Local team · Soweto Corner Street, Moshi
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Most scenic

Lemosho Route 7 Days

Rainforest, the Shira Plateau and the southern circuit, with an extra night at Karanga — a superb all-round climb.

Climbers' tents at a camp on Kilimanjaro under a blue sky A climber on the trail with Kibo peak behind Snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro rising above the clouds A tent at high camp with snow on the peak above A glacier on the summit of Kilimanjaro
Overview

Why you will love it

Lemosho is widely seen as the best route on Kilimanjaro, favoured for its beauty, its remote start and its summit 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.

The seven-day climb adds a night at Karanga Camp, which gives you a shorter day before base camp and more time to acclimatise. It is a superb choice for most climbers.

  • Strong summit chances thanks to good acclimatisation
  • Rainforest, Shira Plateau and the southern circuit
  • Far fewer people than the older routes
  • Views of the mountain from several sides
  • Group departures every month

Route: Moshi – Lemosho Gate – Big Tree Camp – Shira 2 – Lava Tower – Barranco – Karanga – Barafu – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Gate

When to go

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec
  • Best
  • Good
  • Rainy & quiet
Day by day

Your trip, day by day

Download PDF itinerary
Altitude day by day
2,000 m3,000 m4,000 m5,000 m6,000 mDay 2Day 3Day 4Day 5Day 6Day 75,895 mDay 8
  1. 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.

    • Maridadi Hotel, Moshi
  2. 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).

    • 2,780 m
    • Walking: About 4 hours · 7 km
    • Big Tree Camp
    • B, L, D
  3. 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.

    • 3,900 m
    • Walking: 9–11 hours · 16.5 km
    • Shira 2 Camp
    • B, L, D
  4. 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.

    • 3,960 m
    • Walking: About 7 hours · 10 km
    • Barranco Camp
    • B, L, D
  5. Day 5Barranco Wall to Karanga Camp

    A scramble up the Great Barranco Wall, then over ridges and valleys beneath the glaciers to Karanga Camp. In the afternoon there is an optional acclimatisation walk to about 4,200 m.

    • 3,963 m
    • Walking: About 5 hours · 5.5 km
    • Karanga Camp
    • B, L, D
  6. Day 6Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

    A short, steep climb over scree to Barafu base camp. Rest, an early dinner and an early night — you set off for the summit around midnight.

    • 4,640 m
    • Walking: 3–5 hours · 3–5.5 km
    • Barafu Camp
    • B, L, D
  7. Day 7Summit 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.

    • 5,895 m
    • Walking: 12–15 hours · 13.4 km
    • Millennium Camp
    • B, L, D
  8. Day 8Millennium 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.

    • 1,630 m
    • Walking: About 6 hours · 12.1 km
    • Maridadi Hotel, Moshi
    • B, L
  9. Day 9Departure

    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.

    • B

Meals: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner.

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Prices

One clear price — the same for every traveller

Per person in US dollars. Everything under "Included" is in the price.

Any group sizeUS$2,350per person

Children pay from 60% of the adult price — ask us for their exact price.

Group climb price on the fixed dates below: US$2,100 per person, whatever the size of the group.

Group dates

Join a group climb

All group dates
17Dec17–25 Dec 2026Full moon summit
Guaranteed departureSeats available
16Jan16–24 Jan 2027Full moon summit
Guaranteed departureSeats available
14Feb14–22 Feb 2027Full moon summit
Guaranteed departureSeats available
16Mar16–24 Mar 2027Full moon summit
Guaranteed departureSeats available
15Apr15–23 Apr 2027Full moon summit
Guaranteed departureSeats available
14May14–22 May 2027Full moon summit
Guaranteed departureSeats available
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 checklist

Tips for a successful climb

  1. Go slowly — pole pole
  2. Drink enough water
  3. Walk high, sleep low
  4. Use trekking poles
All tips
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What travellers say on Tripadvisor

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“An Amazing Trip with all of the Big 5”

MMercedes M
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“An unforgettable safari experience”

MMichael T
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“The safari of a lifetime!”

CConnector27801477223
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“Amazing experience with great guide”

JJuuli S
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“Wonderful Tanzania”

Llinda
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“Simply amazing”

JJasper B
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“Experiencia única e inolvidable”

DDiego Eduardo D
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“Meraviglioso safari”

DDebora D
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“Amazing- Unique Safari Experience!”

KK8973XOsara
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“6-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari & Materuni Waterfalls / Coffee tour”

BBrian C
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FromUS$2,350
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