Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Climb: 6-Day Guided Trek

Six days crossing five climatic zones to stand at Africa's highest point

A 6-day guided climb of Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route, starting from Machame with hotel stays before and after the trek. You hike from the Shira Plateau through multiple altitude zones, sleep in provided tents with a professional crew handling meals and camp setup, and summit Uhuru Peak with a personal guide assigned for the final ascent. Guides speak English, airport transfers are included, and the climb suits regular hikers with moderate fitness. Previous high-altitude experience helps but is not required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and briefing

• Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport
• Meet Altezza Travel representative
• Transfer to hotel
• Check-in at hotel from 2 PM
• Evening briefing with managers

Day 2: Drive to Londorossi Gate and trek to Shira 2

• Morning briefing with guide and crew
• Drive 3-4 hours to Londorossi Gate
• Acquire climbing permits and register
• Drive to drop off point at 3,500 m
• Trek to Shira 2 Camp (3,900 m)
• Set up tents and dinner by crew

Day 3: Trek to Lava Tower and Barranco Camp

• Breakfast at Shira 2 Camp
• Trek to Lava Tower (4,630 m)
• Acclimatize and have lunch at Lava Tower
• Descend to Barranco Camp (3,960 m)

Day 4: Climb Barranco Wall and trek to Karanga Camp

• Early wakeup and breakfast
• Climb Barranco Wall
• Rest and photo stop at Kibo volcano
• Trek to Karanga Camp (4,035 m)
• Have warm lunch at Karanga Camp
• Acclimatization hike towards Barafu Camp
• Return to Karanga Camp

Day 5: Trek to Barafu Camp and acclimatize

• Breakfast at Karanga Camp
• Trek to Barafu Camp (4,640 m)
• Set up camp and rest
• Acclimatization hike to Kosovo Camp (4,800 m)
• Return to Barafu Camp
• Hot dinner and rest

Day 6: Summit Uhuru Peak and descend to Millennium Camp

• Night departure from Barafu Camp
• Summit Uhuru Peak (5,895 m)
• Optional visit to nearest glacier
• Descend to Barafu Camp and rest
• Continue descent to Millennium Camp (3,820 m)

Day 7: Descend to Mweka Gate and return to hotel

• Breakfast at Millennium Camp
• Trek to Mweka Gate (1,640 m)
• Group gathering and congratulations
• Sign guestbook and receive certificate
• Transfer back to hotel

Day 8: Departure day

• Rest at hotel
• Check-out by 11 AM
• Transfer to airport

The experience

You arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and meet an Altezza Travel representative who transfers you to the Aishi Machame Hotel in the foothills. After check-in, managers brief you on what to expect over the next six days. The next morning, a guide and mountain crew collect you for the drive to Londorossi Gate (2,200 m), the western entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park. From there, off-road vehicles climb to 3,500 meters at the Lemosho Glades drop-off point, where you see the Shira Plateau for the first time. The hike to Shira 2 Camp covers 11 kilometers over 5–6 hours and sits at 3,900 meters: high enough to begin acclimatization without overwhelming the body on day one. By the time you reach camp, the crew has already pitched your North Face tent, prepared dinner, and arranged everything for the night.

The route climbs through distinct climatic zones, each demanding something different from your body. Day three takes you from Shira 2 to the Lava Tower at 4,630 meters: a steep, technical section where you spend 1–2 hours for acclimatization before descending to Barranco Camp (3,960 m). You'll see the Barranco Wall, a massive gorge you'll climb the next morning in about an hour. Days four and five move you through Karanga Camp and up to Barafu Summit Camp at 4,640 meters, with mandatory acclimatization hikes built into each day to help your body adjust. The guides choose the pace for the group, and the professional crew monitors everyone's condition. If anyone shows signs of altitude sickness, the route can be adjusted to a lower alternative. Three meals a day (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and other options available) keep your energy up, and the cooks are known for their skill despite the altitude and limited equipment.

