Our Most Gradual Kilimanjaro Climb
from$2,335Per Person
What Is the 8-Day Lemosho Route?
The 8-day Lemosho Route is our longest and most gradual Kilimanjaro climb. It starts in the remote western forest, spends two nights on the Shira Plateau, and traverses the southern slopes via Lava Tower, the Barranco Wall and Karanga to Barafu Camp, before summiting Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) and descending via Mweka. Prices start from $2,335 per person.
It is the itinerary we recommend to anyone who asks what gives them the best chance of reaching the summit. Spreading the climb over eight days means smaller altitude gains each day, more time for your body to adjust, and shorter, less tiring walking days. You also get the Lemosho Route's quiet forest start and the wide views of the Shira Plateau.
This page covers each day with altitudes, distances and walking times, how acclimatisation and summit night work, what is included and how to prepare.
Climb at a Glance
| Duration | 8 days, 7 nights on the mountain |
|---|---|
| Start | Londorossi Gate on the western side, about 2–3 hours' drive from Moshi |
| Finish | Mweka Gate (about 1,640 m), about 30 minutes from Moshi |
| Summit | Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m, via Stella Point (5,756 m) |
| Sleeping | Mountain tents at designated campsites |
| Total distance | About 70 km |
| Difficulty | Moderate to challenging, at the slowest pace of our routes |
| Price | From $2,335 per person |
Route Highlights
- The most gradual ascent of our Kilimanjaro packages
- A quiet start in the western rainforest
- Two nights on the Shira Plateau, with optional walks near Moir Hut and the Lent Hills
- Lava Tower, the Barranco Wall and the full southern circuit
- Shorter walking days, leaving more time to rest and acclimatise
What Happens on Each Day of the Climb?
The 8-day Lemosho gains height slowly, with two nights on the Shira Plateau and a night at Karanga before high camp. The table summarises each day.
| Day | Route | Sleeping altitude | Distance | Hiking time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Londorossi Gate → Lemosho trailhead → Mti Mkubwa Camp | About 2,800 m | About 5 km | 3–4 hours |
| 2 | Mti Mkubwa → Shira 1 Camp | About 3,500 m | About 8 km | 4–6 hours |
| 3 | Shira 1 → Shira 2 Camp (optional walk towards Moir Hut) | About 3,900 m | About 7 km | 5–7 hours |
| 4 | Shira 2 → Lava Tower (4,650 m) → Barranco Camp | About 3,990 m | About 10 km | 6–7 hours |
| 5 | Barranco Camp → Barranco Wall → Karanga Camp | About 4,030 m | About 5 km | 4–5 hours |
| 6 | Karanga Camp → Barafu Camp | About 4,650 m | About 3 km | 3–4 hours |
| 7 | Barafu → Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) → Mweka Camp | About 3,100 m | About 18 km | 12–15 hours |
| 8 | Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate → Moshi | Hotel (included) | About 10 km | 3–4 hours |
Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp (about 2,800 m)
Day 1 begins with the drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate on the western side of the mountain, through farmland and villages. While your guide completes the park permits, you can watch the crews prepare their loads. You then continue to the Lemosho trailhead.
The trail winds through quiet rainforest for three to four hours to Mti Mkubwa Camp, gaining about 400 m. Your guide points out the plants and wildlife, including colobus monkeys. The path can be muddy and slippery, so gaiters and trekking poles are recommended.
- Overnight: Mti Mkubwa Camp (tents)
- Meals: Lunch and dinner, plus drinking water
- Distance and time: About 5 km, 3–4 hours
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp (about 3,500 m)
Day 2 leaves the rainforest and climbs steadily through heath and moorland, with views opening up as you reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. You gain about 700 m today.
You camp at Shira 1 on the western edge of the plateau. Temperatures drop noticeably from here, so have your warm layers ready for the evening.
- Overnight: Shira 1 Camp (tents)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus drinking water
- Distance and time: About 8 km, 4–6 hours
Day 3: Across the Shira Plateau to Shira 2 Camp (about 3,900 m)
Day 3 is a gentle walk east across the Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus in the world, towards Kibo's glaciers. You reach Shira 2 Camp, set on moorland meadows beside a stream.
In the afternoon, an optional walk towards Moir Hut and the Lent Hills gives extra acclimatisation by climbing a little higher before you return to sleep. This unhurried day is the main difference from the 7-day Lemosho.
- Overnight: Shira 2 Camp (tents)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus drinking water
- Distance and time: About 7 km, 5–7 hours
Day 4: Shira 2 to Lava Tower (4,650 m) and Down to Barranco Camp
Day 4 ends at about the same altitude as it starts, but it is one of the most important days for acclimatisation. You climb east up a ridge to Lava Tower, the 'Shark's Tooth', at about 4,650 m, passing the junction for the Arrow Glacier.
You then descend into the Barranco Valley to sleep at Barranco Camp at about 3,990 m, below the Great Barranco Wall. Climbing high and sleeping low like this helps your body adapt.
