8-Day Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Climb: Quieter Western Trail

Eight days through cloud forest, plateau and alpine desert to Africa's highest point

An 8-day guided climb of Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho route, a quieter western trail that ascends through the cloud forest and Shira Plateau before reaching Uhuru Peak at 5,895m, then descends via the Mweka route. The route differs from the busier Marangu path by using separate ascent and descent trails, and you choose between the steep Western Breach or the longer Barafu route to the summit. All park fees, camping, three daily meals, a guide, and hotel stays in Moshi before and after the climb are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Moshi to Mti Mkubwa Camp

• Drive to Londrosi gate for registration
• Drive to Lemosho starting point
• Hike 6 km through rainforest to Mti Mkubwa camp
• Dinner and overnight at campsite

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa to Shira One Camp

• Breakfast at camp
• Hike 9 km through heath and moorland to Shira One camp
• Dinner and overnight at campsite

Day 3: Shira One to Shira Two Camp

• Breakfast at camp
• Hike 4 km through heath and moorland to Shira Two camp
• Dinner and overnight at campsite

Day 4: Shira Two to Barranco Camp

• Breakfast at camp
• Hike to Lava Tower for acclimatization
• Continue hiking to Barranco camp
• Picnic lunch, dinner and overnight at Barranco camp

Day 5: Barranco to Karanga Camp

• Breakfast at camp
• Climb Barranco walls to Karanga camp
• Hot lunch and acclimatization walk
• Dinner and overnight at camp

Day 6: Karanga to Barafu Camp and Summit

• Breakfast at camp
• Hike to Barafu camp
• Hot lunch, rest, early dinner and sleep
• Wake at 11pm, pack and start summit hike

Day 7: Summit to Mweka Camp

• Descend from Uhuru Peak to Barafu camp
• Breakfast and rest at Barafu camp
• Hot lunch at camp
• Descend to Mweka camp
• Dinner and overnight at Mweka camp

Day 8: Mweka Camp to Moshi Town

• Breakfast at camp
• Hike to Mweka Gate through rainforest
• Receive award certificate
• Transfer to Park View Inn in Moshi
• Hot shower and lunch at hotel

The experience

The climb starts with a drive from Moshi to Londrosi gate for permit registration, then a 3-hour hike through rainforest to Mti Mkubwa camp at 2,750m. Over the next five days you gain altitude steadily: through heath and moorland to Shira One and Shira Two camps, then across Lava Tower at 4,600m for acclimatization before dropping to Barranco camp. The groundsel-clad slopes around Barranco are the route's signature landscape, and from there you climb Barranco's walls and continue to Karanga and then Barafu camp at 4,600m, where you'll rest a few hours before the summit push begins around 11pm.

The final ascent to Uhuru Peak takes 6 to 7 hours in darkness, with the Rebmann glacier visible on your left as dawn breaks. You'll reach the summit at 5,895m and descend back to Barafu for breakfast and rest, then make the long descent (over 11km with nearly 2,800m of altitude loss) to Mweka camp in the rainforest. On the last day, a 3- to 4-hour walk through forest leads to Mweka Gate, where you receive your summit certificate and transfer back to Moshi for a hot shower and lunch at your hotel.

Your guide speaks English and conducts daily medical check-ups using a pulse oximeter. The team includes an assistant guide, cook and porters who handle camp setup and meals. You sleep in tents throughout the mountain and stay at a hotel in Moshi the night before departure and again after you descend. Water, emergency oxygen and all government taxes are provided. You'll need to arrange your own climbing gear and can choose whether to tip the team at 10% of your climb cost.

What’s included

• All park entry and camping fees, forest department and rescue fees.
• emergency oxygen canister.
• drinking water throughout the climb.
• three meals daily on the mountain.
• guide, assistant guide, cook and porter salaries.
• airport transfers to and from Kilimanjaro.
• one hotel night in Moshi before the climb and one after.
• daily medical check-ups with pulse oximeter.
• transport from your Moshi hotel to the Lemosho starting point and back.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 to 80 years) · Under 13: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Kilimanjaro Vikings Adventures

Is this one for you?The climb demands a moderate level of fitness and includes early starts and long hiking days: the summit push begins around 11pm and takes 6 to 7 hours in darkness. If you're comfortable with sustained effort over eight days and want a less crowded route than Marangu, Lemosho rewards the work with cloud forest, plateau views and a descent through a different landscape than you climbed.

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Top questions

What's the difference between the Lemosho route and other Kilimanjaro trails?

Lemosho is one of the quieter routes, starting from the western side and passing through the cloud forest and Shira Plateau. Unlike the busier Marangu route, you descend via a different path (Mweka) than you climbed, which spreads the traffic and gives a more varied experience of the mountain's ecosystems.

Do I choose which way to reach the summit?

Yes. Most climbers take the longer Barafu route, but you can opt for the steeper Western Breach if you prefer a more technical ascent. Both routes converge at Uhuru Peak, and your guide will help you decide based on your fitness and preference.

How many hours of hiking happen on the summit day?

The push from Barafu camp to Uhuru Peak takes 6 to 7 hours, starting around 11pm. You'll descend back to Barafu for breakfast and rest, then hike down to Mweka camp over several more hours, covering about 11.5km total from peak to camp.

What meals and water are provided on the mountain?

Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are cooked at each camp. Drinking water is supplied for the entire climb. Alcoholic and soft drinks are not included, so bring money if you want them, and note that meals at the hotel in Moshi town are separate from the climb package.

What happens after I reach the summit?

After summiting Uhuru Peak and descending to Barafu for rest and food, you continue down through alpine desert, heath and moorland to Mweka camp in the rainforest. The final morning is a 3- to 4-hour walk through forest to Mweka Gate, where you receive your summit certificate and are driven back to your hotel in Moshi.

Is airport transport included?

Yes. Transfers from Kilimanjaro airport to your hotel in Moshi and back to the airport after the climb are included in the price. You'll stay one night at the hotel before departure and one night after you descend.