8-Day Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Climb from Moshi

Eight days through rainforest, moorland and alpine desert to Africa's highest peak

The 8-day Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro climbing tour from Moshi ascends the mountain's quieter western flank, starting at Lemosho Gate and moving through five camps before the midnight summit push to Uhuru Peak at 5,895m. You hike through distinct vegetation zones (rainforest, heath, moorland and alpine desert) with guides, porters and a cook managing camp setup and meals. The route finishes with a descent through the lush forest to Mweka Gate, where you receive your summit certificate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

• Begin trek at Lemosho Gate
• Hike through rainforest
• Arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp
• Overnight in tents

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira I Camp

• Ascend to Shira I Camp
• Cross Shira Ridge
• Hike Shira Plateau
• Overnight in tents

Day 3: Shira I Camp to Shira II Camp

• Hike through moorlands
• Ascend near Lent Hills
• Reach Shira II Camp
• Overnight in tents

Day 4: Shira II Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

• Trek alpine desert
• View Lava Tower and Western Breach
• Arrive at Barranco Camp
• Overnight in tents

Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

• Climb Barranco Wall
• Hike valleys and ridges
• Reach Karanga Camp
• Overnight in tents

Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

• Ascend to Barafu Camp
• Prepare for summit night
• Overnight in tents

Day 7: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

• Start midnight ascent
• Reach Stella Point
• Summit Uhuru Peak
• Descend to Mweka Camp
• Overnight in tents

Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

• Descend through rainforest
• Reach Mweka Gate
• Receive certificate
• End tour

The experience

The Lemosho Route takes you up the mountain's less-trafficked western side, which means smaller crowds and a more gradual acclimatization schedule than the busier paths. You start at Lemosho Gate and spend the first night at Mti Mkubwa Camp inside the rainforest, where the guides and porters handle all logistics while you adjust to the altitude. The next two days move you through the Shira Plateau (the landscape shifts from forest to open moorland with panoramic views), and you camp at Shira I and Shira II before the route turns toward the alpine desert.

Day four is the longest: you trek through the surreal, barren landscape of the alpine desert past the Lava Tower and its rock formations, then descend to Barranco Camp. The next morning you face the Barranco Wall, a steep scramble that takes four to six hours to climb, followed by the trek to Karanga Camp. From there, Barafu Camp sits at the base of the mountain, where you rest before the summit night. You'll start your ascent to Uhuru Peak in the middle of the night, reaching Stella Point and then the summit at 5,895m: the highest point in Africa. After time at the peak, you descend the same day to Mweka Camp, then finish the final morning hiking down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where the certificate waits.

All transfers to and from Moshi, park fees, rescue fees and VAT are included. You sleep in quality four-season waterproof tents on a twin-sharing basis, with a sleeping mattress provided. Professional guides, porters and a cook travel with the group. Clean purified drinking water and meals are supplied throughout. An emergency oxygen cylinder is carried. The operator arranges airport pickup and drop-off in Moshi, and you return to a hotel there after the trek ends.

What’s included

• All transfers between Moshi and the mountain.
• professional guides, porters and a cook.
• quality four-season waterproof tents with sleeping mattress on twin-sharing basis.
• mess tents with table and chairs.
• clean purified drinking water and all meals.
• park fees, conservation fees, camping fees and rescue fees.
• Kilimanjaro summit certificate.
• airport pickup and drop-off.
• emergency oxygen cylinder.
• VAT.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (15 to 90 years) · Under 15: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 8 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Macpace Tours and Safaris

Is this one for you?The guides speak English, Spanish, Italian, French and one more language, so you can book in the language you're most comfortable with. Minimum age is 15, and you'll need moderate physical fitness for the daily hikes and the midnight summit push, but the 8-day schedule gives you more time to acclimatize than faster routes.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

22 verified traveler reviews

5 ★22

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

What's the Barranco Wall and how hard is it to climb?

The Barranco Wall is a steep scramble on day five that takes four to six hours to ascend. It's a thrilling but manageable climb that rewards you with views of the valleys and ridges below. Most trekkers with moderate fitness complete it without technical climbing gear.

Do I need to bring my own sleeping bag and hiking boots?

Personal trekking equipment such as sleeping bags, hiking boots and clothes are available for rent if you don't have your own, so you can arrange them at checkout depending on what you need.

What happens if I don't reach the summit?

The itinerary assumes a successful summit, but the operator includes rescue fees as part of the park fees, and an emergency oxygen cylinder travels with the group in case of altitude-related issues during the climb.