8 Days Lemosho Route

Who Is This Route For?

Anyone serious about reaching Uhuru Peak. Climbers who have had altitude problems before. Travelers with 8 days available who want the best possible summit probability.

What to Expect

The 8-day Lemosho is the gold standard Kilimanjaro itinerary — extra days on the Shira Plateau before the summit push give the most gradual altitude gain available on any standard route.

Best Time to Climb

Year-round, best January–March and June–October. The extended schedule provides a larger buffer if weather closes the summit window on the primary attempt night.

Starting Point

Londorossi Gate (2,250m), western slope. Same route as 7-day Lemosho with an extra acclimatization day on the Shira Plateau before committing to the summit zone.

Why Choose This Route?

The 8-day Lemosho consistently achieves the highest summit success rate of any Kilimanjaro itinerary — guides report 75–85% summit rates versus 65–75% on the 7-day. The extra Shira day is the difference.

Day-by-Day Summary

Day 1: Londorossi → Forest Camp (2,800m). Day 2: Shira 1 (3,500m). Day 3: Shira 2 (3,840m). Day 4: Acclimatization on Shira Plateau. Day 5: Lava Tower → Barranco (3,900m). Day 6: Barranco → Karanga (4,035m). Day 7: Barafu (4,640m). Day 8: Summit → Mweka.

This is the route we recommend to anyone who asks 'what gives me the best chance of reaching the summit.'

Lemosho Route Overview

starts from$2151Per Person

Day-by-Day Itinerary: 8 Days Lemosho Route

Kilimanjaro climbing photo from 8 Days Lemosho Route

Day 1 - Lemosho Gate - Mti Mkubwa Camp


You will depart from Moshi. A 45-minute drive will take you through welcoming mountainside villages to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead. You will enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.

Distance covered
- 4.8km / 3mi
Approx. time taken
- 3-4 Hours
Elevation
- 2389m/7838ft to 2785m/9137ft
Altitude gained
- 396m.
Accommodation
- Budget camping
Meal & Drinks
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Kilimanjaro climbing photo from 8 Days Lemosho Route

Day 2 - Mti Mkubwa Camp - Shira Camp 1


After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, you will emerge from the rainforest and continue on an ascending path. You will leave the forest behind. The trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. Temperatures begin to drop.

Distance covered
- 7.9km/5mi
Approx. time taken
- 4-6 Hours
Elevation
- 2785m/9137ft to 3504m/11,496ft
Altitude gained
- 719m.
Accommodation
- Budget camping
Meal & Drinks
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Kilimanjaro climbing photo from 8 Days Lemosho Route

Day 3 - Shira 1 Camp - Shira 2 Camp


You will explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo glaciated peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 Camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then you will continue 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 is one of the highest plateaus on Earth.

Distance covered
- 6.9km/4.3mi
Approx. time taken
- 5-7hrs
Elevation
- 3504m/11,496ft to 3895m/12,779ft
Altitude gained
- 391m.
Accommodation
- Budget camping
Meal & Drinks
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Kilimanjaro climbing photo from 8 Days Lemosho Route

Day 4 - Shira 2 Camp - Lava Tower - Barranco Camp


Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization. From the Shira Plateau, you will continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo peak. You will then continue southeast towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, you will come to a second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier. You will then continue to descend overnight at Barranco Camp.

Distance covered
- 10.1km/6.3mi
Approx. time taken
- 4-6hrs
Elevation
- 3895m/12,779ft to 3986m/13,077ft
Altitude gained
- 91m.
Accommodation
- Budget camping
Meal & Drinks
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Kilimanjaro climbing photo from 8 Days Lemosho Route

Day 5 - Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp


After breakfast, you will continue on a steep ridge up the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction, which connects, with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see the power, agility, and strength of your crew zip over this wall with what appears such ease. You will stay overnight at Karanga Camp.

Distance covered
- 5.2km/3mi
Approx. time taken
- 4-5hrs
Elevation
- 3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft
Altitude gained
- 48m.
Accommodation
- Budget camping
Meal & Drinks
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Kilimanjaro climbing photo from 8 Days Lemosho Route

Day 6 - Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp


You will continue up toward Barafu Camp and once reached, you have now completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of dramatic views of the summit from many different angles. You will have an early dinner and rest as you prepare for the summit night. Your overnight stay will be at Barafu Camp.

