Huts, not tents
Marangu Route 5 Days
The classic "Coca-Cola" route and the only one with sleeping huts — the shortest, lowest-priced way to Uhuru Peak.
Lemosho Route 6 Days
The beautiful western route in its shortest form — for strong, fit hikers with little time.
- Length6 days
- LevelModerate
- Group sizeUp to 12 people
- How it runsPrivate · any day
- FromUS$2,000per person, 2 sharing
Overview
Why you will love it
Lemosho is widely seen as the most beautiful route on Kilimanjaro, chosen by good operators for its scenery, its quiet first days and its high success rate. The route starts in the remote western rainforest, crosses the whole Shira Plateau and circles the southern side of the mountain. You approach the summit from the east and come down by the Mweka trail.
This six-day version is the shortest way to walk Lemosho. It suits strong hikers who are short of time or already used to altitude. If this is your first high mountain, we suggest seven or eight days.
- Quiet western rainforest with few other climbers
- The full width of the Shira Plateau
- Lava Tower and the Barranco Wall
- The scenery of Lemosho in six days
Route: Moshi – Lemosho Gate – Big Tree Camp – Shira 2 – Lava Tower – Barranco – Barafu – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Gate
When to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Best
- Good
- Rainy & quiet
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Day 1Arrival in Moshi
We meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport (or pick you up anywhere in Moshi or Arusha) and drive you to Maridadi Hotel. In the evening your lead guide comes to brief you on the route, check your gear and answer every question.
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Day 2Lemosho Gate to Big Tree Camp
Gear check after breakfast, then a drive around the mountain to the western Lemosho Gate (Lemosho Glades, 2,385 m). A gentle first walk through quiet, mossy rainforest brings you to Big Tree Camp (Mti Mkubwa).
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Day 3Big Tree Camp to Shira 2 Camp
A long, beautiful day. You leave the forest, pass Shira 1 Camp and cross the moorland of the Shira Plateau, with Kibo and the Northern Ice Fields ahead of you.
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Day 4Shira 2 to Lava Tower and down to Barranco
You climb to lunch beside the Lava Tower (4,640 m), then walk steeply down into the Barranco Valley to sleep lower. This "climb high, sleep low" day is key to a good summit.
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Day 5Barranco Wall to Barafu Camp
Scramble up the Great Barranco Wall, cross the Karanga Valley for lunch and climb on to Barafu base camp. Early dinner and rest before summit night.
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Day 6Summit night: Uhuru Peak and down to Millennium Camp
You start around midnight and climb the scree slowly to Stella Point (5,739 m) as the sun comes up, then on to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). After your photos you walk down to Barafu for breakfast and on to Millennium Camp.
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Day 7Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate
Down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate (1,630 m) for the park formalities and your summit certificate, then a drive back to Maridadi Hotel for a hot shower.
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Day 8Departure
Breakfast, then a private transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home. Not ready to leave? Add a safari or a few days on Zanzibar — we arrange it all.
Meals: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner.
Want to change something?
Customise this trip Add days, a safari or Zanzibar in our itinerary builder and see the new price straight away.
Prices
One clear price — the same for every traveller
Per person in US dollars. Everything under "Included" is in the price.
Any group sizeUS$2,000per person
Children pay from 65% of the adult price — ask us for their exact price.
Included
What is in the price
Included
- Two nights at Maridadi Hotel in Moshi, bed and breakfast — one night before and one night after the climb
- Airport pick-up and drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Transport to the mountain gate and back to Moshi
- All park, camping and rescue fees, plus 18% VAT
- Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
- Three freshly cooked meals a day on the mountain
- Filtered drinking water throughout the climb
- Double-layer sleeping mats
- Portable toilet and a private toilet tent
- Hot water for washing every morning and evening
- Emergency oxygen and a medical kit carried by your guides
- Fair wages for the whole crew, as approved by KINAPA and KIATO
Not included
- International flights
- Tips for the crew, driver and hotel staff
- Travel insurance (it must cover trekking to 6,000 m)
- Tanzania visa
- Bank transfer and card fees
- Personal costs — drinks, laundry and shopping
Before you go
Ready for this trip
Kilimanjaro packing list
- Duffel bag, 80–90 litres — Waterproof. Porters carry it for you.
- Your daypack — Water, sunglasses, camera, rain jacket and trousers.
- Sleeping bag — Four-season, about −20 °C, with a compression sack.
- 3 litres of water — Bottles or a bladder. Disposable plastic bottles are not allowed.
Sleeping bags and other gear can be rented from us in Moshi.
The full checklistTips for a successful climb
- Go slowly — pole pole
- Drink enough water
- Walk high, sleep low
- Use trekking poles
Tripadvisor
What travellers say on Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor
“An Amazing Trip with all of the Big 5”
Tripadvisor
“An unforgettable safari experience”
Tripadvisor
“The safari of a lifetime!”
Tripadvisor
“Amazing experience with great guide”
Tripadvisor
“Wonderful Tanzania”
Tripadvisor
“Simply amazing”
Tripadvisor
“Experiencia única e inolvidable”
Tripadvisor
“Meraviglioso safari”
Tripadvisor
“Amazing- Unique Safari Experience!”
Tripadvisor
“6-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari & Materuni Waterfalls / Coffee tour”
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