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The 8 Days Lemosho Route is one of the most beautiful and successful ways to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Known for its stunning scenery, peaceful trails, and excellent acclimatization, this route gives climbers the best chance to reach the summit with confidence. Compared to shorter routes, the 8-day itinerary allows trekkers to hike at a slower pace, giving the body enough time to adjust to altitude and making the climb safer and more enjoyable.
The Lemosho Route is famous for offering breathtaking views and fewer crowds in the early stages of the trek. Starting on the western side of Kilimanjaro, the route passes through untouched rainforest, open moorlands, and the wide Shira Plateau before joining the Machame path higher up the mountain. With every day, climbers move through different climate zones, experiencing the full beauty of Africa’s highest peak.
By choosing the 8-day version, trekkers benefit from an extra acclimatization day, which greatly improves the chances of reaching Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters. This makes it one of the most recommended options for those who want both adventure and comfort while climbing.
During the 8 Days Lemosho Route climb, trekkers walk between 5–7 hours daily, enjoying diverse landscapes and plenty of time for rest. Nights are spent in high-quality tents, with hot meals prepared by professional mountain chefs. A dedicated team of guides and porters ensures safety, comfort, and motivation throughout the journey.
The highlight of the trek is summit night, which begins at midnight with a climb under the stars toward Uhuru Peak. Watching the sunrise from the Roof of Africa is an unforgettable reward after days of adventure.
The 8 Days Lemosho Route is perfect for trekkers who want the highest possible summit success rate and a relaxed pace. It is especially suitable for those who are concerned about altitude sickness, as the extra day gives the body more time to adapt.
This route is ideal for climbers of all experience levels – from beginners who want more time to adjust, to experienced hikers who value comfort and safety. It is highly recommended for families, couples, or groups who want to enjoy Kilimanjaro at the best pace without rushing the experience. If you are looking for the most scenic and well-balanced climb, the 8 Days Lemosho Route is the top choice.
What makes this climb unique is its balance of beauty, comfort, and success. Unlike shorter routes, the 8-day Lemosho itinerary provides enough time to enjoy the mountain without pressure. With its varied landscapes, peaceful trails, and high success rates, this route is considered one of the finest ways to climb Kilimanjaro.
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 trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. Our destination for today is the Shira 1 Camp from where there are often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds. We gain a reasonable amount of altitude today and parts of the route are fairly steep.
Today 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. Our destination today is the Shira 2 Camp. In the afternoon you will take an acclimatization walk then head back to camp for dinner and overnight.
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 |
| $2,592 USD | $2,250 USD | $2,150 USD | $2,050 USD | $1,950 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 Lemosho Route is considered a moderate to challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro. It offers a longer and gradual ascent, giving climbers more time to acclimatize. Because of its scenic beauty and high summit success rate (about 90% for 8 days), it’s ideal for both beginners and experienced trekkers who want a higher chance of reaching Uhuru Peak.
The best times to climb the Lemosho Route are during the dry seasons, from January to early March and June to October. During these periods, you’ll enjoy clear skies, stable weather, and excellent visibility. Avoid the heavy rainy months of April–May and November for a safer and more enjoyable climb.
Altitude sickness is a common concern when climbing Kilimanjaro. The Lemosho Route helps reduce the risk because of its longer and gradual elevation gain. Still, it’s important to climb slowly, stay hydrated, eat well, and rest properly. Our guides are trained in altitude safety and carry oxygen and first aid kits to ensure your safety at all times.
Yes, some vaccinations are recommended or required before visiting Tanzania. The Yellow Fever vaccine is mandatory if you’re coming from or transiting through an infected country. Other suggested vaccines include Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B, and Tetanus. Always check with your doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
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$350 – US$400 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. Single supplements are available for your hotel stay in Moshi before and after the climb. On the mountain, tents are shared between two climbers, but private tents can be arranged on request at an additional cost.
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.
The Lemosho Route is a camping route, so you’ll sleep in high-quality mountain tents equipped with comfortable sleeping pads. Dining tents are also provided for meals, offering a cozy space to relax and eat after hiking.
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.
The Lemosho Route takes 7 or 8 days, depending on your schedule and acclimatization needs. The 8-day option is highly recommended for a better success rate and a more enjoyable experience.
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 Lemosho Route has one of the highest summit success rates on Kilimanjaro around 90% for the 8-day climb and 85% for the 7-day climb. The gradual ascent allows excellent acclimatization, making it one of the best routes for summit success.
Weather varies by altitude. The lower slopes are warm and humid, while the summit is cold and windy. Expect temperatures from 25°C (base) to -10°C (summit). Be prepared for changing conditions—sunshine, rain, mist, and snow are all possible during your climb.
Yes! After your climb, you can enjoy a relaxing Tanzania Safari to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, or Tarangire National Park. Many climbers combine their Kilimanjaro trek with a 3–5 day safari for the ultimate adventure experience.
Yes. Climbers must be at least 10 years old to trek Kilimanjaro. There’s no upper age limit, but older trekkers should be in good health and consult a doctor before the climb. The Lemosho Route is perfect for families, friends, and solo travelers.
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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