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6 Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Elevation
13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Distance
4 km
Habitat
Alpine Desert
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight
Barafu Camp
Day 7 Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak - Uhuru Peak to Crater Camp
During normal morning hours, we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. We ascend for several hours at a slow but steady pace while taking frequent, but short, breaks. The trail turns into heavy scree as we make the steep climb to the crater rim. At Stella Point (18,900 ft), we see the summit sign in the distance. We continue the around the crater rim until finally we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

We then descend a short distance to Crater Camp, where the rest of the staff will join us to set up camp. There is an option to hike to Retch Crater and the ash pit, or simply explore the areas around Furtwangler Glacier. Sleeping at this high altitude can be dangerous. Serious AMS can develop if adequate altitude acclimatization has not been achieved so the guides will monitor you very closely.
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Uhuru Peak to Crater Camp
- Hiking Time: 0.5-1 hours
Elevation
15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance
5 km
Habitat
Arctic
Elevation
19,341 ft to 18,865 ft
Distance
1 km
Habitat
Artic
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight
Crater Camp
Day 8 Crater Camp to Mweka Camp
From Crater Camp, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
- Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Elevation
18,865 ft to 10,065 ft
Distance
12 km
Habitat
Artic
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight
Mweka Camp
Day 9 Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi. Drive back to your hotel in Moshi. Hotel
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Depart Tanzania

This day left for your next destination. If you have safari, then might be used to beginning your safari or fly to Zanzibar or fly back home. Our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your time.
Elevation
10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Distance
10 km
Habitat
Rain Forest
Meal
Breakfast
Overnight
at Hotel
Meals
Breakfast Included

Places on This Trip

Mountain Kilimanjaro National Park

Include

09 Days 08 Nights Lemosho Route
Private transport from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
Private transport to Kilimanjaro International Airport after trek to catch your flight back home
Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
National Park entry fees, camping fees, rescue fees
18% VAT on tour fees & services
4 Season Mountain tents with comfortable Sleeping Mattress
2 nights of your hotel stay before and after trek in Moshi.
Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters [average ratio of support staff to climber is 4:1 in a group]
3 hot meals daily while on the mountain
Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
Hot water for washing
Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
Government taxes
Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter
Emergency firstaid kit

Exclude

Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
Travel insurance
Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is available for extra charges $ 100 for the entire trek shared in a group.
Flights
Laundry (Available at hotel)
Personal items and toiletries
Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the
Mountain: http://www.kiliporters.org/tipping_recommendations.php
Guides: $20/day/guide
Cook: $15/day
Porter: $10/day/porter

Prices

Standard Package Price For 09 Days Lemosho Route + 2 Nights in Hotel Staying In Crater

People in Group	1-2	3-5	6-8	9+
Standard Package	$2,890	$2,790	$2,600	$2,400

Prices in US dollars.

Trekking Preparation

Testimonials

What Our Travelers Say About Our Tours

Highly Experienced and Wonderful Crew
The 7 days Lemosho route Kilimanjaro trek exceeded our expectations. The route is so beautiful and we enjoyed tackling the mountain with experienced guides - Bakari and Nickson. They were supportive from start to finish in all the aspects of the trek, starting with the technical strategy on the speed, rests and ensuring that we were healthy through regular checks.
SteveRead on TripAdvisor (Steve’s review)
Absolutely Beautiful Memories For My Family
Traveling with my 6 members of my family of ages between 8 and 73 is always a complex task with many moving parts. We had to arrange for Mama and Poppas dietary restrictions, accommodations, easy access for Mama and off-course places with a pool and kids activities for Lil Poppa and his teenage sister Anna.
Martina_EaghanRead on TripAdvisor (Martina_Eaghan’s review)
Awesome Trekking
My bothers and I shared one of the most incredible experiences in Tanzania as we trekked up Kilimanjaro. Our host Naick of Kilisa Tours & Safaris is the man behind our success.
TobiasRead on TripAdvisor (Tobias’s review)
Fun & Adventure On Our Christmas Vacation
Our safari to Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti with Kilisa Tours and Safaris for exceeded all our expectations in every way. We were impressed by the high standards set right from our pickup at the airport, during the trip to the good byes. Nothing was left to chance as every detail had been well planned for.
MauriceRead on TripAdvisor (Maurice’s review)
The Best Experience Absolutely
We could not have asked for a better experience on Kilimanjaro. Everything about this trip with this local operator was top notch. Starting with the booking with Naick who made it smooth and easy with his timely responses and advice. Payment was easy and they took care of all the logistics that all we had to do was present ourselves at the KIA.
LokiRead on TripAdvisor (Loki’s review)
Hike Mt Kilimanjaro
We have visited Tanzania before, but this was our first time trekking Kilimanjaro. We are truly thrilled with our decision to choose Kilisa Tours & Safaris for our adventure, as they provided exceptional support throughout the trek.
Tephia SRead on TripAdvisor (Tephia S’s review)