8-day Kilimanjaro Lemosho climb: Low crowds, extra acclimatization

Eight days to walk the quietest route up Kilimanjaro, with time built in to adjust to the altitude.

This 8-day Mount Kilimanjaro trek follows the Lemosho Route from Londorosi gate on the western side, crossing the Shira Plateau before joining the Machame route near Lava Tower. You hike through montane forest, heath and alpine zones over seven days of climbing, then descend via the Mweka Route. The extra day compared to shorter routes gives you a dedicated acclimatization day, improving your odds of reaching Uhuru Peak at 19,341 feet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Start Lemosho Route hike

• Drive to Londorosi gate
• Begin hike at Lemosho trailhead
• Picnic lunch
• Hike 3-4 hours to Forest Camp
• Overnight at Forest Camp

Day 2: Hike Shira Plateau

• Leave Montane Forest
• Enter Hagenia zone
• View Kibo peak
• Hike 6-9 hours with ridges
• Overnight at Shira 1 Camp

Day 3: Traverse to Moir Camp

• Cross Heath zone of Shira Plateau
• Picnic lunch at Scott Fisher camp
• Continue to upper heath zone
• Arrive at Moir Camp
• Optional acclimatization hikes
• Overnight at Moir Camp

Day 4: Hike to Barranco Camp

• Leave heath zone
• Enter alpine zone
• Hike 4-6 hours past Lava Camp
• Descend to Barranco Valley
• Overnight at Barranco Camp

Day 5: Ascend to Karanga Camp

• Climb Great Barranco Wall
• Hike across small valleys
• Arrive at Karanga Camp
• Overnight at Karanga Camp

Day 6: Reach Barafu Camp

• Hike 3-5 hours to Barafu Camp
• Settle into camp
• Safety equipment demonstration
• Early supper and rest
• Prepare for summit ascent
• Overnight at Barafu Camp

Day 7: Summit and descend to Mweka

• Start summit ascent around midnight
• Ascend 6-7 hours to Stella Point
• Ascend 1-2 hours to Uhuru Peak
• Summit celebration and photos
• Descend to Barafu Camp for lunch
• Descend to Mweka Camp
• Overnight at Mweka Camp

Day 8: Final descent and return

• Hike 3-5 hours to trailhead
• Lunch at trailhead
• Say goodbye to mountain crew
• Return to lodge in town

The experience

The Lemosho Route stays quieter than the busier paths up Kilimanjaro because it approaches from the west and doesn't converge with other routes until high on the mountain. Your first day takes a few hours by vehicle from Arusha to Londorosi gate, then a 3–4 hour hike through montane forest to Forest Camp at 9,498 feet, where Black and White Colobus monkeys move through the canopy and moss-draped trees line the trail. The next two days cross the Shira Plateau, climbing to 11,500 feet at Shira 1 Camp and then to Moir Camp at 13,650 feet, with views of Kibo peak opening as you leave the forest behind.

Days four through six push higher into the alpine zone. You ascend past Lava Camp's volcanic landscape into the scenic Barranco Valley, then climb the Great Barranco Wall with views of Kilimanjaro's ice fields before reaching Karanga Camp at 13,106 feet. The climb to Barafu Camp at 15,100 feet takes 3–5 hours, and that's where you rest and eat an early supper before your wake-up call around 11 PM. Your guides will demonstrate safety equipment including the Gamow bag and oxygen. Summit day begins at midnight: you'll hike 6–7 hours to Stella Point, then another 1–2 hours to Uhuru Peak, aiming to reach the summit at sunrise. The descent covers 12–17 hours total, dropping back through Barafu to Mweka Camp at 10,448 feet for your final night on the mountain.

Your guides are professional, mountain-experienced climbers who speak English, Spanish, Italian, French or German. All meals on the mountain, clean drinking water, quality four-season tents, park fees, rescue fees and porter and cook salaries are included. You're picked up from the airport and returned to your lodge in Moshi, usually between 3–5 PM on the final day. Children from age 7 can join. The trek is suitable for all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

• Airport transfers from Moshi.
• professional mountain guides fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, French or German.
• all meals while camping on the mountain.
• clean, purified drinking water.
• quality four-season private mountain sleeping tents.
• all park fees and rescue fees.
• guide, porter and cook salaries.
• oximeter for altitude monitoring.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (16 to 87 years) · Child (7 to 15 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Furaha Adventures

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or German, so choose the language that fits your group. Children from age 7 can join, making this route accessible to families willing to hike at a steady pace over eight days.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 15 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

What is the Lemosho Route like compared to other Kilimanjaro trails?

The Lemosho Route is considered the most beautiful of Kilimanjaro's trekking paths. It crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a relatively flat, pleasant hike with low crowds until it joins the Machame route near Lava Tower, high on the mountain.

How much hiking happens each day on the 8-day Lemosho climb?

Daily hiking ranges from 3–4 hours on the first day through the forest to 6–9 hours crossing the Shira Plateau, then 4–6 hours in the alpine zone. Summit day is the longest at 12–17 hours total, and the final descent takes 3–5 hours.

What happens on the acclimatization day that makes the 8-day route different?

The 8-day plan includes an extra day to acclimatize on Mount Kilimanjaro, giving your body time to adjust to altitude before the final push to the summit. Depending on weather, acclimatization hikes can be arranged in the late afternoon at Moir Camp.

What wildlife might I see on the Lemosho Route?

In the montane forest zone, you may see Black and White Colobus monkeys and signs of elephants that travel through the area. As you climb into higher zones, wildlife becomes sparse, but the landscape itself changes dramatically from forest to plateau to alpine terrain.

When do I start climbing toward the summit, and how long does it take?

You'll be woken around 11 PM or midnight on your final night at Barafu Camp to begin the summit ascent. The climb to Stella Point takes 6–7 hours, then another 1–2 hours to Uhuru Peak at 19,341 feet, with most climbers reaching the summit across a several-hour window around sunrise.