- Overnight: Barranco Camp (tents)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus drinking water
- Distance and time: About 10 km, 6–7 hours
Day 5: Barranco Wall to Karanga Camp (about 4,030 m)
Day 5 starts with the Barranco Wall, a steep but non-technical scramble. It is also a good day to admire your crew, who climb the wall with heavy loads. Above the wall, the trail crosses the Karanga Valley to Karanga Camp.
You arrive in time for lunch and have the afternoon to rest. Karanga is the last water source on the route, so the porters collect water here for the rest of the ascent.
- Overnight: Karanga Camp (tents)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus drinking water
- Distance and time: About 5 km, 4–5 hours
Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (about 4,650 m)
Day 6 is a short climb to Barafu Camp, completing the southern circuit of the mountain, with views of the summit from many angles on the way.
You arrive around midday, eat an early dinner and rest. Prepare your summit gear, change your headlamp batteries and go to bed early to sleep a few hours before summit night.
- Overnight: Barafu Camp (tents), with a short rest before summit night
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus drinking water
- Distance and time: About 3 km, 3–4 hours
Day 7: Summit Night to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), Then Down to Mweka Camp
Day 7 starts between midnight and 2 am and is the most physically and mentally demanding part of the climb. You climb by headlamp up steep scree to Stella Point on the crater rim, then walk along the rim to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, gaining about 1,230 m.
After photos and celebrations, you descend to Barafu for lunch and a short rest, then continue down to Mweka Camp. The descent is on loose gravel and volcanic ash, so gaiters and trekking poles are strongly recommended. You spend your last night on the mountain at Mweka Camp.
- Overnight: Mweka Camp (tents)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus drinking water
- Distance and time: About 18 km, 12–15 hours
Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and Back to Moshi
Day 8 begins with breakfast and a farewell with your crew before the descent through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. The trail is warmer, wet and often muddy, so take care. At the gate you receive your summit certificate.
A vehicle meets you at Mweka Village for the drive of about 30 minutes back to your hotel in Moshi, ready for a hot shower and a celebration before your journey home, a safari or a few days in Zanzibar. Your hotel night after the climb is included in the price.
- Overnight: Your hotel in the Kilimanjaro area (included)
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch
- Distance and time: About 10 km, 3–4 hours
Photos from the Lemosho Route
Why Does the 8-Day Lemosho Give the Best Acclimatisation?
The 8-day Lemosho gives the most gradual acclimatisation of our routes because it spreads the climb over more days. Most days gain only a few hundred metres, and the two nights on the Shira Plateau, between about 3,500 m and 3,900 m, let your body adjust before you go higher.
Day 4 follows the 'climb high, sleep low' principle, climbing to Lava Tower at about 4,650 m before sleeping at Barranco. The night at Karanga then splits the approach to Barafu into two short days. Altitude sickness depends on how fast you gain height, not on fitness, so this slower profile gives you the most time to adapt.
No itinerary can guarantee the summit, but adding days is the most effective change you can make. Our guide to improving your summit chances explains the other factors you can control.
What Is Summit Night Like?
Summit night starts from Barafu Camp between midnight and 2 am. You climb by headlamp up a long, steep scree slope to Stella Point on the crater rim, usually reaching it around sunrise. Uhuru Peak is about another hour along the rim.
It is very cold, often well below freezing with wind chill, so you wear all your layers. Keep a slow, steady pace and take only short breaks. Your guide turns climbers back if they show serious signs of altitude sickness, because safety always comes before the summit.
- Keep water in an insulated bottle so it does not freeze
- Keep phone and camera batteries warm inside your jacket
- Eat small snacks often, even if you are not hungry
- Reaching Stella Point earns a certificate even if you do not continue to Uhuru Peak
When Is the Best Time to Climb the Lemosho Route?
The Lemosho Route can be climbed year-round, but the driest windows, January to mid-March and June to October, give the best conditions. The longer schedule also leaves a little more flexibility if the weather is poor on one day.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Short dry season | January to mid-March | Generally dry and clear, with cold summit nights and a chance of snow near the top. A popular climbing window. |
| Long rains | Late March to May | The wettest period, with muddy forest trails and limited views. Fewer climbers; climbing is possible but more demanding. |
| Main dry season | June to October | Dry and usually clear, with the coldest nights. The busiest period, especially July to September. |
| Short rains | November | Afternoon showers are common, with quieter trails. |
| Holiday season | December | Drying out again, but busy over Christmas and New Year. |
How Much Does the 8-Day Lemosho Climb Cost?
The 8-day Lemosho Route starts from $2,335 per person. The price covers park and camping fees, mountain tents and camping equipment, your guides, cook and porters, all meals on the mountain, and transfers, including the longer drive to the western gate, plus a hotel night before and after the climb. Personal gear and tips are extra.
Kilimanjaro park fees are charged per day, so the extra days on this itinerary add to the cost. Contact us for an exact quote for your dates and group size.
Price per Person by Group Size
| Group size | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $2,190 | $2,375 | $2,565 |
| 2 people | $2,160 | $2,335 | $2,480 |
| 3 people | $2,170 | $2,370 | $2,470 |
| 4 people | $2,160 | $2,335 | $2,480 |
| 5 people | $2,165 | $2,355 | $2,475 |
| 6 people | $2,160 | $2,335 | $2,480 |
What Affects the Price?