On day six, you leave Barafu Camp at night for the summit push. Each climber gets a personal guide for the entire ascent to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) to watch your physical and mental state. The technical climbing is straightforward, but the altitude is the real challenge. After summiting and optionally descending to the nearest glacier, you return to Barafu for a 2-hour rest, then continue down to Millennium Camp (3,820 m) in the tropical rainforest: a 15-kilometer descent over 8–12 hours. The final morning, you hike 12 kilometers from Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate (1,640 m) in 4–5 hours. The whole group gathers at the gate to celebrate, you sign the guestbook, receive your commemorative certificate at the office, and transfer back to the hotel. The next day is rest and departure, with hotel checkout at 11:00 AM (late checkout available for an extra fee).

What’s included

• Two nights at Aishi Machame Hotel with airport pickup and drop-off.
• five nights in North Face VE-25 tents on the mountain.
• all meals on the trek (breakfast, lunch, and dinner with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and other options).
• professional guides speaking English, porters, cooks, and camp masters.
• high-quality group equipment including dining tents, sleeping pads, and crockery.
• all Kilimanjaro National Park fees.
• medical kits, oxygen tanks, and oximeters.
• medical check-ups.
• and ground transportation throughout.

Information

Lasts 8d, runs every day at 09:00, from US$ 3,452 per person, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00Another time? ›

GroupPrivate3 group tours ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 24 pickup points.

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (16 to 70 years) · Youth (13 to 15 years) · Under 13: can't be booked

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

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

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

Operated by Altezza Travel

Is this one for you?Most Kilimanjaro routes rush you through the climb or leave you managing logistics alone. This trek gives you a personal guide for the summit push itself, mandatory acclimatization hikes at every camp, and a professional crew handling meals and setup so you can focus on climbing: the arrangement that turns a high-altitude hike into a supported ascent.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 15 years). Children under 13 can't be included in the booking.

What's the Shira Plateau like, and when do I first see it?

The Shira Plateau comes into view on day two during the drive to the Lemosho Glades drop-off point at 3,500 meters. It's a high-altitude moorland zone you'll cross as part of the climb, and the route passes through heath vegetation before moving into the Arctic desert terrain higher up.

Do I need previous high-altitude climbing experience to do this trek?

Previous high-altitude experience helps with acclimatization, but it's not mandatory. The climb suits regular hikers with at least moderate physical fitness. The guides are certified Wilderness First Responders, and the itinerary includes mandatory acclimatization hikes at each camp to help your body adjust to the altitude.

What happens if I feel altitude sickness during the climb?

Tell your guide immediately if you feel symptoms like headache, nausea, or dizziness. The crew carries medical kits and oxygen tanks, and guides conduct medical check-ups. If one or more climbers feel sick, the group can adjust the route to a lower alternative that avoids the Lava Tower's 4,630-meter peak, reaching a maximum of 4,400 meters instead.

Who carries my gear, and what's included in the camps?

Professional porters carry all equipment and set up camp each day. You sleep in a North Face VE-25 tent (two hikers per tent, except solo climbs), and the crew provides sleeping pads, dining tents, tables, chairs, and all crockery. Meals (three per day with multiple dietary options) are prepared by the camp kitchen team.

How does the summit night work, and will I have support at the top?

You depart Barafu Camp at night and climb through the dark to reach Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) at dawn. Each climber is assigned a personal guide for the entire ascent to monitor your condition and pace. After summiting and optionally visiting the nearest glacier, you descend back to Barafu for rest before the long hike down to Millennium Camp.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to arrange separately?

The trek includes two hotel nights (before and after), all camps with tents and meals, airport transfers, certified guides, porters, medical support, and park fees. You arrange your own international airfare to Tanzania and travel insurance (highly recommended for mountain trekking). Personal gear like hiking boots and a sleeping bag can be hired if you don't have them. Lunch and dinner at the hotel cost extra (around USD 15 per meal), and tips for the crew are optional.