7-Day Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Trek: Best Scenic Hike Experience

Summary

Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Trekking: Rainforest to Summit Adventure

If you're looking for a real Kilimanjaro adventure with fewer crowds and wild scenery, this 7-day Lemosho Route trek covers everything—from misty rainforests to icy glaciers at sunrise on Uhuru Peak. You'll get expert local guides, all meals included, plus plenty of time to soak up each moment along Africa's highest mountain.

What’s the experience like?

The morning air in Arusha always feels a bit cool before sunrise. After breakfast at the lodge, we piled into the van and set off—bags packed, boots laced tight. The drive took us through Boma N’gombe, where we stopped for about fifteen minutes so our porters could grab some breakfast (there’s a tiny shop selling fresh chapati if you’re hungry). The road up to Londorosi Gate gets bumpy fast—dusty too if it hasn’t rained. At the gate, there’s a bit of paperwork and you’ll sign into the KINAPA book. Lunch is usually eaten right there on a wooden bench before you start walking. The first stretch winds through thick rainforest—roots everywhere underfoot, damp earth smell rising after last night’s rain. Sometimes fog rolls in and you can hear monkeys calling overhead. By late afternoon, we reached Mti Mkubwa Camp just as the light started fading.

Leaving Big Tree Camp after breakfast, it only takes half an hour before the forest thins out and suddenly you’re surrounded by heather and open moorland. Streams crisscross the trail; I remember hopping over rocks to keep my boots dry. The plateau opens up with huge views toward Shira 2 Camp—by then you’re above 3,800 meters and nights get cold fast (my water bottle had ice on it by morning). Our guide Musa kept reminding us to layer up before sunset because temperatures drop below freezing here.

The third day felt different—the landscape shifted again as we trekked south from Shira along black lava fields scattered with boulders that look almost placed by hand. It’s quiet up here; sometimes all you hear is your own breath or the wind scraping across rock. We stopped for lunch near Lava Tower at 4,630 meters—snowline just above us—and I could feel how thin the air was getting. Afterward, we dropped down into Barranco Valley where camp sits tucked against a wall of rock.

Day four starts early if you want to beat the crowd at Barranco Wall—a steep scramble that takes about an hour or so (don’t look down too much if heights aren’t your thing). Once over the top, there’s this barren plateau stretching out ahead and Kibo peak looming in the distance. The path twists through rocky moors and grassy patches dotted with giant groundsels until Karanga Camp comes into view around lunchtime. That afternoon is mostly for resting up; most folks nap or just watch clouds drift past.

The push to Barafu Camp is tough—the trail gets rockier and more exposed as you climb higher. This is where porters fill up water for the last time since there’s none at Barafu itself (the name means “ice” in Swahili). Tents flap in the wind here; I spent some time just walking around camp trying to get used to how thin the air felt at 4,600 meters. Guides give a detailed briefing after dinner about summit night—what layers to wear, snacks to pack, how slow to go.

Summit day starts in pitch dark—our guide woke us around 11 p.m., handed out tea and biscuits while everyone layered up against the cold (I wore every piece of clothing I brought). The climb is slow going over loose scree; headlamps bobbing in a silent line ahead of me. By Stella Point (5,740 m), my fingers were numb but seeing first light break over Rebmann Glacier made it worth every step. The final walk to Uhuru Peak is surreal—you’re tired but adrenaline kicks in when that famous sign finally comes into view.

The descent back down feels like a blur—legs shaky but spirits high as we dropped altitude quickly toward Mweka Camp for one last night under canvas. Next morning after breakfast (and lots of photos), it’s an easy walk through rainforest again—the path soft underfoot from last night’s rain—to Mweka Gate where certificates are handed out and everyone hugs their guides goodbye.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arusha to Big Tree Camp

• Drive from Arusha to Londorosi Gate
• Hike through rainforest to Big Tree Camp

Day 2 — Big Tree to Shira Camp 2

• Trek from Big Tree Camp to Shira Camp 2

Day 3 — Shira Camp to Barranco Camp

• Hike over lava desert to Lava Tower
• Descend to Barranco Camp

Day 4 — Barranco to Karanga Camp

• Climb Great Barranco Wall
• Trek to Karanga Camp

Day 5 — Karanga to Barafu Camp

• Ascend to Barafu Camp

Day 6 — Summit Day: Barafu to Uhuru Peak

• Night trek to Stella Point and Uhuru Peak
• Descend to Mweka Camp

Day 7 — Descent to Mweka Gate

• Hike from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Top questions

How fit do I need to be for this trek?

You should be in good physical shape since it's a multi-day hike with long ascents and high altitude—but no technical climbing skills are needed.

Is this route less crowded than others?

Yes—the Lemosho Route is known for being quieter than Machame or Marangu routes, especially during the first few days.

What kind of food is provided?

All meals are included—expect hot breakfasts, packed lunches on trail days, and hearty dinners at camp prepared by our cook team.

Are guides certified?

Absolutely—all guides are licensed professionals with years of experience leading groups safely on Kilimanjaro.

What’s included

Your trip includes all park entry fees, professional local guides who know every twist of the trail, all meals from start to finish (including hot drinks), group camping gear like tents and sleeping mats, plus comfortable transport between Arusha/Moshi and Kilimanjaro gates. We also offer wheelchair accessibility options if needed—just let us know your requirements ahead of time!