- Number of days: each extra day on the mountain adds park fees, crew wages and food.
- Accommodation level: your hotel nights before and after the climb can be budget, mid-range or luxury.
- Room sharing: solo travellers pay a little more because they have a single room for the hotel nights.
- Park fees: Kilimanjaro National Park fees are set by the park authority and can change, so we confirm your price in writing before you pay.
What Is Included in the Price?
Kilimanjaro National Park entrance and conservation fees
Camping fees, plus mountain tents and camping equipment
Rescue fee and emergency oxygen
A registered lead mountain guide and assistant guides
Porters and a mountain cook
All meals on the mountain, plus treated drinking water
Two hotel nights in the Kilimanjaro area, before and after the climb, at your chosen level
Transport between your hotel and the park gate
Round-trip airport transfer
All government taxes and VAT
What Is Not Included?
Personal climbing gear (rental is available in Moshi)
International flights and Tanzania visa
Extra hotel nights beyond the two included
Travel insurance, which must cover high-altitude trekking
Tips for your guides, cook and porters
Personal items, snacks and drinks other than water
Any government increase in park fees or taxes
Where Will You Sleep on the Lemosho Route?
You sleep in mountain tents at designated park campsites on all seven nights: Mti Mkubwa, Shira 1, Shira 2, Barranco, Karanga, Barafu and Mweka. Your crew carries and sets up the tents, prepares meals in a mess tent and boils water for drinking and washing.
Campsites have basic shared toilets. Nights are cold from the Shira Plateau onwards, so a warm four-season sleeping bag is essential. The first campsites are quieter than on other routes, because fewer climbers start from the west.
Is the 8-Day Lemosho Route Right for You?
The 8-day Lemosho suits anyone whose main goal is to reach the summit, and climbers who have struggled with altitude before. If you have less time or prefer huts, another package may suit you better.
A Good Fit If You…
- Want the most gradual ascent and the most time to acclimatise
- Have had altitude problems before
- Prefer shorter walking days
- Want a quiet, scenic route across the Shira Plateau
Consider Another Route If You…
- Have seven days: 7-Day Lemosho or 7-Day Machame
- Prefer huts: 6-Day Marangu
- Want the lowest cost: 5-Day Marangu
How Does This Route Compare?
The 8-day Lemosho is our longest climb. It follows the same route as the 7-day Lemosho, with an extra night on the Shira Plateau.
| Package | Sleeping | Acclimatisation | Difficulty | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Marangu | Huts | Limited: no acclimatisation day | Moderate, but altitude gained quickly | $1,600 |
| 6-Day Marangu | Huts | Good: rest day at Horombo | Moderate | $1,845 |
| 6-Day Machame | Tents | Good: climb high to Lava Tower, sleep low | Challenging | $1,845 |
| 7-Day Machame | Tents | Very good: extra night at Karanga | Challenging, steadier pace | $2,090 |
| 7-Day Lemosho | Tents | Very good: gradual western approach | Moderate to challenging | $2,090 |
| 8-Day Lemosho (this climb) | Tents | Excellent: the most gradual of our routes | Moderate to challenging, slowest pace | $2,335 |
How Should You Prepare?
Train for two to three months with long hikes on hilly ground, carrying a daypack. Back-to-back hiking days are the best preparation for eight days on the mountain. Arrive in Moshi at least a day before the climb.
Key Items to Pack
- Broken-in waterproof hiking boots
- A four-season sleeping bag rated to about −10°C or colder
- An insulated down or synthetic jacket, plus fleece and thermal layers
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Warm hat, warm gloves and a buff
- Headlamp with spare batteries for summit night
- Trekking poles, especially for the descent
- Water bottles or a hydration bladder for about 3 litres
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm
- A 30–35 litre daypack; porters carry your main bag
Full lists: Kilimanjaro gear list · 12-week training plan
How Much Should You Tip the Crew?
Tipping is customary on Kilimanjaro, and tips are an important part of the crew's income. Tips are usually given at the end of the climb, at the gate or at your hotel, and are counted per crew member rather than per climber.
The Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) publishes recommended daily ranges per group: roughly $20–25 per day for the lead guide, $15–20 for each assistant guide, $12–15 for the cook and $8–10 for each porter. We give you a list of your crew before the climb so you can plan, and you are welcome to hand tips to each crew member yourself.
8-Day Lemosho Route FAQs
Kilimanjaro Planning Guides
- All Kilimanjaro Climbing Packages
- Marangu vs Machame vs Lemosho: Which Route Is Best?
- Kilimanjaro Summit Success: How to Improve Your Chances
- How to Train for Kilimanjaro: 12-Week Plan
- What to Pack for Kilimanjaro: Complete Gear List
- Kilimanjaro National Park: Zones and Gates
- After the Climb: 2-Day Arusha & Tarangire Safari
- After the Climb: Zanzibar Day Tours