Distance covered
- 3.3km /2 mi
Approx. time taken
- 3-4 Hours
Elevation
- 4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft
Altitude gained
- 628m.
Accommodation
- Budget camping
Meal & Drinks
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Kilimanjaro climbing photo from 8 Days Lemosho Route

Day 7 - Barafu Camp - Summit - Mweka Camp


Excitement is building as the morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2:00 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
Congratulations, one step at a time. You will have now reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa! After photos, celebrations and maybe a few tears of joy, you will take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. You will begin your steep descent down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a very brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for uncooperative loose gravel and volcano ash terrain. Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Your overnight stay will be at Mweka Camp.

Distance covered
- 13km /8mi down
Approx. time taken
- 3-4 Hours
Elevation
- 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft
Altitude gained
- 1233m.
Altitude lost
- 2789m.
Accommodation
- Budget camping
Meal & Drinks
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Kilimanjaro climbing photo from 8 Days Lemosho Route

Day 8 - Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate - Moshi Town


After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. You will continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep and we highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles.
From the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). You will enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations, before being transferred to your journey home, safari, or a relaxing trip to Zanzibar.

Distance covered
- 4.8km / 3mi
Approx. time taken
- 3-4 Hours
Elevation
- 2389m/7838ft to 2785m/9137ft
Altitude gained
- 396m.
Accommodation
- End of Tour
Meal & Drinks
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

8 Days Lemosho Route — Photo Gallery

Kilimanjaro climbing photo from 8 Days Lemosho Route

What's Included in This Package

Porterage

Rescue fee

Park fees

All activities

All accommodation

A professional driver / guide

All transportation

All Taxes / VAT

Roundtrip airport transfer

Meals

Drinking water

What's Not Included

Climbing gear

International flights

Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour

Tips

Personal items

Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees

Why Choose This 8 Day Tour

Remote and Scenic Start

The Lemosho Route begins on the western side of Kilimanjaro, offering a more remote and less crowded trail. The route passes through dense rainforests, with the possibility of encountering wildlife such as colobus monkeys and buffalo.

Shira Plateau

A vast, flat expanse of land offering panoramic views of Mount Meru and Kibo Peak, the Shira Plateau is one of the most scenic sections of the climb, with dramatic sunsets.

Mawenzi and Kibo Views

Trekking past Horombo Hut, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of Kilimanjaro’s twin peaks, Mawenzi and Kibo, with rugged and scenic landscapes stretching out before you.

Barranco Wall

A challenging yet exhilarating ascent, the Barranco Wall offers both excitement and spectacular views. Although steep, it is not technical, and the reward is the panoramic vistas at the top.

Lava Tower

This 4,600-meter-high volcanic rock formation offers trekkers a great acclimatization opportunity. Standing beneath the Lava Tower is a surreal experience amidst the alpine desert landscape.

Extended Acclimatization

The Lemosho Route is known for its longer itinerary (7-8 days), allowing trekkers to acclimatize better, which improves the chances of successfully reaching the summit of Uhuru Peak.

Summiting Uhuru Peak

The most comprehensive highlight is reaching Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. The final push begins before dawn, allowing climbers to witness the sunrise from the roof of Africa, creating an memorable moment.

Frequently Asked Questions

You don't need mountaineering experience, but you should be able to walk 5-8 hours on consecutive days. General aerobic fitness (running, hiking, cycling regularly) improves your chances. Altitude is the main factor, not strength — the key is pacing and proper acclimatization.

Park fees, national park camping or hut fees, a registered lead guide, assistant guides and porters (ratio of roughly 1:1 porter to climber), tents and camping equipment (if not a hut route), and all meals during the climb. Excluded: personal gear, tips, and pre/post-climb accommodation.

Sleeping bag, trekking poles, warm layers, waterproofs, and boots are personal items you should bring or rent locally in Moshi/Arusha. Good boots are critical — rental gear quality varies so we generally recommend bringing your own footwear if possible.

Longer routes give better acclimatization and higher success rates. The 7-day Machame or 8-day Lemosho are our top recommendations for most climbers. The 5-day Marangu is shorter but has a lower summit success rate because of the compressed schedule.

January–March and June–October are the main climbing seasons. January–March is drier in the lower zones though cold at altitude. June–October is dry and clear but cold at the summit (-15°C to -25°C at night is possible). Avoid April–May (heavy rain) if possible.

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8 days Lemosho Route

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