8-day Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro trek from Moshi

Eight days crossing the Shira Plateau to reach Uhuru Peak

An 8-day Kilimanjaro trek on the Lemosho Route departing from Moshi, this tour climbs from Londorossi Gate through rainforest and moorland to the Shira Plateau, passes the volcanic Lava Tower, and summits Uhuru Peak via the Western Breach. The route is known for low crowds, scenic panoramas and a high success rate. A live guide leads the trek in English, Spanish, Italian, French or German, with pickup from your hotel included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Moshi to Big Tree Camp

• Breakfast and briefing at hotel
• Drive to Londorossi Park Gate
• Drive to Lemosho Glades
• Walk forest trails to Mti Mkubwa campsite
• Dinner and overnight at Big Tree Camp

Day 2: Big Tree Camp to Shira Camp

• Breakfast at camp
• Hike steep trail to moorland zone
• Cross Shira Ridge
• Descend to Shira One Camp by stream
• Dinner and overnight at Shira Camp

Day 3: Acclimatization at Shira Camp

• Moderate walk across Shira Plateau
• Explore moorland meadows near stream
• Rest and acclimatize at Shira Camp

Day 4: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp

• Breakfast at camp
• Hike steep path to Lava Tower
• Lunch near Lava Tower
• Descend to Barranco Camp
• Dinner and overnight at Barranco Camp

Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

• Breakfast at camp
• Walk across scree slopes to Karanga Camp
• Rest and prepare for summit climb
• Early dinner and sleep

Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

• Hike to join Mweka Route
• Ascend ridge to Barafu Hut
• Hot lunch at Barafu Camp
• Prepare gear and rest
• Early dinner and sleep

Day 7: Summit Day from Barafu Camp

• Wake at 11:30 PM
• Climb to Stella Point
• Short rest and sunrise view
• Hike to Uhuru Peak summit
• Descend to Barafu Camp
• Rest and collect gear
• Hike down to Mweka Camp
• Dinner and overnight at Mweka Camp

Day 8: Mweka Camp to Moshi

• Breakfast at camp
• Hike to Mweka Gate
• Sign register and receive certificate
• Hike to Mweka Village
• Hot lunch at village
• Drive back to Moshi

The experience

The trek starts with a 2.5-hour drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate at 2,250 meters, then enters the forest on foot toward Mti Mkubwa camp. The first two days wind through rainforest and moorland, gaining elevation steadily to Shira Ridge at 3,600 meters. Day three is a moderate acclimatization walk across the Shira Plateau meadows, which gives your body time to adjust before the terrain steepens. This pacing (gentle early days, harder climbing later) is what makes the Lemosho route stand out for summit success.

On day four you hike east through rocky landscape to Lava Tower, a volcanic remnant rising several hundred feet above the trail at 4,630 meters. After lunch near the tower, the route descends for two hours to Barranco Camp in a valley below the Western Breach and Great Barranco Walls. Days five and six take you across desolate scree slopes to Karanga Camp and then Barafu Hut at 4,640 meters, where you rest before the summit push. The final climb begins around 11:30 PM, a six-hour ascent through heavy scree between glaciers to Stella Point on the crater rim, where you catch the sunrise. From there, the remaining hike along the rim to Uhuru Peak depends on weather and snow conditions. After summiting, you descend the same day to Mweka Camp, then finish with a three-hour hike down to Mweka Gate on day eight, where successful climbers receive their certificates.

All park fees and taxes are covered. A live guide in your chosen language leads the entire trek, and hotel pickup from Moshi is included. Children from age six are welcome. The trek is suitable for all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or poor cardiovascular health. Flights, visa fees, additional park fees, tips for the crew, and supportive hiking materials are not included.

What’s included

• All park fees and taxes.
• live guide in your choice of English, Spanish, Italian, French or German.
• hotel pickup from Moshi.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 08:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Youth (6 to 15 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

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 9 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 700

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Rede Tours and Safaris (Amore African Safari LTD)

Is this one for you?The trek departs from Moshi with hotel pickup included, so you don't need a car or separate transport to reach Londorossi Gate. The eight-day timeline gives you the acclimatization days that higher-altitude routes skip, which is why the Lemosho Route reports a high summit success rate even though it climbs to the same peak.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

12 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 15 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Lemosho Route and why is it considered the most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro?

The Lemosho Route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning at Londorossi Gate and crossing the entire Shira Plateau from west to east. It is the newer and less crowded route, granting panoramic vistas from various sides of the mountain. The combination of low crowds, beautiful scenery and high summit success rate makes it highly recommended.

How much time do I spend acclimatizing before the harder climbing days?

The first three days are spent gaining elevation gradually through rainforest and moorland to Shira Ridge, with day three being a moderate acclimatization walk across the Shira Plateau. This pacing gives your body time to adjust to altitude before days four through six, which involve steeper terrain and higher elevations.

What happens on summit day and how long does the climb to Uhuru Peak take?

Summit day begins around 11:30 PM with hot tea and biscuits, followed by a six-hour climb northwest through heavy scree between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers to Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,685 meters. You rest briefly at Stella Point to watch the sunrise, then continue along the rim to Uhuru Peak depending on weather and snow. After summiting, you descend back to Barafu Camp the same day, then hike down to Mweka Camp.

What is included in the trek cost and what do I need to arrange separately?

All park fees and taxes are included, along with a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or German and hotel pickup from Moshi. Flights, visa fees, additional park fees, tips for the crew, and hiking supportive materials are not included in the price.