28-01-2026 | Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Climbing
The 7-Day Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro climbing tour is widely considered the most scenic and effective path to the roof of Africa. Starting from the west at the Londorossi Gate, this route offers trekkers a unique opportunity to cross the entire Shira Plateau before joining the main trail circuit. Our professional climbing package is designed for hikers who seek a balance between a challenging physical ascent and the necessary time for physiological acclimatization. By starting at a lower elevation and moving through five distinct ecological zones, you maximize your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters. This package provides a comprehensive service including expert mountain guides, nutritious meals, and high-quality camping equipment, starting from a competitive price of USD 1750.
Key Facts for the 7-Day Lemosho Trek
- Total Trekking Distance: Approximately 70 kilometers or 42 miles.
- Starting Point: Londorossi Gate at 2,100 meters.
- Maximum Altitude: Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters.
- Success Rate: Historically high due to the climb high sleep low profile.
- Difficulty Level: Strenuous but accessible to fit hikers.
- Ecological Zones: Rainforest, Heath, Moorland, Alpine Desert, and Arctic Summit.
- Accommodation: High altitude mountain tents.
- Best Time to Climb: January to March and June to October.
Detailed Kilimanjaro 7-Day Lemosho Route Itinerary
Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp
Your journey begins with a drive from Moshi or Arusha to the Londorossi Gate on the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro. After completing the mandatory registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities, a short drive takes you further up to the Lemosho Glades. The trek starts in the lush, emerald green rainforest where the canopy provides shade but traps humidity. This section is famous for its biodiversity, and you should keep a sharp eye out for Blue Monkeys and the black and white Colobus Monkeys leaping through the ancient trees. The trail is often damp and can be slippery underfoot. You will hike for roughly 3 to 4 hours to reach Mti Mkubwa, which translates to Big Tree camp. Here, our crew will have already set up your tents. You will enjoy your first mountain dinner prepared by our chef as the sounds of the forest surround the campsite.
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa to Shira 2 Camp
On the second day, the landscape undergoes a dramatic transformation. You leave the dense rainforest behind and enter the heath and moorland zone. The path becomes steeper as you climb toward the eastern edge of the Shira Plateau. This is a significant day for elevation gain, and our guides will encourage a very slow pace, known locally as pole pole, to help your body adjust to the thinning air. You will cross several small streams and navigate rocky ridges before reaching the vast expanse of the Shira Plateau. We bypass the Shira 1 campsite to reach Shira 2 Camp at 3,850 meters. This location offers the first truly breathtaking views of Kibo, the main volcanic cone of Kilimanjaro. The sunset over the plateau is often one of the highlights of the entire trek, painting the clouds below you in shades of orange and purple.
Day 3: Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower
Day three is a critical day for acclimatization and follows the mountaineering rule of climb high, sleep low. From Shira 2, you head east across the high desert towards the towering volcanic plug known as Lava Tower, which stands at 4,630 meters. This section is barren and rocky, showing the raw volcanic history of the mountain. You will stop at Lava Tower for lunch, allowing your body to experience the higher altitude for a few hours. After lunch, the trail descends significantly into the Barranco Valley. The descent takes you through a forest of strange and beautiful Senecio Kilimanjari trees, also known as Giant Groundsels. You will arrive at Barranco Camp at 3,900 meters. Although you end the day at nearly the same altitude you started, the trip up to Lava Tower is the secret to a successful summit attempt later in the week.
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Many trekkers find day four to be their favorite day on the mountain. You start by tackling the Great Barranco Wall, a 257 meter high rock face. While it looks intimidating from the camp, it does not require technical climbing skills. It is more of a fun and engaging scramble that uses both hands and feet. Once you reach the top of the wall, you are rewarded with an incredible view of the southern glaciers of Kibo. The trail then traverses a series of hills and valleys leading into the Karanga Valley. This short day of trekking is intentional, providing more rest and recovery time before the final push. We reach Karanga Camp at 3,995 meters in time for a hot lunch, leaving the afternoon free for resting or short walks to further assist with altitude adjustment.
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
The trek continues through the alpine desert as you head toward the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. The terrain is stark, with little vegetation and a lot of loose scree. You are now heading to Barafu Camp, located at 4,673 meters. Barafu is the Swahili word for ice, and the camp is situated on a narrow, wind-swept ridge. This is your base camp for the summit attempt. Our team will ensure you have an early dinner, as you will need to get as much sleep as possible before being woken at midnight. You should prepare your summit gear, including headlamps, thermal layers, and insulated water bottles, before lying down. The atmosphere at Barafu is one of quiet anticipation and focus as every climber prepares for the final 1,200 meter ascent.
