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Lemosho Route 8 Days
Lemosho Route – Kilimanjaro's Most Breathtaking Climb
Wild. Scenic. Unforgettable.
Looking for the most beautiful trail up Mount Kilimanjaro? The Lemosho Route is your ticket to adventure.
This route takes you off the beaten path—starting on Kilimanjaro’s wild western slopes—where you’ll hike through lush rainforest, cross the vast Shira Plateau, and summit the roof of Africa with incredible 360° views the whole way up.
Why Choose the Lemosho Route?
Epic Scenery – From jungle trails to alpine desert and sweeping volcanic landscapes
Fewer Crowds – Quiet trails for the first few days before joining the main Machame route
Great Wildlife – Spot colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, tropical birds, and even signs of big game
Perfect Acclimatization – Longer, steadier climb means higher success and safer summiting
The Lemosho Experience
Your journey kicks off at Londorossi Gate on the mountain’s remote western side—far from the crowds.
You’ll hike through primeval rainforest, where the canopy teems with life, from black-and-white monkeys swinging in the trees to colorful birds darting overhead.
Then, you emerge onto the wide-open Shira Plateau—an ancient lava flow turned alpine expanse—with dramatic views stretching in all directions. It’s one of the few places on the mountain where you’ll feel like you're walking across the moon.
The trail stays gradual and scenic until it eventually merges with the Machame Route near Lava Tower, where you'll join other trekkers for the final push to the summit.
Who It’s For
The Lemosho Route is ideal for hikers who:
✔ Want a quieter, more scenic path
✔ Appreciate good pacing and better altitude adjustment
✔ Have a bit more time to enjoy the mountain
✔ Are ready for a challenge — and a big reward
Make It Your Climb of a Lifetime
With its unbeatable views, great acclimatization, and a real sense of wilderness, Lemosho is the route of choice for photographers, nature-lovers, and smart trekkers who want to summit in style.
📆 Best months: January–March & July–October
📍 Trip length: 7 to 8 days on the mountain
📈 Success rate: Up to 95% with proper pacing
Solitude, Scenery & Summit Success – Why Lemosho Stands Out
The Lemosho Route is your chance to experience Kilimanjaro like few others do. In the early days of the trek, you’ll enjoy a rare kind of peace—the trail is far less crowded than the popular Machame or Marangu routes. For a while, it may feel like you have the entire mountain to yourself. No crowds. No noise. Just you, the wild, and the trail.
Eventually, the Lemosho path merges with the Machame Route near Lava Tower, and the number of trekkers increases. But that quiet start gives this climb a special edge—space to breathe, take in the views, and really connect with the mountain.
And the scenery? Stunning.
You’ll trek through untouched rainforest, hike across the vast, otherworldly Shira Plateau, and take in panoramic views you won’t see on any other route. Plus, you'll still hit iconic spots like Barranco Wall and Lava Tower, giving you the best of both worlds: seclusion early on and unforgettable landmarks later because Lemosho is a longer, more gradual route, most climbers take 7 to 8 days to complete the trek—giving your body more time to adjust to the altitude. That’s a big reason why the summit success rate is significantly higher on this route.
If you're looking for a quieter, more immersive, and highly rewarding way to climb Kilimanjaro—Lemosho is the route for you.
Lemosho Route – Kilimanjaro's Most Breathtaking Climb
Lemosho Route: 8-Day Kilimanjaro Adventure
The Ultimate Trek to the Roof of Africa — With Epic Scenery & Maximum Summit Success!
Day 1 – Into the Rainforest (Lemosho Glades to Forest Camp)
Kick off your adventure with a scenic drive from Arusha to Kilimanjaro’s Londorossi Gate on the western slopes. Then it’s boots on the ground! Your trek begins through a lush rainforest where black-and-white colobus monkeys, vibrant mosses, and jungle bird calls create a magical setting. After a picnic lunch, hike 3–4 hours to your first overnight in the forest.
Hiking: 3–4 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~9,498 ft
Day 2 – Up to the Shira Plateau
Leave the rainforest behind and hike into the Hagenia zone — where things open up and Mount Kibo makes its dramatic first appearance. Today is all about acclimatization, with rolling terrain and a series of ridges to cross. Camp under the stars at Shira 1.
Hiking: 6–9 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~11,500 ft
Day 3 – Traversing the Shira to Moir Camp
Today’s hike takes you across the expansive Shira Plateau, one of Kilimanjaro’s hidden gems. Stop for lunch at Scott Fischer Memorial Camp, honoring the legendary Everest guide. End the day at Moir Camp, with optional acclimatization hikes in the afternoon.
Hiking: 5–6 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~13,650 ft
Day 4 – Into the Alpine Zone: Moir to Barranco
Leave the moorlands behind and enter the alpine desert. Pass by the haunting landscape of Lava Tower (~14,300 ft), then descend into the dramatic Barranco Valley. Camp here in one of the most scenic spots on the mountain.
Hiking: 4–6 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~13,044 ft
Day 5 – The Barranco Wall to Karanga
Gear up to climb the thrilling Great Barranco Wall — a scramble with incredible views of Kilimanjaro’s glaciers. Then enjoy a gentle hike across undulating valleys to Karanga Camp, perched high on the mountainside.
Hiking: 3–5 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~13,106 ft
Day 6 – Karanga to Barafu (Base Camp)
Hike to Barafu Camp, your launch point for the summit. After settling in, we’ll review the use of safety gear like oxygen and the hyperbaric (Gamow) bag. Eat an early dinner, rest, and get ready: summit day begins at midnight.
Hiking: 3–5 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~15,100 ft
Day 7 – Summit Day! Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
It’s go time. Start your ascent under the stars around midnight. Using headlamps, trek 6–7 hours to Stella Point, then push another 1–2 hours to the top: Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft) — the highest point in Africa! After a celebration and photos at the summit, descend to Barafu for lunch, then continue to Mweka Camp to sleep.
Hiking: 12–17 hours total
Summit: 19,341 ft
Overnight Altitude: ~10,448 ft
Day 8 – Final Descent to Mweka Gate
Your journey wraps up with a final 3–5 hour descent through the forest to Mweka Gate. Enjoy a well-earned lunch, say goodbye to your amazing mountain crew, and return to your lodge for hot showers and celebration.
Hiking: 3–5 hours
Lemosho Route – Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is the Lemosho Route?
Lemosho is one of the easiest routes on Mount Kilimanjaro — relatively speaking! Its longer itinerary means you get more time to adjust to the altitude, which helps tremendously. That said, you’ll still tackle the dramatic Barranco Wall and the steep summit push on summit night. No ropes or climbing skills are needed, but you'll want to be in solid shape.
How far is the Lemosho Route, and how many days does it take?
The full trek covers 71 km (43 miles) from start to finish. While it’s possible to do the route in 7 days, we strongly recommend 8 or 9 days for better acclimatization and a higher chance of reaching the summit. With travel days included, plan for a 10-day adventure.
What’s the summit success rate on Lemosho?
Thanks to its longer, gradual ascent, Lemosho has one of the highest success rates on Kilimanjaro. Most operators average about a 90% summit rate on the 8-day trek, and 85% on the 7-day.
With us? Our climbers hit the top over 95% of the time on the 8-day and 92% on the 7-day route. That’s some serious success.
What’s the scenery like?
Breathtaking doesn’t even cover it. Lemosho is often called the most beautiful route on Kilimanjaro — and for good reason. You’ll trek through lush rainforests, cross the dramatic Shira Plateau, and soak in sweeping views of the Southern Icefields and surrounding wilderness. This route gives you everything: dense jungle, open alpine vistas, and star-filled nights above the clouds.