8-Day Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Trek
About The Trek
Eight days. One extraordinary summit.
Climb Mount Kilimanjaro on the scenic 8-day Lemosho Route, a gradual and rewarding approach to Africa’s highest peak. Beginning on Kilimanjaro’s western slopes, the route passes through lush rainforest, the expansive Shira Plateau, high-altitude desert and dramatic volcanic landscapes before joining the southern circuit beneath Kibo. With additional time for acclimatization before the summit attempt, the journey culminates at Uhuru Peak, 5,895 metres, followed by a descent through the rainforest to Mweka Gate.
Highlights
8 Days / 7 Nights
Scenic Lemosho Route
5,895 Metres
Uhuru Peak summit
Acclimatization
Gradual ascent profile
Fully Supported
Guides, porters & cook
1
Arusha → Londorossi Gate → Mti Mkubwa
Depart Arusha in the morning and drive toward the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro to Londorossi Gate. After registration and completion of park formalities, continue to the trailhead and begin your Kilimanjaro adventure.
The first trek leads through lush montane rainforest, where the trail winds beneath a dense canopy rich with vegetation and birdlife. Arrive at Mti Mkubwa, meaning “Big Tree,” where your mountain crew will have prepared camp for your first night.
Overnight: Mti Mkubwa Camp
Altitude: Approx. 2,650 m
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
2
Mti Mkubwa → Shira 1 Camp
After breakfast, leave the rainforest behind as the landscape gradually changes into heath and moorland.
Continue climbing toward the Shira Plateau, one of Kilimanjaro’s most distinctive landscapes. As the vegetation becomes more sparse, increasingly expansive views open across the mountain and surrounding plains.
Arrive at Shira 1 Camp for dinner and your second night on Kilimanjaro.
Overnight: Shira 1 Camp
Altitude: Approx. 3,610 m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
3
Shira 1 → Shira 2 Camp
Today’s trek continues across the beautiful Shira Plateau with a gentler elevation gain, giving your body valuable time to adjust to the increasing altitude.
Walk through open highland terrain toward Shira 2 Camp. Depending on conditions and your guide’s recommendation, an additional acclimatization walk may be undertaken after reaching camp.
Overnight: Shira 2 Camp
Altitude: Approx. 3,850 m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
4
Shira 2 → Lava Tower → Barranco Camp
Today is an important acclimatization day as you climb toward Lava Tower at approximately 4,600 metres.
The higher altitude allows your body to experience thinner air before you descend again toward Barranco Camp, following the useful mountaineering principle of climbing high and sleeping lower.
The dramatic Barranco Valley provides one of the route’s most memorable campsites, beneath the imposing Barranco Wall.
Overnight: Barranco Camp
Altitude: Approx. 3,900 m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
5
Barranco → Karanga Camp
Begin the morning with the famous Barranco Wall, one of the most visually dramatic sections of the Lemosho Route.
With guidance from your mountain team, make your way steadily up the rocky wall before continuing across a landscape of ridges and valleys toward Karanga Camp.
The shorter trekking day provides further opportunity to rest and acclimatize before moving higher toward base camp.
Overnight: Karanga Camp
Altitude: Approx. 4,035 m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
6
Karanga → Barafu Camp
Continue through Kilimanjaro’s stark alpine desert toward Barafu Camp, your base for the summit attempt.
Arriving relatively early allows time to rest, eat and prepare your equipment for the night’s climb. Your guide will brief you on the summit attempt before an early dinner and several hours of rest.
The summit journey begins around midnight.
Overnight: Barafu Camp
Altitude: Approx. 4,673 m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
7
Barafu → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp
Your summit attempt begins in darkness, climbing slowly through the cold high-altitude terrain toward the crater rim.
Continue upward as dawn begins to illuminate the mountain before making the final push toward Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the highest point in Africa.
After time at the summit, begin the long descent to Barafu Camp for a short rest before continuing farther down the mountain to Mweka Camp.
Tonight, enjoy a well-earned rest at a significantly lower altitude.
Overnight: Mweka Camp
Summit: 5,895 m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
8
Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate → Arusha
After breakfast, begin your final descent through Kilimanjaro’s lush rainforest toward Mweka Gate.
At the gate, complete the final park formalities and receive your summit certificate. Meet your transfer vehicle and drive back to Arusha, where you will be dropped off at your hotel or transferred to the airport according to your arrangements.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Trek Includes
- Professional mountain guide
- Porters and mountain cook
- All Park fees
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- All meals on the mountain
- Drinking water
- Summit certificate
Trek Excludes
- International flights
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips for guides, porters and cooks
- Personal trekking equipment
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Sleeping bag unless arranged
Plan Your Kilimanjaro Climb
Tell us a little about your trek and we’ll help arrange your climb around your dates, group and travel preferences.