Day 6: Summit Day - Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Your summit attempt begins around midnight. This is the most physically and mentally demanding part of the 7-Day Lemosho Route. Guided by the light of your headlamp, you will slowly zig-zag up the heavy scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,756 meters. The temperatures are often well below freezing, and the wind can be biting. Reaching Stella Point usually coincides with the sunrise, a moment of profound beauty as the sun rises over Mawenzi Peak. From Stella Point, it is another 45 minutes to an hour of hiking along the snow-fringed crater rim to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Standing at the summit is an emotional and life-changing experience. After taking photos and celebrating, you begin the long descent back to Barafu Camp for a short rest and brunch. The day continues as you descend further down to Mweka Camp at 3,100 meters, back into the safety of the trees and oxygen-rich air.
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
The final day is a celebratory descent through the rainforest back to the Mweka Gate at 1,640 meters. The air is warm and moist, a stark contrast to the frozen summit you stood upon just 24 hours prior. Upon reaching the gate, you will sign out with the park rangers and receive your official gold certificates for reaching Uhuru Peak. It is customary to have a tipping ceremony here, where you can thank your guides, chefs, and porters for their incredible hard work. Our vehicle will be waiting to transport you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha for a long-awaited hot shower and a celebratory dinner. The 7-day Lemosho adventure concludes, leaving you with memories of a lifetime and the pride of having conquered the world's tallest free-standing mountain.
Understanding the Cost of Your Kilimanjaro Climb
Our 7-Day Lemosho Route package starts from USD 1750 per person. We believe in price transparency and want you to understand where your money goes. A significant portion of this cost is allocated to mandatory Kilimanjaro National Park fees, which include conservation fees, camping fees, and rescue fees. These fees alone often exceed USD 800 per trekker. The remaining balance covers the essential logistics that ensure your safety and comfort.
What is included in the $1750 price:
- Professional, English-speaking mountain guides certified in high-altitude medicine.
- A dedicated team of porters to carry your heavy gear and camp equipment.
- Private mountain chefs who prepare high-calorie, fresh meals daily.
- High quality four-season mountain tents and comfortable sleeping mats.
- Emergency oxygen cylinders and pulse oximeters for daily health checks.
- All park entrance fees, camping permits, and government taxes.
- Transport from your hotel to the mountain gate and back.
- Clean, treated drinking water throughout the trek.
What is typically not included:
- International airfare to Tanzania (Kilimanjaro International Airport - JRO).
- Tanzanian entry visa fees (standard cost is USD 50 to USD 100).
- Personal trekking gear such as boots, sleeping bags, and down jackets.
- Tips for the mountain crew, which is a standard practice in the industry.
- Personal travel and medical insurance.
Why Choose Our Expertise for Your Lemosho Trek
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is not just a walk in the park; it is a high-altitude expedition that requires meticulous planning and local expertise. As a dedicated tour operator with years of experience on the Lemosho Route, we prioritize your safety above all else. Our guides are not just leaders; they are experts in detecting early signs of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). They perform twice-daily health checks using pulse oximeters to monitor your oxygen saturation levels and heart rate.
We are also proud supporters of fair treatment for porters. We strictly adhere to the guidelines set by the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP). This ensures our crew receives fair wages, proper meals, adequate clothing, and a safe weight limit for their loads. When you book with us, you are supporting a sustainable and ethical tourism model that benefits the local Tanzanian community. Our equipment is regularly inspected and replaced, ensuring your "home" on the mountain is windproof and waterproof, no matter what the weather throws at us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 7-day Lemosho route better than the 6-day Machame route?
Yes, the 7-day Lemosho route is generally superior for acclimatization. It starts at a lower altitude and offers a more gradual ascent over the first two days. This significantly increases your summit success rate compared to the shorter 6-day Machame trek, which forces a faster elevation gain.
How difficult is the Barranco Wall on the Lemosho route?
The Barranco Wall is often the most feared part of the trek, but it is rarely the most difficult. It is a non-technical scramble. You do not need ropes or harnesses. Most hikers find it an enjoyable challenge that breaks up the walking, and the views from the top are some of the best on the mountain.
What kind of food is served on the climb?
We provide three hot meals a day designed to keep your energy levels high. Breakfast usually includes porridge, eggs, sausages, and toast. Lunch and dinner consist of soups, pasta, rice, chicken, beef, and plenty of fresh vegetables. We can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets upon request.
Do I need to train for the 7-day Lemosho trek?
Physical preparation is highly recommended. You should focus on cardiovascular exercises like hiking, running, or swimming. The best training is hiking on hills with a weighted backpack to simulate mountain conditions. Strengthening your legs and core will make the long descent on day six much more manageable.
What happens if I get altitude sickness?
Our guides are trained to monitor symptoms constantly. If you develop mild symptoms, we may slow the pace or encourage more fluid intake. If symptoms become moderate to severe, our priority is your safety, and we will arrange an immediate descent to a lower altitude. We carry emergency oxygen and have established evacuation protocols in place.
Is the $1750 price for a private or group tour?
The starting price of $1750 is typically based on a group departure or a minimum of four people. We also offer private tours for solo travelers, couples, or small groups, though the price per person may increase depending on the total number of participants in your specific party.
Secure your 7-Day Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Climbing Tour today and join the elite group of adventurers who have stood on the summit of Africa.