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The 7 Days Lemosho Route is one of the most beautiful and rewarding ways to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Famous for its panoramic views, low traffic, and gradual altitude gain, it is considered one of the best routes for acclimatization and summit success. Compared to the Machame and Marangu routes, the Lemosho Route offers a quieter, more scenic trail that passes through untouched wilderness before joining the Machame path near the Shira Plateau.
This route is loved by trekkers who want a balance of adventure, comfort, and high chances of reaching Uhuru Peak. The first days of the trek pass through rich rainforest filled with wildlife before entering the vast Shira Plateau, where climbers enjoy wide views of the mountain. As the journey continues, the path leads through alpine desert and finally to the glaciated slopes near the summit.
The 7-day itinerary is carefully designed to allow more time for the body to adjust to altitude. This means better acclimatization and improved chances of success compared to shorter routes. It is one of the safest and most enjoyable climbs for both new and experienced trekkers.
Climbers on the Lemosho Route enjoy the best of Kilimanjaro: peaceful trails, varied landscapes, and excellent opportunities to see both flora and fauna along the way. Each night, trekkers sleep in high-quality tents, enjoy freshly prepared hot meals, and are supported by skilled mountain guides and porters who take care of all logistics.
The journey usually takes 6–8 hours of hiking per day, with time to rest and enjoy the scenery. The most challenging part is the summit night, which starts at midnight and leads to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters. Standing on the Roof of Africa at sunrise is the ultimate reward after days of adventure.
The 7 Days Lemosho Route is perfect for climbers who want the best combination of scenic views, good acclimatization, and high success rates. It is especially suitable for those who are looking for a quieter start with fewer crowds compared to other routes.
This route is ideal for trekkers who have a good fitness level, enjoy nature and wildlife, and want to take enough time to adapt to the altitude. It is highly recommended for couples, small groups, or solo travelers who wish to combine adventure with safety. If you are looking for one of the most scenic and successful ways to climb Kilimanjaro, the 7 Days Lemosho Route is the perfect choice.
What makes this climb truly unique is its unmatched scenery and peaceful atmosphere. From rainforest trails and the vast Shira Plateau to the final push toward the summit, every stage of the Lemosho Route is designed to inspire. With its balanced difficulty and high success rate, this route gives climbers not only the chance to reach Uhuru Peak but also the opportunity to fully enjoy the journey.
You will be welcomed by our team at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. Take this day to relax, recover from your journey, and meet your mountain guide for a pre-climb briefing and gear check.
Accommodation: Maridad Hotel / Parkview Inn
Meals: Dinner included
You will be picked up at your hotel at around 08:00am and transferred to the Lemosho gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. After the registration process you will still start our climb steadily through the forests of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree camp where you will be spending the night.
Today you will cover a lot of ground as you trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. We will trek through Shira 1 Camp from where there are often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds as we head towards our destination which is Shira 2.. We gain a reasonable amount of altitude as we head towards Shira 1 and parts of the route are fairly steep. As you proceed towards Shira 2 you will get the chance to view the Northern Ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. Our steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will help with acclimatization and we enjoy great panoramic views.
Your trek starts with an ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking in to the climatic zone of the upland desert and on the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. You will reach the distinct pinnacle of the Lava Tower (4640 m), our high point for the day and a great place to enjoy your lunch. In the afternoon we make a steep descent to our camp for the night, located in the base of the Great Barranco Valley (3960 m), sheltered by towering cliffs but with extensive views of the plains below.
Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.
We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a hot welcome shower.
Prices (quoted in USD/per person)
| 1 Pax | 2-4 Pax | 5-6 Pax | 7-9 Pax | 10+ Pax |
| $2,492 USD | $2,050 USD | $1,950 USD | $1,850 USD | $1,830 USD |
For a more accurate estimate, it’s best to contact us directly and discuss your specific requirements and budget. We can provide you with a detailed quote based on your itinerary, group size, and preferred level of comfort
The Machame route is considered a moderately difficult route. It involves steep ascents. Hiking days on the 7-Day option are short compared to other routes. The high altitudes make trekking more difficult. While prior hiking experience is beneficial, those with a good level of fitness and determination can complete the route successfully. To train, we recommend running or playing sports at least two to three times a week. It’s also great to do a few practice hikes with a 5kg rucksack before you arrive for your trek.
The best time to climb the Machame route is during the dry seasons, from January to mid-March and from June to October. These months generally offer better weather conditions and higher visibility, increasing the chances of a successful summit.
