Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route trek from Moshi: 8-day summit climb

The descent from Uhuru Peak takes as long as the climb, which is why you don't collapse at the summit.

The Lemosho Route is an 8-day trek up Mount Kilimanjaro from Moshi that climbs through forest, moorland and alpine desert to the 5,895m summit, then descends to lower camps for recovery. A live guide leads the route in your choice of language; porters carry gear and set up camp each night; a chef prepares meals at each stop. The trek builds in acclimatization days and a descent route that prevents altitude sickness from hitting you at the top.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Moshi to Mti Mkubwa Camp

• Breakfast and guide briefing at Springlands Hotel
• Drive to Lemosho Park Gate (1.5 hours)
• Register at Londorossi Gate
• Trek 7 km to Mti Mkubwa Camp (5 hours)
• Lunch at camp
• Relax and dinner at camp
• Evening briefing about next day

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa to Shira Camp 2

• Early breakfast at Mti Mkubwa Camp
• Trek 5 hours to Shira Camp 1
• Lunch at Shira Camp 1
• Trek 2-3 hours to Shira Camp 2
• Set up tents and relax
• Dinner at camp
• Evening briefing about next day

Day 3: Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2

• Early breakfast at Shira Camp 1
• Trek 3-4 hours to Shira Camp 2
• Lunch at camp
• Rest and relax until dinner
• Dinner at camp
• Evening briefing about next day

Day 4: Lava Tower and Barranco Camp

• Early wake-up and breakfast
• Hike 5 hours to Lava Tower (4,630 m)
• Lunch at Lava Tower
• Descend 2 hours to Barranco Camp
• Enjoy sunset and dinner at camp

Day 5: Barranco to Karanga Camp

• Early wake-up and breakfast
• Ascend Barranco Wall
• Descend to Karanga Valley
• Lunch at Karanga Camp
• Acclimatization hike to Barafu Camp and return
• Dinner at camp
• Evening briefing about next day

Day 6: Karanga to Barafu Camp

• Early wake-up and breakfast
• Trek 5 hours to Barafu Camp
• Lunch at camp
• Rest until dinner
• Dinner at camp
• Evening summit briefing

Day 7: Summit and descend to Mweka Camp

• Wake at 11:30 PM and start ascent
• Climb 6 hours to Stella Point
• Ascend 2 hours to Uhuru Peak
• Summit visit and rest
• Descend 3 hours to Barafu Camp
• Continue descent to Mweka Camp
• Dinner and overnight at Mweka Camp

Day 8: Descend to Springlands Hotel

• Breakfast at Mweka Camp
• Descend 4-5 hours to Mweka Gate
• Drive to Springlands Hotel
• Lunch and shower at hotel
• Optional safari briefing

The experience

You start at Springlands Hotel in Moshi after breakfast, then drive 1.5 hours to Lemosho Park Gate. The first day is a 7km forest hike to Mti Mkubwa Camp at 2,780m. A 5-hour walk that lets your body adjust while the landscape shifts from dense woodland to open moorland. Porters carry the heavy gear, the guide sets the pace, and a chef has lunch waiting when you arrive. That night at camp, the guide briefs you on what comes next.

Days two through six build altitude steadily. You trek from Mti Mkubwa to Shira Camp 1 and 2, then climb to Lava Tower at 4,630m, a demanding push through rocky scree, before descending 680m to Barranco Camp. This descent is deliberate: it lets your body acclimatize at altitude without the risk of pushing straight up. You then climb the Barranco Wall, cross Karanga Valley and reach Barafu Camp at 4,640m. Each day the guide watches for altitude symptoms and adjusts the pace. Meals appear at camp, tents are pitched by porters, and you rest between hikes.

The summit attempt starts at 11:30 PM from Barafu Camp. You climb through darkness toward Stella Point on the crater rim: a 6-hour push through scree that tests both body and mind. A sunrise at 5,685m comes next, weather permitting, before the final 2-hour snow-covered ascent to Uhuru Peak at 5,895m. The descent begins immediately: 3 hours back to Barafu for a rest, then down to Mweka Camp for the night. The next morning, a 4–5 hour walk down to Mweka Gate, then a drive back to Springlands Hotel where a hot lunch and shower wait. The guide speaks English, Spanish, French or German throughout. You choose the language at booking.

What’s included

• A live guide in your choice of English, Spanish, French or German.
• all meals prepared by a camp chef at each stop.
• porter support to carry gear and set up camp.
• accommodation at mountain camps each night plus one night at Springlands Hotel before and after the trek.
• park entry fees and registration at Londorossi Gate.
• transport from Springlands Hotel to Lemosho Park Gate and back to the hotel after descent.

Options for this experience

2 options

Lemosho Route (Solo Joiner)Up to 30 per booking · Guide in 4 languages · 00:00Duration: 8 days, full board, Lemosho route, no hotel of quality, 4x4 for transfers, none, pickup is included

Kilimanjaro Lemosho routeUp to 8 per booking · Guide in 4 languages · 00:00Pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 8d, runs every day with no fixed time, from US$ 2,500 per group, with a live guide in English, Spanish, French and German, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate5 group tours ›

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and GermanOther languages ›

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

Book up toStart time

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

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by ZARA TOURS

Is this one for you?Book this trek if you have at least a moderate level of fitness and want to summit Kilimanjaro with a structured acclimatization schedule built in. The Lemosho Route is less crowded than other paths and includes a deliberate descent from altitude before the summit push, which is what makes the final climb safer and more manageable.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and German.

How does the Lemosho Route prevent altitude sickness on the summit day?

The Lemosho Route builds in acclimatization days before the summit push and includes a deliberate descent from Lava Tower to Barranco Camp, which lets your body adjust to high altitude before the final climb. The descent from the summit to lower camps happens the same day, preventing altitude sickness from hitting you at the top when you are most vulnerable.

What do the porters and chef do each day on the trek?

Porters carry your gear and personal equipment up the mountain, set up tents at each camp, and manage the camp logistics. The chef prepares three meals daily at each campsite: breakfast before the day's hike, lunch when you arrive, and dinner in the evening. You walk with only a day pack.

What is the Barranco Wall and why is it on this route?

The Barranco Wall is a steep rock face between Barranco Camp and Karanga Valley. Climbers ascend it on day five as part of the acclimatization strategy. The wall is challenging but short, and crossing it is part of the route's design to help your body adapt to altitude before the summit push.

What happens if I reach Barafu Camp and don't feel ready for the summit?

The guide assesses your condition throughout the trek and especially at Barafu Camp. If altitude sickness or fatigue makes the summit unsafe, the guide will advise you. Some climbers rest at Barafu and attempt the summit the following night. Others descend without attempting it. The decision is made based on your health and the guide's judgment.

Is there time to rest after I get back to Moshi?

Yes. After the final descent to Mweka Gate and the drive back to Springlands Hotel, you have a hot lunch and time to shower and rest. If you want to extend your trip, the hotel can arrange a safari briefing with a coordinator on the same day or later.