The Lemosho Route is a popular trekking trail up Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania’s highest peak. It is often considered the most beautiful trekking trail up Mount Kilimanjaro. In the 9 Day Kilimanjaro Climb Lemosho Route, we approach Kilimanjaro from the west, providing hikers with breathtaking views and diverse landscapes. The Lemosho Route is known for its scenic beauty and higher success rates due to its longer duration, allowing for better acclimatization. The route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. Crowds are low until the route joins the Machame route near Lava Tower
Afromasai Eastern Safaris offers a 9-day Kilimanjaro Climb and 8-day Kilimanjaro Climb Lemosho Route. Most trekkers complete the Lemosho Route in 8 days or in 9 days depending on the weather conditions. We begin trekking in the thick, fertile rainforest until we reach the wildflowers and shrubs of the healthy ecosystem. Approaching from the west, we cross one of the most beautiful areas on Kilimanjaro, the vast Shira Plateau, before traversing the mountain along the southern circuit. The Lemosho route is for those with previous backpacking experience.
Here is a day-by-day itinerary for the Lemosho Route
| Day | Camp | Elevation (m) |
| 1 | Lemosho Big Tree Camp | 2,650 |
| 2 | Shira One | 3,550 |
| 3 | Shira Hut | 3,840 |
| 4 | Great Buraco Valley | 3,900 |
| 5 | Karanga Campsite | 4,000 |
| 6 | Barafu Campsite | 4,600 |
| 7 | Mweka Forest Camp | 3,100 |
Please note that the longer duration is beneficial for acclimatization, increasing the chances of successful summiting. The route offers diverse landscapes, from rainforests to heath zones and alpine deserts. Professional guides, porters, and a well-organized team are essential for a safe and enjoyable climb.
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Day 2: Lemosho Big Tree Camp (2,650 m); 3-4 hours walking
After completing the necessary registration formalities at the Londorossi National Park gate, we drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho road head. The last section of the road is of poor quality and difficult to drive after rain, we start walking a kilometer or two below the road head. We often have our lunch at the roadhead before starting to walk. It is an easy day to walk up a small path through a beautiful and lush forest. We camp at Lemosho Big Tree Camp.
Day 3:Shira One” (3,550 m); 5-6 hours walking
We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. There is a tangible sense of wilderness, especially if afternoon mists come in! We camp in the center of the plateau at Shira One.
Day 4: Shira Hut (3,840 m); 3-5 hours walking
We walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral before reaching the next camp at Shira Hut. This campsite has stunning views, close to the glaciated dome of Kibo and the jagged rim of the Shira Plateau. The views from here of Mt. Meru floating on the clouds are simply unforgettable.
Day 5: Great Barranco Valley (3,900 m); 6-8 hours walking
A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch, near the Lava Tower junction (4,550 m) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco Valley sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below near our campsite at Barranco Valley.
Day 6: Karanga campsite (4,000 m); 4-5 hours walking
A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the southeastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Icefields. The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to our camp at Karanga (4,000 m), the last water point on the way to the summit.
Day 7: Barafu campsite (4,600 m); 3-4 hours walking
We follow an easy path on compacted scree with wide views that gain altitude unrelentingly to reach the Barafu campsite (4,600 m) for lunch. There is a short acclimatization walk to the plateau at the bottom of the South-East valley (4,800 m). The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night.
Day 8: Mweka forest camp (3100 m); 13-15 hours walking
We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5,735 m), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final Mweka forest camp.
Day 9: Mweka forest camp (3100 m); 13-15 hours walking
A sustained descent through a lovely forest with lush undergrowth takes us to the Mweka National Park gate.
Day 10: Departure Day
Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) Private departure transfer.
The Price Includes:
– 2 Nights’ accommodation in Arusha at Moivaro Lodge is included
– Private professional mountain guides
– All Park fees
– Rescue fees
– All meals while on the Mountain
– Arrival and Departure transfers
– Government taxes, VAT, and all related service charges
– Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
– Emergency Oxygen
– Walking Poles
– Emergency Evacuation by Flying Doctor
The Price Does not Include:
– Tanzania Visa: $50 per person on arrival
– Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
– Meals not listed above
– Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc)
– Tips and any items of a personal nature.
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