When you go above altitudes of 2,500m (as is the case on Kilimanjaro), there is less oxygen which poses a risk of altitude sickness. High altitude sickness can happen to anybody, regardless of age or fitness. Symptoms vary between individuals but commonly include headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, and numbness in fingers and toes. These symptoms can come on unexpectedly and get severe quickly. To decrease the chances of experiencing altitude sickness, you need to allow your body time to acclimatise properly. Although impossible to completely prevent, we’ve designed our itineraries to give guests the best chance to adjust to the altitude changes. This 7-day route provides an extra day to acclimatise, which is, in our opinion, preferable to the 6-day Machame option. Bush Lion guides have years of experience in recognizing and helping guests deal with altitude sickness. Note that oxygen is not used on Kilimanjaro to help guests reach the summit or to ‘treat’ altitude sickness. The only cure for altitude sickness is to immediately descend to lower ground. In severe cases, oxygen may be given to provide enough temporary relief to allow the affected guest to descend. In extreme cases, altitude sickness on Kilimanjaro can be fatal. We put your safety first. Our guides have years of experience, and their decision on whether or not to continue is final.
We recommend that you check in with your personal healthcare advisor or travel doctor before your trip to Africa. We have provided a useful link below where you can find information on vaccine requirements.
See inclusions and exclusions above.
The following is a recommended packing list for Kilimanjaro:
DOCUMENTS
GEAR & CLOTHING
(please make sure that you have non-cotton clothing for trekking):
If you don’t want to purchase your own kit or need to travel light, you can hire most of the equipment from our guides in-country. Get in touch for the list and rental prices. Please note that all plastic bags, regardless of their thickness, are prohibited from being brought into Tanzania. This excludes packaging for medical supplies.
It is customary in Tanzania to tip guides and porters. The amount that you tip is completely up to you. As a good rule of thumb, generally, participants will tip around US$250 – US$300 per customer (not per guide). You can give this to the head guide, and they will distribute it amongst the team of guides, porters, and cooks.
Yes, If you are travelling solo and would like your own room and tent for the duration of the trip, you can pay for a single supplement. The single supplement is an optional extra with a cost of $50 per traveller. This is payable in-country. Should you not wish to apply the single supplement, we will pair you with another group member to share accommodation during the trek (twin hotel room and shared tent).
You have chefs with you on the hike who can cater to all dietary requirements. During the trek, you will be provided with three nutritious and filling meals each day to keep energy levels high. Please provide full details of any dietary requirements and allergies on your Trip Form. You will receive a link to fill this out shortly after booking. Note that lunch and Dinner (at the hotel) on your first and final day is not included.
Portable toilets are available as an optional extra to enhance your comfort during the climb. For individual travelers, this service costs $70 per person, payable at our offices in-country. However, for groups, we provide portable toilets free of charge as part of our commitment to making your group adventure as enjoyable and convenient as possible.
Most groups have 3 people, with a maximum of 14.
Accommodation during the trek is in campsites in spacious tents shared between two people. The campsites provide basic facilities, such as toilets and dining tents. In Moshi (before and after the trek), you stay in hotel accommodation.
Every day on the trek we will provide you with filtered water to fill up your bottles. The water is filtered and boiled by a Katadyn filtration system. We recommend you also bring water purification tablets or a filter bottle.
This is a 7-day version of the popular Machame route up Kilimanjaro. There is a shorter option (6-Day Machame Trek). If you have the time, we strongly recommend this longer option. The extra day is extremely beneficial to the acclimatisation process and gives you the best possible chance of reaching the summit.
The start and end point of this tour is Kilimanjaro International Airport. There are three pick-up times (10:00 AM, 5:00 PM or 11:59 PM). On the last date, you can fly at any time. Your guides will arrange transfers that work best for the group. Guests typically fly with BA, Air France, or Qatar. However, we’d recommend comparing a few airlines.
Porters are included as part of your trekking team. The porters will carry all the supplies, camping gear, water and also your main luggage. There is a 15kg limit for personal luggage that the porters will carry. This should be packed into a flexible duffel bag, 90l is a good size. This personal luggage includes your sleeping bag (provided) which must also fit into the duffel bag. Extra luggage and suitcases can be left in the locked storage room of the lodge.
The success rate of reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro via the Machame route is approximately 85% to 90%. Proper acclimatisation, physical fitness, and following the guidance of experienced guides significantly increase the chances of reaching the summit.
Kilimanjaro is very close to the equator, so the temperatures are very similar year-round. They can range from around 20°C(68°F) at the base to -10°C (14°F) on the summit. The dry season is June-September, and during these times, there is typically just a dusting of snow on the summit. These are also the busiest months. The wet season is Nov-May, where snow depth on the summit can regularly be 20-30cm.
Yes, of course! Safari in Tanzania is an amazing experience – simply message the Bush Lion team before/ after booking and we’ll help you arrange a 2-7 day safari.
Climbers must be at least 10 years old to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Any person under the age of 15 years must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Tell us your travel dates, number of people, and what you’re interested in, and we’ll send you a free quote with the best suggestions.
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